Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra stretched out to six furlongs in her latest work, covering the distance in 1:14 flat at the Fair Grounds Wednesday morning.

Trainer Steve Asmussen was pleased with the work and said exercise rider Dom Terry gave the filly just what she needed following a brisk move last week when the filly was keen early.

Rachel Alexandra reeled off splits of :13 2/5, :25 1/5, :37 3/5, :49 4/5 and 1:02 enroute to her final clocking. She galloped out seven furlongs in a solid 1:27.

The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro is pointing to the March 13 New Orleans Ladies Stakes. If the pattern of her works - and the routine Asmussen typically follows with his top horses - continues, she'll have two more works before the race, turning in a serious move next Tuesday and a maintenance work the Monday prior to the race.

Another trainer with a barn full of top 3-year-olds to juggle is Bob Baffert. The Hall of Famer said Tuesday that 2-year-old champion Lookin at Lucky could make his season debut in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on March 13. Baffert had previously been leaning strongly toward the San Felipe, the same day at Santa Anita, but now seems to prefer getting Lookin at Lucky on dirt as soon as possible. The colt is 5-for-6 lifetime, with his only loss by a head in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Stablemate Conveyance won the Southwest on Saturday at Oaklawn, a prep that usually leads into the Rebel and Arkansas Derby. But there's no conflict, as Baffert would like to give the unbeaten son of Indian Charlie more time between starts.

One unconventional possibility would be heading to the $2 million UAE Derby on March 27 at Dubai's new Meydan Racecourse. Conveyance is owned by Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al-Maktoum's Zabeel Racing, making international competition attractive. If the colt remains in the United States, he would likely head to the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 3, or skip the Rebel and head straight to the April 10 Arkansas Derby.

Another Baffert trainee headed out of California is Tiz Chrome, fourth in the Robert B. Lewis. The colt will make his next start in the March 6 Gotham at Aqueduct.

Trainer Todd Pletcher, still in search of his first Kentucky Derby victory, looks to be loaded for bear once again just 10 weeks out from the Run for the Roses.

Pletcher’s Eskendereya ran away with the Grade II Foun¬tain of Youth Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream, coasting to an 8 ½ length score under Johnny Velazquez.

"You’ve got to be excited when they perform like that in these kind of races at this time of year," Pletcher said. "I was particularly pleased with the way he finished. I don’t think we’ve ever gotten to the bottom of him."

Buddy’s Saint, making his 3-year-old debut after authoritative wins in the Nashua and Remsen last fall in New York, went off the 9-5 favorite. But the colt was knocked out of contention on the first turn. After breaking aggressively, he went for an opening on the rail and was jostled hard by Aikenite, appearing to bounce off the rail several times. Jose Lezcano eventually got the colt in the clear, but he had little left and finished ninth of 10.

"The other horses came in like nothing," Lezcano said. "I was already in a spot and they came in and killed my horse, put him into the rail. He came back a little bit to run, but I was out of the race by then because of what happened."

Meanwhile, Eskendereya was stalking the pace set by Lost Aptitude, who reeled off splits of :23.72 and :47.92 early. Eskendereya, a son of Giant’s Causeway, pounced on the far turn and drew away late for the convincing win, stopping the clock in 1:48.87 for the nine furlongs.

"It was great feeling when he kicked in and accelerated away from them," Velazquez said. "He galloped out really well, and I hope he can learn to relax just a bit more in the first part of the race. If he does, I don’t think he’ll have any trou¬ble going further."

Multiple stakeswinner Jackson Bend, who was sent off the second choice for trainer Nick Zito, tried to stay with the winner around the turn but wound up a distant second under Jeremy Rose. He did dig in well to hold off a mild rally from Aikenite, also trained by Pletcher.

"My horse ran his heart out," Rose said.

Eskendereya finished second in his career debut on closing day at Saratoga last September, then broke his maiden in the Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont when it was taken off the turf. Following a lackluster effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he won a one-mile allowance in his 3-year-old debut Jan. 7 at Gulfstream.

Pletcher said he’ll likely point Eskendereya to the Florida Derby on March 27. He would join stablemate Rule, who took last weekend’s Sam F. Davis Stakes, in the race.

Zito added that Jackson Bend is likely headed to the Wood Memorial.

The top three were followed by Pleasant Prince, Ice Box, Pulsion, Positive Split, Prince Will I Am, the troubled Buddy’s Saint and Lost Aptitude.

On the Fountain of Youth undercard, D’Funnybone took the Hutcheson Stakes under Edgar Prado, validating the form he showed last year when scoring runaway wins in the Saratoga Special and Belmont Futurity.

Trainer Rick Dutrow said he’ll likely stretch the colt out in the Florida Derby.

Pletcher's outstanding day continued as his Discreetly Mine captured the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds and Connemara won the El Camino Real Derby.

Discreetly Mine broke through with a stakes win after Grade I placings last year in the Futurity and Champagne. The colt led wire-to-wire under Javier Castellano, with Aqueduct maiden winner Tempted to Tapit second throughout. The winner is likely headed to the Louisiana Derby.

Connemara rallied from last to first to take the El Camino Real in solid fashion. The colt, a half-brother to Lion Heart, is headed to the Santa Anita Derby.

In the day's other Derby prep, San Rafael winner Conveyance improved his record to 4-for-4 lifetime with a wire-to-wire win in the Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Martin Garcia was up on the colt, who whisked through brisk early splits before finishing up in 1:36.94 for the mile. The Bob Baffert trainee was making his first start outside of California.

Dublin, winner of the Hopeful last summer at Saratoga, was making his 3-year-old debut in the race for Hall of Famer Wayne Lukas. The colt turned in a solid effort; after breaking poorly and with just one horse beaten down the backstretch, he made a sweeping move on the turn and closed strongly for the place.

____________________

Karelian withstood a furious late rally and a stewards' inquiry to stun dual Eclipse champion Gio Ponti in the Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup.

Under Rosemary Homeister, Jr., Karelian (5-1) was allowed to coast through moderate early splits before being confronted by Gio Ponti (1-5) and Ramon Dominguez turning for home. The two battled the length of the stretch, with Karelian winning by a bob. The winner, on the inside, came out significantly down the stretch, but the result was allowed to stand, as the horses did not make contact.

Gio Ponti, who was prepping for the Dubai World Cup, was making his first start since finishing second in the Classic on Nov. 7.

____________________

On the Fountain of Youth undercard, Courageous Cat claimed the Grade III Canadian Turf Stakes with a gritty performance. It was his first start since finishing second to the brilliant Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

____________________

Stonehouse upset the Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds on Saturday afternoon after odds-on favorite Friesan Fire faded badly late.

Friesan Fire and General Quarters, 1-2 in the Louisiana Handicap last time out, tracked each other through moderate early fractions. But turning for home, Friesan Fire refused to change leads and dropped out of contention. Stonehouse ranged up between horses and did well to turn back a stubborn General Quarters on the inside.

Before taking the Risen Star, Pletcher and Castellano teamed up to take the Fair Grounds Handicap with Blues Street.

About the only thing that went wrong for Pletcher on Saturday was in the Silverbulletday, when his Grade I winning filly Devil May Car stopped badly in the stretch. Jody Slew scored her second straight stakes win.

____________________

Bob Black Jack made his return to the races a successful one, taking the Grade II San Carlos Handicap with a wire-to-wire performance at Santa Anita.

The 5-year-old, who stopped the clock in 1:21.05, was making his first start since taking the 2008 Malibu Stakes.

Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Dancing In Silks finished fifth as the favorite.

It's already been an interesting time early on the Kentucky Derby trail, with poor weather forcing the shifting of race dates across the country and several key prep winners already sidelined by injury, leaving the door wide open. There's little time left for error; with 10 weeks to go, the road kicks into high gear this weekend.

The highly-regarded Buddy's Saint makes his 3-year-old debut in the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, hoping to use this as a springboard into the Florida Derby for longtime New York trainer Bruce Levine. The colt was a runaway winner of the Nashua and the Remsen last fall in New York.

A member of the only crop of 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam, Buddy's Saint has never crossed the wire behind another horse; he finished first but was disqualified to second in his career debut.

Out of the Grade I placed Blushing John mare Tuzia, Buddy's Saint should have no issues with the nine furlong distance. He breaks from the two under Jose Lezcano.

Hall of Famer Nick Zito sends out a pair in Jackson Bend and Ice Box. Jackson Bend (Jeremy Rose, post 5) was a multiple stakeswinner last fall in Florida, sweeping the Stallion Series before being transferred to Zito following his sale to Robert LaPenta. Second in the Holy Bull to the since-sidelined Winslow Homer last time out, the colt has won at up to a mile and a sixteenth. Ice Box (Joe Bravo, post 10) was an impressive winner in a nine furlong allowance here last out; both of this son of Pulpit's wins have come around two turns.

Todd Pletcher also starts two in Grade I-placed Aikenite (Alan Garcia, rail) and Pilgrim winner Eskendereya (Johnny Velazquez, post 8).

Norfolk runner-up Pulsion (Mike smith, post 3) makes his 3-year-old debut after illness forced him out of an allowance several weeks ago. Pleasant Price (Julien Leparoux, post 4), Prince Will I Am (CC Lopez, post 6), Positive Split (Edgar Prado, post 7) and Lost Aptitude (Rajiv Maragh, post 9) complete the field.

On the undercard, D'Funnybone makes his 3-year-old debut for trainer Rick Dutrow in the Grade II Hutcheson at seven furlongs. The colt was a runaway winner of the Saratoga Special and the Belmont Futurity last year, but faltered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Also on the undercard, Courageous Cat makes his first start since finishing second to the brilliant Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile. He's the favorite in the Grade III Canadian Turf Stakes, and Garrett Gomez comes in to ride for trainer Bill Mott. They break from the seven.

Mechanicville's Chad Brown starts the stakeswinning Bluegrass Princess in the Grade III Honey Fox. Leparoux is aboard the filly, who breaks from the seven. The favorite is the Christophe Clement trainee Akilina, who breaks from six under Maragh.

____________________

Perhaps overshadowed in Florida today is the return of dual champion Gio Ponti in the Tampa Bay Breeders Cup, at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf.

Gio Ponti was named both champion older male and champion turf horse for a campaign last year that included four Grade I wins and two placings, including a second behind Zenyatta in the Classic. The 5-year-old is headed for the March 27 Dubai World Cup for trainer Christophe Clement and figures to get an easy return to the races here; he was installed as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite on the morning line.

Regular rider Ramon Dominguez is aboard, and they leave from the two in the field of nine, with two cross-entries.

____________________

All eyes are already on Oaklawn Park, and today the track hosts the Grade III Southwest Stakes at a mile. The race was originally carded for Monday, Feb. 15, but pushed back due to icy conditions - not the first rescheduling on this year's Triple Crown trail. The Southwest leads into next month's Rebel, and then the April 10 Arkansas Derby. In recent years, this path to the Triple Crown has produced Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Curlin and Summer Bird.

Dublin has two wins in five starts lifetime, both coming at Saratoga. He broke his maiden early in the meet, then won the Grade I Hopeful on closing day despite an awkward break. The imposing son of Afleet Alex ended his 2-year-old campaign with disappointing efforts in the Champagne and Iroquois, but looks to be on the rebound; after a minor procedure to improve his breathing, he's turned in bullet works for weeks. Terry Thompson is aboard for the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, and the colt breaks from the three.

The local threat, Dryfly, is 3-for-4 lifetime with a win in the Smarty Jones at a mile here last out. Calvin Borel retains the mount for veteran trainer Lynn Whiting, who is trying to return to the Derby after taking it with Lil E. Tee in 1992. Dryfly breaks from the four.

San Rafael winner Conveyance shipped in from California for the Southwest after the Robert B. Lewis was postponed due to the rain there, then had to wait the extra week anyway. Martin Garcia comes in to ride the Bob Baffert trainee, and they leave from the nine in the field of 10.

____________________

At the Fair Grounds, the promising Drosselmeyer is stepping up in class in the Grade II Risen Star at a mile and a sixteenth.

The son of Distorted Humor, out of Grade I winner Golden Ballet, was an impressive allowance winner last out at Gulfstream, handing adversity professionally. Both of the colt's wins have come around two turns. The Mott trainee keeps Kent Desormeaux aboard, and they break from the six.

Ron The Greek won the Lecomte here last month with a solid late move for trainer Tom Amoss. But he drew far outside, in the 11, under James Graham.

Tempted to Tapit was a runaway maiden winner at Aqueduct in January. The colt is a fruntrunner but bred to go farther; at the very least, he could factor into a solid early pace; he drew post 2, indicating that going to the lead is likely. David Cohen comes in to ride from trainer Steve Klesaris.

Pletcher ships in the speedy Discreetly Mine, runner-up in the Champagne and Futurity, rather than keeping him at home for the Hutcheson. The half-brother to Grade I winner Discreet Cat has Javier Castellano up and breaks from the four.

Three-year-old fillies take the stage on the undercard in the Grade III Silverbulletday at a mile and a sixteenth. The favorite will be Devil May Care, a game winner of the Grade I Frizette last fall. Castellano rides for Pletcher as they break from the outside, post 6, in a short field.

The budding rivalry between Friesan Fire and General Quarters is renewed in the Grade III Mineshaft. Both performed well on the Triple Crown trail last year, with Friesan Fire taking the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds and General Quarters winning the Blue Grass. Both were injured in the Preakness and laid up for the rest of the season, and both returned to action with solid efforts here before moving back to stakes company. Last time out, Friesan Fire held off a steadily closing General Quarters to win the Louisiana Handicap over these same conditions.

General Quarters drew the rail under Robby Albarado for owner-trainer Tom McCarthy, and Friesan Fire breaks from beside him under Shaun Bridgemohan for Steve Asmussen.

Giant Oak has been knocking on the door, finishing second to Misremembered in the Indiana Derby last fall, and then a credible fourth in the Clark. He's been freshened since for his 4-year-old debut. The colt drew the five for the Mineshaft, as trainer Neil Pessian opted to go with this rather than the Fair Grounds Handicap on the turf, where the colt was cross-entered.

In the Grade III Fair Grounds, the veteran campaigner Silverfoot returns from a nearly six month layoff. The multiple graded winner, now 10, has nearly reached millionaire status. Jamie Theriot rides from Dallas Stewart, and the pair drew the three.

____________________

In the Grade II San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita it could be an epically speedy battle, as Bob Black Jack returns to tackle Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Dancing in Silks.

Bob Black Jack is making his first start since winning the 2008 Malibu Stakes. The brilliantly fast horse set a since-broken world record for six furlongs, going 1:06.53 at Santa Anita in January 2008; he also set a Santa Anita track record for seven furlongs, going the distance in 1:20.37 in December 2007. That mark was shattered by two-time champion Indian Blessing. David Flores is up on Bob Black Jack for trainer James Kasperoff, and drew well, in the two.

Dancing in Silks, who figures to try to run Bob Black Jack down in the lane, won three straight races before upsetting the Sprint. He was third behind Kinsale King in his return last out in the Palos Verdes. Joel Rosario is back aboard the Carla Gaines trainee, and they break from the three.

Both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta turned in solid workouts today at their respective training bases.

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. With regular exercise rider Dom Terry aboard, the 4-year-old filly broke off eagerly and zipped through early splits of :12, :23 4/5 and :35 3/5 before relaxing to go the half in :47 3/5 and gallop out six furlongs in 1:14 2/5. The work was the second-fastest of 19 on the day.

Rachel Alexandra, who was also the champion 3-year-old filly of 2009, is on track to make her first start of 2010 in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes, at a mile and a sixteenth on March 13 at the Fair Grounds. It will be her first start since winning the Woodward on Sept 5 at Saratoga. The filly has breezed every six days since returning to the worktab on Jan. 31. If the pattern continues, she could record three more works before the New Orleans Ladies.

Two-time champion older female Zenyatta worked an easy six furlongs in 1:14 flat at her home base of Hollywood Park.
The 6-year-old, who was second in Horse of the Year voting, went in company with unraced 4-year-old stablemate El Vino, who finished up a tick behind in 1:14 1/5.

Zenyatta is unraced since becoming the first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7, stretching her record to a perfect 14-for-14 lifetime. The mare has worked every week since mid-January, after it was announced that owners Jerry and Ann Moss intended to campaign her in 2010 rather than retire her as expected.

Zenyatta is expected to make her season debut in the Grade I Santa Margarita Invitational, at a mile and an eighth on March 13 at Santa Anita.

Longshot St. Trinians ran down Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic winner Life is Sweet to upset the Grade II Santa Maria Handicap on Saturday; both are now headed toward much bigger goals.

St Trinians, an English-bred who is unbeaten in four starts in the United States, will start in the Santa Anita Handicap against males on March 6, rather than meeting Zenyatta a week later in the Santa Margarita. No female has ever won the Big ‘Cap.

Life is Sweet, making her first start since the Nov. 6 Ladies Classic, closed from last to just miss in a solid 2010 debut. Trainer John Shirreffs said the mare is still under consideration for the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 27. Life is Sweet was third against males in last summer’s Hollywood Gold Cup.

Derby notes

In his season debut, Rule scored a professional, wire-to-wire win in the Grade III Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. The son of Roman Ruler, already virtually assured a Derby starting spot with his win in the Delta Jackpot to end last season, was winning his third straight stakes.

Rule is out of the Personal Flag mare Rockcide, a half-sister to Funny Cide.

Trainer Todd Pletcher says that the colt will likely step up to Grade I company in the Florida Derby next out.

The California-bred gelding Caracortado remained unbeaten in five starts with an upset win in the rescheduled Robert B. Lewis at a mile and a sixteenth at Santa Anita. The diminutive colt tackled highly-regarded pacesetter Tiz Chrome in upper stretch and pulled away for a workmanlike score. Dave in Dixie closed well for second over American Lion.

Caracortado could clash with 2-year-old champion Lookin at Lucky in next month’s San Felipe.

In other 3-year-old action at Santa Anita, the speedy Sidney’s Candy took the seven-furlong San Vicinte in a gate-to-wire score.

Travers winner and Eclipse champion Summer Bird was transferred from trainer Tim Ice into Tim Ritchey's barn on Tuesday morning.

The colt's owners, Drs. K.K. and Vilasini Jayaraman, cited a communication breakdown with Ice; the trainer believes the owners became frustrated by a slow start to the Oaklawn meet. Altogether, the Jayaramans moved 25 horses from Ice, leaving him with six in the barn.

Under Ice's training, Summer Bird went from an unraced maiden at this time last year to the Eclipse Award champion 3-year-old male, taking the Belmont in his fifth start and adding the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup later in the year. Last time out, the colt was fourth behind Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He then suffered a condylar fracture in late November while training for the Japan Cup Dirt. The son of 2004 Belmont and Travers winner Summer Bird is expected to return to training in mid-March.

Ritchey races primarily in the mid-Atlantic circuit and has been the leading trainer at Delaware Park five times. He is best known as the trainer of 2005 champion 3-year-old male Afleet Alex, winner of that year's Preakness and Belmont. Afleet Alex also took the Sanford and Hopeful at Saratoga as a 2-year-old.

Following his exciting win in Sunday's Grade II San Antonio Handicap, trainer Bob Baffert says Dubai is still the plan for Richard's Kid.

Sent off the favorite, Richard's Kid trailed early behind a slow pace and still had eight lengths to make up on the leaders with under a half mile to go. He rallied furiously up the inside to nip Dakota Phone by a head.

Baffert says the horse emerged for the race in good shape; a shipping date hasn't been decided yet. Richard's Kid was purchased by Sheikh Rashid's Zabeel Racing last month with the specific intent of pointing for the Dubai World Cup. The $10 million race, the richest in the world, will be held at Dubai's new Meydan Racecourse on March 27.

While Nad al Sheba, the track on which the World Cup was run since its 1996 inception, is dirt, Meydan uses a synthetic surface. Richard's Kid has two wins, a second and a third in five stakes starts on synthetic surfaces in California; in addition to the San Antonio, he won the Grade I Pacific Classic in September.

Baffert has won the World Cup twice, with Silver Charm in 1998 and Captain Steve in 2001.

After yesterday's stakes-rich card was rained out, Santa Anita returns to action today and hosts a solid field in the Grade II San Antonio Handicap.

Mast Track has a high cruising speed that can put him on or near the lead and he'll be dangerous if he gets loose. The winner of the 2008 Hollywood Gold Cup, he took the Grade III Native Diver in December for trainer Humberto Asicano, who took over following the death of Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel. He was then transferred to trainer John Shirreffs. Mike Smith will be aboard and they leave from the three.

Richard's Kid, a synthetic specialist, scored an upset in the Grade I Pacific Classic last summer but hasn't won since, turning in a good effort in the Goodwood before struggling in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Trainer Bob Baffert would like to head for the Dubai World Cup if Richard's Kid performs well here; he'll give Garrett Gomez a leg up, and the pair drew post 8.

Furthest Land, winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, will look to atone after finishing last as the favorite in the Grade II San Pasqual Handicap. Trainer Mike Maker wasn't pleased with the ride Gomez turned in in that race; Julien Leparoux, who rode Furthest Land to the Breeders' Cup win, is back aboard today. They leave from the outside post, 11.

Also in the mix are turf specialist Marsh Side (Joel Rosario, post 2), last year's San Fernando winner Nownownow (Joe Talamo, post 10) and the consistent Dakota Phone (Martin Garcia, post 7).

Santa Anita's three graded stakes from yesterday's card - the Grade I Las Virgenes and the Grade II Strub and Robert B. Lewis - have been rescheduled for Feb. 13.

____________________

Interactif makes his 3-year-old debut in the Grade III Hallandale Beach at Gulfstream, a mile and sixteenth affair on the turf.

The colt won the With Anticipation on the turf at Saratoga last summer, then took the Grade III Bourbon at Keeneland. He was last seen finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Kent Desormeaux will be aboard for Todd Pletcher.

When he's right, he's right. In his most spectacular performance yet, Quality Road served notice that we'd better not concede the entire season to the ladies just yet, running away with the Grade I Donn Handicap.

The highweight at 123, Quality Road sat in second throughout, took command on the far turn, and steadily drew away under no urging from Johnny Velazquez to win by nearly 13. His time of 1:47.49 broke his own track record of 1:47.72 that he set in last year's Florida Derby.

Quality Road showed flashes of brilliance last year - winning the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby and setting a Saratoga track record in the Amsterdam - but also struggled with quarter cracks, muddy tracks and gate issues. Trainer Todd Pletcher hopes that is behind the colt now; he says Quality Road will be freshened and pointed to the Met Mile.

"He’s got a very high cruising speed and can go 46 and 1:09 and still keep going. Not many horses can do that and he was spotting weight to all those horses, six pounds or more," Pletcher said. "The plan for him here all along was to run in the Hal’s Hope and then the Donn, give him a little break, and then point for the Met Mile and the big races at Saratoga before the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the fall."

Dry Martini, winner of last year's Suburban, rallied for second and Delightful Kiss came from last to be third.

Quality Road's performance helped erase some of the sting of the day for Pletcher, as he saw his Take the Points cross the line first in the Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap only to be disqualified.

Coming down the stretch, Kent Desormeaux, on Yate's Black Cat, went for a hole between pacesetter Le Grand Cru on the rail and a closing Take the Points. But the hole was moving faster than he was, Le Grand Cru was holding his ground at the rail, and Take the Points worsened the problem by drifting in under right-handed urging from Edgar Prado. Yate's Black Cat clipped heels badly in traffic and stumbled.

Following a steward's inquiry, Take the Points was placed fifth. Pletcher says he'll consider an appeal since Take the Points wasn't solely to blame for the issue.

The beneficiary was Court Vision, who closed on the outside to be second and was moved up to first with the DQ. The winner of last year's Shadwell Mile, the 5-year-old was ridden by Robby Albarado for Rick Dutrow and IEAH Stables. Never on Sunday was second and Le Grand Cru third.

Also on the card, Tottie won the Grade III Suwanee River over Cable and In My Glory.

____________________

Peppi Knows scored his second stakes win in the Whirlaway at Aqueduct after favored Eightyfiveinafifty took himself out of the race on the first turn.

Eightyfiveinafifty was rank while being rushed up to the lead in the first quarter mile under Jorge Chavez. He then blew the turn and Chavez, sensing it wasn't his day, attempted to pull him up along the outside rail. At some point, however, the bit and reins broke, causing Chavez to lose control of the colt. Eightyfiveinafifty jumped both outside rails, tossing Chavez, and ran back through the stable area, where he was caught by a stable gate employee before he could escape onto the highway.

Trainer Gary Contessa says he'll go back to the drawing board with the colt, who was physically fine except for a cut on his hind leg that needed stitches.

"He'll need a couple of stitches. I'll need a Valium," Contessa quipped.

Chavez complained of back pain and will take off his lone mount Sunday; X-rays were negative and he's expected to ride again Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Peppi Knows led wire to wire but was shortening stride at the end, just holding off a closing Afleet Again. Richie Migliore, in his second day back after sustaining a mild concussion, rode the winner.

The winner flattered the form of Buddy's Saint, who he finished second behind in last fall's Remsen. Peppi Knows also won the Finger Lakes Juvenile Stakes in October.

____________________

A pair of horses who were on last year's Triple Crown trail turned in solid performances on Saturday. In the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn, Racing Bran upset favored Win Willy, but the second was an encouraging effort from a promising colt who missed last year's Triple Crown with an injury.

In his first start since finishing third in the Preakness, Musket Man held off Guam Typhoon to win the Super Stakes at Tampa by a neck.

Musket Man, who is 6-for-9 lifetime, also won the Illinois Derby and was third in the Kentucky Derby last year.

Quality Road endured a rocky 3-year-old season but looks to be well on his way to a solid 4-year-old campaign. He'll try to affirm that progress Saturday in the Grade I Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park, the first major race of the year for older horses.

Quality Road won the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby at Gulfstream in the spring, then missed the Triple Crown with quarter cracks. Transferred to trainer Todd Pletcher, he returned to set a track record in the Amsterdam at Saratoga, but then ran third in the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup while behaving poorly at the gate each time. Entered in the Breeders' Cup Classic, he refused to enter the gate and then panicked while blindfolded, requiring him to be scratched. Following extensive gate schooling with former NYRA starter Bob Duncan, he returned for a workmanlike and well-behaved score in the Grade III Hal's Hope on Gulfstream's opening day and appears poised to move forward from here. The son of Elusive Quality drew the four for the nine furlong contest under regular rider Johnny Velazquez and will go off the favorite. He carries highweight of 123, giving between six to 10 pounds to his nine rivals.

Several other horses who have performed well at Gulfstream in recent weeks will return here. You and I Forever challenged Quality Road around the far turn in the Hal's Hope before his rival pulled away. The son of standout filly You returns here and will break from the two under Elvis Trujillo for trainer Marty Wolfson. Duke of Mischief, who leaves from three under Eibar Coa, rallied from the back to catch Kiss The Kid by a neck in the Fort Lauderdale here last month. Kiss The Kid is also back and drew the rail under Eddie Castro. Mambo Meister (Kent Desormeaux, post 8) was third in the Fort Lauderdale; Dry Martini (Javier Castellano, post 5), who also won the Suburban last summer at Belmont, was fourth.

Multiple graded-placed Past the Point (Edgar Prado, post 6), Helsinki (Robby Albarado, post 7), Dubai Gold (Jose Lezcano, post 9) and the veteran campaigner Delightful Kiss (Juan Levya, post 10) complete the field.

Also on the Gulfstream card is the Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap at nine furlongs. Court Vision leaves from the five under Albarado for trainer Rick Dutrow. The multiple Grade I winner has earned over $1.5 million and took the Shadwell Mile last fall; he hasn't started since finishing a good fourth in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Take the Points breaks from the five under Prado for Pletcher. He enjoyed a solid 3-year-old campaign once moved to the lawn last summer, winning the Grade I Secretariat and Jamacia. But most recently he was off the board in the Hollywood Derby.

Lady Shakespeare, a full sister to multiple Grade I winner Shakespeare, headlines the Grade III Suwanee River Stakes. The filly won the Ontario Colleen last year and finished second in the Marshua's River here last time out.

____________________

The speedy Eightyfiveinafifty looks to take a step up in class and see if he can get on the Triple Crown trail in Aqueduct's Whirlaway Stakes, the first of New York's preps leading up to the Wood Memorial. He's the clear standout in a field of six for the mile and a sixteenth race, his first try around two turns. The son of Forest Camp drew attention by blitzing his way to a 17 1/2 maiden win here last month, finishing in 1:10.85 for six furlongs. The colt, who was third in his career debut at Saratoga last summer, has worked sharply for this. There's no doubt he will be out front early and ensure an honest pace, but the question is how far he can carry his speed.

Pletcher sends out Three Day Rush, winner of the Monmouth Park NATC Futurity and most recently, a Gulfstream allowance. He leaves from the five under David Cohen, who's enjoying a successful inner track meet.

____________________

Two solid horses are looking to return to their past form as older campaigners go a mile and a sixteenth in the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn. Jonesboro, who has earned over $1.4 million, drew the rail and is the highweight at 120. The multiple graded winner likes this track; he won the Essex three years ago, the Razorback two years ago and was this in the Oaklawn Handicap last year. But most recently, he finished last in the Ack Ack. Abel Castellano rides today.

Win Willy was expected to make some noise on the Triple Crown trail last year - he won the Rebel here, handing multiple stakeswinner Old Fashioned his first loss, then was fourth in the Arkansas Derby (behind San Fernando winner Papa Clem, Old Fashioned and champion Summer Bird). However, he was injured training Derby week and laid off for several months. He has a win and a third in three starts back, with that win coming at Oaklawn in an optional event last time out. Cliff Berry is in the irons.

____________________

Santa Anita was scheduled to run a card with three graded stakes - the Grade I Las Virgenes and the Grade II Strub and Robert B. Lewis. But heavy rain in the Arcadia area and poor drainage led to the cancellation of live racing for Saturday. The track has struggled with poor drainage as California has experienced heavy rains this winter; several weeks ago, Santa Anita lost nearly a week of racing to the weather.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra turned in her second work of the year this morning, going another easy half in 50 3/5 seconds at the Fair Grounds.

Regular exercise rider Dom Terry was aboard as the filly galloped out five furlongs in 1:04.

Rachel returned to the worktab on Sunday morning for the first time since winning the Woodward, going a half in :52 flat.

"She's very special," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "I thought she looked beautiful. She went :50 3/5 today off her :52 the other day. I think that's pretty much the progression that we're expecting."

No race has been settled on for the filly's 2010 debut. Oaklawn Park, of course, if offering a $5 million purse if Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta both enter the April 3 Apple Blossom. Asked if Rachel could be ready for a race in the next two months, Asmussen reiterated that the connections will "do what's right by her."

The last couple of days have been full of news - and not all of it good - about this year's Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

Winslow Homer, winner of the Grade III Holy Bull just over a week ago, is off the Derby trail with a stress fracture. According to owner Rick Porter, the injury is not career-threatening and the colt should return to training in early April. The son of Unbridled's Song has won all three of his starts at three different tracks, and was being pointed to the Fountain of Youth later this month.

Champion 2-year-old Lookin at Lucky returned to the racetrack this morning after spending the weekend getting over a slight illness that included a temperature. The early Derby favorite hasn't started since winning the CashCall Futurity in early December; trainer Bob Baffert plans to start the colt in California in March, but no race has been selected yet.

Dublin, winner of the Grade I Hopeful at Saratoga last summer, is looking fit and ready for his 3-year-old debut. The son of Afleet Alex breezed a strong six furlongs in 1:14 at Oaklawn this morning, still showing some immaturity but overtaking two workmates easily enough in the stretch. The move was the best of six at the distance. Terry Thompson was aboard and will keep the mount on Dublin for the Southwest Stakes on Feb. 15, the first of two preps leading up to the Arkansas Derby in April.

Yesterday morning at Santa Anita, two well-regarded colts turned in their final works for this weekend's Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Tiz Chrome zipped five furlongs in 59.20; the Baffert-trained son of Tiznow is 2-for-2 lifetime, including a win in the Stuka Stakes in December. The same morning, American Lion covered the same distance in a minute flat. Eoin Harty trains this colt, also by Tiznow, who won the Grade III Hollywood Prevue in November and has been freshened for this.

In Oaks news, Steve Asmussen had two of his newly turned 3-year-old fillies out on the track this morning at the Fair Grounds, as Dashing Debby went a half in 50.40 and Hot Dixie Chick went the same in 51.20. Hot Dixie Chick won the Schuylerville and Spinaway at Saratoga last summer, but hasn't started since the latter. Dashing Debby, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, broke her maiden in the JJ's Dream Stakes at Calder last July and was privately purchased by Jess Jackson - who also owns another Medaglia d'Oro filly you may have heard of - but she's finished poorly in two stakes since. Both fillies recently returned to work after getting the winter off.

Despite a deep field and the presence of an Eclipse champion, Bickersons turned the Forward Gal into a laugher at Gulfstream on Saturday, romping to a seven-length score in the Grade II event.

The filly, winner of the Moccasin Stakes during an up-and-down campaign in California last fall, broke alertly under Joe Bravo and stalked the pace set by previously unbeaten Richiegirlgonewild. Bickersons took over approaching the quarter pole and the outcome was never in doubt from there.

Longshot Joanie's Catch made a noteworthy rally up the inside for second and Liam's Dream was third after a troubled trip. She Be Wild, making her first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies to cap her Eclipse campaign, raced wide throughout but never really fired, finishing an even fifth.

Meanwhile, on the undercard, Drosselmeyer won a nine furlong allowance to stamp himself as a 3-year-old to watch on the Florida road to the Derby. The Bill Mott trainee showed poise and determination in waiting for a hole to open in the stretch before edging away late under Kent Desormeaux.

____________________

Gabby's Golden Gal may be ready to live up to the promise she showed last season, as the 4-year-old upset the Grade I La Brea at Santa Anita.

Under a patient ride from Martin Garcia, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro settled nicely off the pace before running down the leaders in the final furlong.

Proviso closed steadily for the place; Free Flying Soul, who led at the top of the lane, faded to third. Grade I winners Evita Argentina and Diamondrella never fired.

____________________

The Coyote Lakes Stakes, the feature at Aqueduct on Sunday, was a carbon copy of the Gallant Fox run over the same conditions a month ago. The Todd Pletcher trainee Tiger's Rock wore down stablemate Nite Light to win the marathon event. Giant Chieftain once again rounded out the trifecta.

The time for the 1 5/8 miles was 2:45.07, significantly better than the 2:47.34 Tiger's Rock turned in in the Gallant Fox on New Year's Eve.