Horse Racing News

The battle of the New York-bred brawlers continued March 1 at Aqueduct Racetrack, with Len Riggio's undefeated Samraat edging Uncle Sigh to secure a hard-earned victory in the $500,000 Gotham Stakes and 50 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby.

Drawing Away Stable and David Jacobson's Strapping Groom rallied in deep stretch to claim the $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack, his first graded stakes score since a 15-1 upset in the Forego Stakes last summer.

Foxwoods Champagne Stakes winner Havana, 9-5 program favorite for the $200,000 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park March 1, was scratched the morning of the race due to a quarter crack in his right front foot, trainer Todd Pletcher said.

Gotham Stakes Live On ESPN

Darley announced Feb. 28 that it has purchased a majority interest in Cairo Prince, a leading contender for this year's Kentucky Derby. The colt will remain with trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and race in the blue colors of Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Stable.

Leading Gulfstream Park trainer Todd Pletcher saddles top-weighted Candy Kitty for the $100,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes, one of nine sophomore fillies set to contest the 1 ⅛-mile turf event March 2.

Two of the more accomplished juveniles of 2013 will make their 3-year-old season debuts March 1 when Havana and No Nay Never meet in the Swale Stakes March 1 at Gulfstream Park.

Awesome Baby, wire-to-wire winner of the Santa Ynez Stakes going 6 1/2 furlongs, stretches back out to 1 1/16 miles against seven other 3-year-old fillies March 1 in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel at Santa Anita Park.

There are many reasons for a horse to run in particular races, especially on the road to the Kentucky Derby, but the decision to run Bond Holder in the March 8 Tampa Bay Derby certainly is a new one. Last year's FrontRunner Stakes winner is running at Tam

Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager opens its three-day run Feb. 27 at noon EST.