Summer Soiree, who will make her next start on May 6 in the $1-million, Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, had her first workout for Graham Motion and her first bit of serious work since romping in the Grade 3 Bourbonette Oaks 3 weeks ago at Turfway Park.
A weekend full of surprises at tracks in Louisiana, Kentucky and New Mexico has put the names of these 3-year-olds on the AP's latest Run to the Roses Top 10 list of Derby contenders.
Barry Irwin's Team Valor International has tapped diverse sources for its racing stable for many years, perhaps most notably in the discovery of Zimbabwe sensation Ipi Tombe (Zim), by way of South Africa.
Animal Kingdom went from last to first and scored a decisive 2 ¾-length triumph in the $500,000 Spiral Stakes today at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky.
To many, the seemingly meteoric rise of English-bred Gitano Hernando over the last year has been simply amazing. But not so for Team Valor International president Barry Irwin, who bought the colt after he broke his maiden with intentions of racing him on the world's biggest stage. – Team Valor Headline News
Gitano Hernando warmed up for a crack at the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 27 with a convincing win in the Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday.
Gitano Hernando exploded with a furlong remaining and drew off to a 4 ½-length triumph when he missed the Lingfield track record for a mile and a quarter in taking the Listed Winter Derby Trial Stakes today outside of London, England.
Team Valor International and Gary Barber's Gitano Hernando punched his ticket for the June 6 Belmont Stakes with a bang-up second today when he failed by a head of pegging back the winner of the Group 3 Dee Stakes at Chester race course in England. – Team Valor Headline News
Hull, unbeaten in 3 starts by a total of 16 lengths this season for trainer Dale Romans, will line up for the Preakness. Owned by Heiligbrodt Racing Stables, Team Valor International and Gary Barber, the Kentucky-bred son of Holy Bull won the Derby Trial on opening day at Churchill Downs by 4 lengths. – Team Valor Headline News
