Champagne

Siena Farm and WinStar Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (c, 2, Into Mischief--Pin Up {Ire}, by Lookin At Lucky), a bit of an unlucky second as the favorite in the GI Hopeful S. at Saratoga Sept. 4, got back, ahem, in sync with a stylish score in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Champagne S. at the Big A. "He ran good," winning trainer Brad Cox said. "I was very proud of him. He got a good, clean trip today. [Jockey] Florent [Geroux] did a great job. He got away...

Following New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) approval, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has moved the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic from Sunday to next Saturday, Oct. 7, at Aqueduct Racetrack. Friday's 11-race Aqueduct card was cancelled due to a powerful coastal storm causing widespread flooding and hazardous conditions throughout New York City and Long Island. In addition to Friday's cancellation, NYRA moved Saturday's 11-race card to Sunday and pushed Sunday's 10-race program to Wednesday. The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic will be re-drawn with entries to be taken...

Owner Jim Bakke's experience in horse racing has been fairly typical. He started off with a small stable, didn't have much success and waited for his day to come. It looks like he's not going to have to wait any longer. Along with Gerald Isbister, Bakke is the co-owner of 'TDN Rising Star' Jack Christopher (Munnings), a Chad Brown-trained colt who brought down the house Saturday with an 8 3/4-length maiden win at Saratoga. Jack Christopher, who is named for Bakke's six-month-old grandson, will head to the GI Champagne S.,...

In the world's current state of affairs, a lot can change in a few months' time. Racing is no different. One only has to go back to November to remember when Kirk and Judy Robison's Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) was the undisputed leader of his age group. But an odds-on loss on the sport's biggest stage took the bloom off of his rose for some, and these days, despite being a multiple Grade I winner, one could argue he is a forgotten colt as the GI Kentucky Derby trail kicks...

Having been involved in horse racing for decades, Kirk Robison knows how much luck plays a part in finding success. He admits as much. But perseverance also pays, and Robison has finally seen the fruits of his labor pay off at the highest level of the game, as his undefeated Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) is set to head into the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile as a heavy favorite, with a chance to solidify a divisional championship to boot. Wednesday morning, Robison joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland as...