Horse Racing News by Mary Rampellini

A year ago, a future Horse of the Year won the Martha Washington for 3-year-old fillies at Oaklawn Park. Two years ago, the one-mile race was a launching pad for the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas will hit the Triple Crown trail Monday at Oaklawn Park with one of the most credentialed colts he has had in several years.

Trainer Tim Ice has been informed that he is being relieved of his duties as the trainer of champion Summer Bird as well as 24 other horses owned by K.K. and Vilasini Jayaraman.

Star Guitar and Superior Storm both remained unbeaten in Louisiana-bred stakes company on Saturday night, when they defended their titles in the two richest races on the $1 million Premier Night program at Delta Downs.

Star Guitar and Superior Storm bring remarkable records into Saturday night's $1 million Louisiana Premier Night program of stakes at Delta Downs.

Win Willy could meet the last three winners of the $100,000 Essex Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn.

In the boldest move yet to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together for the first time in a race, Oaklawn Park president Charles Cella has announced that the purse of the April 3 Apple Blossom will be raised to $5 million if both horses start.

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has called a press conference for Thursday morning amid widespread speculation the track is attempting to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together for the first time.

Acting Zippy took advantage of the scratch of a key pace rival Saturday night in the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Handicap and led throughout for a neck win over Orientate Express.

Oaklawn Park has canceled its Saturday and Sunday cards, making for three straight days of lost racing at the hands of a winter storm that has hit Hot Springs, Ark.