Horse Racing News by Jack Shinar

Favored Noble Tune, saving all the ground for Javier Castellano, fired through an opening along the hedge to register an easy victory in the $234,200 American Turf Stakes May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Champion sprinter Trinniberg heads a strong field for the 79th running of the $400,000 Churchill Downs Stakes May 4 at the Louisville track.

This year's Kentucky Derby is fast approaching, but rain could also be on the way for the May 4 event at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

In what he surely hopes is an omen for the Kentucky Derby a week hence, trainer Todd Pletcher's colts Forty Tales and Capo Bastone ran first and second, respectively, in the $201,425 Derby Trial Stakes on the night of April 27 at rainy Churchill Downs.

Thirty-three years after his first victory in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally did it again April 21 with late-running Interaction on closing day of the 2012-13 Santa Anita Park meet.

Successful Dan, coming back off a layoff of nearly 10 months, dictated an easy pace and held off the pursuing Boisterous in the final furlong to post a one-length victory in the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes April 21 at Keeneland.

Sky Kingdom showed his staying ability with an easy win in the Tokyo City Cup last month, so trainer Bob Baffert will find out if the son of Empire Maker can transfer that same success to the turf in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap at Santa Anita Park.

Overanalyze, rebounding from a lackluster seasonal debut, overpowered his rivals in the drive to easily win the $1 million Arkansas Derby and stamp his ticket for this year's Run for the Roses.

An unfortunate stumble at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap last month cost Fort Larned his seasonal debut, but the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic winner is back in action in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap April 13.

Unlikely Rose to Gold stamped her ticket for the Kentucky Oaks with another dominating performance at Oaklawn Park April 10, splashing her way to a front-running 4 1/2-length victory in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes.