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By Mike Kane  A fourth Maryland trainer, Jerry Thurston, has been suspended for a post-race positive for anabolic steroids.  Thurston received a 30-day suspension and was fined $1,000 for a positive for stanozolol in the horse Home of America on Dec. 12, 2014 at Laurel Park. The suspension is scheduled to run from Feb. 7 through Mar. 8. Maryland Racing Commission Executive Director Mike Hopkins said Tuesday that Thurston has not appealed the ruling.  Home of America is the seventh horse to test positive for stanozolol, now only available through...

By Steve Sherack  As the push for expanded gaming continues to play out in Illinois, the state's longtime horsemen's association president and veteran trainer Michael Campbell currently has a nice distraction on his hands--a potential GI Kentucky Derby starter. Private Prospect (Discreet Cat), a very solid fourth at odds of 21-1 in the Smarty Jones S. Jan. 19 (video), will attempt to continue his path to Louisville in Monday's GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn.  "I'm like a kid in a candy shop," Campbell commented. "I'm enjoying racing and having the time...

Upstart (Flatter), disqualified from first and placed second in the Feb. 21 GII Besilu Fountain of Youth S., will likely make his next start in the Mar. 28 GI Besilu Florida Derby. “Right now, we're certainly pointing to the Florida Derby,” confirmed trainer Rick Violette, Jr. “We'll follow his lead if he makes us change course, but that's where we're going.” The dark bay had his first work since the Fountain of Youth Saturday morning, going four furlongs in :48.48 at Palm Meadows. “He went an easy half,” Violette said. “We...

Book one of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale drew to a close yesterday with figures nearly on par with last year. After two days of trade, 205 lots were sold for A$6,680,500 (compared to 207 sold for A$6,645,500 12 months ago) with a buyback rate of 20.2% compared to 18.5% last year. The average was up 1.5% to A$32,588, while the median was unchanged at A$25,000.  While Monday's opening session saw four sell for six-figures, that number increased to five yesterday, with the session-topping price of A$220,000--paid by trainer...

What is being advertised as one of the more wide-open renewals of the BMW Hong Kong Derby became even more interesting Thursday when likely favorite Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) drew gate 12 in a field of 14 for the richest domestic race on the calendar.  After nearly having his Derby campaign derailed by a heart irregularity, the bay punched his ticket to the race with a hard-fought victory over recent Hong Kong Macau Trophy H. hero Arpinati (GB) (Lucky Story) over 1600 meters Feb. 15. An impressive six from nine in his...

Loooch Racing Stables Inc. and Glenn K. Ellis's War Story (Northern Afleet) was confirmed for the May 2 GI Kentucky Derby yesterday after breezing four furlongs over the Churchill Downs main track in :49.20 (7/15).  "We chose to work him with blinkers off, which is an idea that we're considering for his next start, and the work went well," Amoss said. "He's got an affinity for the Churchill track--he won over it in his first start--and he showed that today in his work and how he finished up. Speaking to majority owner...

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Untapable (Tapit) was the 1-10 favorite when she went postward in her 4-year-old debut in the Mar. 14 GII Azeri S. at Oaklawn Park. Last year's champion 3-year-old filly could manage only second, beaten a half-length by Gold Medal Dancer (Medaglia d'Oro) over a off track that day, but she will get the chance to avenge that loss Friday as the 1-2 morning-line favorite in the GI Apple Blossom H.  “She's doing really well,” trainer Steve Asmussen said of Untapable. “I thought she schooled great [Wednesday]. I think she's trained nicely over...

Sheep Pond Partners' GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Lady Eli (Divine Park) makes her highly anticipated return in Keeneland's GIII Appalachian S. Sunday. A debut winner at Saratoga last August, the Chad Brown pupil captured Belmont's GIII Miss Grillo S. next out Sept. 28 prior to her triumph in the Breeders Cup Oct. 31. The dark bay has been working well in preparation for this seasonal debut, most recently firing a five-furlong bullet over yielding turf here in 1:04 4/5 Apr. 6.  Also making her sophomore bow in this spot...

A group of 3-year-olds light on experience, but with plenty of potential line up in Saturday's GII Peter Pan S., a prep for the June 6 GI Belmont S. Favored at 9-5 on the morning line is Starlight Racing's Two Weeks Off (Harlan's Holiday). Second on debut at the Spa Aug. 9, the $320,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling donned cap and gown going seven panels three weeks thereafter. He went missing for the next seven months, but romped by 6 1/2 lengths with a 104 Beyer Speed Figure in an Apr. 4 allowance...

With the G3 Chester Vase and Listed Lingfield Derby Trial already in the bag, Aidan O'Brien sends a duo to Longchamp for Sunday's G2 Prix Hocquart, yet another of the string of Derby trials staged across Europe, and Ryan Moore is onCape Clear Island (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Successful at 14-1 in Newmarket's £200,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy over 10 furlongs Apr. 16, he was second in the G3 Sandown Classic Trial at that trip eight days later and gave the impression that this additional furlong would hold no fears. Joining...

Richard Barnes's Irish Rookie (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), second in Sunday's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, could contest the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly June 14, trainer Martyn Meade confirmed.  "She was certainly coming back at the winner at the line," said the Newmarket handler of Irish Rookie, who had finished sixth in the G1 1000 Guineas seven days earlier. "It was unfortunate that she didn't have the run of the race and she was left in front and then didn't have time to come back at the winner.”  Meade said his...

Security and pre-race procedures have been announced for all horses scheduled to compete in Saturday's Preakness at Pimlico Race Course.  All Preakness entrants must be on the grounds and situated in Barns D, E and C by noon on Thursday. Blood specimens will be drawn for all prospective runners later that afternoon.  Security cameras are installed and will be operational in those three barns upon the arrival of new barn occupants, and access to each barn will be permitted only at each corner. All persons must sign in when entering...