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Initforthekandy rolls in Churchill Downs feature (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:19:05 PDT

Initforthekandy held off a late charge from Aspiring to win the $45,200 allowance feature for fillies and mares by a half-length at Churchill Downs on Friday. Initiforthekandy, ridden by John McKee, led the whole way, covering seven furlongs in 1:23.49 to secure her first win in more than two years. The 6-year-old mare weathered a late charge from Aspiring and paid $25.20, $8.20 and $3.60.

Sweet Vendetta wins Black-Eyed Susan (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:40:50 PDT

Sweet Vendetta ran down Shes All Eltish in the stretch en route to winning Friday's $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Eight Belles tests negative for steroids (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:29:27 PDT

A steroids test for filly Eight Belles has come back negative. The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority announced Friday that test results showed no traces of steroids in the filly, who was euthanized moments after finishing second to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby on May 3 after breaking ankles in both of her front legs.

Big Brown's jockey on a mission at the Preakness (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:47:09 PDT

Plenty of great jockeys wait a lifetime in vain for one horse good enough to win the Triple Crown. The stars are aligned for Kent Desormeaux's second chance in 10 years, but even that can't come soon enough. Desormeaux's 9-year-old son, Jacob, was born with Usher syndrome, a genetic disorder that stole his hearing at birth and is progressively robbing him of his sight.

Student Council wins Pimlico Special in upset (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:40:56 PDT

A failure in Japan, a loser in California and an also-ran in Houston, Student Council finally experienced success on a muddy track in Maryland. The 6-year-old colt went five wide on the final turn and surged past Gottcha Gold down the stretch for a surprise victory Friday in the revived Pimlico Special.

Big Brown treated like a champ at Preakness (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:30:28 PDT

Like any true A-lister, he kept the masses waiting for hours. Then Big Brown made his grand entrance. Accompanied from the airport by a police escort with sirens flashing, the dazzling colt pulled into the Pimlico Race Course shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday and headed for the prime spot of real estate on the grounds -- the corner barn occupied each year by the winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Big Brown trainer Dutrow confident of Preakness win (Reuters)

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:38:34 PDT

The only way undefeated Kentucky Derby champion Big Brown can lose the Preakness Stakes is by stumbling at the start, his trainer said Friday.

Hometown Boy wins Belmont feature (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 14:32:42 PDT

Hometown Boy prevailed in a long stretch duel with New Member to win the $55,000 allowance feature in the slop at Belmont Park. The 4-year-old gelding, trained by Stanley Hough and ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, got up by three-quarters of a length. Hometown Boy, who had most recently run on the grass at Keeneland, earned his second win in eight starts.

Big Brown trainer admits giving horse steroids: report (AFP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:20:49 PDT

US Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown has received regularly monthly treatments of Winstrol, an anabolic steroid banned in 10 states but not any where Triple Crown horse races are contested.

Jones has a keepsake of Eight Belles (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:17:31 PDT

Larry Jones treasures a photo taken of his filly Eight Belles after she crossed the finish line in second place, before she broke down at the Kentucky Derby. "She's galloping up perfect," he said Friday about the photo shot by a private photographer. "It had to be probably within five or six strides of whenever she broke her first leg.

Big Brown huge favorite in Preakness (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:14:17 PDT

Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown has the look of greatness.

Preakness at a Glance (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:04:58 PDT

What: The 133rd Preakness When: Saturday at 6:15 p.m. EDT Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore. TV: NBC Field: Twelve 3-year-olds Distance: 1 3-16 miles Favorite: Big Brown, 1-2 Total purse: $1 million Winner's share: $600,000 Weather forecast: Temperatures in the mid 70s with a 30 percent chance of showers 2007 winner: Curlin.

Preakness day to start out sunny (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 11:22:18 PDT

Rain is expected to clear out before the Preakness Stakes, with spotty showers forecast for Saturday evening. The race day forecast called for sunny skies in the morning, changing to partly sunny in the afternoon with highs in the mid-70s, according to Jackie Hale, a spokeswoman for the National Weather Service in Sterling, Va., which does forecasts for the Baltimore area.

Monmouth Park Barn Notes - Friday, May 16 (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 16 May 2008 11:07:30 PDT

www.monmouthpark.com ORSENO SADDLES TWO IN SATURDAY'S JUST SMASHING STAKES; MONMOUTH GATES OPEN AT 10 A.M. FOR PREAKNESS DAY BETTING

Losing racehorses in Puerto Rico condemned to die (AP)

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:42:25 PDT

For thoroughbred racehorses in Puerto Rico, success can be a matter of life and death. Many losers don't make it off the racetrack grounds alive. More than 400 horses, many in perfect health, are killed each year by lethal injection at a clinic tucked behind the Hipodromo Camarero racetrack, chief veterinarian Jose Garcia told The Associated Press after checking clinic log books going back seven...

Political Web wins at Hollywood Park (AP)

Thu, 15 May 2008 17:26:19 PDT

Political Web overtook 11-10 favorite Brendolyn approaching the far turn and went to a 1 3/4 -length victory Thursday in the $58,000 feature race for older fillies and mares at Hollywood Park. Political Web, ridden by Martin Pedroza, ran 7 furlongs on Hollywood Park's cushion track in 1:21.79 and paid $10.20, $4.20 and $2.60.

Big Brown's trainer knows hard times all too well (AP)

Thu, 15 May 2008 17:03:38 PDT

The man who would save horse racing had to save himself first. Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. spends $5,000 a month on mints for his horses. He's got first-class facilities, resources to burn, a growing list of clients and best of all, a thoroughbred named Big Brown. But a decade ago, Dutrow was not only homeless, but nearly horseless as well.

Necropsy shows no abnormality prior to Eight Belles injury (AFP)

Thu, 15 May 2008 17:02:47 PDT

Eight Belles, the filly who broke down moments after a courageous runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby, had no pre-existing abnormalities or disease, a necropsy report released Thursday said.

Eight Belles had no diseases, bone abnormalities (AP)

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:34:54 PDT

Eight Belles had no diseases or pre-existing bone abnormalities that caused the filly to break down after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby. Autopsy results reviewed by The Associated Press on Thursday confirm compound fractures of both front legs at the fetlock joints. They also describe lacerated skin on both legs, an absence of joint fluid in the damaged areas and congested lungs.

UPS bet on Big Brown pays off in brand exposure (AP)

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:10:54 PDT

A horse by any other name simply wouldn't have worked for UPS. Capitalizing on the buzz around thoroughbred racing's biggest event, UPS has inked a sponsorship deal with Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, who was named in honor of the shipping giant known for its distinctive brown trucks and uniforms. The marketing coup has already won big media exposure and brand recognition for the original Big...