(Edited Hollywood Park report)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Pioneerof the Nile had trainer Bob Baffert thinking Kentucky Derby after he scored a thrilling victory over I Want Revenge in Saturday’s $750,000 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park.

Tracksideview.com

Jockey Rosemary B. Homeister Jr. won her 2,000th race Thursday at Tampa Bay Downs when she rode Rustyshouldrun to a one-length win in the seventh race.

Homeister Jr. got her 1,999 win Wednesday when she rode Mitchell Park to victory  in a six-and-a-half furlong race at Tampa Bay Downs. Mitchell Park paid $13.20 for the win.

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideviewcom

Peppers Pride stretched the North American record to 19 wins without a defeat Sunday when she won the six-furlong New Mexico Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland Park.

(Edited Hollywood Park report)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Laragh, third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in her previous start, shifted to Cushion Track and was in complete control as she scored a front-running victory under jockey Edgar Prado in Saturday’s $438,500 Hollywood Starlet at Hollywood Park.

(Edited Hawthorne Race Course report)

Stickney, Ill. – Conditions for the 30th running of the $110,075 Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity were less than ideal as nine 2-year-old colts and geldings did battle in the one mile and one-sixteenths event. But nothing could stop the odds-on favorite Summer’s Empire from rolling home a one-length winner over Last Demand through a driving cold rain. The time for the race was 1:45.33 on a track listed as good.

(Edited Oaklawn Park report)

Arkansas Derby winner Gayego set a Hollywood Park Cushion Track record for 6 1/2 furlongs when he won an optional claiming allowance race on Sunday, Nov. 30.  It marked his first win since his score in the Arkansas Derby.

(NTRA release)

Peppers Pride could be making the final start of her spotless career Sunday at Sunland Park in Sunland Park, N.M., when the five-year-old mare takes on seven opponents in the $125,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap, a race restricted to New Mexico-bred fillies and mares.

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. — Spectacular Santa Anita Park is readying for its 72nd opening day on Friday, Dec. 26, and all fans in attendance will receive an opening day bonus package of four free passes with each paid admission.

NTRA release

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), National Turf Writers Association (NTWA) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) today announced the finalists for the 2008 Eclipse Awards, as voted on and presented by the three organizations, in recognition of excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in all categories will be announced at the 38th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony, to be held Monday evening, January 26, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.

Francis LaBelle Jr.
Aqueduct Racetrack

At just under five feet tall and weighing about 110 pounds, Khrystina Bixa was small. She was also tough, and determined to make life better for herself and her two young children