As good as Redeemed’s work was on Wednesday at Gulfstream Park, it did not earn the “bullet” as the fastest move of the morning at six furlongs. That honor went to Bold Warrior, who completed the distance in 1:11.94 while finishing well within himself under his regular rider Jose Lezcano.

Bold Warrior is a homebred son of Bernardini owned by Irving Cowan. He showed promise during a limited 3-year-old campaign that ended with a second-place finish in a one-mile overnight stakes at Belmont on Oct. 15.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The distance may be a little short, but the competition in Friday’s $75,000 Holly Springs Stakes at Aqueduct looks ideal for Big Brownie to return against in her first start off a nine-month layoff.

A multiple stakes winner against restricted company, Big Brownie faces five fellow statebred fillies and mares in the Holly Springs at six furlongs. It will be Big Brownie’s first start since she won the Cupids Way Stakes at seven furlongs at Belmont last May 4.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin could have cursed his luck when picking up the overnight and seeing he had caught the Grade 1-placed Associate with his undefeated, talented but relatively inexperienced Emcee in Friday’s ninth race at Gulfstream Park. Instead McLaughlin took the high road when it came to the surprisingly loaded entry-level allowance dash.

“I’m not really concerned who is in there,” said McLaughlin. “He [Emcee] needs to run and they have him to beat whoever shows up.”

Canterbury Park has released a 26-race stakes schedule worth $1.13 million for its 2012 meet. The 62-day Canterbury season will run from May 18 through Labor Day, Sept. 3.

A new $175,000 handicap for older horses and the rechristening of a $200,000 sprint in honor of locally based star Fabulous Strike highlight the 2012 stakes schedule released this week by Penn National Race Course.

The central Pennsylvania track will offer the same collective stakes purse package of $1.97 million as last year, but will run 19 stakes rather than the 21 presented in 2011. Gone are two races restricted to Pennsylvania-breds, the Docent and the Nepal, along with the Le Bagoter for 3-year-old sprinters.

Louisiana-breds and the Mississippi racing community get their due Friday at Fair Grounds. Three-year-olds who comply with the bylaws of the South Mississippi Owners and Breeders Association get a rare opportunity to run for a $40,000 purse, while far more accomplished Louisiana-breds will vie for a $45,000 pot about an hour later.

Division 3—Race 9

1. Saratoga’s Magic
Owner:  Cindy Hoover
Trainer: Cindy Hoover
Jockey: Ruben Camacho
Last race was pretty weak, but two starts back he ran a decent third against open $4,000 claimers, so he’s dipping a bit in class which could wake him up at a price from the rail. 

Division 2—Race 8

1. Castle Pines
Owner:  Charles Holshouser
Trainer: Nick Lowe
Jockey: Eliska Kubinova
Might have tipped his hand last time as he stretched out really well by opening up to a big lead and holding on.  With the rail draw, expect Eliska to have this one running early.  Horse should be more fit with that route under his girth.

Portland, OR—Leg 1 of the Route Claiming Series features 27 runners spread out over three divisions.  Here are profiles of each of the runners entered for Leg 1 of the Route Claiming Series.

Division 1—Race 7

1. Stellar Blue
Owner: Karen Kirshner and Tom Allen
Trainer: Robbie Baze
Jockey: Lance Bullock
Won a mile and one eighth race two starts back so clearly likes going a route of ground.  First try against open runners last time wasn’t pretty so he’ll have to step it up to be a contender.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Saturday’s Santa Anita program features three graded stakes.

Aside from the Grade 2 Strub Stakes, the top 3-year-olds Liaison and Rousing Sermon, first and second in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park in December, start in the $200,000 Robert Lewis Stakes over 1 1/16 miles.

The Grade 2 Lewis Stakes is a key prep for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 7. Other candidates are Chips All In, Empire Way, Groovin’ Solo, I’ll Have Another, and Sky Kingdom.