Known Agenda

St Elias Stable homebred Known Agenda (Curlin) appears to have exited his victory in Saturday's GI Curlin Florida Derby in good order. "Excellent. He came back in great shape, good energy. I'm very happy with him," trainer Todd Pletcher said Sunday. "He'll stay here for a little while. We'll just kind of monitor the weather everywhere and play it by ear whether he has one work at Churchill [Downs] or two works [before the GI Kentucky Derby." Third in December's GII Remsen S., the son of GISW Byrama (GB) (Byron...

Greatest Honour (Tapit) rides a three-race win streak heading into the GI Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, however, the Courtlandt Farm homebred certainly hasn't scared anyone away as 10 other sophomores have also signed on in Saturday's Classic prep. A large part of the draw is that the Florida Derby will offer 170 qualifying points for the May 1 Kentucky Derby on a 100-40-20-10 basis. The 1 1/8-mile test has produced the winners of 60 Triple Crown events. The imposing bay kicked off his career with a trio of...

After scuffling Friday at Gulfstream Park with Irad Ortiz, Jr., which caused him to be put on probation for the remainder of the meet, Paco Lopez told the TDN Monday he is ready to move on. That there was a fight between Ortiz and Lopez was first reported by the Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch. The fight was captured on a video that shows Ortiz landing at least three punches on Lopez following the fourth race Friday at Gulfstream. Lopez did not fight back. "For me, it's over. I don't...

St. Elias Stable's Known Agenda (Curlin) may have earned his way into the GI Curlin Florida Derby field Friday after romping to a 11-length victory in the Gulfstream Park's fourth race, a 1 1/8-mile optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds. "We'll talk about it with Mr. and Mrs. Viola and their team," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "We'll talk about it, but I think he ran well enough today that it's definitely in play." Known Agenda, who was sent to post as the 1-2 favorite in a field of six, rated off...

During this era of globalisation, our own walk of life has also become ever more adapted to scale. In the old days, trainers and stallions alike would draw the line at a similar number: up to three dozen, say. Now all big brands seem to require big volume. With stallion books, the traditional limits guaranteed undiluted quality. If you wanted to get a mare to Bold Ruler, boy, did she have to deserve the privilege. That's why I always look for those venerable influences, up-and-down, behind modern pedigrees: because you're...

Pickin' Time (Stay Thirsty) upset the GIII Nashua S. on his last visit to Aqueduct Nov. 8 and he looks to double up Saturday when he returns to Ozone Park for the GII Remsen S. A debut winner at Monmouth July 4, the Jersey-bred was a non-factor eighth in the GII Saratoga Special S. Aug. 7, but was second next out in the Sapling S. back in the Garden State Sept. 6. The dark bay scored a narrow winner in the Smoke Glacken S. at the Jersey Shore Sept. 26...

SATURDAY'S RACING INSIGHTS: By Christie DeBernardis Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency WELL-BRED CURLIN COLT DEBUTS IN NY 6th-BEL, $63K, Msw, 2yo, 1m, 3:36 p.m. St. Elias Stable homebred KNOWN AGENDA (Curlin) makes his career bow in this spot for Todd Pletcher. The chestnut is out of GISW Byrama (GB) (Byron {GB}), who is a half-sister to GSW Klammer (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). He enters off a pair of bullet works, most recently covering a half-mile in a best-of-29 :48 2/5 on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Sept. 14. His entry-mate...