Brian Skirka
NYRA/Aqueduct Racetrack

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Starlight Racing’s Tiger’s Rock, the largest price of a trio of runners sent out by trainer Todd Pletcher, cruised past odds-on favorite and stablemate Nite Light to win the 71st running of the $72,800 Gallant Fox Thursday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack.

THE RUMOR’S TRUE RULES OVER LA. FUTURITY’S FILLY DIVISION

 Graham Ross
Fair Grounds

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Dan Lynch, Ken Sentel and Merrill Scherer’s Red Rally  broke in full stride to make all the pace and increased the margin to six lengths at the wire when winning Thursday’s colts and gelding division of Fair Grounds’ $109,445 Louisiana Futurity as the 3-10 fan favorite.

Penelope Miller
Tampa Bay Downs

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Eleven fillies and mares are set to go postward in Saturday’s running of the $65,000 Minaret Stakes, a six furlong main track test for fillies and mares four years old and up.

Graham Ross
Fair Grounds

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Pin Oak Stable’s Much Obliged, odds-on winner of Fair Grounds’ $60,000 Blushing K. D. Handicap on opening day Nov. 6, looms as a strong 8-5 morning line choice once again when she heads a field of 11 grass-favoring fillies and mares – including an entry – in Saturday’s 37th renewal of the $60,000 Furl Sail Handicap at about 1 1/16-miles over the Stall-Wilson turf course.

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. – Eight weeks after her rousing, Zenyatta-like triumph in Oak Tree’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, Life Is Sweet returns to action on Saturday at Santa Anita in the 41st running of the Grade 2, $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

(Edited Laurel Park report)

LAUREL, Md. – A strong field of older horses headed by the King Leatherbury trained warrior Ah Day meet up on Saturday in the $70,000 Native Dancer Stakes. Fans who make the trek to Laurel for the holiday weekend receive Christmas promotions lost to the blizzard of 2009, including free 2010 racing calendars and fantastic giving-tree-giveaways.

Brian Skirka
NYRA/Aqueduct Racetrack

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In 2004, a 3-year-old named Smarty Jones shipped from Philadelphia Park to Aqueduct Racetrack to win the Count Fleet Stakes.  Four months later, he won the Kentucky Derby.

NTRA release 

Finalists for the 2009 Eclipse Awards will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. 

10-YEAR-OLD ON ROLL INTO FRIDAY’S SENSATIONAL STAR 

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. – As he marks his 10th birthday on Friday, racehorse centenarian Shadow of Illinois will be seeking a distinctive place in Santa Anita history while in search of his fourth straight victory in Santa Anita’s 13th running of the $100,000 Sensational Star Handicap for California-breds at 6½ furlongs over the track’s downhill turf course.  The California-bred gelding by Illinois Storm will be facing seven competitors on…

TROUBLED SIDNEY’S CANDY BEATEN IN RETURN BY TINY WOODS; BAFFERT THEN UNVEILS VICTORIOUS BLUEBLOOD TAKE CONTROL

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. – The much-anticipated return of Sidney’s Candy, who became a “buzz” horse in the 2010 Triple Crown picture last summer after a dazzling maiden victory at Del Mar, never had much of a chance Wednesday at Santa Anita.