A THREE-YEAR-OLD TO WATCH: ZACKN'MAT

Narrowly favored Zackn'mat broke his maiden in impressive fashion this afternoon at Santa Anita Park, taking a seven-furlong, $56,000 maiden special weight by two lengths.

Ridden by Hector Berrios, Zackn'mat got off to a good start and settled just off the pace in a tight field as the horses came down the backstretch. Up front, Verne and Brannaman were battling for the early lead, with Sea to Sky on their outside in third while Boat Trip was tucked in fourth along the rail. The pace was moderate for the distance, with the leaders running the opening quarter mile in :22.48 and the half-mile in :44.23.

ALGORITHMS WINS THE HOLY BULL!

Algorithms charged past Hansen in early stretch and pulled away powerfully to win the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park by a dominating five lengths.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Javier Castellano -- who also paired up to win the $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes (gr. II) with Broadway's Alibi earlier on the card -- Algorithms got off to a good beginning and settled into second early on as race favorite and 2011 Eclipse champion two-year-old male Hansen set the pace. Making his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) back in November, Hansen stumbled at the start but recovered quickly to pull away from the field early on to establish a three, even four length lead while running fractions of :23.64 and :45.67. Silver Max was sitting in third along the rail, followed by Fort Loudon, Consortium, and My Adonis, the latter trailing the field by a sizable margin early on.

BROADWAY'S ALIBI WINS THE FORWARD GAL STAKES!

Broadway's Alibi absolutely dominated her rivals in the seven-furlong Forward Gal Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park this afternoon, drawing away powerfully under hand ride in the stretch to win by fifteen, perhaps even twenty lengths.

Sent off as the 6-5 favorite under jockey John Velazquez, the Todd Pletcher-trainee got off to a quick start and went straight to the lead. Say a Novena and Yara were racing together in second, followed by Sacristy on the outside in fourth with Quick Flip and Good Deed trailing the field.

EL PADRINO WINS A GULFSTREAM ALLOWANCE RACE!

El Padrino closed in strongly from just off the pace to win a one mile and a sixteenth, $53,500 allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park.

Under a perfect ride by Javier Castellano, the son of Pulpit settled into the fourth position early on as longshot Bartolome set the pace. He was being tracked by Take Charge Indy and Casual Trick, with El Padrino in a pocket right behind them on the rail. They were being followed by Big Screen and Gaelico, while A Boy Named Em -- after a slow start -- was back in seventh, leading only In the Beat and Argentine Tango entering the backstretch.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 29th, 2012

I don't think anyone will argue with me when I state that the biggest, most exciting Triple Crown prep race so far this year is being run this afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

Oh, some of the other prep races have had their credentials. The Sham Stakes (gr. III) yielded an exciting finish, and the victorious Out of Bounds looks like a serious Triple Crown contender. The LeComte Stakes (gr. III) could turn out a number of fine three-year-olds. The Count Fleet Stakes and Smarty Jones Stakes each had their share of promising runners as well.

But none of those races can match the caliber of horses that this afternoon's Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) has drawn, because the Holy Bull drew Hansen, the 2011 Eclipse champion two-year-old male.

HOME SWEET ASPEN WINS THE SANTA MONICA!

Home Sweet Aspen held off a determined bid from Sugarinthemorning in deep stretch to win the $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes (gr. I) by a head.

Under Joel Rosario, Home Sweet Aspen sped away from the gate to grab the early lead while being pressured by 2-1 favorite Rumor, as well as Sugarinthemorning. Teddy's Promise, coming off of a dominating win in the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) on the last day of 2011, was back behind them in fourth.

MUCHO MACHO MAN WINS THE FLORIDA MILLIONS CLASSIC!

Mucho Macho turned a pace-pressing trip into sharp victory in the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park, coasting home to a two-length victory under Ramon Dominguez.

The colt, who is trained by Kathy Ritvo, broke cleanly at the start and settled into the second spot behind pace-setting Turbo Compressor, who rattled off fractions of :24.31 and :48.02. Adios Charlie and Ron the Greek were back racing in a joint third, followed by Duke of Mischief, Dream Maestro, and Decaf Again.

HOLLADAY ROAD WINS THE CRYSTAL WATER!

Holladay Road wore down pace-setting Macho Dorado in deep stretch to win the Crystal Water Stakes at Santa Anita Park by two lengths.

Ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano, Holladay Road settled back in last early on as Bluegrass Reward and Macho Dorado opened up a huge lead on the field while battling through early fractions of :22.22 and :44.97. Legal Seperation was leading the rest of the pack in third, followed then by Thirtyfirststreet, Spud Spivens, and Holladay Road.

LITTLE MIKE WINS THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE MILLIONS TURF!

Favored Little Mike held off a late bid from Slew's Answer to win the $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Turf this afternoon at Gulfstream Park by 1 1/2 lengths.

Ridden to victory by Joe Bravo, Little Mike bounded away at the start to take a clear early advantage while setting fractions of :23.60 and :48.01. Slew's Answer was not too far behind, while Teaks North -- a two-time grade I winner and, to date, the only horse to have beaten Little Mike over the Gulfstream turf -- was in fourth while three-wide

COMPARI WINS THE SENSATIONAL STAR!

Even-money favorite Compari rallied from third to take the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes by a length and a half under Mike Smith.

The early pace was set by Ain't No Other and My Summer Slew, who ran an opening quarter mile in :22.22 and a half in :43.92 as they raced along the downhill turf course. Compari was down in third along the rail, followed by Red Defense and Tamarack Smarty.

HOOH WHY WINS THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE MILLIONS FILLY AND MARE TURF!

Hooh Why pulled off a surprising 17-1 upset in the $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf, rallying from off the pace to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the second longest shot in the field.

Under an excellent ride from John Velazquez -- who was riding his second winner on the card -- Hooh Why settled into fourth early on as Speak Easy Gal and Romacaca set the pace. Unbridled Humor was sitting back in third, getting a perfect trip as the front-runners set a good pace of :23.42 and :47.65.

WILLA B AWESOME WINS THE SANTA YSABEL!

Willa B Awesome went straight to the lead and never looked back in Santa Anita's $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III), holding off a late run from Killer Graces to win by 3 1/2 lengths.

Under Martin Pedroza, Willa B Awesome -- sent off as the longest shot in the field of five at 11-1 -- broke well and rattled off fractions of :23.23 and :46.80 while being tracked by Bahalta. Lady of Shamrock was in third, followed by Killer Graces and favored Charm the Maker.

SOARING STOCKS WINS THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE MILLIONS SPRINT!

Soaring Socks wore down front-running Royal Currier deep in the Gulfstream Park homestretch to win the Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint by a neck.

Under John Velazquez, Soaring Socks settled back into third early on as Royal Currier opened up a sizable early lead on the field. Madman Diaries was back rating in second, while favored Apriority was racing back in fourth on the outside of Zero Rate Policy. Ribo Bobo was down in between horses in sixth, while Cajun Breeze and It's Never Too Late trailed the field.

IT'S ME MOM WINS THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE MILLIONS FILLY AND MARE SPRINT!

It's Me Mom pulled off a mild upset in the Florida Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint this afternoon at Gulfstream Park, taking the six-furlong event in gate-to-wire fashion by six lengths at the finish.

Ridden by to victory by Willie Martinez, It's Me Mom was beaten to the lead at the break by Honey Chile, but quickly moved up to take the lead after a few strides. Honey Chile settled back into second, with favored Pomeroys Pistol back in third along the rail. Beat the Blues, Derwin's Star, Musical Romance -- the 2011 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) winner and Eclipse champion -- and Indulgence trailed the field.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 28th, 2012

Today's Triple Crown Countdown post shall not be particularly long, for I shall be discussing only one race. Tomorrow's post shall cover the major Sunday racing action at Gulfstream Park, including the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) where the 2011 champion two-year-old colt Hansen will make his three-year-old debut. But for the moment, the star of the day is Killer Graces, winner of the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I) last December and one of the leading contenders for the 2012 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). She is the leader of a promising field set to run in the Santa Ysabel (gr. III) this afternoon at Santa Anita Park. Let's take a look at the entries!

AWESOME FEATHER WINS THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE MILLIONS DISTAFF!

The 2010 Eclipse champion two-year-old filly Awesome Feather brought her racing record to a perfect 9-for-9 this afternoon at Gulfstream Park, absolutely dominating five rivals in the $300,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff to win by five or six lengths.

Ridden to victory by regular rider Jeffrey Sanchez, the four-year-old daughter of Awesome of Course broke well and raced away to chase pace-setting Tiz the Argument into the first turn of the nine-furlong event. The two quickly opened up five lengths on the rest of the field, comprised of Delightful Mary, Sweet Repent, My Pal Chrisy, and Perfect Embrace.

It's Sunshine Millions Day!

Every year, the best Florida- and California-bred horses gather at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita for Sunshine Millions day, a day of rich stakes races designed to showcase their talent against other state-bred horses. While the format of the championship is slightly different this year, there is nevertheless an impressive series of nine races scheduled for this afternoon -- six at Gulfstream for Florida-breds, and three at Santa Anita for California-breds.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 26th, 2012

Here are my recaps of last week's major racing action along the Triple Crown Trail. Remember, you can click on the names of some of the stakes races to read a more detailed recap. Enjoy!

MIDNIGHT TRANSFER WINS THE SAN PEDRO!

Midnight Transfer rallied furiously inside the final sixteenth of a mile to win the $75,000 San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita Park by a desperate nose.

Ridden to victory by Joel Rosario, the colt settled into the third position early on down along the rail as Got Even set a blazing pace on the far outside. Passing Game was in second, with Let's Get Crackin up close in fourth, followed by Coach Sickie and Drill. Four lengths seperated the field heading down the backstretch.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 22nd, 2012

There's not too much going on today in the way of allowance and maiden special weight races for three-year-olds, but there are a pair of interesting listed stakes races that merit a bit of attention, including the $65,000 San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita. Let's take a look at who's running:

HOWE GREAT WINS THE KITTEN'S JOY STAKES!

4.70-1 shot Howe Great turned back the bid of his stablemate Lucky Chappy in the Gulfstream Park homestretch to take the $100,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes by a dominating 2 1/2 lengths.

Ridden by Edgar Prado, Howe Great broke well and went straight to the lead, rattling off fractions of :24.64 and :48.01. In behind him in second sat Cozzetti, followed by Italo, Empire Builder, Lucky Chappy, El Romano, and Scorcher.

MR. BOWLING WINS THE LECOMTE STAKES!

Mr. Bowling held off a determined run from favored Z Dager to win the $175,000 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon at Fair Grounds by a narrow head.

Ridden to victory by Robby Albarado, the colt settled into the sixth position early on as longshots Alexander Thegreat and Hero of Order set the pace. Z Dager and Hammers Terror were also close to the pace, with Exfactor saving ground toward the rail while Dan and Sheila trailed the field.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 21st, 2012

The first of the major Kentucky Derby prep races being held at Fair Grounds is scheduled for tomorrow. Called the LeComte Stakes (gr. III), it carries a purse of $175,000, of which $105,000 goes to the winner. That check can go a long way toward getting a horse into the Derby, so this race has been an important race along the Triple Crown Trail in recent years. Let's take a look at who's running!

KEELERMAN'S KENTUCKY DERBY TOP TWENTY - January 20th, 2012

1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway - Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer) Trained by Mike Harrington
It sounds like he may make his 2012 debut in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II), which is a very interesting decision by his connections, seeing that the race is a seven-furlong sprint. However, I've always believed that it's best to prep newly-turned
three-year-olds in sprint races before stretching them back out around two turns, so I'm actually thrilled with this announcement.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 19th, 2012

Here are my recaps of last weekend's major Derby preps, including the Smarty Jones Stakes and California Derby. Enjoy!

Stakes Race Recaps

California Derby
Thoughts: Russian Greek looked really good coming from way off the pace, and being by Giant's Causeway, additional distance should not be an issue. Whether or not he is talented enough to handle the best three-year-olds of 2012 is open to debate, but he looks like a heavy favorite for the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) next month.

KEELERMAN'S ECLIPSE AWARD SELECTIONS

With the widely-anticipated Eclipse awards being announced later tonight, I thought I'd post some quick thoughts on who I would vote for in each division. Enjoy!

Horse of the Year: Acclamation
Acclamation and Havre de Grace each won three grade I stakes races, but I give Acclamation credit for winning the mile and a quarter Pacific Classic (gr. I) over Polytrack, as well as a pair of grade I grass stakes. Add that to the fact that he won a pair of grade IIs as well, and I feel that trumps Havre de Grace's Woodward, Apple Blossom, Beldame (all gr. I), Obeah, and Azeri Stakes (both gr. III) triumphs. But I could vote for either one and feel good about it.

JUNEBUGRED WINS THE SMARTY JONES STAKES!

Junebugred turned a ground-saving trip into a narrow victory in the $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, holding off a late run from Reckless Jerry to win by a head.

Ridden to victory by Joe Bravo and sent off as the third choice at 6-1, Junebugred got off to a good start and settled down into fourth along the rail as Laurie's Rocket, No Spin, and Jake Mo set fractions of :23.68 and :48.20. On Fire Baby, the only filly in the race and the favorite at 3-2, was on the outside four-wide in fifth, followed then by Reckless Jerry on her outside and Optimizer down in between horses.

KING AND CRUSADER WINS THE JIMMY WINKFIELD!

King and Crusader, sent off as the fourth-choice in a field of six, proved best in Aqueduct's six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield Stakes under jockey Cornelio Velasquez.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN --January 16th, 2012

While a number of fascinating three-year-old races have been run over the last two days, to me, the best is still to come -- the best being the $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park later this afternoon.

The first in a series of four Kentucky Derby prep races held at Oaklawn Park each spring, the Smarty Jones Stakes was won last year by Caleb's Posse, who may be named Champion three-year-old male of 2011 later tonight at the Eclipse Awards ceremony. The 2012 edition has drawn a large field of eleven, and it should be a great race to watch. Let's take a look at who's running!

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Atigun

Favored Atigun came on strongly in the Oaklawn Park homestretch to win a 1 1/16th miles allowance optional claiming race for three-year-olds by a head, stamping himself as one to watch out for in the major Kentucky Derby prep races to be held in the coming months.

RENEESGOTZIP WINS THE SANTA YNEZ STAKES!

Even-money favorite Reneesgotzip powered away in the Santa Anita homestretch to win the $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) by eight dominating lengths under Corey Nakatani.

Trained by Peter Miller, the daughter of City Zip broke well from gate two in a field of six and quickly took the early lead. Tracking her in second was Rowdy Gal, followed by Candrea, Paint Woman, Made to Love Her, and Lady Hokulea. After an opening quarter mile in :22.31, the entire field was separated by about three lengths. The group remained bunched for the most part around the far turn, with only 45-1 longshot Lady Hokulea dropping out of contention.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 14th, 2012

As promised, here is my analysis of Sunday's 6-1/2 furlong Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) for three-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II)
Six and One Half Furlongs on the Santa Anita Dirt Track

Here are the entries:

THE KEELERMAN HANDICAPS -- 2011

With the Eclipse awards being announced in just a couple of days, I thought now would be a good time to post my 2011 set of "Keelerman Handicaps". If you may recall, I posted my inaugural Keelerman Handicaps in late 2010, mostly out of curiosity as to how my rankings of the juveniles would compare to the Experimental Free Handicaps compiled each year by the Jockey Club. For the complete details, please refer to my 2010 post by clicking here. Enjoy!

RUSSIAN GREEK WINS THE CALIFORNIA DERBY!

Favored Russian Greek rallied from far off the early pace to win the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields by a length in terrific fashion.

PROSPECTIVE WINS THE PASCO STAKES!

Prospective swept five wide around the turn and flew home in the stretch to win the $75,000 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs this afternoon, stamping himself as a contender for the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) next month.

NOW I KNOW WINS THE DIXIE BELLE!

Now I Know won for the sixth time in six starts this afternoon at Oaklawn Park, taking the $50,000 Dixie Belle Stakes in gate-to-wire fashion as the odds-on favorite.

AGAVE KISS WINS THE RUTHLESS!

4-5 favorite Agave Kiss brought her record to an undefeated 3-for-3 this afternoon at Aqueduct, taking the $75,000 Ruthless Stakes over the inner dirt track by four or five lengths.

A Three-Year-Old to Watch: Najjaar

Najjaar broke his maiden in impressive fashion this afternoon in the second race at Oaklawn Park, coming from far behind to win a mile and a sixteenth maiden special weight by a neck.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 13th, 2012

Smarty Jones Stakes . . . California Derby . . . Pasco Stakes . . . While these race names don't strike up the same interest among racing fans as the Wood Memorial or the Santa Anita Derby, they are nevertheless a terrific set of interesting Kentucky Derby prep races that could certainly turn out a number of good horses. Let us recall that running in last year's Smarty Jones Stakes were Caleb's Posse and Archarcharch, both of whom went on to win grade I races.

KEELERMAN'S KENTUCKY DERBY TOP TWENTY - January 12th, 2012

1. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway - Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer) Trained by Mike Harrington
Inherits the top spot following the highly disappointing performance by In the Beat -- last week's number one -- in a Gulfstream allowance race. He's breezed twice since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, most recently going a half-mile in :48 flat at Hollywood Park on January 6th. The Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) in February may come up a bit quick, but the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) in March could be a good goal.

UNION RAGS RETURNS TO THE WORKTAB

Union Rags, the early favorite for the 2012 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), breezed three furlongs on January 11th at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, the first workout in preperation for his three-year-old campaign.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- January 10th, 2012

With two more major prep races in the history books, the Triple Crown trail already looks quite a bit different than it did last week. Handsome Mike and Shkspeare Shaliyah, two well-regarded colts heading into last Saturday's races, probably wrote themselves out of the Triple Crown story with their poor efforts, and Hierro certainly didn't do himself any favors with his last-place effort in the Sham.

THE RETURN OF JOYFUL VICTORY

A Wednesday card at Fair Grounds does not usually affect horse racing on a national scale, but the upcoming January 11th card at this historic racetrack just may produce a horse capable of doing big things this year against the best of company.

A THREE-YEAR-OLD TO WATCH: STAR CHANNEL

Todd Pletcher is having a very good weekend with three-year-olds. The day after taking an allowance race at Gulfstream with Discreet Cat and an Aqueduct maiden special weight with Raconteur, Pletcher again found himself in the winner's circle again 7-1 shot Star Channel in Gulfstream's eighth race this afternoon.

OUT OF BOUNDS WINS THE SHAM STAKES!

Out of Bounds closed furiously in the Santa Anita homestretch to nab heavily favored Secret Circle in the final yards of the $100,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III).

A son of Discreet Cat owned by Darley Stable, Out of Bounds settled into the fourth position in a field of five as longshot Longview Drive set the early pace. Secret Circle, 1-2 favorite trained by Bob Baffert, was settling beautifully on the outside in second, followed by Handsome Mike in third on the outside. Hierro was the early trailer.

ALPHA WINS THE COUNT FLEET STAKES!

4-5 favorite Alpha closed strongly from just off the pace to take the $150,000 Count Fleet Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths in very impressive fashion.

Owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, the son of Bernardini settled into third under Ramon Dominguez as the 5-2 second choice Il Villano set the early pace. He was being tracked by How Do I Win, with Whistleblower, Stephanoatsee, Speightscity, and Shkspeare Shaliyah trailing the field.

DISCREET DANCER WINS A GULFSTREAM ALLOWANCE RACE!

It's possible that trainer Todd Pletcher's strongest contender for the 2012 Kentucky Derby is not the proven stakes winner Gemologist. It is fairly possible that the best three-year-old in his barn is the immensely talented Discreet Dancer, who brought his record to 2-for-2 this afternoon with a dominating victory in a one-mile allowance optional claiming event at Gulfstream Park.

TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN - January 6th, 2012

Welcome to the 2012 edition of Triple Crown Countdown! It's hard to believe that another year of racing has concluded and it's alreaedy time to starting looking forward to the 2012 Triple Crown.

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF (additional!) 2012 TRIPLE CROWN CONTENDERS

Toward the end of December, I compiled an extensive list of two-year-olds pointing toward the 2012 Triple Crown, ranging from such well-known colts as Hansen and Union Rags down to maidens like Najjaar and Mr. Style. It was such a fun list to create that I decided to write up a "sequel" post. So here it is -- 29 additional little-known Triple Crown contenders, the majority of them are nothing more than maiden winners, and most of them based in California. Enjoy!

KEELERMAN'S KENTUCKY DERBY TOP TEN - January 6th, 2012

Welcome to the first "Keelerman's Kentucky Derby Top Ten" of 2012! Although I usually include twenty horses on my lists, I thought it would be better to start out with ten and and add ten more for next week's edition, after Saturday's major prep races are run. Enjoy!

TRIPLE CROWN UPDATE -- January 6th, 2012

While browsing through the entries for today at Aqueduct and Fair Grounds, I happened upon a pair of promising-looking maiden special weights that could potentially have some influence on the Triple Crown trail in the coming months.

REVERON WINS THE GULFSTREAM PARK DERBY!

Reveron took the inaugural running of Gulfstream Park's $100,000 Gulfstream Park Derby in game fashion this afternoon, holding off the well-regarded Casual Trick by a half-length.

Ridden by Fernando Jara, Reveron broke well from gate two and settled into second along the rail as Nachas And Joy set the pace. Casual Trick was also close up early on. The fractions were reasonable for the mile and a sixteenth distances, with Nachas And Joy carving out fractions of :23.45 and :47.42.