WWRB: February 24

It’s been a very busy week for the racing industry, huge stories on the track and in the breeding shed.

 

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On Tuesday morning 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and two-time Horse of the Year Curlin were bred at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm. The superstar mating is the first high-profile mating of this caliber since Zarkava and Sea The Stars mating in early 2010. Just one day later 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta was bred to 2006 3-year-old Champion Male Bernardini at Lane’s End.

Here’s to hoping they both produce talented, healthy offspring that will possess a fraction of the brilliance their parents displayed on the track.

 

True to their word owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher announced the 2011 debut start for the champion Uncle Mo well in advance. His highly anticipated return will take place in Gulfstream Park’s brand new 1 mile Timely Writer Stakes on March 12^th. If the race fails to fill they will send him to the Tampa Bay Derby instead on the same day.

 

ESPN has opted not to renew their coverage for the Belmont Stakes in 2011. A few days after this announcement came word that NBC would cover all three Triple Crown races through 2015. Much of the coverage will be done on NBC’s sister station Versus.

 

On Monday at Oaklawn Park Archarcharch prevailed in a six-wide sweep at the head of the stretch to register a one length victory in the Southwest Stakes (gr.3) over favored J P’s Gusto. The winner entered off a fourth place finish in the Smarty Jones Stakes on January 17^th where he ran a little rank. J P’s Gusto ran on well for second after receiving a rough trip on the inside, finishing 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Elite Alex. All three top finishers are pointing towards the Rebel Stakes (gr.2) at Oaklawn Park on March 19^th.

 

Mucho Macho Man finally came out from under the bushel and shone his light on Saturday in the Risen Star Stakes

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(gr.2) defeating a solid field of three-year-olds by 1 ½ lengths. Santiva finished second with Rogue Romance third and Machen fourth. Mucho Macho Man finished fourth behind Dialed In in the Holy Bull Stakes before the Risen Star and last year finished second to To Honor and Serve in the Remsen Stakes.

 

Kathmanblu remains firmly atop the three-year-old filly standings in 2011 after her workmanlike victory in Fair Grounds Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr.3) on Saturday to register her third consecutive stakes victory. The previously undefeated Inglorious, shipping in from Woodbine for the race, ran on very well in her third career start to take second while Gran Lioness hung one for third place after setting the pace.

 

Smiling Tiger dazzled in the San Carlos Stakes (gr. 2) on Saturday at Santa Anita, changing race tactics for the first time in his career. Charging from dead-last after hitting the gate at the break and dropping back early, Smiling Tiger rushed up to seize the lead in the 7 furlong race to fly home, winning by a head over Captain Cherokee.

 

The Factor showed that he might just be one of the fastest 3-year-old colts in the nation with an impressive performance in the San Vincente Stakes (gr.2) on Sunday, running almost gate-to-wire to win by ¾ of a length over a Sway Away in a blistering time of 1:20.34. Sway Away seems to be garnering just as much attention as the winner after flying home from far back down the grandstand side with an astounding ground-eating run.

 

It was all Cozi Rosie in the Beuna Vista Handicap on Monday after Evening Jewel was scratched due to her poor post draw. Making a wide bid around the far turn Cozie Rosie easily drew clear in the final strides to win by 1 ¼ lengths.

 

The action this weekend will be picking things up even more if that's possible with the highly anticipated return of To Honor and Serve in the Fountain of Youth Stakes as well as the return of Dancinginherdreams in the Davona Dale Stakes. Make sure to check back tomorrow for a review of the upcoming stakes action![polldaddy poll=4611389]