Horse Racing News

Haskell Invitational winner Paynter, who was diagnosed with laminitis Sept. 4, continues to make significant strides toward recovery and could even make a return to racing, according to the Zayat family.

Rafael Bejarano will replace Chantal Sutherland as the rider for multiple Grade 1 winner Game On Dude, trainer Bob Baffert told The Blood-Horse Sept. 11.

Groupie Doll entered Saturday's Grade 2, $400,600 Presque Isle Downs Master off a more than four-month break, having last been seen taking the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs on May 5.

Bourbon Courage, under a head of steam for jockey Leandro Goncalves, blew past Master Rick at mid-stretch to win the $500,000 Super Derby in a romp for the colt's first stakes victory Sept. 8 at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

Stuart S. Janney III's homebred Air Support found his best stride late in the $196,000 Bowling Green Stakes on opening day of the fall meet at Belmont Park Sept. 8, wearing down frontrunner Bombaguia by a head to earn his first victory of the year.

The $500,000 Super Derby, contested at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds, is the 10th race on the card and is scheduled with an approximate post of 5:10 p.m. CDT. Each runner totes 124 pounds.

Owner Ahmed Zayat revealed at midday Wednesday that the health of Grade 1 Haskell Invitational winner Paynter had shown slight improvement.

Arnold Zetcher LLC's Rolling Fog tracked in second throughout Wednesday's Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity.

Haskell Invitational winner Paynter, who has suffered many ailments while battling a serious case of colitis, was diagnosed Sept. 4 with one of the most devastating diseases for horses: laminitis.

Halo Dolly won for the sixth time in nine starts this year when she rallied from off the pace to motor home by 1 1/4 lengths in the $250,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap over the Del Mar turf Sept. 3.