(Editd Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Veteran trainer Lynn Whiting was all smiles Saturday as he accepted congratulations for his 300th Churchill Downs win, a milestone achieved by JoAnn and Alex Lieblong’s Action Seeker in the eighth race.

 Michele Blanco
Calder Race Course

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Jockey Manoel Cruz continues to dominate the rider standings early on in the Calder Meet after riding two more winners on Friday’s program, and Eduardo Nunez, third in the standings currently, now needs only three more victories to tie retired jockey Gene St. Leon as the all-time Calder Meet leader at 1,310 wins.

(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With firm knowledge that the Preakness (Grade I)-winning filly Rachel Alexandra would pass on a possible run in the third jewel of the Triple Crown, trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. and jockey Calvin Borel are both enthusiastically looking forward to the Belmont Stakes and a bid to take two-thirds of the crown with Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird.

Jenny Kellner
Belmont Park  
   
ELMONT, N.Y.- Continued wet weather in the New York metropolitan area has left the final serious works of several contenders for the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6 up in the air.

Statement by Jess Jackson on behalf of Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick

“Rachel Alexandra is an incredible thoroughbred who has proven to be the best three year old in racing today. We are elated by all the attention her wins in the Oaks and Preakness has garnered the sport. The many letters and e-mails we have received from young girls and racing enthusiasts lets us know that many fans are proud of Rachel.  When we purchased Rachel, our goal was…

Francis LaBelle Jr.
Belmont Park

ELMONT, N.Y. – Early in her career, trainer Linda Rice was known for her ability to develop young horses. She certainly proved that in 2000, when she sent out City Zip to sweep all three of the important two-year-old races at Saratoga Race Course, the Sanford, Saratoga Special and the Grade 1 Hopeful, in which he dead-heated with Yonaguska.

(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In 27 starts during his five-year racing career, Double Bogey Stable’s Semaphore Man has raced at 10 tracks. On Saturday in the 21st running of the $100,000-added Aristides (Grade 3), Churchill Downs will become the 11th.

Graham Ross
Arlington Park

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Arlington Park’s highly popular Dime Superfecta Wager got more positive reviews Thursday when a lucky fan realized a $39,985 payoff based on a dime investment.

Michele Blano
Calder Race Course

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – John Prete’s 5-year-old mare Sweetsouthernqueen made her career debut for veteran horseman Vinnie Blengs for a $12,500 claiming tag at Gulfstream Park in early March last year, winning by two lengths with no takers, and has come a long way since then and will possibly go off as the favorite in Sunday’s ‘three other than’ allowance feature at Calder Race Course.

Francis LaBelle Jr.
Belmont Park

ELMONT, N.Y. – There is no bigger race in New York than the Belmont Stakes. The “Test of the Champion,” for three-year-olds at a mile and a half, is the oldest and longest leg of the Triple Crown.