Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes in North America. This week we have massive stakes cards at Aqueduct Racetrack, Keeneland, and Santa Anita Park built around three top Triple Crown preps.
With short yearlings a hot commodity at winter mixed sales, the stallion with the most foals of 2016 entered at the Feb. 6-7 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky auction is San Pablo, a son of Jump Start who who or placed in 16 of 19 career starts.
When Carleigh Fedorka joined the Chesapeake Farm staff in front of a TV to watch a promising homebred earn his first career victory by 13 3/4 lengths in March 2009, she had no idea how deeply she'd eventually be connected to the big gray gelding.
Favored at odds of 3-2 in a five-horse field, the 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid wore down 9-5 second choice Madefromlucky to take the 1 1/4-mile test in 2:04.52.
Kid Cruz will look to add more black type to his resume when he faces four competitors in the $200,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) April 9 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Instead of 3-5 favorite Wicked Strong winning in his second start of the season, it was the 6-1 Effinex who made a sweeping move on the final turn and put away pacesetter Red Rifle to win the 1 1/4-mile test.
Wicked Strong, winner of last year's TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I) and Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II), tries to get back on a winning track April 25 as he takes on seven opponents in the $200,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III).
Grade II winner Birdrun has been retired from racing to stand at Robin Murphy's Poplar Creek Horse Farm near Bethel, Ohio. His fee is $2,000.
Rockridge Stud and Lere Visagie are off to a fast start. Download Now
Godolphin entrymates Romansh and Long River ran one-two, respectivley, in the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack March 22.
TimeformUS Weekend Plays from Turfway, Aqueduct, Santa Anita and Sunland read blog
Long River and Romansh face five opponents in the 1 1/8-mile test for older horses at Aqueduct March 22.
Dual stakes winner Norman Asbjornson has been retired from racing to stand at Dr. William O. Solomon's Pin Oak Lane near New Freedom, Pa.
Rockridge Stud in Hudson, N.Y., will host its stallion show on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (EST).
Grade III winner San Pablo has been retired and will join the Rockridge Stud roster in Hudson, NY for 2014, it was announced Dec. 22.
Scratches took the field for the $148,500 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (gr. III) from eight to five, but they didn't derail a thrilling race down the lane between victorious odds-on choice Last Gunfighter and San Pablo.
Last Gunfighter, who had his six-race winning streak stopped by Flat Out in the Suburban Handicap (gr. II), looks to start another one when he takes on seven rivals in the 1 1/8-mile Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park.
After some deliberation, Take Charge Indy's connections will run the grade I-winning colt in the July 28 Monmouth Cup (gr. II), where he'll carry 123-pound highweight against the likes of Hymn Book, Pants on Fire, and more.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez reached 5,000 career victories in North America June 14 after going 3-for-3 on the afternoon at Belmont Park.
Multiple graded stakes winner Mucho Macho Man ran third behind San Pablo and Hymn Book in the $88,200 Criminal Type Stakes at Belmont Park June 14, his first start in five months.
Two years after winning the Belmont Stakes, George and Lori Hall's Ruler On Ice will again travel the full circuit of the Belmont Park main track oval June 7 when he starts in the 1 1/2-mile Brooklyn Handicap.
Some prominent names -- including Flat Out and Pants On Fire -- are set to clash in the April 27 Westchester Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park.
Won the Excelsior Stakes on March 23 for his 5th straight win. More
Last Gunfighter overcame a troubled start and came through on the rail to win the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) March 23 at Aqueduct, while 2011 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Ruler On Ice finished fifth.
The 3-1 second choice on the morning line for the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) March 23 at Aqueduct Racetrack is 2011 Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice, who won an Aqueduct optional claimer Jan. 30.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Birdrun | William I. Mott |
|
| Inherit the Gold | James Hooper |
|
| Marilyn's Guy | Scott A. Lake |
|
| Norman Asbjornson | Carlos A. Mancilla |
|
| Redding Colliery | Kiaran P. McLaughlin |
|
| San Pablo | Todd A. Pletcher |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| O.D. McDonald S. | ALB | |
| Wild Applause S. | BEL | |
| Chicago H. (G3) | CD | |
| River Rock Casino H. | HST | |
| Edward Evans S. | LRL |
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