Horse Racing News on February 25, 2012

Zayat Stables' Nehro entered last year's Kentucky Derby without a stakes win but owning a pair of neck runner-up efforts in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.

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Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has been on a torrid winning streak of late, and George Bolton and Fog City Stable's The Factor kept up the barn's momentum in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 San Carlos at Santa Anita.

El Padrino has been described as extremely laid-back by his trainer, Todd Pletcher, but he showed Saturday in the Grade 2, $300,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds that he can be a street fighter, too.

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.

One month later and the public jumped ship on the bay lass as she was sent off the 3-1 third choice in Saturday's Grade 3, $194,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes.

Roman Tiger snapped a 13-race losing streak when he snuck through along the rail for jockey Angel Serpa to win the $!50,000 Tampa Bay Stakes as a 28-1 shot on the turf Feb. 25.

Augustin Stables' homebred Smart Bid caught Mr. Vegas in the final strides of Saturday's Grade 3, $122,500 Fair Grounds Handicap, posting his first victory since last year's Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap.

Awesome Maria successfully defended her title in Gulfstream Park's Grade 3 Sabin, and did it with style on Saturday, cruising to an impressive eight-length victory over Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic and Eclipse Award winner Royal Delta.