Mike Rutherford

The GI Arkansas Derby undercard at Oaklawn Saturday produced two of the top five fastest maidens of the last week, while Pretty Boy Mia (Beau Liam) outran his auction tag with a dominant win at Aqueduct to garner the list's top spot. 5) FLEEK, OP, 3/28-12th, 1 1/8m VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure-81 (c, 3, Flat Out--On Fleek, by Curlin) O-Poindexter Thoroughbreds. B-Allen Poindexter (Ky). T-Chris Hartman. J-Rafael Bejarano. In the race before the GI Arkansas Derby at the same distance, Fleek continued his steady improvement to win going away at...

In the wake of this year's Kentucky Derby win by Sovereignty, I think it is important to recognize the quiet but profound legacy of one of racing's great horsewomen and enthusiasts--Betty Moran. Sadly, Mrs. Moran passed away in 2020, but I have to feel that this year's Kentucky Derby winner, whose mother she bred, is testament to years of her racing and breeding at the top end of the thoroughbred world. Mrs. Moran bred and/or raced many outstanding race horses including Belmont and Jockey Club winner Creme Fraiche, champions Unique...

1st-GP, $94K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 12:50 p.m. ET. FRIO TOWN (Curlin) is set to be unveiled for Mike Rutherford who went to $675,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale to acquire the filly. Sent to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, the chestnut is out of the unraced full-sister of sire Frost Giant (Giant's Causeway). Also set for her first start is Protective Custody (Ghostzapper). The Stuart Janney homebred's dam, Hold Harmless (Blame), is responsible for SW & MGSP Limited Liability (Kitten's Joy), and her full-sister is GSW Onus....

The Texas Hall of Fame will honor Larry Craft, Bill Melson, Joe Peacock, Sr. and Joe Peacock, Jr., Mike Rutherford and American Quarter Horse Havanah Goodtime and Thoroughbred Too Much Bling. The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Board of Directors and its Hall of Fame Selection Committee will induct its 2025 Hall of Fame Class into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Lone Star Park. "This year's inductees include some of the finest Texas Horses, Breeder's and Horsemen," said Tommy J. Azopardi, Chairman of the Board....

First-crop yearling sire Volatile got his first seven-figure sales yearling early on the second day of the Keeneland September sale with Hip 215, a filly out of MGISW Love and Pride (A.P. Indy), who sold for $1.15 million. Three Chimneys Farm, LLC bred the Apr. 25 filly, whose dam has already produced two stakes winners and is a granddaughter of GISW Cara Rafaela (Quiet American), the dam of late champion and sire Bernardini. Volatile stands at Three Chimneys. Mike Rutherford was the purchaser of the Taylor Made Sales-consigned filly.  ...

6th-Saratoga, $115,000, Alw, 8-16, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:09.86, ft, 5 lengths. THREE RIVERS (f, 3, American Pharoah--Flying Spur {GISP, $198,821}, by Giant's Causeway) delivered on debut with a 1 3/4-length victory downstate June 24, good for a 78 Beyer, and stayed perfect with a sharp score here. The 5-2 chance mixed it up on the front end through fractions of :22.18 and :45.29 and blasted off into the stretch to win going away by five lengths. Portage (Tonalist) was second. Mike Rutherford homebred and distant GI Kentucky Oaks third-place...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 4th-Churchill Downs, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 12:35 p.m. Mike Rutherford's homebred BIG LAKE (American Pharoah) debuts for trainer Steve Asmussen. The chestnut colt is the first foal out of Resistivity (Student Council), who was third in the 2014 GII Forward Gal S. Brad Cox saddles Godolphin firster Essential Quality (Tapit), a son of graded placed Delightful Quality (Elusive Quality). TJCS PPs 5th-Saratoga, $72k, Msw, 2yo, 7f, post time: 2:01 p.m. Shadwell Farm's homebred MUNQAD (War Front), a half-brother to GIII Gotham S. winner Shagaf...