Horse Racing News

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has called a press conference for Thursday morning amid widespread speculation the track is attempting to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together for the first time.

The timing of owner Larry Smith's arrival at Del Mar late in the afternoon of Sept. 4 could not have been better.

Zenyatta, the undefeated champion older female of 2009, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.60 at Hollywood Park on Wednesday.

Diamondrella, a two-time Grade 1 winner last year who finished 10th of 11 in the Grade 1 Santa Monica Handicap here Sunday.

Despite the imposing presence of 123-pound highweight Quality Road, a surprisingly large field of 10 horses was drawn Wednesday for Saturday's $500,000 Donn Handicap.

Trainer Anthony Dutrow confirmed Tuesday that Winslow Homer has suffered a stress fracture in his cannon bone that will keep him sidelined through the Triple Crown season.

Rachel Alexandra worked Sunday morning for the first time since her Sept. 5 victory in the Woodward, going a half-mile in 52 seconds at Fair Grounds.

The conversation between trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Martin Garcia before Sunday's $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita was like a halftime chat between a coach and player.

Acting Zippy took advantage of the scratch of a key pace rival Saturday night in the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Handicap and led throughout for a neck win over Orientate Express.

Sunday's Grade 2 Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park drew one of the strongest and most competitive fields in the 30-year history of the event, a group that included recently named Eclipse Award winner She Be Wild.