Florida Shippers Add Spice to Risen Star at Fair Grounds: Louisiana’s Kentucky Derby Trail had been considered by many to be light on talent up until the declarations took place for the widely-anticipated Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes which unfolds at Fair Grounds this Saturday. The previous two-turn race for three year-olds, the Lecomte Stakes, only... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 18:48
Dunguib Connections Opt for Champion Hurdle: Arguably considered the biggest bust at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, coming in the first race on the first day, Dunguib has been pointed towards the much more testing Champion Hurdle in lieu of the Coral Cup, in which he had also been given entry. Beaten at odds-on in the Supreme Novices... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 18:43
Don’t Push It and Neptune Collonges to Carry 11st 10p in Grand National: Connections of leading Grand National fancy Ballabriggs, a ten year-old son of Presenting, have declared themselves “happy enough” with the draw for this year’s Aintree feature. The handicappers have assigned an 11st weight to the 16/1 shot who is trained by Donald McCain. Don... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 18:42
American Runner Pluck Heading for Irish 2000 Guineas: It’s not often that one of the most significant up-and-coming American thoroughbreds heads to Ireland for a run on the grass, and it’s even rarer when it happens at the highest level. Team Valor’s bay or brown colt, aptly-titled Pluck (More Than Ready) has been firmly pointed at... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Monday, February 14, 2011 - 18:33
Sizing Europe Confirmed for Champion Chase: With the 2011 Cheltenham Festival drawing nearer by the day, the ante post action has begun to heat up significantly and one of the most important confirmation yet has emerged as Ryanair Chase fancy Sizing Europe has been confirmed for the Champion Chase despite being the leading contender for the... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Monday, February 14, 2011 - 18:31
Tackleberry Aims to Put Stamp on Gulfstream Turf Division: The Luis Olivares-owned and trained bay gelding made a major statement on January 29th at Gulfstream Park by upsetting a talented field to score at a massive 27/1 in the ungraded Sunshine Millions Classic. Once Tackleberry (Montbrook) got to the lead he never looked back, scoring by an... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Friday, February 11, 2011 - 20:50
Nicky Henderson Racks Up 2000 Career Wins Over Jumps: It took more than 30 years of hurdles and fences, but venerable trainer Nicky Henderson recorded his 2000th career jumps racing victory with a smashing win from Punchestowns at Kempton on Friday. Henderson, trainer of such Cheltenham Festival fancies as Binocular and Punjabi, got his career... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Friday, February 11, 2011 - 20:32
Mucho Macho Man Ships to Fair Grounds for Derby Campaign: The betting favourite for the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno), has decided to leave the Florida circuit and head towards Louisiana in hopes of securing that coveted Derby stall. After two second place finishes at Aqueduct to the well-regarded New York-based To Honor And Serve... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Thursday, February 10, 2011 - 17:50
Ruby Walsh Favourite for Top Festival Jockey Honours: One of the favourite Cheltenham Festival side bets has always been the Thomas Pink Top Jockey Award and it’s notable that punters seem unphased by leading festival jockey Ruby Walsh’s extended absence from the jumps circuit. The Nicholls and Mullins stable rider remains at a nearly odds... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Thursday, February 10, 2011 - 16:54
Kentucky Derby Specialist Calvin Borel to Represent America in Dubai: The winners’ circle ragin’ rail-ridin’ Cajun Calvin Borel is set to take his exploits to Meydan Racecourse in Dubai as the multiple Kentucky Derby winner has been selected to represent the United States in the Meydan Masters jocke competition. The action is set to feature top... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Thursday, February 10, 2011 - 16:46