Horse Racing News

Economic Model edged away from Irish War Cry for his first stakes victory in more than 20 months in a spill-marred 28th running of the Hal's Hope Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Mitchell Lamb of TAB.com.au is sweet on the Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig-trained sprinting mare, but Kementari is the bet of the day.

Gunnevera and Sharp Azteca took their first steps toward the Dubai World Cup this past weekend, working easy half-miles at Gulfstream Park West.

This is a good time to remind oneself of that, on the morning after a head-scratching Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds that threw one of the first big monkey wrenches into a 2018 Kentucky Derby prep season that will almost certainly see a few more.

Kanthaka, impressive winner of the Grade 2 San Vicente on Feb. 10 at Santa Anita, is expected to make his next start in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes on March 10 at Aqueduct.

Trainer Wayne Lukas, who has run 48 horses in the Kentucky Derby, more than any other trainer, has another, provided Bravazo comes through the next 10 weeks in good order.

Ms Locust Point galloped to her first graded victory in the $300,000 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park on Saturday, going straight to the front under jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. and posting an easy 4 1/2-length score.

Fault, the 4-year-old filly who raced throughout the Midwest and East Coast last year, left Phil D'Amato impressed with her morning exercise shortly after she joined his stable earlier this year.

The gate popped open for the Grade 2, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds, and odds-on favorite Monomoy Girl spun her wheels.

True to his name, The Player appears to have been playing around during his races, losing focus during key points when his mind should have been bent on competing.