Wed, 03/14/2012 - 12:36

Cheltenham Gold Cup: Kauto Star still going strong at 12

By Steve Andersen

CHELTENHAM, England – The longevity of Kauto Star, who will attempt to win his third Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, is easy to admire.

First is the age. The veteran steeplechaser is 12, an age when most horses have long been retired. Bred in France, Kauto Star is so old that he is from the same 2000 foal crop as the American Thoroughbreds Empire Maker, Funny Cide, Ghostzapper, Saint Liam, and Vindication. Bill Clinton was president the year they were foaled.

Wed, 03/14/2012 - 12:30

Cheltenham: Finian’s Rainbow wins spill-marred Queen Mother Champion Chase

By Steve Andersen

CHELTENHAM, England – Finian’s Rainbow, a 9-year-old Irish-bred gelding, won Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase over two miles at Cheltenham Racecourse, a race marred by a spill that forced the field to avoid the last fence.

Finian’s Rainbow (4-1) rallied from just off the pace through the final half-mile to outfinish 4-5 favorite and defending champion, Sizing Europe, by 1 1/4 lengths. Big Zeb finished third in the field of eight, 16 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Tue, 03/13/2012 - 13:04

Cheltenham: Big Buck's puts streak on line in World Hurdle

By Steve Andersen

CHELTENHAM, England – Watch out Black Caviar. There is a 9-year-old gelding in England closing in on your winning streak.

Black Caviar, the Australian-based sprinter, is unbeaten in 19 races.

Thursday at Cheltenham Racecourse, Big Buck’s will attempt to win his 16th consecutive race over jumps in the World Hurdle, run over three miles.

Big Buck’s winning streak began on Jan. 1, 2009, and includes the last three runnings of the World Hurdle. He is such a standout that he was a 1-2 shot with bookmakers as of Tuesday.

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 14:39

Cheltenham: Kauto Star a go for try at third Gold Cup

By Steve Andersen

CHELTENHAM, England – Kauto Star is on target for a possible third win in Friday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham Racecourse in western England.

Monday, trainer Paul Nicholls confirmed the participation of Kauto Star, following schooling sessions over fences and routine training over the weekend.

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 13:27

Steeplechase festival begins four-day run Tuesday

By Steve Andersen

It has been compared to horse racing with Mardi Gras, or maybe it’s the other way around.

Either way, the four-day National Hunt festival , the world’s most prestigious gathering of steeplechasers, begins at Cheltenham Racecourse in western England on Tuesday.

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 13:12

Dubai: Capponi tops night of World Cup prep upsets at Meydan

By Marcus Hersh
Andrew Watkins
Capponi upsets Round 3 of the Maktoum Challenge on Saturday at Meydan.

Capponi, a mere handicapper, muddied the Dubai World Cup waters with a convincing victory in Round 3 of the Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday at Meydan.

Thu, 03/08/2012 - 16:35

Mendip faces tough challenge in final World Cup prep

By Marcus Hersh

There are questions looming over the top three contenders in Saturday night’s feature at Meydan, the $400,000 Maktoum Challenge Round 3, the final major local prep for the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 31.

Mendip, a winner in five of his seven starts over the Tapeta main track at Meydan, captured Round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge by one and one-quarter lengths on Feb. 9, but Mendip got a clear run in the race and the overall class of the 10 foes he beat that evening falls somewhat short of that possessed by his 13 rivals in this start.

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