Horse Racing News on November 22, 2011

Empire Way, a full brother to 2011 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic winner Royal Delta, makes his stakes debut in the $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes on Thanksgiving Day at Hollywood Park Nov. 24.

Arena Elvira will be seeking her fourth consecutive stakes win when the 4-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper tops a nine-horse field in the $150,000 Go for Wand Handicap Nov. 25 at Aqueduct.

Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 W.L. McKnight Handicap, among the traditional highlights of Calder's Tropical meeting, has attracted a solid field led by multiple Grade 1 hero Winchester. The McKnight is scheduled for 1 1/2 miles on the turf.

Grade 3 winner Super Espresso has been plying her trade unsuccessfully against Grade 1 opponents in her last five, but the Todd Pletcher trainee might have found a more congenial spot in Thursday's Grade 2, $175,000 Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs.

The 98th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack has drawn 10 sprinters who will be among those putting on a few extra pounds on Thanksgiving Day.

The Grade 3, $100,000 Miesque Stakes for juvenile fillies serves as an appetizer for the main course, the Grade 1, $250,000 Matriarch Stakes, which has no shortage of intrigue.

Bob Holthus, whose training career spanned nearly 60 years and made him a revered figure among his Midwestern peers, died early Tuesday at his home in Louisville. He was 77.

Rapid Redux romped to his 20th straight win on Monday, breaking the modern North American record for most consecutive victories held by reigning Horse of the Year Zenyatta and Peppers Pride.