Horse Racing News

Ten new names are in the lineup of 23 separately listed wagering interests in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Friday at noon Eastern at racetracks and wagering outlets throughout North America.

Presious Passion rebounded from one of the most disappointing performances of his career and is now off to Dubai after leading throughout to post a 1 1/4-length victory in Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream Park.

Gitano Hernando's Lingfield Park prep for the Dubai World Cup went off without a hitch on Saturday as he cruised to a comfortable 4 1/2-length victory in the $61,000 listed Winter Derby Trial.

What figured to be a highly competitive second-level allowance race for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park turned into a showcase for the English-bred Radiohead, who cruised to an easy victory over stablemate Homeboykris in Saturday's third event.

Backtalk, one of the more accomplished 2-year-olds of 2009, won at two turns for the first time Friday night when he made his season debut in the $75,000 Sportsman's Paradise at Delta Downs.

Dont Blame the Cat made it two wins in a row at Laurel Park on Saturday, coming on with a late run to win the seven-furlong, $54,000 Miracle Wood by a length over Regal Warrior, with the pacesetting Cole T another half-length back in third.

Comedero gave his trainer, Michael Stidham, his second stakes win in less than a half-hour on Saturday, when he powered home by 4 1/2 lengths in the $60,000 Mountain Valley at Oaklawn Park.

Tizaqueena made her graded stakes mark racing on turf during 2009, but this mare also gets over dirt -- Fair Grounds dirt, at least -- just fine.

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.