View from the Grandstand

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...

By Brian Spencer —- FAIR GROUNDS, FIRST AMERICAN BANKCARD, INC. TO DONATE TO UNITED WAY TO AID TORNADO RELIEF EFFORTS; FAIR GROUNDS TO DONATE $1 FROM ALL FRIDAY STARLIGHT ADMISSIONS NEW ORLEANS (February 10, 2017) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots announced that in...