A Fair Grounds Race Course press release (Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges above) New Orleans (March 20, 2021) – Travel Column two, Clairiere one. The rivalry continues. Churchill Downs awaits. OXO Equine’s Travel Column took advantage of a decided race flow edge and easily held off the late rally of her nemesis, Stonestreet Stables’ homebred Clairiere, by 2 ¾ lengths in the […] Continue Reading
Chess Chief pulls New Orleans Classic upset in thriller
A Fair Grounds Race Course press release (Hodges Photography photo): New Orleans (March 20, 2021) – The Estate of James Coleman’s Trained by Dallas Stewart and ridden by Luis Saez, Chess Chief completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.24. In the early stages of the race, Roadster, with jockey John Velazquez in the saddle, led into the first turn […] Continue Reading
Geroux making most of second Oaklawn experience
Today’s Oaklawn Park barn notes by Robert Yates (Coady Photography photo of Monomoy Girl winning Oaklawn Park’s Azeri Stakes: HOT SPRINGS, AR. (Friday, March 19, 2021) — Perhaps the surest bet this year at Oaklawn was that Kentucky-based jockey Florent Geroux would have a much bigger impact on the jockey standings than he did during his first stint as a regular […] Continue Reading
Rupp Racing’s Owendale favored in G2 New Orleans Classic
A Fair Grounds Race Course press release: New Orleans (March 16, 2021) – In Rupp Racing’s multiple graded-stakes winner Owendale headlines a competitive field of eight older horses for Saturday’s 96th running of the $400,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Run at 1 1/8 miles, the New Orleans Classic is Race 11 of 14 […] Continue Reading
Cox-trained Mandaloun strong favorite in Louisiana Derby
A Fair Grounds Race Course press release (Hodges Photography photos): New Orleans (March 15, 2021) – Mention Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Mandaloun to trainer Brad Cox and the reaction is telling. And immediate. Cox is looking forward to showing the rest of the racing world what he’s thought all along—that Mandaloun is one serious 3-year-old—when he starts as a strong favorite […] Continue Reading
National HBPA files suit over legality of HISA
A press release from the Liberty Justice Center: U.S. Congress created a private organization with federal authority to make laws, issue subpoenas and collect money LUBBOCK, Texas. (March 15, 2021)— Organizations representing Thoroughbred horse owners and trainers have filed a federal lawsuit to stop a new law in which Congress punted on its legislative duties and, instead, handed the power […] Continue Reading
Ky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil takes 4yo debut by a head
An Oaklawn Park press release (Coady Photography photos): HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, March 13, 2021) – 2020 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Honeybee Stakes (G3) winner Shedaresthedevil, making her first start since last October, led gate to wire to win Saturday’s $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) determinedly by a head over 3-2 favorite Letruska at Oaklawn Park. Breaking from the outside post […] Continue Reading
McPeek champ Swiss Skydiver rolls in G1 Beholder Mile
Santa Anita Park press release: ARCADIA, Calif. (March 13, 2021)-Mission accomplished. Idle since a disappointing run in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 7, trainer Ken McPeek’s reigning Eclipse Champion Filly Swiss Skydiver saved ground early and went on to register a powerful 2 length victory in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita. Ridden by […] Continue Reading
She’s baaaack! Ky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil returns in Azeri
An Oaklawn Park press release (Coady Photography photo of Shedaresthedevil winning the Kentucky Oaks under Florent Geroux): HOT SPRINGS, AR (Friday, March 11, 2021) – Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil, a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the country’s champion 3-year-old filly of 2020, will make her seasonal debut in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares Saturday […] Continue Reading
Cox’s Caddo River takes on Baffert in Rebel
An Oaklawn Park press release (Coady Photography photo above of Caddo River and jockey Florent Geroux winning the Smarty Jones): HOT SPRINGS, AR (Friday, March 12, 2021) – Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has dominated Oaklawn’s four-race Kentucky Derby prep series the last decade. But it’s Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox who has owned 2021. Cox sent out Caddo River, […] Continue Reading