Horse Racing News

Despite the presence of Union Rags, Algorithms has been installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite for Sunday's Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

A six-time group/graded stakes winner and a veteran of 44 career starts, 10-year-old Musketier returns for yet another season when he opens up his 2012 campaign in the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes Feb. 26 at Gulfstream Park.

Fox Hill Farms' Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones have made an about-face change in regards to their reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace.

El Padrino, who showed himself to be a Triple Crown contender with a sharp allowance win at Gulfstream Park Jan. 29, heads a field of 11 entered for the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds Feb. 25.

There's a good chance we'll have a clear-cut favorite for the Kentucky Derby after the Feb. 26 clash between the undefeated Holy Bull winner Algorithms and Champagne winner Union Rags in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes.

In spite of a small field, what promises to be a dandy match-up between 2011 national male sprint champion Amazombie and two-time Grade 1 winner The Factor is set for the $200,000 San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita Feb. 25.

Havre de Grace, the 2011 Horse of the Year, will make her first start of the new year in the Grade 3, $150,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 17, owner Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones said Wednesday.

City to City could do no better than fourth as the 9-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Robert J. Frankel Stakes on New Year's Day, so bettors let her go off at 8-1 in Monday's Grade 2, $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap.

Rafael Bejarano and trainer Bob Baffert teamed up to win the second division with the highly-rated Secret Circle.

The Bob Baffert-trained Castaway stepped up off a maiden win at Santa Anita to dominate the first division of Monday's Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.