Horse Racing News

It is springtime in Kentucky when a young trainer stands beside the rail at Keeneland Race Course. Across the track a big bay filly is powering her way through her morning gallop; head down, all business.

The field for Friday's Grade 2, $300,000 Fantasy at Oaklawn might have drawn just four fillies, but with Blind Luck in the entries the race is a must-see prep for the April 30 Kentucky Oaks.

The Keeneland experience can mean different things to different people, with the bottom line being that "we want to create a festival," said track president Nick Nicholson.

Jackson Bend was beaten 8 1/2 lengths by Eskendereya when the two met in the Fountain of Youth in February at Gulfstream Park.

Lookin At Lucky is no worse than the co-favorite for the Kentucky Derby and is an odds-on favorite on the morning line for Saturday's Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

Lookin At Lucky is happy and healthy, and he will stay home Saturday to face Sidney's Candy and Caracortado in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

Rachel Alexandra worked five furlongs in 1:03.20 on Monday morning at Fair Grounds, and was to board a horse van bound for Churchill Downs on Monday evening, trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Orchestrator hinted of a bright future as a synthetic performer when she easily won a maiden race at Keeneland last October.

Tidal Dance came from off the pace for a comprehensive victory over three rivals in Saturday's $95,000 Ladies Stakes at Aqueduct.

Jockey Terry Thompson has regained the mount on Dublin for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby after guiding him through a stellar workout Saturday morning at Oaklawn.