Barn Notes

By Jennifer Hoyt —- Blue Tone Brings Hess Back to Oaklawn for Second Time Quiet Kim, the first horse trainer Bob Hess Jr. started at Oaklawn, was the favorite for the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies in 2006. The odds of the trainer’s second...

By Michael Adolphson —- • O’Neill Invades for More New Orleans Glory • Don’t Split Tens Impressive for Pessin • Salty Sophomore Maidens Highlight Saturday Card • Stidham Impressed by Haniel • Guest Suite Sizzles to Top Work Tab Wrap-Up Trainer Doug O’Neill; Skip...

By Mike Henry —- OLDSMAR, FL. – Jesus Castanon had a good feeling about 3-year-old filly Tapa Tapa Tapa before Saturday’s 37th renewal of the $100,000 Suncoast Stakes. She had breezed five furlongs eight days earlier in 1:01 2/5, and Castanon knew she would be tough to beat...

By Jennifer Hoyt —- Gun Runner Sizzles Gun Runner recorded a 5-furlong bullet (:59.80) over a fast track Monday morning for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen in preparation for the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3). Winner of the $500,000 Clark Handicap (G1) Nov. 25 at...

By Ed Golden —- • ARCADIA REMATCH LOOMS IN THE GRADE I KILROE • BAFFERT UPS ANTE FOR SMITH IN JOCKEYS’ GAME • MIDNIGHT STORM TO WORK MONDAY FOR BIG ’CAP BOLO AND WHAT A VIEW COULD MEET IN KILROE Bolo and What a View, who treated fans to one of the most exciting races of the...

By Mike Henry —- OLDSMAR, FL. – Ian Wilkes says his role in helping McCraken get to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands at Churchill Downs on May 6 is relatively simple. “I’ve just got to stay out of his way and let him take me,” Wilkes said this morning. The...