Horse Racing News by Jason Shandler

Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year who produced her first foal this year, has been pronounced in foal to Darley stallion Bernardini.

Extra distance was the key for James Karp's homebred Newsdad to exact revenge on Simmard, as the son of Arch came from off the pace to win the $150,000 Pan American against a short field March 24 at Gulfstream Park.

In Lingerie, returning to the Turfway Park Polytrack where she broke her maiden in January, destroyed an overmatched group of 3-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks, leading a one-two finish for trainer Todd Pletcher March 24.

Animal Kingdom was a relatively unknown commodity entering last year's Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes, but his victory launched him into the Kentucky Derby -- and the rest is history.

Just when we thought we had the key matchups for final Kentucky Derby preps all figured out, a couple major curveballs from two of the top contenders were thrown March 22.

For owner Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones, Plan A is to run Horse of the Year Havre de Grace in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap April 13.

Champion female sprinter Musical Romance earned her first win of the season when she split horses in deep stretch to capture the $150,000 Inside Information Stakes March 17 at Gulfstream Park.

Three of the top four finishers of last month's Sam F. Davis are back for the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby, but it's a Todd Pletcher trained horse -- go figure -- making his stakes debut who will likely be favored.

Peres International's Yara reclaimed the lead from odds-on favorite Grace Hall at the top of the stretch and held her off to post a shocking 64-1 upset in the $250,000 Davona Dale Feb. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

A six-time group/graded stakes winner and a veteran of 44 career starts, 10-year-old Musketier returns for yet another season when he opens up his 2012 campaign in the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes Feb. 26 at Gulfstream Park.