Blood-Horse

The Queens M G, winner of the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) March 1 returns in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) March 29. The 1 1/16 mile race for 3-year-old fillies offers qualifying points on the road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on a scale of 100-50-25-15-10.

Half Hollow Stables' My Mitole breezed five furlongs in 1:02.55 March 22 over the Belmont Park dirt training track toward a probable next start in the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), a 1 1/8-mile test for sophomores at Aqueduct Racetrack April 5.

Stakes-winning jockey Philip Ernst, a mainstay on the old New England circuit for five decades, died peacefully in his Derry, N.H., home March 22 surrounded by his family. Ernst, 84, had battled leukemia for the past several years.

Following a scary incident at the top of the stretch in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 22, trainer Thomas Drury Jr. was happy to report California Burrito emerged from the race in good order.

With a runner-up performance in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) earning him 50 points, it appears Flying Mohawk's connections are intending to take a shot at the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs May 3.

Barnes, Rodriguez, Gaming, and champion Citizen Bull all worked for trainer Bob Baffert March 23 at Santa Anita Park. Also on the tab was Vodka With a Twist, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner-up.

Via Sistina has again shown why she's the finest import to have landed in Australia with another comfortable romp in the race that kicked it off for her in this country, the Ranvet Stakes (G1). 

Cap Ferrat used a good draw and a canny ride by Craig Williams to get his first career win in one of Hong Kong's biggest races, the Hong Kong Derby.

Breeding giant John Messara was almost lost for words before labeling Snitzel an absolutely amazing stallion" after third-starter Marhoona became the Arrowfield sire's third Golden Slipper (G1) winner March 22 at Rosehill Gardens.

Report from Japan.

The stretch-running Tiztastic devoured the extra distance of the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), capturing the longest of the domestic Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races by 2 1/4 lengths March 22 at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Juddmonte homebred Final Gambit, off his maiden victory, unleashed a devastating turn of foot in the stretch to win the $776,364 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 22.

After rating in sixth well into the final turn of the $101,500 San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) March 22 at Santa Anita Park, Atitlan unleashed a blazing move to surge past horses entering the stretch on his way to a clear victory.

Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Red Route One got a dream pace setup March 22 in the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park, and the 5-year-old Gun Runner horse delivered his customary finishing kick to win going away by 4 1/2 lengths.

Good Cheer easily improved to 6-for-6 and took the lead position on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks standings with a victory in the March 22 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in New Orleans.

The longest shot on the board at 86-1, Idratherbeblessed shocked the field with a gate-to-wire score in the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) March 22 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Hometown hero and Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar handily defeated last year's champion 3-year-old male, Sierra Leone, in the March 22 $480,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

With a 2 3/4-length win in the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park, Bless the Broken earned 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Trainer Brian Knippenberg couldn't help but get emotional as he watched 5-year-old gelding Mercante soar across the Turfway Park finish line March 22 in the $290,000 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (G3), pulling the 13-1 upset.

Classy sprinter Rogue Lightning is set for a first United States assignment in the wake of his overseas success in the Wathnan Racing colors in Qatar last month.