Horse Racing News

About a year ago at this time, few had ever heard of trainer Tim Ice. But he certainly made a name for himself the rest of 2009 with Summer Bird, who won the Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Seeking validation within the 3-year-old division - not to mention sufficient graded earnings to make the cut for the May 1 Kentucky Derby - a field of nine has been entered in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes.

American racing fans have been betting blindly on Jonathan Sheppard for decades. They are keenly aware that the Hall of Fame trainer has been working diligently behind the scenes to have his horses fit and sharp.

A colt from the first crop of Bernardini brought $625,000 to top sales Monday at Keeneland's April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Rachel Alexandra had her first workout since returning to Churchill Downs when she breezed five furlongs early Monday with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard.

The Santa Anita stewards suspended jockey Victor Espinoza and fined jockey Garrett Gomez for their roles in an incident Saturday during the Santa Anita Derby and an altercation after the race.

Jockey Victor Espinoza received a three-day ban for his riding in the Santa Anita Derby, while Garrett Gomez was fined for punching Espinoza afterward.

Rail Trip, the winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup last July, is nearing a comeback at the upcoming Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting, and trainer Ron Ellis is raving about his condition.

Russell Baze rode six winners at Golden Gate Fields on Friday, including the feature race with Bold Chieftain. Four of his winners were for trainer Steve Sherman.

A handful of prospects for the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland had their final pre-race workouts at various venues Saturday, including a pair of Kentucky Derby hopefuls trained by Todd Pletcher.