Fri, 05/14/2010 - 00:00

California Cup program being tweaked

The California Cup program will revert to a late October date this year, from an early October running in 2009, and is likely to comprise a different lineup of races, according to Doug Burge, general manager of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Fri, 05/14/2010 - 00:00

Dansili living up to family's name

Hasili, the Queen Mother of the Thoroughbred world, is back in the news this week with the announcement that Deluxe, her undefeated 3-year-old Storm Cat filly, will prepare for the French Oaks in next Sunday's Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp.

Thu, 05/13/2010 - 00:00

Fasig-Tipton preview wraps up

Juveniles by Sharp Humor, Rockport Harbor, and Stormy Atlantic posted the fastest eighth-mile times Thursday at the final under-tack show for Fasig-Tipton's May 17 2-year-old auction in Timonium, Md.

All three covered a furlong in 10.20 seconds.

Thu, 05/13/2010 - 00:00

Machowsky lands a star on a hunch

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Trainer Mike Machowsky didn't pore over pedigree histories or nicking analyses when he planned the mating that produced Caracortado. It was, as he recalls, a pretty simple decision.

"I'd like to say I really researched it, but, no, a friend of mine was standing Cat Dreams," he said. "I've always liked the Storm Cat line, so I took a shot and got lucky, I guess."

The mating of Cat Dreams, then a $4,000 sire, and Machowsky's mare Mons Venus has resulted in probably the best runner Machowsky has saddled since multiple Grade 1 winner Southern Image.

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 00:00

Three work in 10.20 at Fasig-Tipton

Three juveniles worked a furlong in 10.20 seconds Wednesday to kick off the under-tack show for Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's May 17 juvenile sale in Timonium, Md.

The trio of fast eighth-mile workers on Wednesday were Hip No. 69, a Medaglia d'Oro-Chit Chat Pam filly that Eisaman Equine is consigning on behalf of the Edmund Gann estate; Hip No. 164, a Five Star Day-Grand Betty colt that Hoppel's Horse & Cattle Co. consigns; and Hip No. 184, a Hennessy-Hurricane Hannah colt also consigned by the Eisaman agency.

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 00:00

TOBA dinner to be at Keeneland

Keeneland will host the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's 2010 breeder awards dinner, the association has announced.

The 25th annual event will take place Sept. 10. It honors leading breeders in 26 states and throughout North America, and it also presents awards for national breeder of the year, national owner of the year, and the "racing game's new owner of the year."

Tue, 05/11/2010 - 00:00

WinStar contest features half to Super Saver

LEXINGTON, Ky. - WinStar Farm, owner and breeder of this year's Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness contender, Super Saver, is giving racing fans the opportunity to name Super Saver's half-brother by Medaglia d'Oro.

The colt, foaled April 11, is out of Super Saver's dam, Supercharger. She is an A.P. Indy mare.

Tue, 05/11/2010 - 00:00

$250,000 colt tops Barretts juvenile sale

A War Front colt who was one of seven juveniles that worked a furlong in 10 seconds topped Tuesday's Barretts May 2-year-old sale on a bid of $250,000. A smaller catalog than last year resulted in a steep drop in gross, but average remained steady.

Sat, 05/08/2010 - 00:00

A blessed victory for WinStar

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Ken Troutt and Bill Casner first met over the claim box at the old Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack in Omaha, Neb., in 1973.

Troutt was a 25-year-old owner and Casner a 25-year-old trainer, and both men put a claim in on Great Bear Lake. Casner won the shake, but, more important, the horse gave the two men something to talk about when they ran into each other in the grandstand. Those conversations led to a friendship and business partnership that has grown beyond either of their imaginations.

Fri, 05/07/2010 - 00:00

More Than Ready filly fastest at Barretts

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A More Than Ready filly out of stakes winner Saratoga Humor clocked a furlong in 9.80 seconds Friday as the fastest worker at the distance in the Barretts May under-tack show.

The breezes at Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif., previewed the Barretts May 2-year-old in training auction. The sale will take place at the Hinds Pavilion starting at 2 p.m. on May 10.