HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – In its early years, the seven-furlong Swale was considered a major Kentucky Derby prep. The list of notable 3-year-olds to have won or placed in the Swale, from its inception in 1985 through 1990, included Chief’s Crown, Creme Fraiche, Seeking the Gold, Easy Goer, and Summer Squall.

It’s been a while since the Swale has had any Derby implications. But such could be the case on Saturday when Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Havana launches his 3-year-old campaign against six rivals, including the undefeated No Nay Never, in the Grade 2 Swale.

The Usual Q.T., a millionaire and five-time stakes winner, was euthanized earlier this month after a lengthy battle with illness.

The Usual Q.T. was retired in early 2012 and had resided at a local farm, according to trainer Jim Cassidy. In recent months, The Usual Q.T. was diagnosed with peritonitis, an inflammation of the membranes lining the abdomen and intestines.

ARCADIA, Calif. – For a two-time former winner, Game On Dude needs a big race in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 8 to restore his standing in the handicap division.

Game On Dude won the 2011 and 2013 Big Caps but will be the third choice at best for this year’s race. He is overshadowed by the presence of Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge, the first two finishers of the Breeders’ Cup Classic here in November.

“He’s a supporting actor,” trainer Bob Baffert said of Game On Dude on Wednesday.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm said he has privately purchased 50  percent interest in Texas Two Step, an impressive 3-year-old debut winner at Oaklawn Park that he will race in partnership with the WinStar Farm operation of Kenny Troutt. Porter on Wednesday said the horse will be shipped to trainer Chad Brown at the Palm Meadows training center in Florida.

Brown trains Normandy Invasion, the fourth-place finisher in last year’s Kentucky Derby, for Porter.

CYPRESS, Calif. – It’s easy to look up to Raul Valenzuela Jr., the leading Quarter Horse rider at Los Alamitos this winter.

The 20-year-old jockey stands 5 feet 11 inches, tall for even a Quarter Horse rider who can tack a few more pounds than their Thoroughbred counterparts. Valenzuela, a native of Arizona, rides at 120 pounds and typically has mounts with weight assignments of 124.

Wise Dan, the reigning two-time Horse of the Year, is back on a breeze schedule at Keeneland and is tentatively on target to make his first start as a 7-year-old at his home track.

“We’re a little farther behind compared to last year because of how bad the weather’s been,” trainer Charlie LoPresti said Wednesday by phone from Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. “But if we can make it, we’ll start him off right here. We try to make the spring meet with all our horses.”

2015 Racing Dates

April 8 - August 29 (Wednesday-Saturday)

Post Time

5:45 p.m. CT

Special Post Time

May 30 - 3:50 p.m. CT

Handicapping Information

Race 1

Rise Up might make his next start in the Louisiana Derby, trainer Tom Amoss said, despite finishing seventh in the Risen Star, his first start since a comfortable win in the Nov. 23 Delta Downs Jackpot.

“I’m in a tough position because he’s a three-time winner and there are no allowance races for him right now,” Amoss said.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]