Horse Racing News

As the prospective field for the May 21 Preakness Stakes came into sharper focus on Wednesday, the horse they will all have to beat yet again, Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, returned to the track.

Alternation's road to the Kentucky Derby was derailed in Arkansas, where he had to be scratched out of the Rebel Stakes in March and where a slow start compromised his chances in the Arkansas Derby.

Robby Albarado, who was taken off eventual Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom the day before the race, has picked up the mount on King Congie for the $1 million Preakness on May 21, a race in which he will face Animal Kingdom at Pimlico.

Jockey Michael Baze, found dead in his vehicle Tuesday in the Churchill Downs stable area, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday on a cocaine charge.

Michael Baze, the leading jockey at Arlington Park last summer and a member of the famed Baze riding family, was found dead Tuesday in his vehicle in the stable area of Churchill Downs.

Barry Irwin, the president of Team Valor International, has agreed to compensate Robby Albarado, the jockey originally named to ride Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby.

Animal Kingdom ruled over 18 other 3-year-olds in the Kentucky Derby here Saturday, and it looks like he'll face another large field in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 21.

Archarcharch owner Bob Yagos says the colt has been retired from racing after fracturing his left front leg during Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Graham Motion, a British expatriate, on Sunday morning had recovered enough to start focusing on the May 21 Preakness Stakes, which he said would be the next start for Animal Kingdom, the upset winner of Saturday's Churchill Downs.

When Star Billing was about two lengths in front in the final furlong of Saturday's $100,000 Senorita Stakes at Hollywood Park, jockey Chantal Sutherland was already shouting.