Central Avenue

Trainer Mike Stidham, who recorded the highest earnings mark of his 34-year career in 2023, got the new year off to a quick start when Godolphin's Heckled (Hard Spun) broke her maiden in the eighth race at Fair Grounds Monday. The  conditioner has a pair of promising newly turned 3-year-olds who could help keep the momentum going in 2024. Godolphin homebred Central Avenue (Street Sense), a first-out winner at Colonial Downs last August, was second in the Oct. 7 GI Frizette S. and, most recently, third in the Nov. 25...

Intricate (Gun Runner), a last out maiden winner going two turns at Keeneland Oct. 13, picked up 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with a sensational score in Saturday's GII Golden Rod S. at Churchill Downs. It was 5 1/4 lengths back to favored 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in second. Central Avenue (Street Sense), second behind unbeaten GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Just F Y I (Justify) in the GI Frizette S., was third. "She's a very easy filly to train and does...

The parade of graded stakes races this Saturday is like a Christmas tree laden with presents. Towards the end of the celebration, as the wadded paper congregates, there will be a customary wistfulness that slowly sets in. We never want it to end. With 17, yes 17, graded races on the docket--nine of those have Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' status--it is going to be a splendid day to receive as Belmont at the Big A, Keeneland Race Course, Woodbine Racetrack, Gulfstream Park, Hastings Racecourse and Santa Anita Park...