I Want Revenge uncorked a 113 BSF en route to a romping Gotham Stakes (G3) tally (replay below) while trying conventional dirt for the first time. He showed quality on synthetic, and his connections (Mullins/Talamo) were spot-on in saying he would move up on dirt. He will ship back to his Hollywood Park base before returning to the Big A for the Wood Memorial on April 4th.
Imperial Council ran a quality race to grab the place in his first start around two turns. If you like Shug’s well bred colt, don’t give up on him because the …read more

Fountain of Youth
Early/pressing type Quality Road (Elusive Quality) was easily best over clear runner-up Theregoesjojo (Brahms) in the one-turn mile (113 BSF). The aforementioned duo are expected to go next in the Florida Derby, which will be their initial foray around two turns. Without route foundation, they could be in deep water on the 1st Saturday in May, but they are serious players over the Gulfstream speedway, especially the winner. Don’t be shocked in either or both ship out of town (Wood Memorial?) for the next engagements.
Graded route hero Beethoven (Sky Mesa) ran on well to land the …read more

Arkansas:
Old Fashioned has arrived at Oaklawn Park in advance of his next start, the Grade 3 Southwest on February 16th. Ramon Dominguez is expected to pilot the undefeated Remsen (G2) winner for Larry Jones.
Remsen Stakes replay
Florida:
Seven furlong Hutcheson (G2) 1-2 finishers Capt. Candyman Can and Hello Broadway are expected to battle it out again in the flat mile Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb 28th.
Holy Bull (G3) winner Saratoga Sinner earned a much improved speed rating in his surprise tally on Saturday. He was all over the pace and raced on the good part of the …read more

Eclipse Awards
Curlin repeated as Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Award ceremonies. The recently retired all-time North American money earner stands at Lane’s End Farm with a $75k stud fee. Undefeated miss Zenyatta took home Older Female honors.

Big Brown was unanimously voted 3yo Champion, and Proud Spell took down 3yo filly honors over her late stablemate Eight Belles.
As expected, Midshipman is the Juvenile Champ, and Stardom Bound nabbed Juvenile Filly honors.
The other equine Eclipse Awards went to Conduit (Turf Male), Forever Together (Turf Female), Benny the Bull (Male Sprinter), Indian Blessing (Female Sprinter), and Good Night …read more

BC Filly & Mare Sprint
Ventura ($7.60) made a powerful wide move to sweep past Baffert fav Indian Blessing en route to a good looking tally to kick off the Friday Cup festivities. The Robert Frankel trainee won by four lengths and completed the seven panels in 1:19.90. Zaftig came off a layoff to finish a fine 3rd.
BC Juvenile Fillies Turf
Laragh set the pace throughout, but Maram and Heart Shaped flew down the lane and were tough to separate at the finish. Maram got the bob and paid $24.20 for Lezcano/Chad Brown. Fellow longshot Heart Shaped, an overseas invader trained …read more

The 2008 Breeders’ Cup has arrived, and first up is Ladies Day on October 24th. Five Cup races will be run on Friday’s 10-race card at Santa Anita…
BC Filly & Mare Sprint – seven furlongs
Indian Blessing is riding a 3-race win streak, and her lone synthetic start was a diminishing head victory in a graded 7f race at Santa Anita in January. The Bob Baffert trainee, ridden by John Velasquez, figures to stalk the pace. The fleet Indyanne has been scratched due to a fever, so Lady Sprinter, Dream Rush, and Dearest Trickski are expected to carve out the fractions. …read more

Post positions have been drawn for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup, and here are notes for all 14 races…
Friday, October 24th
Ladies Classic
Zenyatta drew the rail and is the 3-5 fav for Friday’s feature race. Defending champ Ginger Punch is the 7-2 second choice.
Filly & Mare Turf
Wait A While is the 3-1 morning line favorite. Juddmonte Farms Visit is listed at 15-1 on the line, and she is expected to move to the Robert Frankel barn following the Cup. Forever Together drilled a 4f bullet in :47 at Keeneland.
Juvenile Fillies
Stardom Bound is the solid 2-1 late running choice.
Filly & …read more

Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup preview at Santa Anita produced some electrifying performances, and with the 2008 Cup being held at the Arcadia, California oval, the six Grade 1 races run on Saturday deserve extra scrutiny.
Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship
You Got Me Rocking set a fast pace, but after a mile he was overtaken by Out of Control, then Red Giant entered the fray, and the latter two battled gamely to the wire. In the end, Red Giant headed Out of Control, and it was six lengths back to Transduction Gold in 3rd. Marathon specialist Spring House …read more