Horse Racing News by Bloodhorse

Installing a synthetic surface for the inner track at Aqueduct Racetrack for the 2013-14 winter season is among the changes to New York Racing Association policies and operations that will be considered by the board at its Jan. 25 meeting.

The damage to Oaklawn Park's track caused by exceptionally heavy rain Saturday has been repaired and the track is now ready for racing. Oaklawn will open Thursday, Jan. 17.

Eblouissante, a half sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta who won her first start at 1 1/16 miles by 4 1/4 lengths, is entered in the seventh race Jan. 17 at Santa Anita Park.

Jockey Rosie Napravnik closed out a career-best season Dec. 31, securing the highest spot ever for a female jockey on the North American leader board in 2012.

Merit Man proved his mettle in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes Jan. 1, coming back off a runner-up finish to Hightail in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint to prove his class at Gulfstream Park.

The much-anticipated second start for Zenyatta's half sister, Eblouissante, will have to wait. The 3-year-old filly banged her hip in the recieving barn prior to running and was a late scratch from the fourth race at Betfair Hollywood Park Dec. 15.

Runner-up as the favorite in the Hollywood Derby, Grandeur (Ire) will try to become the first 3-year-old since Bien Bien in 1992 to win the Hollywood Turf Cup Dec. 15 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, is on track to make his 2013 debut in the Feb. 9 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap after an easy Dec. 11 half-mile work at Palm Meadows Training Center.

A smashing winner in her much anticipated debut last month, Eblouissante, a half sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, will make her second start Dec. 15 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

After finishing second to Groupie Doll in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in November, Dust and Diamonds looms as a prohibitive favorite in the $100,000 Adena Springs Sugar Swirl Dec. 8 at Gulfstream Park.