Monthly Archives: April 2010

After last fall’s Breeders’ Cup, I went on record as saying I thought Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra deserved to be co-Horses of the Year. Neither distaffer had done anything wrong in 2009, both were brilliantly perfect, and I didn’t think … Continue reading →

Hollywood Park publicity official Steve Schuelein asked some of the Southern California trainers who they like in Saturday’s 136th Kentucky Derby: Ron Ellis– “California horses have shown they’re the class of the field. Post 20 may not be bad at … Continue reading →

How tough is it to win a Kentucky Derby? Well, all you need to know is that the incomparable Charlie Whittingham didn’t win his first until he was 73. He won with Ferdinand in 1986, becoming the oldest trainer to … Continue reading →

Last year it was I Want Revenge the morning of the race. This year, six days before the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby, likely post-time favorite Eskendereya has been declared out of the race because of a bad front … Continue reading →

Jess Jackson, owner of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, said Saturday his star 4-year-old filly might run in Friday’s $400,000 Grade 2 La Troienne Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard at Churchill Downs. Rachel Alexandra, who went 8-0 … Continue reading →

It’s been a little more than three months since Rachel Alexandra won out over Zenyatta in a spirited Horse of the Year race that was as hotly debated as any in recent memory. Since that January night at the Beverly … Continue reading →

If there’s anything close to a sure thing on today’s 10-race card during closing day at Santa Anita, it’s Bourbon Bay in the $150,000 Grade 2 San Juan Capistrano Handicap. He’s a short 6-5 favorite on the morning line. Bourbon … Continue reading →

Rafael Bejarano already is assured of becoming the first jockey to win three consecutive Santa Anita riding titles since Laffit Pincay from 1979-81. He took care of that long ago, but now he has a shot at another milestone. Bejarano, … Continue reading →

Other than the top three in the Kentucky Derby rankings I submitted to the Paulick Report this week, I have been less than inspired by most of the runners. To me, there is a large gap between the top three … Continue reading →

On the eve of Friday’s $500,000 Grade 1 Apple Blossom Invitational, a race where Zenyatta will go for her 16th victory without defeat, here’s what some of the Southland trainers are saying about the 6-year-old superstar, courtesy of Santa Anita … Continue reading →