Horse Racing News

Ann and Jerry Moss will breed their popular 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta to Tapit this year, according to an announcement the couple posted March 22 at Zenyatta.com.

Animal Kingdom was a relatively unknown commodity entering last year's Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes, but his victory launched him into the Kentucky Derby -- and the rest is history.

The March 22 live racing program at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has been canceled due to torrential rain. The state and track stewards made the final decision in consultation with Fair Grounds officials at 10:30 a.m. CDT.

Just when we thought we had the key matchups for final Kentucky Derby preps all figured out, a couple major curveballs from two of the top contenders were thrown March 22.

With its lucrative $800,000 purse, the Grade 3 Sunland Derby is an attractive prep race for Kentucky Derby hopefuls lacking graded earnings.

Horses running on dirt surfaces in 2011 at North American tracks suffered fatal injuries at nearly twice the rate of horses running on artificial surfaces, according to a Jockey Club project that tracks equine injuries.

Leading New York rider Ramon Dominguez, diagnosed with a dislocated collarbone after a nasty fall March 18 at Aqueduct, could be healed in time to ride Hansen in the Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial April 7.

The Grade 2, $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes for older turf horses, postponed from last Sunday owing to a dire weather forecast, is scheduled to be brought back this Sunday, with Slim Shadey heading up a likely field of six. David Flores has the mount.

Absinthe Minded, a two-time stakes winner at the meet who finished fourth as the favorite in the Grade 3, $150,000 Azeri last Saturday, will advance to next month's Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.

For owner Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones, Plan A is to run Horse of the Year Havre de Grace in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap April 13.