Horse Racing News by David Grening

Alternation's road to the Kentucky Derby was derailed in Arkansas, where he had to be scratched out of the Rebel Stakes in March and where a slow start compromised his chances in the Arkansas Derby.

Robby Albarado, who was taken off eventual Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom the day before the race, has picked up the mount on King Congie for the $1 million Preakness on May 21, a race in which he will face Animal Kingdom at Pimlico.

Aviate, under Kent Desormeaux, came flying down the center of the Churchill Downs turf course and outfinished Aruna to win the Grade 2, $200,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile by about two lengths at Churchill Downs.

Going into the first turn of Friday's $237,400 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs, Banned was only in front of three of the 11 rivals he was facing in the Grade 2 event. His jockey, Garrett Gomez, was a little concerned.

If Unrivaled Belle is to record a repeat victory in the Grade, $300,000 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs, she will again have to defeat a Kentucky Oaks winner and reigning champion to do so.

The 11-week meet, which will include 56 cards of racing, runs through July 17 before the move to Saratoga on July 22.

Haynesfield, who drew post 5, will meet five opponents in the Westchester, which is run at one mile and serves as the local stepping-stone to the prestigious Grade 1, $500,000 Metropolitan Handicap to be run here on May 30.

Looking to alleviate that stress from his life, Durkin will no longer be the voice of the Triple Crown, deciding not to seek a renewal of his contract with NBC Sports, with whom he has been affiliated for 27 years.

As he watched the Jerome unfold on television from his home in south Florida and saw Justin Phillip range outside of his 3-year-old Adios Charlie, trainer and part-owner Stanley Hough was going to be happy if his horse could hang on for second.

A wide trip, sloppy track, and nine accomplished opponents were no obstacles for Duke of Mischief, who made a long, sustained bid under Joe Bravo to win Saturday night's Grade 3, $1 million Charles Town Classic by 2 1/4 lengths.