Horse Racing News

There are owners who go out and spend millions of dollars looking for a Kentucky Derby horse, and trainers who stockpile prospects in the hope that one of them gets there. Mike Machowsky does not have that luxury.

He was a good second in a Grade 3 turf stakes last fall at Keeneland, then was 18-1 when ridden by Garrett Gomez in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. And he's a 2010 Triple Crown nominee.

The Grade 2 Davona Dale traditionally serves as a prep for the richer Bonnie Miss later in the meet.

Trainer Bruce Levine has all but ruled out any chance of making the Grade 1 Florida Derby here on March 20 with Buddy's Saint and will now focus on using the Grade 1 Wood Memorial two weeks later at Aqueduct for his 3-year-old's final Kentucky Derby prep.

Presious Passion has already received his invitation to the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic.

Jockey Martin Garcia has seen enough.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra was back at work Wednesday morning at Fair Grounds, where she breezed six furlongs in 1:14, her longest work of 2010, and another significant step toward her intended comeback race on March 13 in New Orleans.

There were only two questions for the average racing fan to ask last Saturday in the wake of Caracortado's upset victory under jockey Paul Atkinson in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.

While many of the leading Kentucky Derby candidates stabled in south Florida ran here Saturday afternoon, another member of that elite group, Noble's Promise, did his major work earlier that morning.

Zenyatta breezed six furlongs in 1:14 at Hollywood Park on Thursday, leaving trainer John Shirreffs with glowing compliments about the condition of his unbeaten champion.