Horse Racing News

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.

The agent for jockey Ramon Dominguez says the nation's leading rider has suffered a fractured skull after being involved in a spill during the seventh race at Aqueduct Racetrack Jan. 18.

Installing a synthetic surface for the inner track at Aqueduct Racetrack for the 2013-14 winter season is among the changes to New York Racing Association policies and operations that will be considered by the board at its Jan. 25 meeting.

Eric M. Kronfeld's Eblouissante has a long way to go to start emulating her big sister Zenyatta, but she showed she's heading in the right direction Jan. 17 with another authoritative victory.

Versatile Comma to the Top, who has produced wins on dirt, synthetic, and turf, as well as going long and sprinting, brings his best form recently into the $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes Jan. 19.

Fair Grounds' Road to the Kentucky Derby will begin on Saturday when a field of nine sophomores line up in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte going a mile and 70 yards over the Crescent City oval.

Mucho Macho Man and Ron the Greek, two of the leading older horses of 2012, embark on another title quest Jan. 19 when they face off in the $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park.

The damage to Oaklawn Park's track caused by exceptionally heavy rain Saturday has been repaired and the track is now ready for racing. Oaklawn will open Thursday, Jan. 17.