Horse Racing News by Steve Haskin

Todd Pletcher has so many promising Derby contenders, even his maiden winners are getting top billing in stakes. On Feb. 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Pletcher sends out the highly regarded Revolutionary in the $200,000 Withers Stakes.

After four weeks of featuring supporting players and new faces, the star of the show, Shanghai Bobby, makes his eagerly awaited debut on the Kentucky Derby trail Jan. 26 when he faces nine opponents in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Eric M. Kronfeld's Eblouissante has a long way to go to start emulating her big sister Zenyatta, but she showed she's heading in the right direction Jan. 17 with another authoritative victory.

Mucho Macho Man and Ron the Greek, two of the leading older horses of 2012, embark on another title quest Jan. 19 when they face off in the $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park.

Each year, Delta Downs becomes a melting pot, luring 2-year-olds from across the country to compete in the rich Delta Downs Princess and Delta Downs Jackpot, and this year is no different.

Morton Fink's Wise Dan is telling trainer Charlie Lopresti he's ready to get back to the races and that's just what he's going to do, as Lopresti plans on entering him Oct. 3 for the Oct. 6 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.

It's not going to be easy separating the 10 horses entered in the $1 million TVG Jockey Club Gold Cup Sept. 29.

Bill Mott is loaded for this weekend's Breeders' Cup Preview at Belmont Park, sending out Grade 1 winners Royal Delta in the Beldame, Ron the Greek in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and To Honor and Serve in the Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park.

Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of Alpha, and Kenny McPeek, trainer of Golden Ticket, both said they were thrilled with the result of the Travers.

Rafael Bejarano will replace Chantal Sutherland as the rider for multiple Grade 1 winner Game On Dude, trainer Bob Baffert told The Blood-Horse Sept. 11.