| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| American Act | Jack Carava |
|
| Boompa | Gary Mandella |
|
| Drill | Bob Baffert |
|
| Gun Boat | Bob Baffert |
|
Grade II winner Hoppertunity breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 April 23 at Churchill Downs as the son of Any Given Saturday prepares for a start in the upcoming Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
There was no catching Blueskiesnrainbows Jan. 11 at Santa Anita Park in a frontrunning win in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II).
Trainer Richard Mandella takes a shot at his own record Dec. 14 in the $150,000 Native Diver Stakes (gr. III), a 7-year-old longshot could become the oldest winner in the final running, and Slim Shadey tries Cushion Track.
Goldencents made a solid return to sprinting one month ago when second by a head in the Bing Crosby Stakes, and the Santa Anita Derby winner is back on the Del Mar main track Aug. 25 facing 12 in the Pat O'Brien Stakes.
One of the better sprints of the 2013 season is on tap in the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I) June 29 at Betfair Hollywood Park, featuring defending champ Camp Victory, Comma to the Top, and Jimmy Creed.
Second in his comeback race last month, Obviously gets back to his favored one-mile distance in the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. IIT) May 25 on the turf at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Idle since running third n the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) last fall, Obviously will make his 2013 debut for trainer Mike Mitchell in the $100,000 San Simeon Stakes (gr. IIIT) April 20 at Santa Anita Park.
Top sprinter The Lumber Guy, looking to rebound from a disappointing performance in the Malibu Stakes (gr. I), is part of a well-balanced field for the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 23 at Santa Anita Park.
Versatile Comma to the Top, who has produced wins on dirt, synthetic, and turf, as well as going long and sprinting, brings his best form recently into the $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 19.
The Lumber Guy, whose big effort in the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) last month produced a runner-up finish, heads a field of 10 sophomores for the $300,000 Malibu Stakes (gr. I) on opening day at Santa Anita.
Trinniberg and Currency Swap, two of the nation's best 3-year-old sprinters, square off once again in the $500,000 Foxwood King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course.
Three Chimneys Hopeful (gr. I) winner Currency Swap returns to the scene of last year's great triumph at Saratoga Race Course as the 5-2 favorite in a field of seven for the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes (gr. II) July 29.
Liaison, sixth in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 56-1, should find the company a little more to his liking when he returns to action in the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) June 3 at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Evan Hammonds recaps the Peter Pan Stakes, Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes and a quick Preakness preview. watch video
Drill remained perfect in three tries at seven furlongs when he rallied between horses in deep stretch to defeat pacesetter American Act by a half-length in the $98,000 Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes (gr. III) May 12.
Drill and American Act, separated by a nose in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) in February, will renew their acquaintance in the $100,000 Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial Stakes (gr. III) at Betfair Hollywood Park May 13.
The top three finishers in the April 14 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park were resting comfortably in their stalls the morning after each secured a spot in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Four contenders for the April 14 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) went through their final preparations for the 1 1/8-mile test that is one of the final preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Headed by champion Hansen and Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) winner Prospective, there are 11 probable starters for the April 14 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.
Rebel Stakes (gr. II) winner Secret Circle remains on edge for his expected start in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) following a bullet five-furlong drill in :58 2/5 at Santa Anita Park March 29.
Though it experienced two substantial losses in the past few days, Santa Anita's field for the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 10 could still be the most competitive of the young 2012 Triple Crown season.
Porter on Pedigrees, by Alan Porter
Drill is part of a revival of the Danzig line through Lawyer Ron.
Drill, who defeated American Act by a nose in the Feb. 19 San Vincente Stakes (gr. II), was a high-energy horse with a lot of potential even as a yearling.
Lenny Shulman recaps the San Vicente and El Camino Real Derby from the weekend. Lenny highlights horses such as Creative Cause and Drill. watch video
Rebounding from four consecutive disappointing efforts, Drill won the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) by a desperate nose over a determined American Act Feb. 19 at Santa Anita. Creative Cause finished third at 1-2 odds.
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bewitch S. (gr. III) | KEE | |
| Matron S. | EVD | |
| Dixiana Elkhorn S. (gr. II) | KEE | |
| Last Tycoon S. (gr. III) | SA | |
| Derby Trial S. (gr. III) | CD |
