Horse Racing News

Willis Horton's Will Take Charge notched his first stakes victory Jan. 21 when he got the best of eight other 3-year-olds in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

More Chocolate, making her first start on dirt for trainer John Sadler, put away pacesetter Willa B Awesome in the stretch and shook clear for her first stakes victory in the $150,000 La Canada Stakes Jan. 20 at Santa Anita Park.

Teaks North secured his first victory since 2011 when the two-time Grade 1 winner opened a clear lead in the stretch on his way to a front-running 2 1/2-length victory in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes Jan. 19 at Gulfstream Park.

Being the leader in the clubhouse is a mixed blessing. You've left your marker out on the course, and now everybody gets to take a shot at beating you.

The thoughts and best wishes of the racing industry went out to jockey Ramon Dominguez the night he was honored with his third consecutive Eclipse Award.

Morton Fink's homebred Wise Dan swept three categories -- Horse of the Year, older male, and male turf horse -- at the Jan. 19 Eclipse Awards ceremony in Hallandale Beach, Fla., becoming the first horse to do so since John Henry in 1981.

Infrattini earned his fourth straight victory, accomplished over four different tracks, by outfinishing odds-on choice Mark Valeski in the $100,000 Louisiana Handicap Jan. 19 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Four-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas is back on the trail, after his Oxbow romped by 11 1/2 lengths in Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes on "Road to the Derby Kickoff Day" at Fair Grounds.

Private Zone won the pace battle between he and Comma to the Top in Saturday's Grade 2, $150,500 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita, but ultimately lost the war when 21-1 outsider Sahara Sky rallied to win.

Ron the Greek turned it on in a big way in the $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park Jan. 19, overpowering his state-bred foes by 11 1/4 lengths on a sloppy track as nemesis Mucho Macho Man finished last.