Horse Racing News

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.

Two months out from the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert already has stable star Game On Dude penciled in for the prestigious 1 1/4-mile test.

Gulfstream Park's preliminary filing for racing dates shows it plans to have racing every week, in some cases just on Saturdays and Sundays, with a total of 153 race days during the 12 months beginning July 1.

Racing Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens gave official confirmation Jan .3 to the rumors that have been flying since he started getting back on Thoroughbreds eight weeks ago; on Jan. 6 at Santa Anita Park, he'll again start riding races.