The 8.9-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami that devastated Japan on Friday have wreaked havoc on Japan’s racing industry — but according to early reports, most of the nation’s prized equines, including several American champions, appear to be safe.

The nation’s largest-ever earthquake, with an epicenter off the eastern coast of the country, appears to have spared the northern island of Hokkaido, where most of Japan’s prominent breeding farms are located.

The Shadai Stallion Station reported only light damage and said its horses were uninjured. The stallion complex is home to 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem; Japanese Triple Crown winner Deep Impact; Japan Cup winner Falbrav; leading sire Zenno Rob Roy; and international standouts Harbinger and Heart’s Cry. The farm’s broodmare band is loaded with American Grade 1 winners and producers, including Lucky One, dam of Kentucky Oaks and Alabama winner Blind Luck.

International breeding and racing power Darley also reported that the horses at its Japanese stallion station were unharmed. Darley stands Forego winner Pyro, Japan Cup winner and Horse of the Year Admire Moon and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Fantastic Light in Japan.

Although no official statements have been issued, reports through social media sites indicate that other major farms on Hokkaido, including Northern Farm, the Iburai Stallion Station and the Shizunai Stallion Station, escaped serious damage or injury to horses. Northern Farm, owned by leading breeder Katsumi Yoshida, is home to a number of American Grade 1 winners in its broodmare band, among them 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri and 2007 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner and Eclipse champion Ginger Punch. Iburai houses dual classic winners Charismatic and Silver Charm, Dubai World Cup winner Captain Steve and Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Squirtle Squirt. Shizunai is home to Eclipse champion Boston Harbor, Santa Anita Derby and Pacific Classic winner Came Home, Belmont winner Empire Maker, French standout Bago, multiple Group 1 winner David Junior, and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner and Canadian champion Chief Bearhart.

Unsurprisingly, the earthquake has scrapped Japan’s racing schedule for the weekend, and the cancellations could stretch into the next week and beyond. Four graded stakes races scheduled for the weekend — including the Grade 2 Hochi Hai Fillies Revue, a key prep for the Japanese 1000 Guineas — are in flux, with no reschedule dates announced yet.

The quake struck toward the end of the card at Japan’s National Association of Racing track in Ohi, east of Tokyo — causing those in the stands to stampede to safety. The final three races on the 12-race card were lost.

The Japan Racing Association canceled racing at Fukushima Racecourse in Fukushima City, which incurred severe damage, with part of the roof of the structure collapsing. More frighteningly, the track is located in the same region as a Fukushima nuclear power plant that suffered a breakdown in its cooling system as a result of the damage. With pressure rising, the area around the plant has been evacuated.

Part of the roof collapsed at the National Association of Racing track in Mizusawa and minor damage was also reported at Tokyo Racecourse.

In Sendai, which was hard-hit by the devastation, a number of training centers were severely damaged. There have been no reports yet as to if any horses were lost, and if so, who they are.

History-making racemares Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, both of whom were named Horse of the Year during their careers, were both confirmed to be carrying their first foals this week.

2009 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra was bred to Curlin the morning of Feb. 21. She was confirmed to be in foal on Monday morning and her due date is Feb. 1, 2010. The gestation period for a horse is 11 months, but first-time mothers tend to foal late father than early.

Curlin, who, like Rachel Alexandra, is owned by Jess Jackson, was Horse of the Year in 2007-08. Racing’s all-time leading moneywinner counts the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup among his victories. The son of Smart Strike’s first foals are yearlings this year, meaning they’ll hit the track in 2012.

2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, who was also named Eclipse champion older female from 2008-10, was bred to Bernardini the morning of Feb. 23. She was confirmed to be in foal on Thursday morning and is also due the first week of February 2012.

Bernardini was the champion 3-year-old of 2006, when he won the Withers, Preakness, Jim Dandy, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He enjoyed great success as a freshman sire in 2010, producing Grade 1 winner AZ Warrior and Group 1 winner Biondetti; two of his other graded winners Stay Thirsty and To Honor And Serve, are on the Kentucky Derby trail.

What’s next? Both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta were scanned and confirmed in foal 14-15 days after breeding, which is the earliest a pregnancy can be confirmed. The mares will be scanned again at the 26-28 day mark, and again at the 46-50 day mark. If there are no problems present with the embryo — which officially becomes a fetus at 50 days — at that point, then the mare is well on her way into pregnancy and the chances are good for a normal gestation and delivery.

It's a busy Saturday, with action happening in a number of divisions coast-to-coast. Here's a quick guide to what to look for and when. All times are Eastern.

1:56 p.m.: Broadway Stakes, Aqueduct

This sprint for statebred fillies and mares is headed up by Meese Rocks, winner of the Union Avenue Stakes at Saratoga last summer. But the tough 6-year-old daughter of Rock And Roll has just two seconds from three starts this year.

2:24 p.m.: Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes, Aqueduct

Stakes winner Sensational Slam and stakes placed Rift are favored in a short field for this sprint for 3-year-olds.

2:52 p.m.: Grade 2 Tom Fool Stakes, Aqueduct

Todd Pletcher sends out the heavily favored entry here, headed up by Calibrachoa, a two-time stakes winner at the Aqueduct meet this winter. Stablemate Have You Ever is the weaker half of the entry, while stakes competitor Flat Bold could also contend.

3:33 p.m.: Maiden special weight, Santa Anita

The long-awaited debut of Wilburn, a son of Bernardini who sold for a sale-topping $625,000 to Stonestreet Stables as a 2-year-old in training last spring. The strapping bay colt is a half-brother to graded winner Beethoven. Mike Smith has the mount for trainer Steve Asmussen.

4:25 p.m.: Allowance optional claimer, Gulfstream

This sprint for older horses features graded winner Aikenite and Godolphin's well-regarded Tahitian Warrior.

4:40 p.m.: Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks, Santa Anita

One of the season's most interesting young rivalries, as Zazu and Turbulent Descent meet for the third time. The latter filly earned victories in the Moccasin and Hollywood Starlet, before she suffered her first defeat at the hands of Zazu in the Las Virgines last time out. Zazu could be even better going longer for owners Jerry and Ann Moss, who wouldn't mind having another special filly in the barn. Also in the field is Frizette winner AZ Warrior, making her 3-year-old debut.

4:50 p.m.: Challenger Stakes, Tampa Bay

Drosselmeyer makes his first start since winning the Belmont Stakes. The long break was necessitated by an ankle issue; he's looking to regroup and get back on track for this season after having to pass on the Dubai World Cup due to illness. This won't be a walkover by any means for a talented colt who was just starting to show his best stuff when he was sidelines. Also in the field are the talented Schoolyard Dreams, Jardim, Mad Flatter and Colizeo.

4:55 p.m.: Allowance optional claimer, Gulfstream

New York-bred turf star Banrock, now 8, is looking for his first win of the season.

5:12 p.m.: Grade 3 Gotham Stakes, Aqueduct

Toby's Corner has won three of four starts lifetime, including the Whirlaway at Aqueduct last time out. He looks to take another step toward the April 9 Wood Memorial and a showdown with Eclipse champion Uncle Mo. First he's got the champion's stablemate Stay Thirsty to contend with. This is no second-stringer. By Bernardini and from an outstanding female family, Stay Thirsty, who was second in the Hopeful last year, needed a long break after a green performance in the Juvenile. He might need a start to be at his best, but his pedigree suggests that the time off will have done him a world of good mentally.

5:15 p.m.: Clocker's Corner Handicap, Santa Anita

Reba Is Tops and Unzip Me are both coming off strong stakes wins at this meet.

5:25 p.m.: Honey Fox Stakes, Gulfstream

A deep field of fillies and mares takes of the turf.

6:02 p.m.: Mountain Valley Stakes, Oaklawn

Its timing on the calendar now makes it nearly insignificant, but it's worth noting that 2005 Eclipse champion Afleet Alex used this sprint as a springboard to bigger and better things.

7:40 p.m.: Grade 1 Kilroe Mile, Santa Anita

Caracortado has won both of his starts on turf, including the Sunshine Millions Turf - against graded winner and fellow Kilroe entrant Jeranimo - last time out. The 4-year-old is looking for his first Grade 1 score. Fluke was second to Proviso by a nose in this event last year; he comes in this year off a win in the Thunder Road Handicap.

8:10 p.m.: Santa Anita Handicap, Santa Anita

All eyes are on Twirling Candy, who has been the most exciting older horse at this meet. The son of Candy Ride broke Spectacular Bid's track record in winning the Malibu on opening day. He came back to dominate the Strub last month. He's trained strongly for this and appears to still be at the top of his game. Trainer Bob Baffert sends out four runners, including First Dude - making his first start for Baffert, the colt is looking for just his second lifetime win, but is multiple Grade 1 placed. Aggie Engineer has developed into a solid older horse this winter and won the San Pasqual earlier in the meet.

The Hundred Grander, the Big Cap – whatever else you might call it, the Santa Anita Handicap, to be run at the track of the same name tomorrow afternoon, is one of America’s historically fascinating races.

The race was first held in 1935, just a few months after the track opened in late 1934. As depicted in the Hollywood blockbuster Seabiscuit, the race instantly vaulted into a spot as one of the premier meeting places for top older horses because of the $100,000 purse, then a staggering amount.

Seabiscuit finished second by a nose to Rosemont in the 1937 Santa Anita Handicap, and lost in a photo again the following year while giving 30 pounds to winner Stagehand. In 1939, Seabiscuit suffered what was believed to be a career-ending injury while preparing for the marquee race; it was some small consolation to his connections – owner Charles Howard and trainer Tom Smith - when they won anyway with stablemate Kayak II. But, improbably, Seabiscuit and Red Pollard – his regular rider who had also been badly injured in a workout accident - fought their way back to the sport to finally win the Santa Anita Handicap in 1940, in what would be Seabiscuit’s final start.

The list of the race’s winners through the middle of the century is peppered with the names of prominent handicap horses – Round Table in 1958, Hill Rise in 1965, Ack Ack in 1971, Cougar II in 1973.

Off his Triple Crown sweep and epic battles with Alydar, Affirmed went to post in the Santa Anita Handicap in early 1979 against another future Hall of Famer, Exceller. The 4-year-old ran his older rival off his feet, winning in a stakes-record 1:58.60 that still stands. The following year, another of racing’s greats, Spectacular Bid, dominated the Big Cap. He went on to complete an undefeated season.

The ageless John Henry became one of just three back-to-back winners of the event when he won it in 1981 and ’82. Alysheba claimed the race in 1988 to launch a campaign that would end with the Breeders’ Cup Classic victory and Horse of the Year title that had eluded him the year before.

In recent history, the Santa Anita Handicap has been a showcase for some of California’s favorite runners. The statebred standout Best Pal – who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year – won the race in 1992. The brilliant gray Free House took the 1999 edition in a blanket finish, in what would be his final showdown with archrival Silver Charm. Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow won the Big Cap in 2001, but then hit a slump mid-season; he rallied to take a second Classic “for America” in the fall – making him the only two-time winner of America’s richest race.

Lava Man, the “King of California,” won the Santa Anita Handicap in 2006 and ‘07. Although woeful outside of his home state, he is the only horse to win all three of California’s premier events for older horses in one season – the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic. He’s one of just three horses to win two editions of the Big Cap; the only horse to win two Santa Anita Handicaps and two Hollywood Gold Cups; and one of just two horses to win three editions of the Gold Cup.

Misremembered gave California favorite Bob Baffert, a 2009 Hall of Fame inductee, his first victory in the Santa Anita Handicap last year. Baffert holds a strong hand in this year’s edition of the race, sending out four runners, including the well-regarded First Dude. Still looking for just his second career victory, the 4-year-old son of Stephen Got Even nevertheless has an impressive resume, as he finished second in the Preakness, Haskell and Pennsylvania Derby and third in the Belmont, Travers and Blue Grass last season. The strapping colt, who was previously trained by Dale Romans, will be making his first start for Baffert; he’s reportedly thrived since arriving in California last month. The trainer also sends out Game On Dude, Tweebster and Spurrier.

However, all eyes will be on heavy favorite Twirling Candy, who has just one loss in seven lifetime starts. The colt broke Spectacular Bid’s seven furlong track record in winning the Malibu Stakes in December, then dominated the Strub Stakes last month. Already making history on his own, he’s looking to add to the Big Cap’s rich legend today.

NYRA has released the stakes schedule for the 2011 meet at Saratoga Race Course.

The 143rd meet at the historic track runs from Friday, July 22 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5, with the dark day on Tuesdays. The 40 days of live racing include 52 total stakes races. At least one stakes race is carded for each day of racing. The schedule includes 17 Grade 1 events, with at least one scheduled for each Saturday of the meet.

The centerpiece of the meet is the Grade 1 Travers Stakes on Saturday, Aug. 27. As always, the Mid-Summer Derby, expected to attract some of the nation’s top 3-year-olds, anchors a strong program. The four other graded events on the day are the Grade 1 Ballerina for female sprinters, the Grade 1 King’s Bishop for sophomore sprinters, the Grade 3 Victory Ride for 3-year-old fillies and the Grade 2 Ballston Spa for turf females.

The 52 stakes carry total purses of just over $10.9 million. The only substantial purse change was an increase from $100,000 to $150,000 to the With Anticipation Stakes, which was upgraded from a Grade 3 to a Grade 2 for this summer.

NYRA also released the stakes schedule for the upcoming Belmont spring/summer meet, which opens on April 29 and runs through July 17. The schedule features the return of four graded events that were on hiatus in 2010 due to NYRA’s financial woes. The Futurity, for 2-year-olds, and the Matron, for 2-year-old fillies, will be renewed on July 3. The two events, both Grade 2s, were previously run during Belmont’s Fall Championship meet.

The Grade 2 Peter Pan, the local prep for the Belmont, was another of the events on hiatus last year; it returns to its spot in the lineup on May 14. The Grade 2 Dwyer, which was moved from July to May last year to fill the gap as a prep race, moves back to its old position on July 2.

The Grade 3 Poker for older turf horses also returns and will be run July 10.

It's always fun to watch trainers juggle schedules at this time of year, as those with multiple Derby contenders in their barns are working feverishly to keep their top runners apart, thereby maximizing the all-important graded earnings for each. Adding to the chaos are the owners - all have their own agendas, and trainers must manage all of them without slighting anyone.

Todd Pletcher, who saddled last year's Derby winner Super Saver, is in the spotlight this year with a trio of talented colts - Eclipse champion Uncle Mo; Stay Thirsty, who like Uncle Mo, is owned by Mike Repole; and Brethren, a half-brother to Super Saver who is owned by WinStar Farm, which also campaigned the latter colt.

Uncle Mo is expected to make his 3-year-old debut in the Timely Writer Stakes on March 12 at Gulfstream; the track carded the event in hopes of luring the champion away from the Tampa Bay Derby on the same day. The latter race, which Super Saver finished third in last year, now becomes a logical target for little brother Brethren, who is coming off a win in the Sam F. Davis over the same track. However, if the Timely Writer doesn't fill, Uncle Mo will likely be re-routed to Tampa Bay, forcing Pletcher to either run two of his colts against each other or find another race for Brethren. Meanwhile, Stay Thirsty makes his season debut in this Saturday's Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct; the race is the local prep for the Wood Memorial on April 9. But Repole, a New York native, plans to have Uncle Mo make his final Derby prep in front of a hometown crowd in that event, meaning Stay Thirsty will likely leave New York for another prep.

Steve Asmussen, who is based in California for the first time this winter, has a trio of interesting colts on the Derby trail. Albergatti, a recent maiden winner at the Santa Anita meet, is owned by Jess Jackson, who campaigned two Horses of the Year with Asmussen in Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. Stakes winner Astrology is owned by Jackson and George Bolton in partnership - Bolton was also involved with Curlin - while El Camino Real Derby winner Silver Medallion is owned by Michael Ryan.

All winter, it was thought that Astrology would make his 3-year-old debut in the San Felipe on March 12. However, with Albergatti breaking his maiden impressively to join the fray, he'll now contest the San Felipe instead. Astrology will be re-routed to the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn a week later - a race won by Curlin en route to a solid Triple Crown season. If both win or run convincingly, it would make sense to leave Astrology down south to contest the Arkansas Derby while Albergatti remains in California to train for the Santa Anita Derby; but if one of the colts flops, the options suddenly open up for the other. Meanwhile, plans are up in the air for Silver Medallion; he could go in the San Felipe, Rebel, Louisiana Derby or Sunland Park Derby.

We all know the Aqueduct casino is going to be a good thing – really. But it caused its own little set of problems on Thursday.

A construction crew working on the casino – which is expected to begin operating 4,500 long-awaited VLTs in late summer – accidentally severed a major electronic cable that leads from nearby Rockaway boulevard to Aqueduct this morning. As a result, the track lost all communications with its tote company, rendering it unable to take wagers and broadcast racing. Aqueduct was forced to cancel live racing and simulcasting for the day, and Belmont – where NYRA has operated in off-track betting facility since the shutdown of NYC OTB in December – was also closed for simulcasting.

This was the eighth full-card cancellation for this inner-track meet; a ninth card was cancelled early in the program due to high winds. But this cancellation can’t be blamed on the weather.

NYRA was working overnight to shift some tote operations to Belmont and run new cables to the cameras so that live racing could resume on Friday.

It looks like Kentucky Derby contender Dialed In will get just the Florida Derby prep trainer Nick Zito was hoping for.

The son of Mineshaft, who won the Holy Bull last time out, is entered in Sunday’s fourth race at Gulfstream, an optional claimer for 3-year-olds and up at nine furlongs.

Zito had wanted to get a nine-furlong start into Dialed In, who is 2-for-2 lifetime, prior to the Florida Derby on April 3. But the timing of various traditional preps on the Florida circuit – such as last week’s Fountain of Youth and the upcoming Tampa Bay Derby – didn’t work out. Dialed In was nominated to next weekend’s Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream – where Eclipse champion Uncle Mo is expected to make his season debut – but at a mile, the race was too short for Zito’s taste.

This prep is interesting in that Dialed In will compete against some fairly solid older horses. Stakes winner William’s Kitten, who is multiple graded placed, is working his way back from a long layoff. Valerius and Equestrio are lightly-raced 4-year-olds; Valerius is coming off a handy allowance win, while Equestrio took a similar event at Gulfstream two starts back. Fellow 3-year-old Reprized Halo was a stakes winner last year, but is coming off a last-place effort in the Sam F. Davis last time out.