Horse Racing News

A field of 10 has been entered for the $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby March 30 at Gulfstream Park, although three horses are getting almost all of the attention: Itsmyluckyday, Shanghai Bobby, and Orb.

Team Valor International's Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, drew post 12 of 13 when the field was drawn March 27 for the $10 million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates to be run March 30 at Meydan.

Reigning champion sprinter Trinniberg will try to make history when he faces an expected 12 other starters in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen presented by Gulf News Saturday, March 30 at Meydan.

American interests He's Had Enough and Dice Flavor take on top Godolphin contender Secret Number in the $2 million UAE Derby March 30 at Meydan, three of 12 sophomores entered for the 1900-meter (about 1 3/16 miles) Tapeta event.

The experiment to try Little Mike on Meydan's Tapeta surface didn't turn out quite as well as expected for trainer Dale Romans, but the 6-year-old son of Spanish Steps did get the acclimatization needed for his return to the grass in the Dubai Duty.

Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, returned to Stonestreet Farm March 26 to begin the next stage of her recuperation following abdominal surgery performed mid-February at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington.

With trainer Dale Romans watching from a perch at Meydan, both his multiple Grade 1 winners Dullahan and Little Mike turned in strong works March 24 as they prepare for their races on the $27 million Dubai World Cup program March 30.

Verrazano was the favored individual horse in the final of three Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools for 2013, but the field entry emerged as the overall pick once again for this year's Run for the Roses.

Not long after Midnight Lucky routed the Sunland Park Oaks, Govenor Charlie made it a track record-setting double for owner Mike Pegram, trainer Bob Baffert and young sire Midnight Lute when opening up in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby.

Tiz Flirtatious held off the late charge of even-money choice Lady of Shamrock to nail down her first graded stakes win in the $150,000 Santa Ana Stakes on the turf at Santa Anita Park March 24.