Flying Finish

Richard's Kid is Dubai-bound after winning the $150,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 7 in his first start for new owner Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum's Zabeel Racing International. Santa Anita returned to racing Feb. 7 with an early Super Bowl-day program, one day after it was forced to cancel its fourth program of the season when the Pro-Ride main track failed to drain well enough to allow safe racing following heavy rainfall in the area. With Garrett Gomez aboard t...   Read More
1

What the Horse Racing Nation is talking about...

Absolutely one of the most dominating performances I've seen by any horse on the track in sometime. I've said all along that Quality Road was a colt who's best racing is still ahead of him, and he showed it today. He's talented enough to fight on to stay in the money on off tracks. But almost every time this colt hit's a dry track he breaks a track record. I.E., The Florida Derby, The Amsterdam Stakes, and today in the Donn Handicap. This colt owns the Gulfstream track and IMO today's race was without question his most impressive race of his career. I don't care what horse would've been on the track with him today, Quality Road would've blown their doors off. You can fill in your own blanks as to what horses I may have been referring to.
  • Show All 3 Comments
  • kmidland · Big, big, big race. · 2 hours ago
  • kmidland · He got a 121 Beyer figure. Impressive. · 2 hours ago
Richard's Kid is Dubai-bound after winning the $150,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 7 in his first start for new owner Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum's Zabeel Racing International. Santa Anita returned to racing Feb. 7 with an early Super Bowl-day program, one day after ...Read More
  • ruby · Garrett Gomez was pretty amazing flying up the rail to grab the win at the very last second. Nice race for Richard's Kid to head to Dubai with. · 19 hours ago
I made the comment after his B.C.Classic meltdown that Quality Road was a colt who's best races were still ahead of him. Now, as a 4yr.old, he's bigger, stronger, and faster than ever. His win today in the Donn Handicap was, IMO, by far his most impressive race of his career to date. I'm not certain that any horse in racing, male or female, could have beaten Quality Road the way he performed today. This colt absolutely loves and owns Gulfstream Park. I'd like to see him race again against Summer Bird over a dry track. As much as he dislikes an off track, he still always managed to hit the board. I think on a dry track, he leaves Summer Bird in his wake. I also wouldn't mind seeing Quality Road and Rachel Alexandra go at it on a dry track. That would be a real speed dual. Of course, after Rachel get's dusted by the mighty mare from the west at Oaklawn.
  • horses · QR was awesome today. He rated so well. Not many horses would have touched him today. · 2 days ago
  • arazi · That was like a Rachel move... cruise control and pulls away from the field with ease. · 23 hours ago
Pretty amazing performance by Quality Road. Granted, those behind were not top tier horses, but he did with them what he's supposed to do. I'm looking forward to the Met Mile.
  • invasor · I must eat crow when it comes to Quality Road. I have not been a believer but yesterday's win and the way he did it has me squarely in his court. It will be a pleasure to watch his 2010 campaign. Cigar, I know you have been a fan since his record breaking performance at GP last year. Hats off to you for spotting a good one. · 1 days ago
Take The Points absolutely got hosed being D.Q'd in this race. He was clearly the best horse, did not in anyway interfere with the place and show horses, and watching the replay it looked to me as if Take The Points clearly had a full length on Yates Black Cat when he made his move. It looked like Yates Black Cat clipped Take The Points back heels to me. That's his jockey's fault, not the fault of the horse in front of him. This is the worst D.Q. I've seen since Dar Re Mi was D.Q.'d in the 2009 Prix Vermille in favor of Stacellita. JMO.
  • invasor · Yea, tell me about! Posted that as my high conviction Play of the Day. Watched the replay later...saw that he won...opened the chart to see the DQ. Watched the head on shot of the replay and saw no reason for the DQ. · 1 days ago
whats ur guys take in this one u think my boy richards kid can do it
  • mdracing69 · Note that Richard's Kid is using the San Antonio as a prep for the Dubai World Cup. Nownownow is my value top. · 1 days ago
How about a little love for the ladies? Today ZATT forsakes the boys and takes a look at the fairer sex, with my first Kentucky Oaks list. Although, with the recent success shown by the girls in the Triple Crown races, some of these may be looking at the Derby as well. Enjoy these talented your ladi...Read More
  • arazi · Great list of fillies! Check it out. Looking forward to seeing Awesome Maria this year. · 2 days ago
4-Quality Road-----$2.80$2.40$2.10 5-Dry Martini---------------$6.20$4.20 10-Delightful Kiss-----------------$4.80 8-Mambo Meister $2.00 DOUBLE 3/4 $5.40 $1.00 EXACTA 4-5 $8.90 $1.00 TRIFECTA 4-5-10 $46.50 $1.00 SUPERFECTA 4-5-10-8 $268.80 $0.10 SUPERFECTA 4-5-10-8 $26.88 $1.00 PICK 3 3 of 3 1/3/4 $7.90
Santa Anita was forced to cancel a lucrative 10-race program on Saturday after its Pro-Ride synthetic track failed to sufficiently drain following 3 1/2 inches of rain in a 24-hour period from early Friday into Saturday. Five stakes were scheduled, including the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-yea...Read More
  • arazi · Bummer. Was really looking forward to the Lewis. · 2 days ago
  • bband · SA announced that the three graded stakes - the Grade 1 Las Virgenes, the Grade 2 Robert Lewis, and the Grade 2 Strub will be run next Saturday. · 2 days ago
Eightfiveinafifty's much anticipated stakes debut in the Whirlaway was a shocker like nobody anticipated. Breaking a tad slowly from the rail in the five horse field, jockey Jorge Chavez tried to settle the colt on the lead, just to the inside of Three Day Rush. But going into the first turn, Eighty...Read More
  • ruby · Disappointing run from such a talented debut winner. Good to hear that everyone is OK. · 2 days ago
  • mdracing69 · Read on DRF that his bit snapped, and Chavez completely lost control. . · 2 days ago
Just wondering if Godolphin is planning on sending Gladiatorus back to Dubai in 2010 for any racing? He ran everyone into the ground in 2009 during the Carnival winning the Jaguar XL Trophy, the Al Fahiti Fort, and the Dubai Duty Free posting massive speed figures in all three races, and at that time, until Sea The Stars burst onto the scene, was the top rated horse in the world. I know the 2010 Carnival has started as Presvis was just beaten in his race on February 5th finishing 2nd in a three horse race. The most impressive horse I've seen race in Dubai yet during the 2010 Carnival is Alexandros. He blew the field away in his race on February 4th. These races can be seen on RacingUK or attheraces.com.
  • DubaiRaceNight · I am fairly certain that Gladiatorus is in Dubai and is likely to reappear later in the Carnival. Luca Cumani said he got nothing from the Presvis run, and I have to agree. A complete dodgy pace that kept him from showing his form. They are likely to try again. I might have to agree that Alexandros was the most impressive performer so far, given the way he won. Gloria De Campeao showed much grit staying on, rerallying at the rail and the second home in that race, Forgotten Voice, really caught my eye as an improving colt. · 2 days ago
I watched the replay of Alexandros winning the Al Rashidiya over in Dubai on RacingUK. I also saw Presvis lose his race there as well. Alexandros was absolutely dominant in his race with Frankie Dettori aboard, blowing the field away. Crowded House, the 2008 Racing Post Trophy winner ran strongly as well closing fast from last to get up for 2nd. But no one in the field was going to touch Alexandros in this race.
  • DubaiRaceNight · Alexandros was incredibly strong. I had fancied Naval Officer but he never picked up, and Crowded House should come on for the run with his next. Saeed bin Suroor mentioned that Alexandros really thrives in the environment there, a dual winner at the 2009 Carnival, and showed his back class. I think we'll hear more from both as the meeting rolls on. · 2 days ago
His name alone tells you he’s fast. And Saturday, Eightyfiveinafifty will get a chance to show how far he can carry his speed when he faces five other up-and-coming 3-year-olds in the 31st running of the $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.   Having sprinted to a 17¼-length victory...Read More
  • Show All 3 Comments
  • mid0827 · Cool. I would still grab Maximus Ruler and see what you can get on Drosselmeyer. He looks like a beast. · 4 days ago
  • GQHA2TROT · Ron The Greek's final furlong fractions are scary good. Picture him in the CD stretch. Dublin had health issues and is a forgotten horse. Both should bring nice odds. Good Luck · 3 days ago
Edward P. Evans’ 4-year-old homebred colt Quality Road won the Florida Derby (G1) last season at Gulfstream Park to be widely-regarded as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1), and returns this year as the strong favorite to capture the most prestigious race for older horses on the South Fl...Read More
  • Rossington · Quality Road, as anyone who has followed his career would know, has done his best racing at Gulfstream Park, without a doubt. He loves that track, and always run's well over it. Even conceding the six pounds that he'll be giving to the most likely potential contenders, I still like Quality Road to win the Donn Handicap. Although, the extra weight may make the race a bit closer than if they were all carrying equal weight. Quality Road to win. Mambo Meister to place. Duke of Mischief to show. · 3 days ago
Statement by Jess Jackson on Apple Blossom Invitational:  “As you have heard me say many times before, a number of factors must be considered when deciding where to race a horse -- the number one factor being the condition of the horse.  Rachel will tell us when she is ready to ...Read More
In the boldest move yet to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together for the first time in a race, Oaklawn Park president Charles Cella has announced that the purse of the April 3 Apple Blossom will be raised to $5 million if both horses start. If just one of the pair start, the purse of the race...Read More
  • Show All 5 Comments
  • arazi · Would be a terrific race. I just hope a few others will show up to round out the field... but for $5m, you would have to think so. What if someone else beat them? That would be unthinkable, or would it? · 4 days ago
  • shayna · Wow this would be an amazing race!!! i am a huge fan of both of these fantastic horses but i think that zenyatta would win it!!! But i am very excited to find out what will happen!! It could go either way!! · 4 days ago
Blind Luck can add a third grade I victory to her sterling record when she faces five rivals in the $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita Feb. 6. The one-mile Pro-Ride test for 3-year-old fillies is the most lucrative of three graded stakes on the Santa Anita card and is set to go off as the f...Read More
  • ruby · If she dominates this bunch, the talk about taking on the boys will be in full swing. · 4 days ago
  • cigar · As it should because the thus far the boys have seemed awfully weak. Too weak for February, anyway. · 4 days ago
AMERICAN LION (Tiznow) will make his two-turn debut Saturday while taking on six rivals in the $150,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The 1 1/16-mile event is a major prep for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 3. American Lion ran second in his debut for trainer Richard Budge be...Read More
  • ruby · Looking for a big race from American Lion here, but this is a pretty deep field. Great race. · 4 days ago
Grasshopper, making his first start in 9 1/2 months and first for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, outgamed Gentleman James to win the featured third race against a field that included several other graded stakes caliber horses returning from long layoffs. Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. thought Diamond Stripes, ...Read More
  • ruby · Good to see the old boy back in the winner's circle! It had been a long time between drinks!!! · 4 days ago
Cracked the top beyer chart both times he has run
  • ruby · General Maximus was a great Gladiator. How big were his Beyers? · 5 days ago
  • GoldShamrock35 · He ran a 93 first time out putting him 4th in the 2 year old standings at his time and a 91 this weekend at Gulfstream putting him 13th among 3 years olds off a 7 month layoff hes never got to pair starts · 5 days ago

2010 Kentucky Derby Contenders

The Kentucky Derby Dashboard is coming soon! Until the dashboard is ready, enjoy this breakdown of 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders!
  Grade I winners Trainer/Next Start HRN Outlook
Lookin At Lucky
Smart Strike
Bob Baffert
San Felipe, March 13, SA
Two-year-old champ did not train last weekend.  "He had a little temperature and it scared me," said Baffert.
Vale of York
Invincible Spirit
Saeed Bin Suroor
 
Improbable winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile will point towards the Derby, but feels as though the Juvenile was a fluke.
Noble's Promise
Cuvee
Ken McPeek
 
Has not worked since CashCall Futurity.  Dirt a big question for this G1 winner on synthetic who was 3rd in BC Juvenile.
Dublin
Afleet Alex
D. Wayne Lukas
Southwest, OP, Feb. 15
Hopeful winner finished 7th in the Iroquois at CD. "We did minor throat surgery, and I'm pleased with how it turned out," Lukas said. "The further the better for him. He's a big, imposing individual with a long stride."
Homeboykris
Roman Ruler
Richard Dutrow Jr.
 
Got cooked in the pace of the Holy Bull and faded to fifth by 5 1/2 lengths.  May be purely a sprinter?
Blind Luck
Pollard's Vision
Jerry Hollendorfer
Las Virgenes, Feb. 6
Super impressive Starlet winner is now nominated to the Derby. Hollendorfer indicated they have no current plans to run against boys "but I wouldn't rule it out," he said.
  Grade 2 winners

Super Saver
Maria's Mon
Todd Pletcher
 Returns in early March
Super Saver had only his 2nd timed work this year on Jan. 31 goign 4f in 48 4/5 at Gulfstream.  Pletcher indicated he will likely return to the races in early March.
D' Funnybone
D'wildcat
Richard Dutrow Jr.
Hutcheson, Feb. 20, GP
Quite possibly better suited sprinting, will try 7 furlong Hutcheson next.
Buddy's Saint
Saint Liam
Bruce Levine
Ftn of Youth, Feb. 20, GP
Remsen winner worked 6f at GP Sunday am. "I don't have to crank him for the first race," said Levine. "It's not do or die for me, although I'll be disappointed if he doesn't run well."
  Grade 3 winners

Ron The Greek
Full Mandate
Tom Amoss
Risen Star, Feb. 20, FG
Closed 15 lengths in the stretch to take G3 Lecomte. Risen Star is next. "We like the idea of staying where we are and getting a little more distance," said Amoss.
American Lion
Tiznow
Eoin Harty
Robert Lewis, Feb. 13, SA
Colt with a big future starts campaign in Lewis Feb. 6. "I want to keep my eye on the big prize and use this as a stepping-stone," Harty said.
Thiskyhasnolimit
Sky Mesa
Steve Asmussen

G3 winner in Iroquois at CD but was an unimpressive 6th going two turns in the Ky Jockey Club.
Rule
Roman Ruler
Todd Pletcher
 Sam Davis or Risen Star
Worked Jan. 31 going 5f in 1:01 4/5 at GP. Will make 3yo debut in either the Sam Davis at Tampa on Feb. 13 or the Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Feb. 20.
Interactif
Broken Vow
Todd Pletcher

Nosed out by ultra-game Bim Bam in the Feb. 7 Hallandale Beach on the Gulfstream turf.  Pletcher said the Santa Anita Derby is a target (Apr. 3).
Fly by Phil
Act of Duty
Kathleen O'Connell
Sam F. Davis, Feb. 13
Reportedly has not worked in some time. Won Tropical Park Derby over turf, goes in Sam F. Davis at Tampa next.
  Stakes winners

Jackson Bend
Hear No Evil
Nick Zito
Undecided
Solid 2nd in the Holy Bull.  Tougher trip than Winslow Homer and that might have made the difference.
Eskendereya
Giant's Causeway
Todd Pletcher
Ftn of Youth, Feb. 20, GP
Troubled 9th in Juvenile but very nice win in Jan. 7 allowance at Gulfstream.
Laus Deo
Medaglia d'Oro
Anthony Dutrow
Stakes at Gulfstream
Nice win in the Count Fleet at Aqueduct, now heads south for Gulfstream Stakes
Dryfly
Jump Start
Lynn Whiting
Southwest, Feb. 15, OP
Looked good wiring the $100k Smarty Jones under Borel on Jan. 18 at OP.  The track was slow, but we're not sure how to get excited about a final quarter in just under :28.
Tiz Chrome
Tiznow
Bob Baffert
Lewis or Southwest
Baffert said he could now go to the Southwest at OP.  Undefeated in two starts sprinting - won maiden at CD and Stuka stakes at Hol.
William's Kitten
Kitten's Joy
Mike Maker
Undecided
Good third in the Holy Bull.  Had a good pace to run at and could have done more, but he continues to progress.
Uh Oh Bango
Top Hit
Kory Owens

Ran good 2nd's in G3's against Rule and Theskyhasnolimit. By little known sire Top Hit.
Cool Bullet
Red Bullet
Steve Margolis
 Southwest, Feb. 15, OP
Okay fourth going 3-wide on both turns in Lecomte on Jan. 23 at FG.
Uptowncharlybrown
Limehouse
Alan Seewald
Sam F. Davis, Feb. 13
Rolled to 6-length victory in 7f Pasco stakes Jan. 16 following 9-length debut win Dec. 26 at Tampa.
Caracortado
Cat Dreams
Mike Machowsky
Robert Lewis, Feb. 6, SA
4 for 4 after win in Cal Breeders' Champ on Dec. 26.
  Graded Stakes Placed

Pulsion
Include
Patrick Biancone
 Ftn of Youth, Feb. 20, GP
Scratched on Jan. 31 at GP due to a cough.  Will now wait for Fountain of Youth. Ran a good 2nd to Lookin At Lucky in the G1 Norfolk.
Aikenite
Yes It's True
Todd Pletcher
 
Showed unusual speed contesting the Holy Bull through a half in 45 3/5, then faded to 6th.  Possibly a good freshener?
Aspire
Tale of The Cat
Eddie Kenneally
 
3rd in Champagne, then tossed a dud 12th in BC Juvenile. Has some potential.
Thank U Philippe
Proud Accolade
Marty Wolfson

Also flashed more speed than usual in Holy Bull fourth-place effort.  
Letsgetitonmon
Maria's Mon
Steve Asmussen

Respectable close for 3rd in Lecomte. Improver is not to be taken lightly.
  Others to Watch

Lentenor
Dynaformer
Michael Matz
 
Barbaro's brother broke maiden impressively at Gulfstream January 20.
Maximus Ruler
Roman Ruler
Clark Hanna
Risen Star, Feb. 20, FG
Set fast pace in Lecomte, but ran down by Ron The Greek's huge close at the wire. "I think he will improve off that race, and I'm hoping next time we're not on the front end going 46," said Hanna.
Dave In Dixie
Dixie Union
John Sadler
Robert Lewis, Feb. 13, SA
Debut earned him enough respect to sit on this list. Sadler did right by skipping the Cup and will have a fresh horse come spring.
Stay Put
Broken Vow
Steve Margolis
Risen Star, Feb. 20, FG
Has won two in a row routing at the FG, beating Wordly in his last.
Down With Dixie
Purge
Paul J. McGee
 
Beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Hotep in 1 mile 40y FG allowance Feb. 1.
Bulls And Bears
Holy Bull
Rick Violette Jr.
 
Super-hyped Saratoga maiden winner on the shelf since fast-closing 5th in Sanford Stakes in July at Sar.
Eightyfiveinafifty
Forest Camp
Gary Contessa
 
Reportedly had bit snapped in Whirlaway.  Blew the turn, hit the rail and dropped Chavez.  Previously blasted maidens by 17 lengths on Jan. 9 in 2nd lifetime start.
Drosselmeyer
Distorted Humor
Bill Mott
 
Impressive winning 3yo debut by 1 3/4 on Jan. 31 at GP. "We thought coming into this race that he was doing well and training well and were optimistic he'd run a big race," Mott said.
Connemara
Giant's Causeway
Todd Pletcher
 
Suffered first defeat finishing 2nd in Cal Derby behind Ranger Heartley who wired on slow pace (49.90-half mile).
Conveyance
Indian Charlie
Bob Baffert
 
Either Conveyance or Tiz Chrome will go to the Southwest at Oaklawn.
Hawaiian Springs
Stephen Got Even
Kathy Walsh
Robert Lewis, Feb. 13, SA
Impressive maiden winner in December at Hollywood getting lot of buzz.  Gets acid test in deep Lewis field.
Colizeo
Distorted Humor
Todd Pletcher
Ran away with 1 1/8 mile maiden special at Gulfstream on Jan. 22.
  Off The Trail

Take Control
A. P. Indy
Bob Baffert

OFF THE DERBY TRAIL due to shin problems.  Now pointed for the summer.
Brake Lights
Distorted Humor
Kiaran McLaughlin

OFF THE DERBY TRAIL with a chip in his ankle.  Will be pointed for summer. Broke maiden by 9 1/2 lengths at Aqueduct on Jan. 2.
Worldly
A. P. Indy
Paul J. McGee
 
Flat 5th in Lecomte at FG. “We’re going to give (Worldly) a little break,” said Galen Pruitt, Paul McGee’s assistant. “We’re going to give him about a month and a half off.”
Pounced
Rahy
John Gosden
 
Pounced was not nominated to the Triple Crown and trainer said that news reports saying the colt could be Derby-bound are in error.
Piscitelli
Victory Gallop
Greg Sacco

Injured in the Jan. 23 Holy Bull stakes at Gulfstream and will be sidelined for 90 days.
Winslow Homer
Unbridled's Song
Tony Dutrow
Ftn of Youth, Feb. 20, GP
"We found a small stress fracture in his cannon bone, resulting in Winslow having to go on the shelf for the next 60-90 days," owner Rick Porter said.

Best of the Blogs

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen

Derby Dozen: Feb. 8, 2010

With Winslow Homer off the Kentucky Derby trail, which new 3-year-old has entered the top twelve? 1. Budd... Read more
Triple Dead Heat

A Super Weekend of Horse Racing

While it was certainly an excellent Super Bowl, it was also a great weekend for horse racing. On Saturday... Read more
Zast's Track Words

As Good As It Gets, Gets You Nowhere

The newspapers saved space in their weekend editions to criticize the appointment of Aqueduct Entertainme... Read more
HRF Advertisement

Plays of the Day

invasor

TuP 2/9/2010 R7 - Long Works Signal Winner at TuP

POST TIME  5:20 PM EST--#8 Island Drums (6-1) debuted from the Pletcher barn last March with an impressive victory showing some real promise.  Something clearly went wrong as the horse was quickly abandoned by Pletcher and moved to the...

Graded Stakes - Race Replays

 

View DetailsView Video02/07San Antonio-G2Richard's Kid
View DetailsView Video02/06Donn Hcp-G1Quality Road
View DetailsView Video01/31Forward Gal-G2Bickersons
View DetailsView Video01/31Santa Monica-G1Gabby's Golden Gal
View DetailsView Video01/24San Marcos-G2Loup Breton
View DetailsView Video01/23Col. Bradley H-G3El Caballo

Browse the Wiki

Stakes Video Recap


Quality Road dominates the Donn!


Richard's Kid and Gomez flying at the wire!

Dubai Race Night

Terrific blog on Dubai racing at Meydan

HorseRacingNation in 90 sec...

PickSixBlog.com


Santa Anita Pick Six tickets every day

Worth Watching


Larryzapeye features Blind Luck and Eightyfiveinafifty as yearlings.