Barn Notes

By Mike Henry —- OLDSMAR, FL. – Heads turned on Jan. 20 when veteran jockey Willie Martinez piloted 88-1 shot Our Closure to a gate-to-wire victory on the turf in the ninth race at Tampa Bay Downs. The 4-year-old filly is trained by Rodolphe Brisset, a fact little-noticed...

By Ryan Martin —- • Stewart Giving The Grade II Louisiana Derby A Try With Givemeaminit • Riders Mena, Clark Sidelined Indefinitely • Gilligan Scores Thursday Three-Bagger STEWART GIVING THE GRADE II LOUISIANA DERBY A TRY WITH GIVEMEAMINIT Trainer Dallas Stewart has always...

By Ryan Martin —- * Leading Rider Mena, Veteran Clark Injured in 8th Race Spill * Desormeaux Hoping For First Louisiana Derby Win With My Boy Jack • Forever Unbridled Drills Five Furlongs In Final Local Move For Dubai World Cup DESORMEAUX HOPING FOR FIRST LOUISIANA DERBY...

BY ED GOLDEN & MIKE WILLMAN —- BOLT D’ORO & JAVIER CASTELLANO Benoit Photo • CASTELLANO ON BOLT D’ORO IN SANTA ANITA DERBY • GRADE I SANTA MARGARITA HAS 10 WITHOUT ‘UNIQUE’ • ONE MILE PASADENA DISTANCE IS OK FOR LA LA LAND • TRAINER SEEKS MOVE TO THE DIRT...

By Mike Henry —- OLDSMAR, FL. – Two-time champion Tampa Bay Downs trainer Kathleen O’Connell was among the honorees at Monday’s Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association’s Awards Banquet and Gala, held at the Circle Square Cultural Center Ballroom in Ocal...

By Jennifer Hoyt —- Zing Zang Works Toward Rebel Jackpot Ranch’s Zing Zang completed major preparations for Saturday’s $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds by working a half-mile in :50.80 over a fast track Monday morning at Oaklawn for Hall of Fame trainer Steve...