Horse Racing News by David Grening

As part of its objective to cut $4.3 million in stakes purses from last year, the New York Racing Association trimmed a total of approximately $1.4 million from its stakes program for the Belmont spring/summer and Saratoga meetings.

The New York stewards have suspended trainer Cody Autrey 30 days and fined him $1,000 for the finding of a banned substance in one of his horses who raced at Aqueduct in December. Autrey has appealed the suspension and was granted a stay.

Eightyfiveinafifty, who imploded as the 1-4 favorite in the Whirlaway Stakes on Feb. 6, returned to the work tab on Thursday, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.03 over the inner track. The move was the fastest of 11 at the distance.

Wall Street Wonder looked like a sprint star in the making when he romped to an 81/2-length victory in the Paumonok Stakes here on Jan. 23.

One would be hard-pressed to find the name of any of the 10 3-year-olds entered in Saturday's Grade 3, $250,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on a top 20 list of Kentucky Derby candidates.

Roman Chestnut was not among the original nominees for Saturday's $65,000 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct. But her connections' desire to run her long, combined with a fortuitously-timed illness, led to the filly being supplemented to the race.

The highly anticipated showdown between Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and the undefeated multiple champion Zenyatta will not take place in the Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park on April 3.

Digger could be disqualified from first place in the $70,000 Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park on Jan. 16 as the result of a preliminary postrace test showing the presence of a banned substance.

No horseman is going to fret about having a fast horse in the barn. But when you're trying to get a 3-year-old onto the Kentucky Derby trail, is it possible to have a horse that's too fast?