Horse Racing News

Odds-on choice Noble Moon proved a popular winner of the $200,000 Jerome Stakes as the 3-year-old season started in New York Jan. 4 at frigid Aqueduct Racetrack.

Customer Base, in a thrilling finish to the final stakes of the year at Santa Anita Park, nosed out Stormy Lucy in the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel on the turf Dec. 29.

Three Chimneys Farm has secured a 50% interest in multiple grade I-winning 3-year-old Will Take Charge, this year's favorite for the Eclipse Award as 3-year-old male champion and also a Horse of the Year candidate.

Two jockeys and horses apparently escaped serious injury Dec. 28 in a spill during the first race at Gulfstream Park.

The purse for the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the Triple Crown, will be $1.5 million for the 146th renewal June 7, 2014, the New York Racing Association announced Dec. 28. The 1 ½-mile race had been worth $1 million since 1998.

Shakin It Up, making his first start in nine months, mowed down the field for trainer Bob Baffert to earn his first grade I victory in the $300,000 Malibu Stakes at odds of 17-1 on opening day at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26.

Keith Brackpool's Gervinho, winless since the 2013 Del Mar meet, got back in the win column with a strong off-the pace victory in the $201,000 Sir Beaufort Stakes at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26.

Heir Kitty overtook 4-5 favorite Sweet Lulu in the final furlong to post a 13-1 upset in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes on opening day at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26, giving Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens his first win in the race since 1998.

New Year's Day, who upset favored Havana in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, has been retired after sustaining an injury and will enter stud at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington.

Grade I winner Sweet Lulu makes her first start since a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint as the likely choice in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes opening day Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.