Horse Racing News

Hawthorne Race Courses lists seven 3-year-olds as probable starters for the April 3 Illinois Derby, but don't let the compact field size put you off.

The New York Off-Track Betting Corp. plans to shut down operations on April 11 after negotiations for a potential 11th-hour bailout with legislators in Albany fell through on Friday, the company said in a press release.

Zenyatta cruised six furlongs Thursday at Hollywood, her first workout since extending her win streak to 15 races in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Handicap. Mike Smith was aboard for the 1:14.60 drill that clockers dubbed breezing.

Philatelist might be a cinch to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Tokyo City Handicap on Saturday at Santa Anita, except for one thing -- the distance is 1 1/2 miles.

Quiet Temper exited her extensive winter at Fair Grounds exactly where trainer Dale Romans hoped she would be, on target for the April 30 Kentucky Oaks, by virtue of a hard-fought victory in the Grade 2, $300,000 Fair Grounds Oaks on Friday.

Last year, an also-ran from the Sunland Park Derby upended the racing world when he won the Kentucky Derby at 50-1. Sunday, it will be all eyes on the Sunland Derby.

With Battle Plan, good things may be about to come to those who wait, and wait, and wait some more.

Trainer Tom Albertrani has confirmed that the Tampa Bay Derby winner, Odysseus, will have one final prep before the Kentucky Derby, with the choices remaining either the Blue Grass or Arkansas Derby.

Jeremy Noseda is based in Newmarket and has a horse running in Saturday's $2 million Godolphin Mile in Dubai.

British racehorse owner David Reynolds has been charged with two counts of assault by the British Horseracing Board following an incident at Lingfield Park last Saturday in which Reynolds took exception to the way Kieren Fallon rode Elna Bright.