Southern News
Woodward Analysis: Target Rachel?
"Rachel Alexandra drew post 3 for Saturday’s $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I). No big deal, you say? By breaking close to the rail, and with a big bruiser…
Rachel Alexandra 1-2 pick in Woodward
"A year after putting a scare in Horse of the Year Curlin in Saratoga's Woodward Stakes, Past the Point is back to face another prohibitive favorite from…
Sep 3 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
‘Rachel’ Poised to Make History in Woodward
"With her scheduled start against older males in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Saturday, Sept. 5, Rachel Alexandra is taking a path seldom traveled by 3-year-old…
Trainer Linda Rice trying to make history at Saratoga
"Rachel Alexandra isn't the only one chasing history; Linda Rice is, too. While Rachel Alexandra will try to become the first filly to win the prestigious…
Woodward may be Rachel Alexandra’s 2009 finale
"With the Breeders’ Cup World Championships out of the equation and a showdown with Zenyatta still an uncertainty, owner Jess Jackson said Rachel Alexandra…
Sep 2 |
Thoroughbred Times |
Comments (0)
Trainer Bennett reaches 3,000th career win
"Gerald Bennett, who recently picked up his milestone 3,000th career victory, has been training horses for 33 years, but the Springhill, Nova Scotia, native…
Sep 2 |
Thoroughbred Times |
Comments (0)
Countdown to the Cup: Bird Bath
"Whether he’s splishin’ and a’splashin’ or movin’ and a’groovin' or rockin’ and a’rollin,’ the sight of Summer Bird and his distinctive…
Travers still compelling despite missing 2 stars
"The Travers Stakes has come down to this: no filly, one Bird and seven colts with a huge opportunity to rise to the head of their 3-year-old class. Preakness-winning…
Weather threat hovers over Travers day card
"Amid the uncertainty of a stormy weather forecast, Saratoga Race Course is gearing up for the biggest day of its six-week summer meeting. Five graded…
Juvenile Showcase at Calder has 6 stakes races
Calder Race Course will hold its annual Juvenile Showcase on Saturday, with all 13 races for 2-year-olds. The card has six stakes races, including the…
Injured jockey Straight’s surgery ‘successful’
Injured jockey Michael Straight's brother released a statement Friday morning calling a surgical procedure on Thursday night a success.
Aug 29 |
Lexington Herald-Leader |
Comments (0)
Quality Road early favorite in Travers field of 7
"Until this week, the Travers Stakes had the potential to bring together the three winners of the Triple Crown races. On Saturday, only Belmont Stakes…
Gulfstream announces 2010 stakes schedule
" Gulfstream Park on Wednesday announced the stakes schedule for its 2010 race meet, which will run from Jan. 3 to April 23. The Hallandale Beach Thoroughbred…
Wilkes aiming for big sweep at Saratoga
"Ian Wilkes has been around a lot of Grade I horses in his years working for and with Hall of Fame trainer Carl Nafzger. But the 44-year-old Louisville…
Aug 28 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Magna moving ahead with property sales
"Horse-track owner Magna Entertainment Corp. is moving ahead with the property sales process as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. A Magna attorney…
Aug 28 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Racing Academy jockey seriously hurt in fall
"Apprentice jockey Michael Straight, a graduate of North American Racing Academy in Lexington, was hospitalized after a spill in the eighth race at Arlington…
Aug 28 |
Lexington Herald-Leader |
Comments (0)
Bernard Baruch could determine fate of tweeners
"For horses excelling on turf, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships offers three options but at very different distances. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint…
Aug 26 |
Thoroughbred Times |
Comments (0)
Several dozen Thoroughbreds involved in Nebraska cruelty charges
"A Nebraska man has been charged with animal cruelty and neglect charges for his treatment of several dozen Thoroughbreds. Norman Graves faces a felony…
Aug 26 |
Thoroughbred Times |
Comments (0)
Travers Notes: Quality Road in Final Breeze
"Edward P. Evans’ Quality Road put in his final breeze before the Aug. 29, $1-million Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course, covering…
Careless Jewel setting sights on BC
"The connections of the impressive Alabama winner Careless Jewel will target the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic at Santa Anita in November. How they get…
High-stakes sobriety
"After jockey Miguel Mena captured Saratoga's Grade II Sanford Stakes on the unbeaten 2-year-old Backtalk, a trainer friend text-messaged the 22-year-old…
Aug 25 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Countdown to the Cup: Classic Confusion
This year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) is such an odd concoction of grass and synthetic horses and undistinguished older dirt horses it’s difficult…
Rachel Alexandra to Woodward
"Trainer Steve Asmussen said Aug. 24 that top 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra will run in the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and that stablemate Kenseiwould…
$400,000 pledged for Rachel-Zenyatta race
"Two online wagering businesses are offering to add $400,000 to the purse of the Beldame Stakes if Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta both…
Aug 22 |
Lexington Herald-Leader |
Comments (0)
Mine That Bird Back; Charitable Man Works
"Trainer Chip Woolley sent Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird back to the main track at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 21…
Trainer Kirk Ziadie barred from Calder Race Course
"Calder Race Course on Thursday barred trainer Kirk Ziadie from training and from being on its property for a period he said is ``indefinite.'' ``They…
Rafael Bejarano getting closer to return
"Veteran jockey Rafael Bejarano is making steady progress toward a return to the racetrack following his racing accident during Del Mar's opening day.…
Eight in Alabama, no ‘Rachel’
Even though the three-year-old filly division has already been decided, eight sophomore females have been entered in Saturday's $600,000 Alabama Stakes…
Rachel Alexandra in line for three races in rest of 2009
"It's down to three. After not entering Saturday's Alabama Stakes, Jess Jackson, owner of super filly Rachel Alexandra, told the Daily News Wednesday that…
Road’s end near for Better Talk Now
Though Better Talk Now finished a solid second in last weekend's Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational, trainer Graham Motion couldn't help think that Father…
2 females racing toward History
"They are widely considered the two best horses in the nation — if not the world — with résumés that have some people in the racing game ranking…
Aug 19 |
Lexington Herald-Leader |
Comments (0)
Surgery a Success for Mine That Bird
Following a brief procedure to correct a breathing problem, Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), departed the…
Horse breeder arraigned on animal cruelty charges
Horse breeder Ernest Paragallo, who was banned from racing after 177 malnourished horses were seized in a raid of his upstate New York farm, has been arraigned…
Rachel’s next start? A decision is 2 weeks away
"Back in her summer home at Saratoga, superstar filly Rachel Alexandra is set to begin training for her next race. Which race that will be won't be determined…
Dubai crown prince banned for riding doped horse
"The International Equestrian Federation has banned the crown prince of Dubai from riding in endurance races for 10 months after his horse tested positive…
Smallest thoroughbred crop in 3 decades predicted
"The Jockey Club is predicting the smallest thoroughbred foal crop in at least 33 years for 2010, based on reports filed by breeders of mares bred this…
Aug 15 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Delta adds six-figure stakes incentives
"Delta Downs in Vinton, La., has added a new twist to the purse structure for its two biggest races, the Grade 3, $750,000 Delta Jackpot and the Grade…
Youbet.com shares fall after 2Q report
"Shares of Youbet.com Inc. fell Thursday after the online horse racing and betting company reported its second-quarter earnings sank 28 percent — missing…
Aug 14 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Mine That Bird’s brother debuts Saturday
"Brother Bird, a 2-year-old half-brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird, will make his career debut in Saturday's second race, a six-furlong event.…
Zenyatta Gets a Free Ride to the Donn
"Gulfstream Park added the name of unbeaten champion Zenyatta to the list of superstar nominees whose fees have been waived to the 2010 Donn Handicap (gr.…
Louisiana Derby moves to day of Florida Derby
"The Grade II Louisiana Derby will bump its 2010 purse from $600,000 to $750,000, increase the distance from 1 1/16 miles to 1 1/8 and move to March 27…
Aug 12 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Gulfstream Trying to Attract Rachel, Others
"Gulfstream Park has waved the nomination fees for grade I winners Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird, and Quality Road to next year’s Donn…
Bullsbay’s status depends on ‘Rachel’
"If Rachel Alexandra runs in the Grade 1 Woodward against older males Sept. 5, trainer Graham Motion said he would be inclined not to run his upset Whitney…
Storm Cat Colt Sells for $2.8 Million
Breeders’ Cup to expand steroid ban
"The Breeders' Cup announced Monday that it is expanding its anabolic steroid ban to include all Class 1 and 2 drugs starting with this year's Breeders'…
Aug 11 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Turfway Cuts Four Stakes From Fall Schedule
"Turfway Park has released a fall meet stakes schedule that includes dropping of two stakes from the Kentucky Cup Day card on Sept. 26 and reduced purse…
Zenyatta Cuts Perfection Close in Hirsch Win
"Unbeaten Zenyatta remained perfect in 12 starts, but she had her closest call yet in Del Mar's Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) (VIDEO) Aug. 9. Forced…
Multiple G1 winner Commentator retired
"Multiple Grade 1 winner Commentator, an 8-year-old gelding who finished third in the Whitney Handicap (G1) on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, has been…
Gio Ponti Much the Best in Arlington Million
"Castleton Lyons’ Gio Ponti notched his fourth consecutive grade I victory Aug. 8 at Arlington Park, as he rolled to a 1 1/4-length win in the Arlington…
Commentator finishes 3rd in Whitney Handicap at Saratoga
"It wasn't the fairy tale ending many wanted, but Commentator gave it his all before tiring to third in Saturday's Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. It marked…
Zensational Zaps Bing Crosby Rivals
"Odds-on choice Zensational made it back-to-back grade I wins over older horses when he scored a front-running 2 1/2-length victory in the $300,000 Bing…
Secretariat: Take the Points Earns the Money
"Starlight Partners’ Take the Points, locked in a stirring stretch duel with Black Bear Island, got up in the final strides under Kent Desormeaux to…
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
"Einstein, one of Thoroughbred racing’s grass gurus of recent seasons in North America, is suddenly perceived as vulnerable and has been made only the…
Zenyatta heads weekend of Grade Is
"One week after witnessing all three of this year's classic winners in action, racing fans will be treated to more high-quality action this weekend. Undefeated…
Aug 8 |
Lexington Herald-Leader |
Comments (0)
Florida Stallion Stakes series could yield some surprises
"Calder Race Course will begin its annual Florida Stallion Stakes series for 2-year-olds Saturday with the Dr. Fager for males and the Desert Vixen for…
Arlington Million offers a showdown
"When Einstein and Gio Ponti square off for the first time in Saturday's Arlington Million on turf, more could be at stake than the $582,000 payday. The…
Aug 7 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Rachel Back On Training Track at Saratoga
"Stonestreet Stable’s Rachel Alexandra was on Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track Aug. 6 for a gallop and will return to the work tab next week, most…
Paragallo indicted on horse cruelty charges
" A Greene County grand jury indicted racehorse breeder Ernest Paragallo on Thursday on 35 misdemeanor cruelty charges arising from allegations that horses…
Macho Again’s ownership has a Fort Worth connection
"Sara and Jim Cutbush of Fort Worth will be right there in the Saratoga paddock Saturday, in the shade perhaps of one those venerable live oaks, alongside…
Aug 7 |
Fort Worth Star-Telegram |
Comments (0)
Derby Museum workers scrambled to save soaked artifacts
"The Kentucky Derby Museum was left assessing damage in the wake of Tuesday's flooding after water and sewers backed up into its basement, where the archives,…
Aug 6 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Graded Stakes Committee Downgrades 3 Races
"The American Graded Stakes Committee released a statement Aug. 5 that the previously grade II Lake George Stakes was automatically downgraded to grade…
Vintage 3-year-old Rachel Alexandra to have her own line of wines
"Racing fans will soon be able to do more than toast Rachel Alexandra in the winner's circle. The super filly is about to get her own line of wines. Kendall-Jackson…
Aug 5 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Travers next up for Quality Road
"On Monday morning, the Saratoga barn area was abuzz over Rachel Alexandra and her jaw-dropping performance the previous afternoon in the Grade 1 Haskell.…
Grade I Winner Mandy’s Gold Euthanized
"Grade I winner Mandy's Gold was euthanized July 20 because of complications from laminitis. The 11-year-old mare by Gilded Time had produced a filly by…
Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta racing at Saratoga a longshot
"It appears that not even the sport of kings can get a pair of queens - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta - into the same race. Owner Jess Jackson continues…
Nine horses to contest Virginia Derby following Nicanor scratch
"The $750,000 Virginia Derby (G2) on Saturday at Colonial Downs drew the top four finishers from the June 20 $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (G2): winner Battle…
Aug 4 |
Thoroughbred Times |
Comments (0)
Soul Warrior Splits ‘Em in WV Derby Upset
"It was indeed big drama in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) (VIDEO) at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort on Aug. 1, but if the odds board…
Haskell lands 2 out of 3 Triple Crown race winners
"Bob Kulina tried. Already sitting pretty with Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird for Sunday's Haskell Invitational,…
Mine That Bird favored in return
"This year's classic winners won't all be in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday, but they will all be in action this weekend. Kentucky…
Aug 1 |
Lexington Herald-Leader |
Comments (0)
Haskell pivotal to Rachel’s ultimate goal
With no more worlds left to conquer in the 3-year-old filly division, the connections of Rachel Alexandra must seek out new challenges - and challengers…
West Virginia Derby Sets Up as ‘Riders’ Race’
"Several 3-year-olds entered in the Aug. 1 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) galloped around a sloppy surface at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort the…
Soldier’s Dancer returns to Calder Race Course after layoff
" Fans at Calder Race Course are used to seeing Soldier's Dancer win turf stakes with purses of $100,000 or more. On Saturday, they will watch the 5-year-old…
Race schedule leaves little breathing room
"This is what drives us crazy about horse racing: At 5:45p.m. Saturday, Mine That Bird will become the first Kentucky Derby winner to race in West Virginia,…
Jul 31 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Big Drama, Coa have one edge over Bird
Churchill profit rises 5 percent
"Churchill Downs Inc. on Wednesday reported its second-quarter profits rose 5 percent, chiefly due to gains in online horse wagering and Louisiana slot…
Jul 30 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Asmussen loaded for La. Cup Day
"The state's finest will gather at Louisiana Downs on Saturday for Louisiana Cup Day. Eight stakes events will showcase the best in statebreds and will…
Horse, not history, dictating Mine That Bird’s path
" Among the many things the racing world has learned about trainer Chip Woolley in recent months is that he will always heed what his horse tells him rather…
Jul 29 |
Lexington Herald-Leader |
Comments (0)
Seattle Smooth may be out for the year
"Seattle Smooth, perhaps the second-best older filly or mare in the country behind Zenyatta, will most likely not race again this year due to minor issues…
Mine That Bird in West Virginia Derby Work
"Mine That Bird breezed through a four-furlong workout at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort on July 27. The track’s clockers recorded a time of :49…
Rachel Alexandra, Papa Clem in Haskell Works
"BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra had her final workout July 27 at Saratoga as she continues to prepare for her next start in…
Horse industry leaders form political committee
"Some prominent horse industry leaders have formed an independent political committee in time to advertise their message during next month's crucial special…
Jul 28 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Summer Bird has final work for Haskell
"Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird had his final breeze for the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday morning at muddy Monmouth Park. With jockey…
Lone Star Park concludes its most troubling season
"Steve Asmussen, who set a record with 117 winners, called Lone Star home and said he was sorry to see the season end. Chris Landeros, one of the most…
Jul 27 |
Fort Worth Star-Telegram |
Comments (0)
Countdown to the Cup: Hidden Gem
"Are you looking for an early Volponi for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I)? Well, you just might have seen him on Saturday…on the grass…finishing…
Wolfson takes another stakes with Jessica Is Back
"Jessica Is Back never looked back Saturday, as she took the lead just after the start and coasted to a 5 ½-length victory in the $75,000 Nancy's Glitter…
Whitney added to Breeders’ Cup Challenge
"The Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga has been added to the 2009 Breeders' Cup Challenge Win and You're In program, meaning the winner of…
Mine That Bird Arrives at Mountaineer
"A new chapter in the history of West Virginia racing began being written at 1:47 p.m. EDT Jluy 24. That’s when this year’s Kentucky Derby – Presented…
Sweetsouthernqueen makes stakes debut in Nancy’s Glitter
" With wins in all four of her Calder Race Course starts this year, Sweetsouthernqueen has gained notice around the track and made some new fans. But they…
The Pamplemousse remains sidelined
Former Kentucky Derby contender The Pamplemousse remains far from returning to the races. Co-owner Alex Solis II indicated that the three-year-old may…
Jockey Rafael Bejarano undergoes surgery
"Jockey Rafael Bejarano has undergone surgery and is doing well in the hospital a day after he sustained serious facial injuries in a spill at Del Mar.…
Majority Rule should lead outstanding Lone Star feature
"Star-Telegram horse racing writer Gary West highlights his picks for tonight’s races. Odds are provided by Lone Star Park, with program number, post…
Jul 24 |
Fort Worth Star-Telegram |
Comments (0)
Creditors make fraud claims against Magna Entertainment
"The parent company of horse-track owner Magna Entertainment Corp. is rejecting allegations that it engaged in sham financial transactions with MEC to…
Jul 24 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)
Bejarano Suffers Facial Fractures in Bad Fall
"Rafael Bejarano, one of America’s leading jockeys, suffered multiple facial fractures as the result of a spill in the third race July 22, opening day…
Safety Committee adjusts recommendation on toe grabs
"After discussions with industry participants and a review of all scientific research available on the use of toe grabs on the front shoes of Thoroughbreds,…
Jockey at Colonial Downs is runaway wins leader
Rosemary Homeister Jr. got a cool reception when she arrived at Delaware Park after finishing as the second-leading jockey at Tampa Bay Downs. “I went…
‘Rachel’ drills six furlongs at Saratoga
"Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra had her third workout Monday morning over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track, going six furlongs in 1:13.88, the best…
Mine That Bird Posts Final Churchill Work
"Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Serte Equine’s Mine That Bird, winner of the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), turned in a sharp four-furlong…
Mine That Bird to make appearance in New Mexico
"Mine That Bird is coming back to New Mexico. The Kentucky Derby winner will lead the post parade for the $2 million All American Futurity on Sept. 7 at…
Comings and goings of three-year-olds
"Here we are almost two months after the conclusion of the Triple Crown series and the leading three-year-olds still in training are getting closer to…
Hazy industry outlook clouds yearling auction
'Uncertainty was the certainty as the thoroughbred yearling auction season began in Kentucky on Monday at the Fasig-Tipton July sale. In addition to recession…
Jul 21 |
Louisville Courier-Journal |
Comments (0)