Horse Racing News

First-out maiden winners Top Fortitude and Midnight Hawk each take a giant step into graded company as part of a field of six 3-year-olds in the $100,000 Sham Stakes Jan. 11 at Santa Anita Park.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer holds a solid hand in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes Jan. 11, sending out recent Native Diver winner Blueskiesnrainbows and Rousing Sermon at Santa Anita Park.

Multiple graded stakes winner Revolutionary will make his long-awaited return to the races Jan. 11 in a salty one-mile allowance optional claiming heat at Gulfstream Park.

Led by Horse of the Year candidates Mucho Macho Man, Will Take Charge and 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan, the finalists for the 2013 Eclipse Awards were announced Jan. 8.

Dual Grade 1-winning millionaire Laughing, a finalist for the 2013 Eclipse Award as the nation's outstanding female turf performer, died from colic Jan. 7 at Mid Atlantic Equine Clinic in Ringoes, N.J.

Awesome Baby, the less-fancied of two Bob Baffert runners, led every step of the way in capturing the $196,000 Santa Ynez Stakes Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.

Eight-year-old warrior Jeranimo became the first horse to win the San Gabriel Stakes three times when he cut loose his patented stretch run to score by 1 ¼ lengths Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.

Caixa Eletronica, a popular four-time graded stakes winner, died as the result of injuries he suffered in a training accident Jan. 4 that also claimed the life of loose horse Six Drivers at Belmont Park.

Odds-on choice Noble Moon proved a popular winner of the $200,000 Jerome Stakes as the 3-year-old season started in New York Jan. 4 at frigid Aqueduct Racetrack.

Customer Base, in a thrilling finish to the final stakes of the year at Santa Anita Park, nosed out Stormy Lucy in the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel on the turf Dec. 29.