PETA to Hillary Clinton: apologize
When PETA president Ingrid E. Newkirk heard that Hillary Clinton had placed a Kentucky Derby bet on Eight Belles - the horse that broke both her ankles and had to be euthanized - she dashed off a letter earlier this month. “I hope that everybody will go to the Derby on Saturday and place just ... read more
Bit of Whimsy to race in Just a Game Stakes
Bit of Whimsy will skip Saturday’s Sheepshead Bay Handicap and point instead to the Grade 1, $400,000 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont on June 7. Robin Smullen, assistant to trainer Barclay Tagg, said that the faster pace scenario in the one-mile Just a Game may suit Bit of Whimsy better than the... read more
Denis of Cork pointed toward Belmont
Southwest Stakes winner Denis of Cork, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby, worked five furlongs in 1:01 on a fast track at Churchill Downs on Monday. The move, under jockey James Lopez, ranked fifth out of 31 at the distance. The horse is being pointed toward the Belmont Stakes on June 7. R... read more
Despite buzz of Big Brown, Preakness handle down
After four straight years of handle topping $87 million, wagering on the Preakness program declined 15.8 percent in a year-over-year comparison with the 2007 card. All-sources handle, not including separate-pool wagering, was $73,457,510 for the 13-race card, according to data released by the Maryla... read more
Big Brown leaves for NY
Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown left the Pimlico Race Course stakes barn on Monday and headed for New York and the June 7 Belmont Stakes. “I am feeling pretty confident about things,” trainer Rick Dutrow said. “I can see that he is sharp. Yesterday he was bouncing and... read more
Racecar Rhapsody doubtful for Belmont
Trainer Kenny McPeek said Racecar Rhapsody, who ran fourth in the Preakness, ate well after the race and looked good early Sunday morning when he was shipped back to Louisville. McPeek added that he might also consider running Racecar Rhapsody in the Belmont. “We’re not going to rule it ... read more
Macho Again’s plans up in air
Macho Again, a surprising second in Saturday’s Preakness, came out of the race in good order and was shipped back to trainer Dallas Stewart’s barn at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. “He looked to be fine,” Stewart said. “He ate well (Saturday) night. Of course, we didn&#... read more
Icabad Crane may run in Belmont
Trainer Graham Motion said Sunday that he would consider taking Preakness third-place finisher Icabad Crane to the Belmont Stakes. “I think it’s definitely a possibility,” Motion said. “Obviously, we want to see how he is, but I think (jockey) Jeremy (Rose) feels that the dis... read more
Verdana Bold wins Selene Stakes
Verdana Bold, a 3-year-old filly, won for the second time in as many starts on the synthetic surface, this time in the $259,300 Selene Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday. A daughter of Rahy, Verdana Bold led the whole way under Emile Ramsammy in the 1 1/16-mile test, carried a commanding four-length advan... read more
$50M for Big Brown
The owners of Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown have agreed to a $50 million deal to syndicate the horse’s breeding rights to Kentucky’s Three Chimneys Farm, NBC Sports reported. Michael Iavarone, co-president of IEAH Stables, said he could not confirm the $50 million figure ... read more