Horse Racing News

Trainer Marty Wolfson said he took away Matchless Orinda's most potent weapon -- her speed -- when he attempted to stretch her out to a mile in the Grade 3 Sabin Stakes at Gulfstream in February.

Sweet Goodbye, riding a three-race winning streak that includes the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap, already was a solid contender in Saturday night's $250,000 Sugar Maple Stakes at Charles Town.

Wesley Ward has never run a horse in the Kentucky Derby, but that prospect seemed ever closer after Pleasant Prince finished second four weeks ago in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

Belmont Park in New York should be a prime candidate for the 2011 Breeders' Cup and part of a permanent three- or four-track rotation for the event, Belmont officials said in a letter sent to Breeders' Cup board members Thursday.

The spring meet at Keeneland has coincided with an unofficial comeback tour for graded stakes winners trained by Jonathan Sheppard.

The plan for Bourbon Bay has gone perfectly this year - he is unbeaten in three starts over 1 1/2 miles on turf, including two stakes.

As the only million-dollar earner and starting highweight in Sunday's Sunland Park Handicap, Going Ballistic figures to have a big bull's-eye planted firmly on his flank.

No, Josie Carroll isn't monitoring every move that Rachel Alexandra makes, but she does have more than a passing interest in where the superstar filly shows up next.

Hot Dixie Chick, an easy winner of her lone start at 3, is being pointed to the Grade 3, $100,000 Eight Belles Stakes on the May 1 Kentucky Derby undercard.

With hopes for a berth in the Kentucky Derby on May 1 diminishing by the day, Caracortado is likely to start in the $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes at Hollywood Park next Saturday.