Horse Racing News

Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, preparing for her expected 2012 bow in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes March 17 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, breezed a bullet five furlongs in 59 seconds flat over the track Feb. 26.

Trainer Roger Attfield and William Werner's Simmard would not be denied in Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Union Rags made a smashing return to action and solidified his status as the early favorite for the 138th Kentucky Derby by romping to victory Sunday in the 68th running of the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes.

Starlight Racing's undefeated Algorithms, the 8-5 favorite in Sunday's Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, has been scratched from the race due to a popped splint in his right front leg.

Zayat Stables' Nehro entered last year's Kentucky Derby without a stakes win but owning a pair of neck runner-up efforts in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.

Road to the Kentucky Derby Live On ESPN

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has been on a torrid winning streak of late, and George Bolton and Fog City Stable's The Factor kept up the barn's momentum in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 San Carlos at Santa Anita.

El Padrino has been described as extremely laid-back by his trainer, Todd Pletcher, but he showed Saturday in the Grade 2, $300,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds that he can be a street fighter, too.

Peres International's Yara reclaimed the lead from odds-on favorite Grace Hall at the top of the stretch and held her off to post a shocking 64-1 upset in the $250,000 Davona Dale Feb. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

One month later and the public jumped ship on the bay lass as she was sent off the 3-1 third choice in Saturday's Grade 3, $194,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes.