LEXINGTON, Ky. - The exact fate of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner and 1987 Horse of the Year Ferdinand remained unclear Wednesday, a day after a published report suggested that the horse died in a Japanese slaughterhouse in September of 2002.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Spendthrift Farm in Lexington has announced that it has purchased a half-interest in the promising juvenile stakes winner Cuvee.

The deal ensures that the colt will stand at Spendthrift at the end of his racing career. Until then, he will continue to campaign carrying the Winchell colors and with Spendthrift listed as partner. Steve Asmussen will continue to train Cuvee, who is pointing for the Aug. 13 Saratoga Special.

Posse, a multiple stakes winner, will enter stud at Vinery in Kentucky at the end of his racing career, Vinery reported on its website Tuesday.

Posse, a 3-year-old son of Silver Deputy, won the Riva Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7 for his third consecutive stakes win. Earlier this year, Posse, owned by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, established a five-furlong track record at Fair Grounds in an allowance race.

Posse is the second graded stakes winner out of the Rahy mare Raska.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Cee's Elegance, the latest California-bred to become a graded stakes winner, is having a breakthrough campaign.

After winning her first stakes last fall, in the Cat's Cradle Handicap at Hollywood Park, Cee's Elegance has continued in top form, winning the B. Thoughtful Stakes against California-breds in April and the $250,000 A Gleam Handicap last Sunday, a Grade 2 stakes over seven furlongs.

What does one do with the barn pet when she's a racemare and the time has come to retire her?

Jamie Lenes did not intend to become a Thoroughbred breeder, but he headed in that direction with Loaded for Bear. The result of his short venture in the breeding business with one mare is two-time Rocket Man Stakes winner Baby Shark.

Loaded for Bear had provided a number of milestones for the Lenes family. Claimed by Lenes's father, Mark, in the early 1990's, Loaded for Bear was the senior Lenes's first racehorse, and first winner.

Peter Vegso is a rarity among Florida breeders. He breeds to race and says he's uncomfortable breeding for the 2-year-old market. This discomfort in breeding for a market that emphasizes speed has culminated in Vegso's breeding the full brothers Orchard Park and Silver Tree, the 2002 and 2003 winners, respectively, of the $500,000 Virginia Derby, run at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Colonial Downs.

Vegso is also responsible for another winner - his company is publishing the anthology "Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul."

No horse has swept the Big Apple Triple since the series for New York-bred 3-year-olds was created in 1999, and that trend will continue this year.

Bossanova, who won the first race in the series, the $100,000 Mike Lee at Belmont Park on June 28, is sidelined with an injury and will miss the middle leg, Saturday's $125,000 New York Derby at Finger Lakes.

Jim Bond, Bossanova's trainer, looks like he has a capable substitute in Bo Bo's Vice, whom he trains for longtime client Jim Edwards.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - With his victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Congaree has stretched his sphere of influence among older Grade 1 performers from seven to 10 furlongs. John Adger, the racing and bloodstock manager for the Stonerside Stable of Robert and Janice McNair, said that "he's got to be considered the most versatile horse in training, with Grade 1 victories at seven, eight, nine, and 10 furlongs."

Indeed, at a time when many breeders and writers are commenting on the lack of versatility in the breed, Congaree is an example of what the Thoroughbred can do.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - launched the summer yearling auction season with financial returns that suggested little has changed in the market since last year.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's two-day July yearling sale, which posted losses in its opening session Wednesday, continued Thursday with highly selective buyers spending their money conservatively.

By 5:30 p.m., leader was a $500,000 Mr. Greeley filly that Robert Courtney, representing Jaime Carrion, bought from Mulholland Springs. The daughter of stakes winner Good for Her (by Topsider) is a half-sister to stakes winner Chris's Bad Boy.