Horse Racing News

New York's top court refused Tuesday to hear another appeal by a Kentucky Derby-winning trainer on his 10-year ban from the sport for drug violations.

In his first race in more than seven years, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens felt the thrill of being in front heading for the wire. But the exhilaration was short-lived as his mount Jebrica was passed in deep stretch.

Mizdirection, making her first start since defeating males in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, ran down speedy Kindle in the shadow of the wire to register a repeat victory in the Monrovia Stakes over the hillside turf course at Santa Anita Park Jan. 6.

In his final start before he heads off to stud in California, grade I winner Coil outlasted Ultimate Eagle by a short head following a terrific stretch duel in the $150,000 San Pasqual Stakes Jan. 5 at Santa Anita Park.

Garland Williamson's homebred Hard Not to Like, whose 2012 Queen's Plate ambitions were derailed by injury, made a successful return to action in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Marshua's River Stakes on the Gulfstream Park turf.

Goldencents completed a sweep of Saturday's major three-year-old stakes by sons of Into Mischief with a workmanlike score in the Grade 3, $100,000 Sham at Santa Anita.

Pick Six Racing's Vyjack displayed plenty of heart in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Jerome at Aqueduct, re-rallying to the lead in deep stretch to post a head decision.

Finalists for the 2012 Eclipse Awards were announced Jan 5 by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters.

It's a long way from the first Saturday in January to the first Saturday in May, but for newly-minted 3-year-olds the $200,000 Jerome Stakes and the $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack could serve as a road map to the future.

The Triple Crown season at Santa Anita Park begins Jan. 5 with the Sham Stakes led by Goldencents, recent winner of the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot and runner-up in the prestigious Champagne Stakes.