View from the Grandstand

NTRA NEWS RELEASE —- Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Monday, February 27, 2017) – The “Road to the Kentucky Derby” ran through New Orleans at the Fair Grounds with the running of the G2 Risen Star Stakes. Won by Brad Grady and trained by Joe Sharp Girvin (84) advances into the...

By Jennifer Hoyt —- Alex Bizer 3000 Wins; All photos by Coady Photography HOT SPRINGS, AR (Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017) – Jockey Alex Birzer became the 174th jockey in North America to win 3,000 races when he guided Numancia to victory in Sunday’s sixth race at Oaklawn. Birzer,...

By Amy Owens —- LEXINGTON, KY (Feb. 24, 2017) – Two West Coast-based stars – champion Champagne Room and dominant two-time Grade 2 winner Unique Bella – lead the list of 96 3-year-old fillies nominated to the $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) on April 8, opening Saturday...

By Amy Owens —- Classic Empire; Anne M Eberhardt LEXINGTON, KY (Feb. 24, 2017) – John C. Oxley’s champion Classic Empire leads an all-star roster of 146 sophomores, including 18 of the top 20 point earners on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), nominated to the 93rd...

By Darren Rogers —- CHAMP CLASSIC EMPIRE, UNBEATEN McCRAKEN ARE INDIVIDUAL FAVORITES, BUT ‘ALL OTHERS’ IS THE EXPECTED BETTING CHOICE IN DERBY FUTURES POOL 3 Stakes Winners One Liner, Royal Mo Top Seven Newcomers in Feb. 24-26 Betting Pool LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, Feb. 21,...

By Darren Rogers —- UNIQUE BELLA IS STRONG FAVORITE IN 2017 KENTUCKY OAKS FUTURE POOL Battaglia Installs Hollendorfer-Trained Star as 8-5 Morning Line Choice for Feb. 24-26 Pool LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017) – Don Alberto Stable’s Unique Bella, the brightest star...