Team Valor

The GI Kentucky Derby-bound Helium (Ironicus) wasn't the only 3-year-old colt to impress on the GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby card Mar. 6. Untreated (Nyquist) put on a show earlier that day as well, graduating by a pole for Todd Pletcher at second asking with a flashy, come-from-behind maiden tally in his two-turn debut (video). He earned a very solid 86 Beyer Speed Figure. A well-beaten sixth as the 4-5 favorite behind next out GIII Sam F. Davis S. winner Candy Man Rocket (Candy Ride {Arg}) going six furlongs...

Team Valor International's Oleksandra (Aus) (Animal Kingdom), who came from last to defeat a field of males in Saturday's GI Jaipur S. at Belmont, will not return to trainer Neil Drysdale's Southern California base and will instead remain in New York. The Southern Hemisphere-bred 5-year-old sustained a nick on a lower front limb after eventual runner-up Kanthaka (Jimmy Creed) made contact with her at the break, but is in "good shape" otherwise, according to a release from Team Valor's Barry Irwin. Oleksandra, who became the first Australian-bred Grade I winner...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a Wertheimer-bred sibling to a Group 1 winner. 11.25 La Teste de Buch, Mdn, €13,000, unraced 3yo, 10 1/2fT Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's homebred STAMINA (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is out of G2 Prix de Sandringham third Stormina (Gulch) and thus a half-sister to G1 Prix...

'TDN Rising Star' Gouverneur Morris (Constitution) was confirmed to start next in the Mar. 28 GI Curlin Florida Derby after breezing five-eighths in 1:01.65 (3/12) Saturday at Palm Beach Downs. "He worked as well as he ever has this morning," trainer Todd Pletcher said in an email forwarded by owner Barry Irwin of Team Valor. "I think we should take what's in front of us [the Florida Derby], assuming they keep running at Gulfstream." Citing revenue losses from casino closings and the lack of on-track handle in the wake of...

The next start for 'TDN Rising Star' Gouverneur Morris (Constitution) will hinge on a five-furlong breeze Saturday at Palm Beach Downs. "If he works well, [trainer] Todd Pletcher will decide whether to stay local and run in the [GI] Florida Derby or wait a week and fly him in for the [GII] Wood Memorial," Team Valor's Barry Irwin wrote in an email. "With opportunities and travel options expected to be limited, we have changed our outlook on racing him. We want to run him while there are still races available....