Rachel Alexandra is enjoying her summer at Saratoga. She won another grade one with breathtaking easy on Saturday, and her two overmatched foes could not have been more accommodating after battling through sizzling early fractions. The rest of the three-year-old filly division is woefully weak, and the males are the only ones who can make her break a sweat. She may face the gents again in the Haskell or Travers in August.

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird had an easy work on June 29th. The gelded son of Birdstone breezed four panels in :51 under …read more

Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra worked four furlongs in :49.80 on June 22nd, and she will take on a short field including Flashing, Don’t Forget Gil, and Malibu Prayer in the Grade 1 Mother Goose on Saturday.
Eye of the Leopard (A.P. Indy) ran to his strong pedigree with a determined victory in the 150th Queen’s Plate on Sunday. He goes for the 2nd leg of the Canadian Triple Crown in the Prince of Wales at Fort Erie on July 12th.

Big Drama, 5th in the Preakness Stakes, got back on the beam with a romping tally in …read more

Pimlico Race Course has a fine 13-race Preakness Day card on tap for Saturday, and Louisiana Downs has a decent little 10-race card as well.
A horse I am particularly interested in at Pimlico is Parading. The Shug McGaughey runner looked sensational as my top choice in the Ben Ali, and the first thing that popped into my mind after that synthetic romp was the Hollywood Gold Cup. 6yo son of Pulpit reminds me a bit of Go Between, a quality turf runner who thrived on synthetic.
Parading is back on the grass in the Grade 2 Dixie on Saturday, …read more

As expected, a field of 13 was drawn for the 134th Preakness Stakes , to be run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 16th.
Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will break from post two under new rider Mike Smith and has been installed at 6-1. Much lower than 50-1 under the Twin Spires, and he still must prove that his shocking win on May 2nd was for real.

Morning line favorite Rachel Alexandra will break from the outside post. She owns fine early/pressing speed and projects an outer stalking trip. The fillies did not make her break a sweat, but …read more

Everything is quiet on the Rachel Alexandra front. She is expected to be supplemented to the Preakness when entries are taken on Wednesday.
Derby hero Mine That Bird worked an easy half-mile in :49 and change on Monday at Churchill. Calvin Borel was up for the move, but he will ride Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. Mike Smith has picked up the mount on the Derby winner.

Pioneerof The Nile was floating effortlessly in a sharp four furlong (:47-3/5) drill. He finished very well and seems to be on course for another fine effort.
“I liked what I saw,” Baffert …read more

A plot to deny Rachel Alexandra a spot in the Preakness was foiled on Sunday.
The drama centered around Zayat Stable (Pioneerof The Nile), Mark Allen (co-owner Mine That Bird), and Marylou Whitney (Luv Gov). It was basically an ill-fated collusion attempt by rich owners to keep Rachel on the sidelines.
All parties have seemingly come to their senses, and the talented filly is a go for the second jewel.
Rachel worked on Sunday morning, and she completed her four panel move in :48-2/5.  It was a solid drill, and she appears to be on target for the Preakness.

Undefeated Derby Trial …read more

Rachel Alexandra is one step closer to Baltimore after making plane reservations for next Wednesday. Her probable status will be upgraded to definite if she looks good in an upcoming workout.
Calvin Borel will ride the Oaks winner in the Preakness, so Derby hero Mine That Bird needs a rider. Connections will name Borel anyway and reportedly have another rider lined up if the filly goes.

Pioneerof  The Nile is supposed to work on Monday and ship to Pimlico on Wednesday.
Terrain and Hull will work on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.
Lexington 2nd place finisher Conservative will not …read more

It’s almost that time again. Seems like yesterday the meet ended. The Louisiana Downs meet kicks off on May 15th, and I am headed back to the Bayou State for my second season as Track Handicapper/TV Host.
Much going on in racing with the Preakness Stakes on May 16th, and the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.

Of course, I will be covering the Preakness heavily in this space. After all, it is run in my home state, and I have had much handicapping success in the 2nd jewel. Would love to see The Nile go to Baltimore. Love playing back …read more

Still cannot believe what I saw in the Derby. I thought my Derby top Pioneerof The Nile was the winner turning for home, but Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird (Birdstone) were flying along the rail and rolled past my top with ease in a shocking Kentucky Derby triumph! The winner paid $103.20 and topped a $2,074.80 exacta.

If only I was able to turn back the clock to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Pioneerof The Nile was my top that day, and I boxed him in exactas with none other than Mine That Bird.
Fast forward 6+ months to …read more

Pioneerof The Nile drilled six furlongs in 1:13.52 over the drying out Churchill oval on Tuesday. Baffert liked the move, and more importantly, clocker and DRF columnist Mike Welch gave him a big thumbs up. He will have his final Derby work early next week, and he looks like a major factor at this point.
I Want Revenge breezed five panels (1:01.62) in company with Gato Go Win. Regular rider Joe Talamo was up for the work. He was not asked for his best in the maintenance move.

Mike Smith was up for Chocolate Candy’s flat mile (1:42.06) move. He was reportedly worn …read more