BloodHorse.com

 Summer Bird moved from Ice to Ritchey
SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone), last year's champion three-year-old colt, was one of 25 horses removed from the care of trainer Tim Ice by owner K.K. and Vilasini Jayaraman at Oaklawn Park Tuesday morning, according to a report in Daily Racing Form. While Summer Bird will move to the barn of trainer Tim Ritchey, best known for training champion and dual classic winner Afleet Alex, the remaining Jayaraman-owned runners will be dispersed among several different trainers. more...

 Zarkava produces first foal
The Aga Khan's unbeaten ZARKAVA (Zamindar), Europe's Horse of the Year in 2008, produced her first foal on Saturday evening in Ireland. The filly, sired by the Aga Khan's Dalakhani, was born at 9:30 p.m., according to the Aga Khan Studs website. more...

 Bim Bam comes again to upset Interactif in Hallandale Beach
When 4-5 favorite Interactif (Broken Vow) put his head in front of the pacesetter BIM BAM (Deputy Wild Cat) in the stretch of Sunday's $125,000 Hallandale Beach S., the fans' choice appeared ready to edge away to a popular victory. That snapshot view failed to take into account the unflagging resolve of J D Farms' homebred Bim Bam, however. Stubbornly fighting back along the rail, the David Brownlee sophomore came again to deny Interactif by a nose at the wire. more...

 Blind Luck, American Lion look ahead to rescheduled races
When Santa Anita was forced to cancel racing this past Saturday after a deluge of rain, two of the track's significant three-year-old races scheduled for that day had to be postponed. Both the Las Virgenes S. (G1), a one-mile test for sophomore fillies, and the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2), a 1 1/16-mile affair, have been rescheduled for this upcoming Saturday. more...

 Eightyfiveinafifty 'full of energy' following Whirlaway incident
EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY (Forest Camp) should be able to return to training in a week after receiving 14 stitches to repair a cut suffered during his premature departure from the racetrack during the running of Saturday's $100,000 Whirlaway S. at Aqueduct, trainer Gary Contessa reported Sunday morning. more...

 Champions, Breeders' Cup winners head 336 early Triple Crown nominees
A total of 336 sophomores have thrown their hat in the mix of early nominations for the 2010 renewals of America's three classic races that comprise horse racing's highly sought Triple Crown. more...

 Rachel breezes a half-mile at Fair Grounds
Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old filly RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) breezed four furlongs Saturday morning in :50 3/5 and galloped out five-eighths in 1:04, according to Fair Grounds clockers. more...

 Peppi Knows takes Whirlaway as Eightyfiveinafifty unseats rider
Philip J. Messina's PEPPI KNOWS (Stephen Got Even) flattered the form of Remsen S. (G2) winner Buddy's Saint (Saint Liam) with a one-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 Whirlaway S. at Aqueduct, but the real story of the 8 1/2-furlong test was 1-5 favorite Eightyfiveinafifty (Forest Camp) blowing the first turn. more...

 Rain forces Santa Anita to cancel once again
Live racing was canceled for Saturday at Santa Anita due to heavy overnight and early morning rain that rendered the main track unsuitable for racing, according to racing officials. The decision to cancel was made at 8:30 a.m. (PST). more...

 Soneva prevails in Cape Verdi; Allybar upsets Presvis on undercard
Arnaud Curty's SONEVA (Cherokee Run) held off the late rush of Aspectoflove (Danetime) by a neck in Friday's $200,000 Cape Verdi S. (UAE-G3), the evening's featured event at Meydan. Making her first start for trainer Marco Botti, the formerly French-based filly benefited from a well-timed ride by Christophe Soumillon to garner her fourth career stakes victory. more...

 Tracks cancel in advance of winter storm
With a storm that is expected to dump up to 28 inches of snow in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. region over the next two days, the Maryland Jockey Club has canceled live racing at Laurel Park for Friday and Saturday. more...

 Oaklawn announces $5 million Apple Blossom
Calling it "one of the most important moments at Oaklawn and in Arkansas sports," Oaklawn President Charles J. Cella announced Thursday that Oaklawn will increase the purse of the April 3 Apple Blossom H. (G1) to $5 million, provided Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) and dual champion ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) both start. more...

 Alexandros impresses in Al Rashidiya
Godolphin's ALEXANDROS (Kingmambo) displayed a smart burst of speed to capture Thursday's $200,000 Al Rashidiya (UAE-G3), the first race ever contested over the turf at the new Meydan Racecourse. Trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by Frankie Dettori. the classy five-year-old cruised up to the leaders in the stretch, and right on cue, bolted away to a commanding 3 1/2-length victory. Alexandros toured about nine furlongs on the good to firm ground in 1:51 3/5, and in the process, raised his profile as a contender for the March 27 Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1). more...

 Sting to perform at Dubai Racing Carnival
Meydan announced Thursday that internationally renowned recording artist Sting will perform live at the Dubai International Racing Carnival's Super Thursday on March 4. more...

 Winslow Homer sidelined, off Derby trail
Holy Bull S. (G3) winner WINSLOW HOMER (Unbridled's Song) is off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail after the discovery of a stress fracture in a cannon bone, according to a statement by owner Rick Porter on his website. more...

 Fair Grounds releases logos for Louisiana Derby, FG Oaks
Official event logos for the 97th Louisiana Derby (G2) and the 43rd Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) were released Monday by Fair Grounds. Horses are prominently featured in both designs, which present contemporary takes on themes inspired by the tradition and history of each race. more...

 Halter worn by Rachel Alexandra up for auction
Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) had her first recorded work of the 2010 racing season at Fair Grounds Sunday morning, but beginning Friday a special commemorative stable halter once worn by the magnificent filly will go on display in the Fair Grounds clubhouse. more...

 Rachel Alexandra records first official workout of 2010
Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) posted her first official work of the year on Sunday over Fair Grounds' fast dirt, breezing a half-mile in :52 with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard. more...

 Record 288 entries for Dubai World Cup
The Dubai Racing Club announced Sunday that it has received a record number of 288 entries for the 2010 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), scheduled for March 27 at the newly unveiled Meydan Racecourse. more...

 Bold Chieftain crowned in Classic; Sweet Repent scores fifth straight in Distaff
Dwaine Hall, Langbein Trust, William Morey Jr. and Ken Robinson's veteran BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle) made his first and only Sunshine Millions appearance in 2007, running seventh in the Classic at Santa Anita Park. On Saturday, the seven-year-old returned to the site of that loss to score a gutsy victory for trainer and co-owner Morey in the 2010 Classic by a neck. Jockey Russell Baze guided the dark bay through the nine-furlong Pro-Ride test, finishing up in 1:48 1/5 to return $12.20, $4.80 and $4 as the 5-1 second choice. more...

 Propulsion, Precision preserve streaks in Sunshine Millions Turf races
Florida-breds JET PROPULSION (Double Honor) and TIGHT PRECISION (Pure Precision) each extended their winning streaks to three in their respective Sunshine Millions races on Saturday. more...

 This Ones for Phil, Quisisana win photos in Sunshine Millions sprints
THIS ONES FOR PHIL (Untuttable) and Pashito the Che (Flatter) put on quite a show in the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park, the first in Saturday's six-race Sunshine Millions series that pit Florida-breds against California-breds. more...

 Rachel Alexandra gallops at Fair Grounds
Reigning Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) enjoyed a spirited gallop over the sealed Fair Grounds racing strip Saturday morning with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard for the move. more...

 Champs Elysees named Canada's Horse of the Year
Juddmonte Farms' CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) became the late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel's final champion when he was named Canada's 2009 Horse of the Year at the Sovereign Awards ceremony in Toronto Friday night. more...

 Troop wins National Handicapping Championship
Brian Troop of Barrie, Ontario, parlayed a record-setting Day 1 performance in the 11th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) into the title of Handicapper of the Year on Saturday, winning the two-day competition at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas with a final bankroll of $266. He earned a $500,000 first-place prize and will receive an Eclipse Award at next year's ceremonies. more...

 Troop in first place following Day 1 of NHC
Brian Troop of Barrie, Ontario, moved atop the leaderboard standings of the 11th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) following the sixth mandatory race on Friday. As the rest of the day played out, none of the other handicappers were able to topple Troop, who compiled a total bankroll of $232.60 by day's end. more...

 Record 302 horseplayers set for NHC
Defending champion John Conte heads a record field of 302 horseplayers who will gather at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas on January 29-30 to vie for horse racing's official title of "Handicapper of the Year" and a first-place prize of $500,000 in the $930,000 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC). more...

 Richard's Kid scores in San Antonio
Zabeel Racing International's RICHARD'S KID (Lemon Drop Kid) put in a furious rally up the rail in the stretch of Sunday's $150,000 San Antonio H. (G2) at Santa Anita to post a head victory under jockey Garrett Gomez. more...

 Quality Road in a class by himself in Donn
Edward P. Evans' homebred QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) overwhelmed eight opponents and broke his own track record in taking Saturday's $500,000 Donn H. (G1), once again stamping himself as a horse to be reckoned with in the race for divisional honors. more...

 Court Vision inherits GP Turf after 'Points gets taken down
Starlight Partners' Take the Points (Even the Score) crossed the wire first in Saturday's $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf H. (G1), only to be judged guilty of interference and demoted to fifth, elevating 4-5 favorite COURT VISION (Gulch) to the victory. more...

 Tottie gets first stakes win Suwannee River
J.H. Richmond-Watson's TOTTIE (GB) (Fantastic Light) stalked a slow pace in second until midstretch and took command late in Saturday's $125,000 Suwannee River S. (G3), notching her first stakes victory by three-quarters of a length. Following a European campaign that featured only one success in nine starts, the four-year-old filly has now won two straight on American soil, both at Gulfstream Park. more...

 Handicapping Insights
Meydan Racecourse opened last week to great fanfare in Dubai. Seven Thoroughbred races were carded with the usual large fields that has made racing from Dubai very challenging and rewarding for those that choose to follow it. more...

 Kentucky Derby Report
After winning the Holy Bull S. (G3) a week earlier, WINSLOW HOMER (Unbridled's Song) was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his cannon bone and taken off the Derby Trail on Tuesday. If he makes a full recovery, the gray colt is expected back this summer. more...

 Thoroughbred Beat
Outcome: Horse of the Year went to the younger filly on Monday night, and the vote wasn't that close. Jess Jackson and Jerry Moss each displayed plenty of class and grace during their acceptance speeches, and I loved Moss' comments afterward: "Nobody's beaten her on the racetrack. So they beat her by proxy as far as I'm concerned." more...

 2009 Turf Awards
In this third annual installment of the Reilly Turf Awards, my stab at a year-in-review exercise, I'll once again pay tribute to heroes (and call out a few villains) over a bewildering array of categories, ranging from the dubious to the most august. more...

 Commentary
The Ballot more...

 Commentary
The Wizard's personal tribute to Bobby Frankel more...

 Commentary
Since the debate regarding who should be voted Horse of the Year for 2009 will be running rampant until the selection takes place at the Eclipse Awards in January, I figured that chiming in with my two cents couldn't hurt, right? more...

 International Diary
Throughout history, the celestial realm has been viewed as the abode of surpassing excellence. more...

 Handicapping Feature
For most of my handicapping career I regarded the jockey factor as incidental more...

 Commentary
I've never had the privilege of meeting or speaking to legendary Irish horseman John Oxx and I suspect I never will. If given the opportunity, however, I would personally thank him for his role in reassuring me not once but twice over the past decade that an affliction that's lasted with me for nearly a quarter-century is best left uncured. more...

 International Diary
Trainer Aidan O'Brien may be feeling like an Austrian general after the Battle of Austerlitz. No matter the dispositions of his troops, or the intricate designs of his tactics as he envisions them on the map, his forces are still getting smashed to pieces by Napoleon, or in this case, SEA THE STARS (Cape Cross [Ire]). more...

 Commentary
When asked to reel off the top trainer or trainers in the United States, the common answers include the likes of Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, John Sadler, Steve Asmussen, Richard Mandella et al, and deservedly so, but one name that tends to get overlooked is the genius known as Jonathan Sheppard. more...

 Pedigree Handicapping
Budding turf sire Eurosilver more...

 Winning and Losing Streaks
In Thoroughbred racing, every level of handicapper has encountered winning and losing streaks from time to time. more...

 Aqueduct Notebook
Time for a bit of a recap of action around here beginning on January 20 and ending on Sunday, with several days of the annual winter break sandwiched in-between. more...

 Fair Grounds Notebook
Another 40 races are in the books for 2010 at Fair Grounds, with resounding public success wagering on the main course. more...

 Santa Anita Notebook
Santa Monica H. (G1): Arnold Zetcher's homebred GABBY'S GOLDEN GAL (Medaglia d'Oro) took command in midstretch and held off a pair of fine runners to post a convincing 1 1/4-legnth tally in this affair. Martin Garcia guided the Bob Baffert-trained four-year-old home in a swift 1:21 1/5 for seven-eighths. more...