Horse Racing News

Havre de Grace overcame a modest pace to run down a determined Switch and become both a Grade 1 winner and millionaire Friday in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

While Sullimar Stables' homebred Get Stormy would have appealed to hunch players on a rainy Friday at Keeneland, the multiple Grade 2 hero had more tangible credentials to recommend him in the Grade 1, $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile.

Shotgun Gulch rallied from last and passed favored Amen Hallelujah in deep stretch to post an 11-1 upset in the Grade 1, $300,000 Vinery Madison April 14 at Keeneland.

For all Smiling Tiger accomplished last year at 3 -- knocking off older horses in the both the Bing Crosby and Ancient Title and running third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint -- there are reasons to believe he will be even better this season.

The connections of Uncle Mo believe they have a reason why their horse did not run up to expectations in last weekend's $1 million Wood Memorial, and are still hoping to get last year's 2-year-old champion to the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano rode Malibu Pier to a victory in the Grade 2 Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita last month but will ride the runner-up from that race, Turning Top, in Saturday's $150,000 Santa Barbara Handicap.

When trainer Jim Hooper opted to run Inherit the Gold in the Grade 3 Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct on April 2, he all but ruled out running the gelding back in the $1 million Charles Town Classic this Saturday.

Beaten Wood Memorial favorite Uncle Mo returned to the racetrack Wednesday, jogging once around a wet Belmont Park training track.

Trainer coming off best Lone Star Park season, pair of Breeders' Cup victories

Havre de Grace has matured into a more aggressive racehorse at 4. She defeated champion Blind Luck by more than three lengths last month in the Grade 3, $150,000 Azeri at Oaklawn.