Third in the Remington Sprint Cup in 2009, Ravalo made his return to Oklahoma City a winning one when he prevailed by a half-length over favored Captain Cherokee in the $200,000 event at Remington Park Aug. 20.
Smiling Tiger, making his first appearance under the Twin Spires since finishing third in last fall's Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), is the mild favorite in the $300,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) May 7.
Amazombie, closing with abandon on the far outside for jockey Mike Smith, nipped Captain Cherokee by a head in a terrific finish to the $150,000 Potrero Grande Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park April 3.
There are some classy horses making their comebacks in the $150,000 Potrero Grande Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita April 3, including Crown of Thorns, M One Rifle, and Atta Boy Roy.
There were some relieved smiles in Santa Anita's winner's circle after favored Smiling Tiger overcame a bad stumble at the start to capture the $150,000 San Carlos Handicap (gr. II) by a desperate head in the rain Feb. 19
A disappointment in last month's Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II), two-time grade I winner Smiling Tiger will get a new jockey for the $150,000 San Carlos Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 19 when Joel Rosario takes over.
Trainer Bob Baffert continued his domination of the young 2011 Santa Anita meet when Euroears scored an easy front-running 2 1/4-length upset in the $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 22.
Smiling Tiger, who won a pair of grade I races and became a finalist as the nation's top sprinter, kicks off his 4-year-old campaign in the $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 22 at Santa Anita.
Triple Crown Talk blog, with host Jason Shandler, analyzes the Blue Grass and the Arkansas Derby. Plus, join Jason for a live chat at noon Eastern on April 11.
With a more favorable pace scenario than the one he got in last month's Rebel Stakes (gr. II), trainer Larry Jones is confident that his colt Old Fashioned will prove his ability in the $1-million Arkansas Derby (gr. II).
Already regarded by many as the best 3-year-olds in the land, Fox Hills Farms' Old Fashioned will look to solidify himself as the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) favorite when he takes on eight rivals in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 14 at Oaklawn Park.
Although there was nothing over the weekend to knock your proverbial socks off, there were a few races that could steer you toward a horse or two as potential Derby material. With the Southwest Stakes having just been run, we'll briefly discuss the race and go over it in more detail next week.
Although this weekend's action is headed by the grade III Southwest Stakes, El Camino Real Derby, and Sam F. Davis, and the 3-year-old debut of Imperial Council, a race to keep a close eye on is the 8th at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Before we get to this past week's races, including Monday's Smarty Jones Stakes, there is a pedigree pattern developing this year that you don't normally see to this degree.
If you spent your Saturday wagering on horses trained by Steve Asmussen at Fair Grounds, you had reason to smile at the end of the day. Last year's leading trainer nationally by wins saddled starters in seven races on the 10-race card and won six, twice ran one-two, and captured the day's stakes race.
| Trainer | Steven M. Asmussen |
|---|---|
| Jockey | Luis S. Quinonez |
| Owner | Stonestreet Stables LLC |
| Breeder | Tom Evans, Macon Wilmil Equines & Marjac Farms |
| Captain Cherokee View Five-Cross Pedigree | Sir Cherokee | Cherokee Run |
| La Cucina (IRE) | ||
| Candytuft | Dehere | |
| Bolt From the Blue |
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEESEP2007 Hip 1748 |
Yearling | Mike Ryan, agent | Trackside Farm, agent for Tom Evans, Macon Wilmil Equines & Marjac Farms | $150,000 |
| BARMAR2008 Hip 148 |
Two-year-old | Stonestreet Stables | Niall Brennan Stables, agent | $650,000 |
| Arrogate |
| Songbird |
| Princess Victoria |
| Cool Catomine |
| Always Dreaming |
| Irap |
| Tapwrit |
| Accelerate |
| Abel Tasman |
| Zenyatta |
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