Horse Racing News on February 14, 2014

Samantha Nicole, a full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, is set to make her career debut in Sunday's fourth race at Fair Grounds.

Robert Baker and William Mack's Hopeful Stakes winner Strong Mandate returns to action for the first time since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes Feb. 17 at Oaklawn Park, class of a 12-horse field drawn for the 1 1/16-mile event.

Trainer Bret Calhoun's filly returns to racing after leg surgery

Some stakes will have new names and larger purses at Belmont Park this year as the New York Racing Association plans two big days of racing at the spring/summer meet along with its previously announced Belmont Stakes Festival June 6-8.

Sweet N Discreet ventured into unknown territory for her last start when asked to stretch her obvious speed around two turns for the first time at 1 ⅛ miles, a rather imposing distance for a horse with one-turn breeding.

Kobe's Back and Papa Turf bring top credentials into Sunday's Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente at Santa Anita, a seven-furlong test that has drawn a field of six three-year-olds.