Horse Racing News

No horseman is going to fret about having a fast horse in the barn. But when you're trying to get a 3-year-old onto the Kentucky Derby trail, is it possible to have a horse that's too fast?

When trainer Rick Dutrow won the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap here last season with Kip Deville, it was Court Vision who posed his greatest threat.

In the boldest move yet to bring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together for the first time in a race, Oaklawn Park president Charles Cella has announced that the purse of the April 3 Apple Blossom will be raised to $5 million if both horses start.

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.