Horse Racing News on January 5, 2011

Final Mesa proved much the best following a five-month layoff Wednesday when dominating the opening-day feature of the 2011 Gulfstream Park meet, the Grade 3, $100,000 Old Hat Stakes.

Storied Claiborne Farm, those associated with Zenyatta, and Marylou Whitney, for decades one of racing's shining beacons, were announced on Wednesday as Eclipse Award winners, according to the awards' three sponsoring organizations.

When trainer Bob Baffert realized that Saturday's $150,000 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita may have only four starters, he had a quick opinion of the chances of his starter, Spurrier.

Drosselmeyer, unraced since winning the Belmont Stakes last June, has had two easy three-furlong breezes at Payson Park and could make his return to racing within a couple of months, said trainer Bill Mott.

Total wagering, purses, and race days all fell significantly in 2010 compared to 2009, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Jockey Club, with betting on U.S. races declining to its lowest level since 1995.