Next Saturday’s 56th running of the $250,000 Gotham Stakes (gr. III) at 1 1/16 miles in Aqueduct figures to again be an important test for 3-year-olds with hopes of moving forward to the spring Classics and the 2008 Kentucky Derby Triple Crown trail.

The inner dirt track feature likely to draw a diverse group, including Albert Fried Jr.’s undefeated New York-bred Giant Moon and Zayat Stable’s Eaton’s Gift, winner of Gulfstream Park’s Swale Stakes (gr. II).

Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and North America’s reigning Horse of the Year Curlin won his 2008 debut, the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday, February 28.

Ridden by Robby Albarado, spent most of the 1 1/4 mile horse race running slightly wide in second. With about 400 meters left, Curlin stormed to the front and finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead. The final time was 2:00.60. Familiar Territory was second and Jet Express was third in the six-horse event.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Curlin has now won 7 of 10 career starts including victories in last year’s Preakness Stakes, Arkansas Derby and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He also placed in the 2007 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. His earnings are more than $5.2 million.

When 14 horses enter the starting gate Saturday for the 71st running of the Grade I, million-dollar Santa Anita Handicap, there will not have been a larger field in a quarter of a century for Santa Anita Park’s signature event at 1 1/4 miles. Harder to quantify is just when there has been a more [...]

The 2008 Breeders’ Cup will card all five of its races for female horses on the first day of the 2-day event, Friday, October 24 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. This is the first time a major thoroughbred event in North America has focused an entire day on female horse racing. Purses on Friday amount to $8 million, more than doubling last year’s Breeders’ Cup Friday purses.

In its 25th running, the Breeders’ Cup now has a total purse of $25.5 million. There will be nine Breeders’ Cup races on Saturday, October 25, seven of which are open o both male and female thoroughbreds.

The Breeders’ Cup also announced that it has renamed the Breeders’ Cup Distaff to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic. The Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic will be the premier race on the Breeders’ Cup Friday program.

Horse of the Year Curlin will face five challengers when he makes his 2008 seasonal debut in the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday, February 28.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Curlin is owned by Stonestreet Stables and Midnight Cry Stables. The Jaguar Trophy at 1 1/4 miles, will serve as Curlin’s final prep race for the $6,000,000 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) on March 29 also at 1 1/4 miles in Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

The 37th running of the Lane’s End Stakes (gr. II), set to run March 22 at Turfway Park, has drawn 156 nominations.

Raced at 1 1/8 miles, the Lane’s End Stakes is a prep race for the 2008 Kentucky Derby and traditionally runs six weeks before the first Saturday in May. The Lane’s End carries a $500,000 purse, and the $300,000 winner’s share virtually clinches a spot in the 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders list should more than 20 seek to run for the roses.

A pair of Nick Zito’s 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders dominated Gulfstream Park this Sunday giving him high hopes in the 2008 Kentucky Derby.

In the 9th race at Gulfstream Park’s February 24 horse racing program, Cool Coal Man under jockey Kent Desormeaux won the $350,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) by half a length over Elysium Fields. Half an hour later in the 10th race, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion War Pass made his seasonal debut by easily winning the 1 mile allowance race by 7 1/2 lengths.