Horse Racing News on April 2, 2010

Trainer Ian Wilkes has always been Warrior's Reward's biggest fan. Despite disappointing results in some big spots, Wilkes is not setting his sights any lower with Warrior's Reward, just shorter.

Ventana's consistency this year, and the absence of two key rivals, may give the 4-year-old colt his first stakes win in Saturday's $150,000 Potrero Grande Handicap at Santa Anita.

Haven't we seen this before? Hasn't Wayne Catalano returned to Kentucky after wintering in Florida with a defending 2-year-old filly champion who had struggled in opening her 3-year-old season?

They have come from all over the map for the Grade 2, $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap.

Zenyatta is ready for her first road trip outside of California in two years for the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park next Friday, but her final workout at Hollywood Park on Friday was not without drama.

Six 3-year-olds, including the runner-up in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes, were nominated to the Triple Crown by the late-nomination deadline of March 27.

Richard Broadbent III, the founder of Bloodstock Research Information Services and the weekly Thoroughbred Times, died on Monday. Broadbent was 73.

Unlike most of the 3-year-olds that will race next Saturday at Keeneland in the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes, Codoy is very unlikely to run back in the Kentucky Derby, regardless of result.

Average daily handle on Fair Grounds races fell nearly 20 percent from the previous racing season during the track's 2009-2010 race meet, which ended Sunday.

Ahmed Zayat, the owner of Kentucky Derby contender Eskendereya, has been cleared to race in Kentucky after an inquiry into his associations with convicted bookmakers, according to Kentucky Horse Racing Commission officials.