(Edited Laurel Park report)

LAUREL, Md. – Because of high winds, Laurel Park has canceled the live racing card for Friday, February 26. Laurel and Pimlico Race Course will be open for simulcasting.

Graham Ross
Fair Grounds

NEW ORLEANS, La. – As Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra nears her first start of the year in Fair Grounds’ inaugural running of the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies – now just about a fortnight away on March 13 – the “buzz” she is creating in the more general sports world increases by the day.

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. – After missing by a head in last year’s Crystal Water Handicap, Liberian Freighter has been assessed high weight of 121 pounds in his attempt to complete the job Sunday against seven fellow California-breds in Santa Anita’s 13th running of the one-mile turf event worth $100,000.

(Edited Gulfstream Park report)

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Patricia Generazio’s charismatic 7-year-old gelding Presious Passion shows back-to-back victories in Monmouth Park’s United Nations Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park and the W.L. McKnight Handicap (G2) at Calder on his resume, and will have an opportunity to add the $100,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G3) on Sunday at Gulfstream Park to his list of double stakes victories.

Ashley Herriman
NYRA/Aqueduct

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Rightly So will try for her sixth consecutive victory Sunday as she heads a field of eight New York-bred fillies and mares in the 39th running of the six-furlong Broadway at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. – A bargain claim for $12,500 11 months ago, 5-year-old mare Blame the Wine won her fifth race for Santa Ines Stable Thursday when victorious by one-half length over Be Driven in Santa Anita’s $48,800 optional claiming feature for California-bred fillies and mares at seven furlongs.

(Edited Tampa Bay Downs report)

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Current leading Tampa Bay Downs trainer added another win to her tally Thursday; the conditioner has now 34 wins to her credit from 49 days of racing at the Oldsmar oval.

Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
 
LAUREL, Md. – One of the many paths to the Triple Crown, specifically the Preakness Stakes, starts at Laurel on Saturday with the $70,000 Miracle Wood Stakes. Four of the previous winners of the Miracle Wood started in a Triple Crown race, including Sweetnorthernsaint (2006), who was the betting favorite in the Kentucky Derby and finished second in the Preakness.

Jenny Kellner
NYRA/Aqueduct Racetrack
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As one sure sign spring is on the way, beginning Wednesday, March 3, post time for the first race at Aqueduct Racetrack will move to 1:00 p.m.

Jenny Kellner
NYRA/Aqueduct Racetrack

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – To say that Understatement has performed well over Aqueduct Racetrack’s inner track would be something of a, well, understatement.

The 5-year-old Distorted Humor horse is 3-for-3 on in the inner, including a front-running, 4½-length victory in the Evening Attire in his most recent start on Jan. 16.