Horse Racing News on September 24, 2011

Continuing a phenomenal day for trainer Mike Maker while running another big race over the local Polytrack surface, La Gran Bailadora passed all six of her rivals when going on to a mild upset Saturday in the Kentucky Cup Distaff at Turfway Park.

To Honor and Serve was expected to be one of the top 3-year-olds of 2011 when the season started. It took him more than nine months, but the Bernardini colt has finally lived up to that billing.

On a day when favorites mostly ruled the day, Future Prospect proved a stunning winner of Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 WinStar Kentucky Cup at Turfway Park as the longest priced horse in the race at 18-1

Trainer Mike Maker didn't give Victor Lebron any instructions in the paddock before Lebron rode Matthewsburg in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,0000 Speightstown Kentucky Cup Sprint at Turfway Park.

Pomeroys Pistol is likely headed to the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint after an emphatic four-length win in the $150,000 Foxwoods Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park Sept. 24.

Trainer Tony Pecoraro earned his 1,000th career victory in style Sept. 24 when I'm Steppin' It Up held off odds-on favorite King Congie to win the Grade 3, $250,000 Kent Stakes by two lengths at Delaware Park.

The New York Racing Association has announced that total purses for the 2012 winter/spring meet at Aqueduct are expected to increase by approximately $8.6 million, or 36%, over this year's meet.

Anna "Rosie" Napravnik was back on horses Sept. 22 for the first time since undergoing multiple surgeries on a broken arm incurred in a July 6 spill at Delaware Park, the jockey reported Sept. 23.