Hero of Humor Wins Fair Grounds Allowance Race

In today's fourth race at Fair Grounds, a one-mile and seventy-yard allowance optional claiming race for three-year-olds, LeComte Stakes (gr. III) sixth-place finisher Hero of Humor won by a half-length. With Francisco Torres in the saddle, the son of Sharp Humor tracked fractions of :22.90 and :47.03 set by favored Lucky Stranger, then took command after three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.61 and held off a determined late charge from A. Rod Again to cross the wire in front in the time of 1:44.90 seconds.

2015 Withers Stakes Nominees

The nominations for the February 7th Withers Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct have been released. Among the nominees to this 8.5-furlong Kentucky Derby prep race are Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) winner El Kabeir and the undefeated Todd Pletcher-trained allowance winner Itsaknockout. The complete list of nominees is as follows:

2015 Donn Handicap Nominees

The nominations for the Donn Handicap (gr. I) on February 7th at Gulfstream Park have been released. Among the nominees are Belmont Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Commissioner, Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Constitution, Clark Handicap (gr. I) winner Hoppertunity, and last year's Donn winner Lea. The complete list of nominees is as follows:

On the Work Tab: 1-26-15

2014 Eclipse champion three-year-old filly Untapable and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) runner-up Tapiture returned to the work tab at Fair Grounds this morning, with each horse breezing an easy half-mile. Here's are a few quick details of their workouts, along with a few other morning works of note:

On the Work Tab: 1-25-15

It was a very busy day for morning workouts, particularly at Palm Beach Downs, where Todd Pletcher sent out a large group of talented runners! Here's a quick rundown of the morning highlights:

The Great War Entered in 96Rock Stakes

The Great War, who finished fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), is scheduled to make his three-year-old debut on January 31st in the $75,000 96Rock Stakes at Turfway Park. The Great War will carry 122 pounds in this 6 1/2-furlong sprint, four more than his eleven rivals. Here are the entries:

Mischief Clem Upsets California Cup Derby

Mischief Clem pulled off a 12-1 upset in the $250,000 California Cup Derby on January 24th at Santa Anita Park, defeating Pulmarack by a determined head as heavily favored Acceptance retreated to finish fourth.

Cinco Charlies Wins Riley Allison Stakes

1-5 favorite Cinco Charlie picked up the fifth stakes victory of his career on January 24th when he won the $100,000 Riley Allison Stakes at Sunland Park by 8 1/2 lengths.

Upstart Impresses in Holy Bull Stakes

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) third-place finisher Upstart turned in an eye-catching performance in his three-year-old debut, drawing off to score an impressive victory in the $400,000 Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.

January 24th Racing Schedule

Get ready, everyone! A terrific day of racing awaits! For convenience in keeping track of all the action, I have compiled a list of the day's best races, arranged in order of post time:

On the Work Tab: 1-24-15

Promising three-year-olds Bold Conquest, Carpe Diem, Daredevil, Firing Line, and Imperia were among the major names on the work tab this morning. Here's a quick rundown of the morning highlights!

January 23rd: A Busy Day for 3yo Racing Action

There are number of interesting maiden and allowance races for three-year-olds being held across the country today, some of which have already been run.

Kentucky Derby Top Twelve: 1-23-15

1. Dortmund (Big Brown - Our Josephina, by Tale of the Cat) Trained by Bob Baffert
Breezed seven furlongs in a bullet 1:23 2/5 on January 21st at Santa Anita and is targeting a start in the February 7th Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita. To see him working this sharply 2 1/2 weeks before his seasonal debut suggests that he will be ready to roll in the Lewis.

Palace Malice Posts First Workout of 2015

2013 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Palace Malice, a two-time finalist in the Eclipse awards, posted his first workout of the year on the morning of January 21st, breezing three furlongs in :36 4/5 at Aiken in South Carolina.

On This Day in Racing History: One Count Wins his 3yo Debut

It was on this day in 1952 that One Count -- who would be voted the champion three-year-old colt of that year -- began made his three-year-old debut in a seven-furlong allowance race at Hialeah Park. The son of Count Fleet had run three times as a juvenile, finishing unplaced in a pair of six-furlong maiden races over the Widener course at Belmont before breaking his maiden going a mile and seventy yards at Garden State Park.

On the Work Tab: 1-21-15

It was a busy day for morning workouts, particularly in California, where Shared Belief breezed six furlongs as he continues his preparations for the San Antonio Stakes (gr. II) on February 7th. Here's a quick rundown of the most notable workouts!

Jan. 24th a Busy Day for 3yo Stakes Races

There are going to be plenty of interesting stakes races for three-year-olds this Saturday! Here's a list of all the races on schedule, along with a few notes on the expected starters:

Far Right Rallies for Smarty Jones Victory

Far Right saved ground throughout and finished with an impressive rally to win the $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, a race in which favored Mr. Z dived outward in the homestretch while holding a clear lead and wound up finishing third.

Instant Replay Wins Oaklawn Allowance Race

In today's seventh race at Oaklawn Park, an 8.5-furlong allowance optional claiming race for three-year-olds, Instant Replay rallied to score a 12-1 upset under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. Trained by Wayne Catalano for Gary and Mary West, the son of Lemon Drop Kid settled well behind early fractions of :23.30, :47.65, and 1:13.43, then rallied on the extreme outside to win by a length in the time of 1:46.43. Phenomenal Phoenix, coming off of a fourth-place finish in the Remington Springboard Mile, raced wide throughout and made a sweeping move to take command at the top of the stretch before tiring to finish second.

Cinco Charlie Entered in Riley Allison Futurity

Four-time stakes winner Cinco Charlie, who most recently won the Sugar Bowl Stakes at Fair Grounds, will attempt to stretch his speed beyond 6 1/2 furlongs for the first time when he starts in the one-mile Riley Allison Futurity on January 24th at Sunland Park. Here are the entries:

Fantastic Style Breaks Maiden Impressively at Santa Anita

Bob Baffert's talented three-year-old filly Fantastic Style looked very good winning a six-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita Park this afternoon! With Martin Garcia aboard, the daughter of Harlan's Holiday set fractions of :22.02 and :45.05 before drawing off with ease in the homestretch to win by about three lengths in the time of 1:09.10. Never Ends, a first-time starter from the barn of Jerry Hollendorfer, rallied well to finish second in a promising debut.

Fantastic Style, who is out of the mare Ruby Summer, is owned by Kaleem Shah.

2015 Hutcheson Stakes Entries

Spectacular Bid Stakes winner Barbados and Mucho Macho Man Stakes winner Bluegrass Singer are among eight three-year-olds that have been entered in the seven-furlong Hutcheson Stakes (gr. III) on January 24th at Gulfstream Park. Here are the entries:

Blame Game, Overcontrol Entered in Gulfstream Allowance Race

Blame Game and Overcontrol, a pair of promising maiden winners trained by Todd Pletcher, are among nine three-year-old colts and gelding entered to race in Saturday's fourth race at Gulfstream Park, a one-mile allowance optional claiming race. Here are the entries:

2015 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) Entries

Remsen Stakes (gr. II) runner-up Frosted and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) third-place finisher Upstart are among ten three-year-olds that have been entered in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park. Here are the entries:

On the Work Tab: 1-19-15

Newly-crowned 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome was one of several big-name horses that posted workouts at racetracks across the country this morning. Here's a quick look at some of the highlights!

On the Work Tab: 1-18-15

It was a busy day for morning workouts at racetrack across the country, particularly at Palm Beach Downs, where trainer Todd Pletcher sent out grade I winners Angela Renee, Competitive Edge, and Constitution to post solid workouts. Here's a quick rundown of the morning action:

International Star Rallies for LeComte Triumph

9-1 shot International Star gave owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker their second consecutive victory in the $200,000 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds, rallying on the outside to win the one-mile and seventy-yard race by 2 1/2 lengths.

Ridden to victory by Miguel Mena, the New York-bred son of Fusaichi Pegasus got off to an excellent start and soon settled along the rail in sixth place, about five lengths off the early pace set by Runhappy, Hero of Humor, and Tiznow R J. The first-mentioned colt, making only his second start, was bumped and squeezed at the start, then was bumped several more times in traffic before rushing up to take the lead after a half-mile in a quick :47.07.

Moving around the final turn, Runhappy began to tire after his early exertions, and Tiznow R J moved up to take command after three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.35. He was then challenged on the outside by War Story, who made a four-wide bid around the final turn, and also Another Lemon Drop, who moved up along the rail to challenge under jockey Calvin Borel.

Entering the final furlong, War Story led by a head over Tiznow R J, but International Star had shifted to the outside after racing in behind horses and was rallying strongly. Coming down to the finish, International Star unleashed a strong finish, leaving his rivals behind to score in decisive fashion while stopping the clock in 1:43.62.

War Story narrowly edged Tiznow R J for second, while Another Lemon Drop completed the superfecta. Savoy Stomp and Hero of Humor were the next two finishers, while favored Eagle failed to fire after rallying into contention at the top of the stretch and faded to seventh. Dekabrist, Runhappy, Killingit, and Four Leaf Chief completed the order of finish.

For his victory, International Star earned 10 Kentucky Derby qualification points, bring his total to 21.

Remembering Flying Ebony

As we await this weekend's major stakes races, I thought I would take a moment to mention that 2015 marks the ninetieth anniversary of the year Flying Ebony won the 1925 Kentucky Derby. One of two Derby winners sired by the very talented runner The Finn (the other being the remarkable Zev), Flying Ebony was not the most notable of runners -- he won just two stakes races during a thirteen-race career -- but permanently etched his name in history with his victory in the Derby. Facing nineteen rivals over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs, Flying Ebony was quick into stride grabbed the early lead through an opening quarter in :23 2/5, but then relinquished the advantage to Captain Hal through a half-mile in :47 3/5, six furlongs in 1:12 3/5, and a mile in 1:39 3/5. However, entering the homestretch, Flying Ebony advanced again to reclaim the lead and drew clear under jockey Earl Sande to defeat Captain Hal by 1 1/2 lengths in the time of 2:07 3/5.

Bred by the famed John E. Madden, Flying Ebony would prove to be a successful stallion, with one of his best foals being Dark Secret, who heroically won the 1934 Jockey Club Gold Cup despite fracturing his leg in deep stretch. The name Flying Ebony may not receive many mentions today, but on May 16th, 1925, he enjoyed a moment of glory as the best three-year-old in the country!

Reynaldothewizard, Le Bernardin Win at Meydan

The nine-year-old gelding Reynaldothewizard, who had not won a race since taking the $2 million Dubai Gold Shaheen (UAE-I) in March 2013, returned to the winner's circle on January 15th in the $150,000 Dubawi Stakes at Meydan.

Trained by Satish Seemar for Zabeel Racing International, Reynaldothewizard raced in fifth early on as Caspian Prince, Conveyance, and Muarrab dueled through quick fractions of :23.09 and :46.63. Entering the final quarter mile, Muarrab shook clear of his fellow pace-setters, but was soon challenged by Reynaldothewizard, who rallied strongly along the rail to take command and draw clear to win by 3 3/4 lengths. The final time for 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) was 1:12.236.

Muarrab finished second best over United Color, who rallied from seventh to secure the show. Conveyance and Caspian Prince faded to finish eighth and tenth, respectively.

Earlier on the card, the former American runner Le Bernardin scored a convincing victory in a 2,000-meter (about ten furlongs) handicap race on the dirt track, tracking modest early fractions of :49.72 and 1:14.33 before seizing a clear lead and opening up on his rivals  to score by 4 3/4 lengths in the time of 2:06.060. The six-year-old son of Bernardini won the 2012 Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth Park and has now won two of his four starts on the new dirt track at Meydan.

General a Rod Finished Fourth in Return

2014 Gulfstream Park Derby winner General a Rod, who had not run since finishing seventh in the 2014 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), finished fourth in his return to the races on January 14th at Gulfstream Park.

Cozmic One Breezes Five Furlongs

Cozmic One, the first foal out of 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, breezed five furlongs in 1:03 1/5 at Santa Anita Park on the morning of January 15th. The work, which was the thirty-ninth fastest of forty-four morning works at that distance, was Cozmic One's fourth since mid-December 21st. From all appearances, the colt is training well and gearing up for his eagerly-anticipated first start.

On the Work Tab: 1-13-15

Malibu Stakes (gr. I) winner Shared Belief posted a bullet workout at Golden Gate Fields this morning, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.80 seconds. He seems to be staying very sharp as he prepares for his rematch against California Chrome in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes (gr. II) on February 7th at Santa Anita Park.

Conveyance Entered to Race in Dubai

This afternoon, I was examining the entries for the January 15th card at Meydan, and I saw a familiar old name entered in the $150,000 Dubawi Stakes -- Conveyance! Now eight years old, the son of Indian Charlie was a prominent name on the 2010 Kentucky Derby trail when trained by Bob Baffert, winning the San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) and Southwest Stakes (gr. III) before finishing second in the Sunland Derby (gr. III) and fifteenth in the Kentucky Derby. Subsequently transferred to the barn of Satish Seemar, Conveyance made two starts in Dubai in March 2011, then went to the sidelines for nearly three years before returning on February 27th, 2014 to finish third in a handicap race at Meydan. Another lengthy break ensued, but Conveyance came back on December 18th to finish second in a listed stakes, and seems poised to turn in a good effort on Thursday. Certainly the conditions of the Dubawi Stakes seem ideal for Conveyance -- the race is a six-furlong sprint on the dirt track.

Among his primary rivals are Reynaldothewizard, winner of the 2013 Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I), and United Color, who finished third in that same race last year. It should be a good race!

Also, earlier on the card, the former American runner Le Bernardin will be in action once again, starting in a 2,000-meter handicap race one week after finishing third in a similar event at Meydan.

A Quick Look Back at the 2012 Kentucky Derby Trail

Three years ago today, on January 12th, 2012, I posted my "Top Twenty" list of Kentucky Derby contenders. Although eventual Derby winner I'll Have Another was not on my list, the overall strength of the top Derby contenders that year is reflected in how many of the horses on my list made it to Churchill Downs for the Derby. Of the twenty horses, a remarkable eleven ran in the Derby, including the top four on my list -- Creative Cause, Hansen, Union Rags, and Rousing Sermon.

As one might recall, 2012 was the year in which an extraordinary number of the previous year's best juveniles progressed into top-notch three-year-olds. For example, of the thirteen starters in the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), nine went on to run in the 2012 Derby -- amazing! If only every year could be like 2012, with few injuries to the major contenders and plenty of good juveniles maturing into exceptional three-year-olds!

Top Decile Returns in Silverbulletday Stakes

Top Decile, runner-up in both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and Alcibiades Stakes (gr. I) last fall, is scheduled to make her three-year-old debut in the $125,000 Silverbulletday Stakes on January 17th at Fair Grounds.

The daughter of Congrats has drawn post nine in the one-mile and seventy-yard race, which has also attracted unbeaten Golden Rod Stakes (gr. II) winner West Coast Belle.

Here are the entries:

1 I'm a Chatterbox
2 West Coast Belle
3 Divine Dawn
4 Money'soncharlotte
5 Forever Unbridled
6 Zooming
7 Queen's Ready
8 Slava
9 Top Decile

2015 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) Post Positions

The post positions have been drawn for the January 17th LeComte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds! The one-mile and seventy-yard race is an official prep race for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and will award a total of seventeen Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top four finishers.

Kentucky Derby Top Twelve 1-12-15

1. Dortmund (Big Brown - Our Josephina, by Tale of the Cat) Trained by Bob Baffert
He's breezed once since winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I), going a half-mile in :48 3/5 on January 4th at Santa Anita Park. Time will tell when and where he runs next, but at this stage, the February 7th Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita seems like a logical target.

On the Work Tab: 1-12-15

Tonalist, Eagle, and Mr. Z were among the prominent horses to turn in workouts across the country this morning! Here's a quick rundown of the highlights:

A 3yo to Watch: March

In today's fifth race at Aqueduct, an 8.5-furlong maiden special weight for three-year-olds, March turned in a very nice effort to win by a neck over Don'tbetwithbruno. Trained by Chad Brown for owner Robert LaPenta, March was sent off as the 4-5 favorite off a runner-up effort in his debut and lived up to expectations, tracking fractions of :24.11, :48.57, and 1:13.25 before opening up a lead in the homestretch and holding off a late charge from the runner-up to triumph. The final time for a mile and seventy yards was a good 1:43.34. Don'tbetwithbruno, a Todd Pletcher/Mike Repole colt coming off a fourth-place effort finish in his debut, saved ground throughout and rallied well in the homestretch to just miss winning. The top two finished approximately seven or eight lengths in front of the third-place horse.

A 3yo to Watch: Materiality

Materiality, a first-timer starter from the barn of Todd Pletcher, looked very nice breaking his maiden this afternoon at Gulfstream Park! Sent off as the 8-5 favorite in a six-furlong maiden special weight, the son of Afleet Alex flashed speed from the start under jockey John Velazquez, tracking fractions of :22.50 and :45.56 before drawing off in the stretch to win by four lengths. The final time over a sloppy track was a quick 1:10.32 seconds. Star's Ride, a 17-1 shot from the barn of Nick Zito, rallied well to finish second in a promising effort.

Competitive Edge Returns to the Work Tab

Good news! Competitive Edge, who went to the sidelines after winning the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, returned to the work tab this morning at Palm Beach Downs! The Todd Pletcher-trained son of Super Saver breezed three furlongs in :36.98 seconds, presumably in company with stablemate and Chandelier Stakes (gr. I) winner Angela Renee, who breezed the same distance in an identical time.

2014 Eclipse Award Selections

With the Eclipse awards scheduled to be announced on January 17th, and with racing fans everywhere busily sharing their thoughts on which horses and people should win each award, I thought I would take a moment to share my selections for each division. Enjoy!

Calculator Triumphs in Sham Stakes

The two-time grade I-placed colt Calculator won his first race on January 10th when he scored a convincing victory in the $100,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park.

On the Work Tab: 1-10-15

There were plenty of notable workouts at racetracks across the country this morning! Here are some of the highlights:

California Chrome: Six furlongs in 1:11.60 at Los Alamitos
Firing Line: Four furlongs in :48.00 at Santa Anita Park
General a Rod: Four furlongs in :50.66 at Gulfstream Park
Havana: Three furlongs in :38.92 at Palm Beach Downs
Texas Red: Six furlongs in 1:17.80 at Santa Anita Park
Vinceremos: Three furlongs in :36.59 at Palm Beach Downs
Wicked Strong: Three furlongs in :37.00 at Palm Meadows
Wildcat Red: Five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Gulfstream Park

Glory Impresses at Santa Anita

Glory, a three-year-old filly trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, looked very good breaking her maiden at Santa Anita this afternoon! Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight, Glory broke quickly and pressed longshot Kiana Believes through an opening quarter in :22.46, then easily took command through a half-mile in :45.52 and drew off under urging to win by just over two lengths over the late-running Wild at Heart. The final time of 1:15.06 was nearly a second quicker than the promising three-year-old Guy Code ran in winning an allowance event one race earlier on the card.

Commissioner Finishes Third in Return at Gulfstream

Commissioner, who went to the sidelines with an ankle chip after being beaten a head in last year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), turned in an excellent performance in his comeback race to finish third in an 8.5-furlong allowance optional claiming race on January 10th at Gulfstream Park.

A 3yo to Watch: Guy Code

In today's opening race at Santa Anita, a 6 1/2-furlong allowance optional claiming race for three-year-olds, Guy Code stamped himself as a colt to keep an eye on by posting an impressive victory against six rivals. Sent off as the favorite at 9-5, Guy Code battled longshot Dr. Vincentstein for the early lead through fractions of :21.76 and :44.36, then opened up a decisively advantage at the top of the stretch and cruised home to win rather easily. The final time was 1:15.92.

Remembering Pan Zareta

Earlier today, the $60,000 Pan Zareta Stakes was held at Fair Grounds. The 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint commemorates the great mare Pan Zareta, who was in the middle of her racing career at this time one-hundred years ago. A daughter of Abe Frank out of the Rancocas mare Caddie Griffith, Pan Zareta was born in 1910. She was not the kind of mare that you would compare to Zenyatta, Ruffian, or Personal Ensign on class. In a career that spanned six years, she won just six stakes races. The majority of her victories came in little handicap races with purses often less than a thousand dollars. A sprinter, she won just over half of her total starts, an admirable feat but certainly nothing rare for a good horse.

On This Day in Racing History: Native Diver Wins the San Carlos

Welcome to the first in a series of occasional blog posts titled "On This Day in Racing History," which -- as the name implies! -- will celebrate historical events in racing history that occurred on a given day many years ago. Enjoy!

General a Rod Returns to Action at Gulfstream Park

2014 Gulfstream Park Derby winner General a Rod, who hasn't run since finishing seventh in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), has been entered in a seven-furlong allowance optional claiming race on January 14th at Gulfstream Park.

Ride On Curlin Entered to Race on Thursday

Good news! Ride On Curlin, who finished second behind California Chrome in the 2014 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), has been entered to run in a six-furlong allowance race on Thursday at Oaklawn Park!

Eblouissante Entered in Paseana Stakes

Eblouissante, the six-year-old half-sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, has been entered to race on January 11th in the $75,000 Paseana Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Kentucky Derby Top Twelve 1-8-15

1. Dortmund (Big Brown - Our Josephina, by Tale of the Cat) Trained by Bob Baffert
This very promising Baffert-trained colt is unbeaten in three starts thus far, including a gritty victory despite a wide trip in the Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I) on December 20th. He's not the most explosive colt, but he does possess a steady finishing kick and figures to get better with more distance.

A Few Thoughts on the Eclipse Awards

Yesterday, the finalists for the Eclipse awards were announced to the public, spawning renewed debate on which horses should win each award. Some categories are clear-cut, such as champion three-year-old filly, in which it would be a surprise if Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner Untapable does not win in unanimous fashion. Other categories, such as champion older male, are more contentious -- do you reward turf star Main Sequence as the best older male in the country, or do you conclude that the honor is really supposed to honor the best older male on dirt, in which case Palace Malice is the most logical candidate for the award.

A 3yo to Watch: Tradesman

Although his record reflects that he is still a maiden, Tradesman stamped himself as a very promising three-year-old when he finished first in a one-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park this afternoon, only to be disqualified and placed sixth for interference in the homestretch.

Recapping Day 1 of the Dubai World Cup Carnival

The 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan began earlier today with a seven-race card highlighted by the group II Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 Presented by Longines. As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, prominent entrants included Dubai Creek Mile winner Surfer and 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) winner Outstrip.

The Return of Commissioner

Good news! Commissioner, who went to the sidelines with an ankle chip following a runner-up effort in the 2014 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), has been entered to run on Saturday in an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park! Here are the entries:

A Few Thoughts on Meydan's Opening Day Card

The 2015 Dubai Racing Carnival, which culminates with the rich and prestigious Dubai World Cup program on March 28th, is set to begin on January 8th. This year's Carnival promises to be particularly intriguing thanks to the presence of a new dirt track, which replaces the synthetic Tapeta surface that has been in use since Meydan opened in 2010.

2014 Sham Stakes (gr. III) Entries

The entries for Saturday's $100,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park have been released! The one-mile race drew a field of eight, including three colts from the barn of Peter Miller. Here is the field:

A Few Interesting Derby Statistics

In a recent blog post for Bloodhorse.com, I considered the question of whether or not Kentucky Derby preps in January have much of an impact on the Derby itself. The results were slightly inconclusive, although my research did reveal that no Derby winner since Barbaro in 2006 has won a graded stakes race during the January of their three-year-old season.

Welcome back to Triple Crown Countdown!

Welcome back to Triple Crown Countdown! I know it's been a while since my last post, but with the five-year anniversary of my very first blog post coming up on January 10th, I thought now would be an opportune time to start posting again. After all, this year's crop of three-year-olds appear to be a very promising group, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how they progress during the coming months! I hope you'll join me!