Unbeaten Rail Trip made it three wins in as many starts Friday, cruising to a 5 1/2 -length victory over Limestone Edge in the $57,600 Antelope Valley Purse at Santa Anita.

Rail Trip, ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.41 and, as the 3-5 favorite in a field of nine, paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.20. The win was worth $33,600, raising the career earnings of the 4-year-old son of Jump Start to $78,600.

Limestone Edge returned $4.40 and $3.20. Slam Dunk, third in the allowance optional claiming race for 4-year-olds and up, paid $4 to show.

Each of the nine entries carried 119 pounds. Garrett Gomez, who rode Limestone Edge, won three races on the eight-race card.

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Lilly of Paradise wins Big A feature

Lilly of Paradise rallied to beat Shes Prime by three quarters of a length Friday in the $44,000 allowance feature for 3-year-old New York bred fillies at Aqueduct.

Jorge Chavez rode for trainer Dominick Schettino as Lilly of Paradise improved to 2-for-8 with a second straight win. The time was 1:41.99 for the mile on the fast track.

Lilly of Paradise paid $18, $6.50 and $3.90. Shes Prime, the 7-5 favorite, returned $3.10 and $2.40. Kiss and Fly paid $3.40 to show.

Capt Candyman Can held off favored Hello Broadway to win the $150,000 Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park on Friday. Giving jockey Julien Leparoux four winners on the day.

The homebred son of Candy Ride, making his first start of the year, made the winning move on the last turn before drawing away to win by 1 1/2 lengths and put himself on the path toward one of the major Kentucky Derby prep races. Bee Cee Cee, a 35-1 shot, was a distant third.

In the co-featured $150,000 Grade 3 Forward Gal Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, favored Frolics Dream was never threatened in winning by 2 1/2 lengths over Renda.

Capt. Candyman Can ran seven furlongs in 1:23.69 and paid $7.40, $3.80 and $2.80. Hello Broadway paid $3.40 and $2.60, while Bee Cee Cee paid $5.80 to show.

Trainer Ian Wilkes praised Leparouxs ride and said Capt. Candyman Cans next race will likely be the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 28, which would set him up for the $750,000 Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28.

I was very happy the way Julien got him to relax, Wilkes said. Ill talk with the owners but Im pretty sure the Fountain of Youth will be next.
Capt. Candyman Can has won three of his five career races, all with Leparoux aboard, and already has winnings of $211,645. Owned by Joseph Rauch and David Zell, Capt. Candyman Can won the Grade 3 Iroquis at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old and was second in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club.

Leparouxs other winners Friday were Classy Orientaton in the third, B Rs Girl in the fourth and Brave Victory in the seventh.

Frolics Dream, ridden by Jermaine Bridgmohan, covered seven furlongs in 1:24.15 and paid $5.00, $3.20 and $2.20. Renda, a 14-1 longshot, paid $8.80 and $3.80, while Dr. Zic paid $3.20 to show.

Frolic Dream is within two noses of having a perfect record. Shes won four of five starts with three stakes victories, her lone defeat in the Old Hat at Gulfstream last Jan. 4 when she finished third after hitting the gate at the start.

Gemswick Park, who won the Old Hat, finished next to last and 16 lengths behind Frolics Dream in the Forward Gal.

Owned by Dare To Dream Farm, Frolics Dream has earned $260,934.

Garrett Gomez has ridden Ventura in each of her seven starts in the United States, winning four. But to hear the two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey tell it, with any kind of luck, he might be perfect.

Ventura was second, beaten a nose, in the CashCall Mile at Hollywood Park last July, second by a length and a quarter in the Grade I Woodbine Mile on a yielding turf course against males, and third by nearly four lengths on a good course at Churchill Downs in the Distaff Turf Mile last May 3.

The race at Churchill was on very soft ground, almost yielding ground, said Gomez, who rides Ventura in her 2009 debut in Saturdays Grade I Santa Monica Handicap for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs. It was really soft that day, and the two (fillies) that beat her (Bayous Lassie and Dreaming of Anna) stayed in front of her the whole way.

Shes got little deer feet and shes got a turn of foot, but she was having trouble getting out of the yielding ground to really quicken. But shes a super mare and Im excited to see her back and ready to go. I dont work her, but I know shes been training well.

Ventura, a 5-year-old Chester House mare owned and bred by the Juddmonte Farms, has not raced since defeating two-time Eclipse Award winner Indian Blessing in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Oak Tree last Oct. 24. She has a 7-5-1 record from 15 starts, with earnings of $1,359,470.

The 37-year-old Gomez understandably was delighted about winning an Eclipse Award as the nations outstanding rider for the second consecutive year.

Theres no feeling like stepping up on that stage (at the Fountainebleau Miami Beach Hotel last Monday night), Gomez said. I dont get butterflies too often, but as soon as they started to announce the (Eclipse Award-winning) apprentice jockey and I knew I could be next, all of a sudden I got butterflies in my stomach.

The culmination of what we (Gomez and his agent, Ron Anderson) accomplished the whole year and how much work was behind it flashed before me while I sat at the table waiting for the announcement. It was a special moment.

The field for the 52nd Santa Monica: Tizzys Tune, Joel Rosario, 114, 20-1; So Long Sonoma, Mike Smith, 112, 30-1; Shes Cheeky, Alex Solis, 113, 10-1; Indian Blessing, John Velazquez, 122, 9-5; Wake Up Maggie, Tyler Baze, 115, 15-1; Jibboom, Rafael Bejarano, 115, 6-1; Ventura, Garrett Gomez, 123, 8-5; and Baroness Thatcher, Joe Talamo, 115, 6-1.

In other Santa Monica news:

Tyler Baze gives Wake Up Maggie a longshots chance in the race. Any time you ride for a trainer winning at a 33 percent clip (seven for 21), as Julio Canani was through Thursday, it might be wise to pay heed, even at 15-1.

Seven furlongs is going to be a perfect distance for her, Baze said of the 6-year-old Irish-bred mare he has ridden twice in seven U.S. races, winning the restricted Adoration Handicap at Del Mar last August 28.

Nothing bothers her. She can come from five or six (lengths) out of it. Shes Cheeky looks like the only speed since Indian Blessings not going to run, so we might be sitting in the garden spot. I know she can finish. Shes been working absolutely wonderful.

Baze has worked Wake Up Maggie in her six recorded drills since her last race, a third-place finish in the Grade II Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park on Dec. 7. Wake Up Maggie has a 6-6-2 record from 22 starts, with earnings of $632,124.

TRAINER RICHARD MATLOW ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

Richard Matlow, suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), said he was retiring as a trainer effective today. The 66-year-old trainer said by telephone from his home that the 14 horses he had in training at Hollywood Park would be sent to other trainers.

ALS is a progressive, usually fatal, neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. In the United States, the condition is often referred to as Lou Gehrigs Disease, after the New York Yankees star who was diagnosed with the illness in 1939 and died from it two years later. Today, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking is likely the most well-known living ALS patient.

Matlows only graded stakes win came in the Grade III Hollywood Prevue Stakes last Nov. 23 when Jack o Lantern, ridden by Isaias Enriquez, scored a $41.80 upset.

I was diagnosed about seven months ago, Matlow said after the race. I was misdiagnosed for about a year. Ive got a bad foot and my hands are not good but other than that, Im not bad. I still come to the barn every day. That was probably one of my biggest wins.

The 35-year-old Enriquez, who has ridden almost exclusively for Matlow in recent years, was understandably saddened by the news on Friday. Hes a great trainer, a great friend and a very, very nice person, Enriquez said. Weve been together for the last four years. Hes let me ride everything. We had good times together.

HORSEMEN HAVE A BALL WITH SUPER BOWL PICKS

There was no shortage of opinions from backstretch personnel Friday morning at Santa Anita when it came to Sundays Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the upstart Arizona Cardinals, a seven-point underdog. Total points on the game is around 47, while the money line has the Cardinals about a 2-1 underdog.

The random sampling:

Trainer Barry AbramsPittsburghs going to win. Its just a matter of if theyre going to cover the spread, because the last six or seven Super Bowls have been close. Arizona is like the Giants last year. They were underdogs in every playoff game and they won them all. Arizona has the same pattern.

Arizona native Bob BaffertId like to see Arizona win, but Pittsburghs stronger, and they play on a synthetic surface.

Trainer David BernsteinPittsburgh. Their defense is too strong.

Trainer Patrick BianconeThe Cardinals have a better defense, and I like the under.

Bronx native Jim Cassidy, a staunch New York Yankees fanI havent been following it all year. (Kurt) Warners done a helluva job, but I dont see him getting by Pittsburgh.

Trainer Ben CecilThe Steelers. I used to have a horse for one of the Rooney brothers (Tim. The Rooneys own the Steelers).

Trainer Vladimir CerinPittsburgh cant score like Arizona can.

Jockey Victor EspinozaSteelers.

Trainer Bobby FrankelI usually go for the underdog, but this will be a blowout for Pittsburgh. Its their defense. The Eagles shut down the Cardinals in the second half of their game (won by Arizona, 32-25, after it held a 24-6 halftime lead). The Cardinals couldnt move the ball. If Pittsburgh plays that kind of defense, it will be enough.

Trainer Eoin HartyArizona. (Troy) Polamalu (Pittsburgh defender) will be out of the equation. I like the Cardinals all the way.

Trainer Bob Hess Jr.Arizona. I like Warner. Hes an old man but I like his heart and ability.

Trainer Dan HendricksCardinals. Im going with the underdog.

Trainer Mark Molina, a native of Philadelphia who moved to Glendora when he was five years old and grew up in the Southern California cityIm rooting for Arizona.

Agent Richie SilversteinMy heart is with the Cardinals, but my mind is with Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh minus seven looks like a gift to me.

Trainer Craig Lewis (who has been known to wear a 49ers jacket)Id like to see the Cardinals win, but Pittsburgh is awfully good.

Trainer Ted H. WestI like Arizona on the money line.

Hall of Fame jockey and HRTV analyst Gary StevensThe Cardinals on the money line, and under.

Jockey Alex SolisIm taking the opposite of whatever Mike Smith picks. We call him the Black Cat. We wait to see what he picks, then we pick the opposite.

Mike SmithPittsburgh.

HRTVs Millie Ball, a native of EnglandYou have to tell me whos playing first. Then Ill tell you.

FIRST POST TIME IS 11 A.M. ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Sundays Grade III, $100,000 La Habra Stakes for 3-year-old fillies is the racing highlight at Santa Anita, but seven additional races will be themed to coincide with the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Santa Anita will also name Sundays second race in honor of 106-year-old Florence Tuckman, who will attend along with family and friends.

First post time Sunday at Santa Anita is 11 a.m. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. The Super Bowl is scheduled for a 3:28 p.m. start.

PEDROZA MAKING RAPID PROGRESS AFTER JAN. 11 INJURY

Martin Pedroza is in good spirits and making a rapid recovery at Arcadia Methodist Hospital after suffering a broken pelvis in a post parade mishap at Santa Anita on Jan. 11.

To be honest, when I first got here I really wanted to die, thats how much pain I was in, the popular 43-year-old jockey said Friday. I have improved so much, its unbelievable. Ten days ago, it would take me 45 minutes to get out of bed and walk five feet, the pain was so bad. Now, I can get up with pretty much no problem.

My doctor (Orthopedist Dan Capen) says Im way ahead of schedule now. Im doing therapy four times a day and Im going home tomorrow morning. The doctors, nurses, everybody here at this hospital have been fantastic; theyve helped me so much. At first, it looked like maybe I was going to be out a year, but now, I think I can be back in maybe two or three months.

Ive had so many people contact me and I really want to say Hi and Thank You to all the fans. This could have been so much worse. I know Im blessed to be healing as fast as I am. One good thing about this is, my agent is losing weight because hes short on money.

Cash deficiency or not, agent Richie Silverstein was optimistic about his meal tickets recovery.

Hes doing four rehabs a day, which is unheard of, Silverstein said. Hes out of the rehab center tomorrow, which is eight days ahead of schedule. Doctors say he is six to eight weeks ahead of his rehab schedule. Ive said best-case scenario is two months, and I stand on that (for his return date). Sunday will be three weeks (since the injury), and Im hoping five to six weeks. Of course, it could be a lot longer, but Im still going with best-case scenario, which was two months.

FINISH LINES: Jesus Rios won his first race at Santa Anita yesterday, guiding Seven Below to a $51.20 upset in the sixth race to trigger a $74,682 Pick Six carryover into todays Free Friday program. Im very happy, the 26-year-old Rios said Friday morning. Ive been getting close, but its great to win. Rios won more than 1,500 races in his native Puerto Rico. His book is being handled by agent Tony Matos Colonel John worked four furlongs in :47:80, breezing, Friday, but trainer Eoin Harty had no specific race in mind for the Santa Anita Derby and Travers Stakes winner, who pulled a muscle after finishing fourth in the Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26 Trainer Jay Robbins said Palos Verdes Handicap winner Johnny Eves likely would make his next start in the Grade II San Carlos Handicap at seven furlongs on Feb. 21 The airdate for the new TV show on Animal Planet, Jockeys, is Friday, Feb. 6 at 9 p.m. The series was shot throughout 2008 at Santa Anita, Woodbine, Fairplex and Oak Tree. The story line features jockeys seeking mounts for the Breeders Cup, which culminates in the final episodes. Santa Anita employees can get a sneak peek of the first two episodes at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 in the Baldwin Conference Room Agent Vince DeGregory reports that Corey Nakatani has been booked to ride El Gato Malo in the Grade III, $100,000 Thunder Road Handicap at one mile on turf on Feb. 7, and Nan in the Grade I, $300,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at one mile on the same day, both for trainer Craig Dollase There were 96 players alive on Santa Anitas on-line handicapping contest, ShowVivor, entering Fridays races.

Scorewithcater edged Unbridled Roman by a head to win Thursdays $57,656 Palm Springs Purse for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Scorewithcater covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:44.36 and paid $23.40, $8.40 and $4.40 at 10-1 odds.

Unbridled Roman returned $5.20 and $4.20, while Active Duty paid $5.40 to show.

The victory, worth $31,200, increased Scorewithcaters career earnings to $71,720, with three wins in seven starts for trainer Doug ONeill, who owns the horse in partnership.

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Greenspirit wins Big A feature

Greenspirit edged away in the stretch, scoring a three-length victory over Elixir in the $44,000 feature in the mud at Aqueduct on Thursday.

Steadied between horses on the first turn, Greenspirit recovered to press the pace before taking charge in the lane for his second win in five starts. The 4-year-old gelding ridden by Ramon Dominguez for trainer Steve Asmussen ran the mile in 1:38.58.

Greenspirit paid $10.80, $6.50 and $4.40. Elixir returned $10.40 and $7.30. Half Metal Jacket paid $6.90 to show.

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro will be honored at the site of his greatest triumph a week before this years Run for the Roses.

The track said Thursday a bronze statue honoring the colts spectacular 6 1/2 -length victory in the 2006 Derby will be unveiled April 26.

The announcement comes on the second anniversary of Barbaros death and two days before full brother Nicanor is to make his racing debut at Gulfstream Park.

Sculptor Alexa King is designing the statue, which showcases Barbaro in mid-stride with jockey Edgar Prado aboard as the two pulled away from the rest of the 20-horse field. Some of Barbaros ashes are expected to be placed inside the base of the statue.

Roy and I want to portray Barbaro as we remember him best a beautiful racehorse and an athlete, said co-owner Gretchen Jackson.

Barbaro injured his right hind leg a couple hundred yards into the Preakness Stakes two weeks after his win at the Derby. His eight-month battle for survival drew an outpouring of support from across the country and brought renewed attention to track safety and horse breeding practices.

The Jacksons will be at Gulfstream to watch Nicanor run in a 1-mile maiden event on Saturday.

I have nothing but just great feelings toward Barbaro and Ill celebrate the fact that we had him for a short period of time, Gretchen Jackson told The Associated Press. The eventual outcome was sad, but we hold the greatest, fondest memories of him and look forward to seeing another one out of that family run.

Prado will be aboard Nicanor. He asked to get the mount, calling it the next chapter in Barbaros story.

At long last, Barbaros full brother is ready to run.

Nicanor will race for the first time Saturday in a 1-mile maiden event at Gulfstream Park. His debut will come at a bittersweet time for his connections: Nicanors first race will be two days after the two-year anniversary of Barbaros euthanization, following a long battle after breaking down in the Preakness Stakes.

I have nothing but just great feelings toward Barbaro and Ill celebrate the fact that we had him for a short period of time, said owner Gretchen Jackson, who will be at Gulfstream for Nicanors debut. The eventual outcome was sad, but we hold the greatest, fondest memories of him and look forward to seeing another one out of that family run.

Nicanor did a five-furlong work Monday, came out of it solidly, and trainer Michael Matz decided that a dirt race was the right way for the brother of the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner to open his career.

Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado, who also rode Barbaro in that Derby and the ill-fated Preakness, will be aboard Nicanorand said he asked for that opportunity.

This is the next chapter of Barbaros story, Prado said between races at Gulfstream on Wednesday, shortly after the entries for Saturday were released. Im excited for it.

Matz said he was pointing Nicanor to either the race this weekend or a turf event at Gulfstream next weekend. Barbaros first three races were on turf before making his dirt debut in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream. He won that race, pointing him toward the 2006 Derby.

Nicanor bears a strong physical resemblance to Barbaro, and acts in a similar manner around the barn. And when Nicanor came out of his latest workout fine, the decision was made that Saturday was the right time.

Hes got big shoes to fill, I think, in the eyes of a lot of people, Prado said.

Barbaro won the Run for the Roses by 6 1/2 lengthsthe largest victory margin for a Derby winner in 60 yearsbut saw his racing career come to a dramatic end at the Preakness, when he shattered three bones in his right hind leg in the opening strides of the race.

He defied the odds by surviving for eight months and enduring close to two dozen surgeries before being euthanized because of complications related to laminitis, an often fatal problem in horses who shift their weight to one leg in order to keep pressure off another injured limb.

Restless Soul defeated Carnival Queen by 2 lengths to win Wednesdays $52,400 feature for fillies and mares at Santa Anita, ending a six-race losing streak in the US.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Restless Soul covered 1 miles on the turf in 2:01.93 and paid $8.80, $4 and $2.80. Carnival Queen returned $3.40 and $2.20 as the 2-1 wagering favorite. Fire nBrimstone was another half-length back in third and paid $2.40 to show.

The victory, worth $31,200, increased Britain-bred Restless Souls career earnings to $85,776, with two wins in 20 starts. She had finished second in three previous U.S. starts, third in another and fourth in two more.

George and Lori Hall and their trainer Kelly Breen have a two-pronged plan of attack on the 3-year-old season with their colts West Side Bernie and Atomic Rain. The former will get to fire the first shot Saturday in the $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3), an early two-turn test for Kentucky Derby (G1) prospects at Gulfstream Park.

West Side Bernie, a Kentucky-bred son of Bernstein, will get the chance to avenge a loss to Big Drama in the $750,000 Delta Jackpot (G3) at Delta Downs in Louisiana on Dec. 5. With Big Drama missing this round due to a training setback, Breen was satisfied the pace scenario of the Holy Bull allowed his charge to go it alone.

Big Drama was allowed to just sort of roll along in that race and I was concerned there wouldnt be any pace in this one, said Breen Tuesday from his Palm Meadows training center office. Id like to keep my two horses separated and Id hate to kill two bullets in one race.

The goal is to get both horses to the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1) on Mar. 28. Atomic Rain, a son of Smart Strike, flashed speed when second to Free Country in his 3-year-old debut in a strong Gulfstream allowance race on Jan. 8. Breen says he will likely go the Tampa Bay Downs route and evaluate his chances and earnings then.

Bernie doesnt need the earnings, said Breen, referring to his charges $210,000 bankroll of graded earnings used to determine eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. In addition to his runner-up finish in the Delta Jackpot, West Side Bernie won the Kentucky Cup Juvenile (G3) at Turfway Park in September.

The main thing is seeing how they both run and figure out how we can get them both to the Florida Derby, said Breen. Bernie has a legitimate shot at winning. Both have been second in their last races. Im tired of that. I want to win. I like to win.

West Side Bernie will again team with jockey Elvis Trujillo in Saturdays 1 1/8 miles contest. Trujillo also made the trip to Louisiana for the colts last race as well as his maiden breaker last summer at Monmouth Park. Jockey Stewart Elliott was aboard for the win at Turfway and a sixth-place finish behind champion Midshipman in the Breeders Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita on Oct. 25.

Idol Maker Must Impress Pletcher with Mental Progress in Holy Bull

James Scatuorchios Idol Maker must pass a tough 3-year-old audition for trainer Todd Pletcher Saturday when he steps up to the $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

The son of Empire Maker has finished fourth in his last two starts, including a talent-laden allowance here on Jan. 8 behind Holy Bull rival Danger to Society.

According to Pletcher, the biggest hindrance to the young colt so far has been immaturity.

Up to this point he hasnt quite mentally figured things out, said Pletcher Tuesday from his Palm Meadows training center office. Hes been typical in the way hes trained, but from early-on we could see he was something of a slow learner. I think were seeing these Empire Makers get better with experience.

Idol Maker was a debut winner at Belmont in October before a tiring fourth-place run in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct on Nov. 29.

Pletcher, who swept the Fountain of Youth (G2) and the Florida Derby (G1) with Scat Daddy for Scatuorchio in 2007, has not been discouraged by the last two losses.

Its clear he has a lot of talent, he said. It has been showing through in the mornings and he continues to improve. The talent is there, its just been the mental part that hes had to overcome. Hes acting like hes that is starting to come around with his breezes.

Pletcher will be focused exclusively on the Holy Bull Saturday after learning two weeks ago that Stronach Stables 4-year-old Harlem Rocker would miss the headline race Saturday the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1).

The spiked fever that disrupted the son of Macho Unos training has cleared and Pletcher says the goal will now be the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) at one mile on Mar. 14.

Wilkes Hoping for Strong Comeback for Capt.

After a successful juvenile campaign, trainer Ian Wilkes is eager to see how Joseph Rauch and David Zells Capt. Candyman Can has developed this winter at Palm Meadows under the live fire of Fridays $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

You always look forward to getting started with 3-year-olds like this, said Wilkes outside his Palm Meadows barn Tuesday. When they have success as 2-year-olds theres always a wait to see how theyre going to come back.

Capt. Candyman Can, a gelded son of Candy Ride, won the Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 1. He followed that with a close third-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at 1 1/16 miles last out on Nov. 29.

The Hutcheson, at seven furlongs, will be a cutback in distance, but Wilkes has his eyes farther down the road this 3-year-old season.

Hell tell us a lot about where hes at, he said. This race is mainly to see where we stand, get started and see where we go from here.

Wilkes also added he would leave strategy in the sprinting return completely up to jockey Julien Leparoux. The two will break from post 3 in the seven-horse field and Leparoux has been aboard for all four of the geldings previous starts.

Wilkes is only two years removed from helping steer the course for Kentucky Derby (G1) champ Street Sense as assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Carl Nafzger. There are almost no physical similarities between the two horses.

Both are kind of laid back, but other than that, this is a very different situation, said Wilkes. This horse has changed a lot since he was gelded (last summer). Hes grown taller. At first he was short and a little fat. Hes filling out now.

Another star on the horizon for Wilkes is Domino Studs Miss Isella, the winner of the Falls City Handicap (G2) on Nov. 28 at Churchill. The 4-year-old daughter of Silver Charm is on target for the $100,000 Sabin Stakes (G3) on Feb. 20.

Post Not Ideal for Break Water Edison in Hutcheson

Its not what trainer John Kimmel would have wished for, but Eli Gindis 3-year-old Kentucky Derby (G1) prospect Break Water Edison is ready to fire from the inside rail post in Fridays $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

It figures that the one hole I didnt want to get is where we end up, said Kimmel Wednesday morning at Gulfstream an hour after sending the son of Lemon Drop Kid for a bullet three-furlong blowout in 36 1/5. Well just have to deal with it.

Kimmel was already concerned about bringing the winner of the Nov. 2 Nashua Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct back in a seven-furlong sprint. He has his eyes on longer races down the trail and fears getting overcooked in a tough pace this early in the season.

From the rail, were going to have to make our way forward pretty quickly, said Kimmel, who will give the leg up to jockey Alan Garcia. The horses on the outside can sit and see what develops. Our hand is forced somewhat.

Like some of the trainers in the seven-horse field, the emphasis Friday might not be winning at all costs. Break Water Edison already has more than $109,000 in Graded Stakes earnings, thanks largely to his Nashua win and a runner-up finish in the Saratoga Special (G2) in August.

Were pretty happy with him and looking to see how he came out of his 2-year-old campaign, said Kimmel. Were looking to see a solid effort and gauge how well were sitting as we start the year.

Lezcano on Career Victory 1,000 Watch at Gulfstream

Jockey Jose Lezcano got his United States riding career started at Gulfstream Park in 2003 and the 23-year-old Panamanian is now closing in on the 1,000 career victory mark with 994 wins going into Wednesday program while also in the thick of the battle for leading rider currently tied for second in the standings.

Two-time Gulfstream riding champion John R. Velazquez is on top of the leader board after 17 days with 15 victories, one more than Lezcano and Kent Desormeaux with 14 tallies apiece. Alan Garcia ranks fourth with 13 wins, followed by Eibar Coa, Edgar Prado and Cornelio Velasquez next with 12 apiece.

Lezcano has won riding titles at Tampa Bay Downs, Meadowlands and Monmouth Park and had his best season at Gulfstream last year finishing third in the standings behind Coa and Velazquez. Lezcano is named on seven mounts Wednesday afternoon.

Also Noted

Workouts posted on Gulfstreams dark days included a six-furlong drill by Stronach Stables On Board Again Monday morning in 1:12 for trainer Bobby Frankel. The 6-year-old will start in Saturdays $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1).

On Tuesday, Elizabeth Valandos 3-year-old Hello Broadway a starter in Fridays Hutcheson Stakes (G2) and Charles Fipkes 4-year-old Tale of Ekati, the Cigar Mile (G1) winner preparing for the Richter Scale (G2) on Feb. 14, both posted bullet drills for trainer Barclay Tagg. The former was timed a half-mile in 47 flat, while the latter rolled through five furlongs in 59 flat.

Turtle Bird Stables 5-year-old Sir Whimsey, part of the Palm Meadows string for newly crowned Eclipse Award winning trainer Steve Asmussen, breezed a half-mile Monday in 49.85 ahead of his start in the Donn.

Taking in the Wednesday morning training action from the three-eighths pole observation stand at Gulfstream Park was Bill Parcells, the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Miami Dolphins, as a guest of Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.

Lewis Lakin, breeder of Pure Clan, said Monday night that he has bought back a majority interest in the millionaire filly from IEAH Stable and Pegasus Holding Group in a private deal that closed over the weekend, making him the sole owner. Lakin originally sold majority interest in Pure Clan to IEAH last February.

Lakin is very active in breeding, while IEAH has a strong focus on racing.

“I wanted her back for my family’s broodmare band, and they agreed,” Lakin said of IEAH. “They were very pleased with the situation. They were very nice to deal with. I think basically, they’re interested more in 3-year-old racing. I plan to race her this year and then we’ll go from there.”

IEAH, which won the Kentucky Derby last year with Big Brown and recently purchased 2-year-old filly champion Stardom Bound, bought into Pure Clan last winter when she was considered a top prospect for the Kentucky Oaks. She was undefeated, and her biggest win at that point had come in the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs. Pure Clan went on to run third in the Kentucky Oaks for IEAH, Pegasus, and Lakin, and later in the year captured the Grade 1 American Oaks at Hollywood Park.

Pure Clan has just returned to trainer Bob Holthus’s barn at Oaklawn following a freshening, and Holthus expects her to be ready to run this spring. Lakin said turf would be the focus of the filly’s campaign this year, with her first possible stakes start in 2009 coming in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile in May.

Lakin’s broodmare band includes Gather the Clan, who is the dam of both Pure Clan, a winner of 6 of 11 starts and $1,052,416, and Greater Good, a retired Grade 2 winner of $546,720. Running Clan, a 3-year-old half-sister to Pure Clan, is at Oaklawn with Holthus and could make her career debut before the meet ends, Lakin said. Running Clan is by Cherokee Run.

Hobby horses fire away at Oaklawn

Trainer Steve Hobby is sitting atop the Oaklawn standings heading into the third week of the meet after a highly productive weekend, and he jokingly used just two words to sum up his fast start this season: “Chindi’s coaching!”

Chindi, the popular retired millionaire sprinter, now works as a stable pony for Hobby.

The trainer has 40 horses on the grounds at Oaklawn. He had a double last Friday, and among his wins was the featured eighth race with Grand Sensation. He came back with a fast-closing maiden winner, Golden Chapel, on Sunday to move to the lead in the standings, with 5 wins from 18 starts so far at Oaklawn.

“It’s been a good start,” Hobby said. “I have a lot of clients that live in Arkansas. They come to the races every day. It’s important to do well at home.”

Hobby has a balanced stable, thanks in part to the different areas of focus of some of his largest clients. Alex and JoAnn Lieblong tend to buy high-end prospects at auction. Carol Ricks breeds her racing prospects, and Joe Hardin is active in the claiming ranks.

One of Hobby’s top runners last year was Telling, who is being pointed for the $100,000 Essex Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn on Feb. 7. The Lieblong-owned horse last raced in November at Churchill Downs and was third in the Grade 3 River City Handicap with a Beyer Speed Figure of 99. Telling is 3 for 3 at Oaklawn, having won all of his starts at the track in 2008.

Another top older horse in the Hobby barn is Shim’s Pride, who won the allowance prep for the Essex over opening weekend. He defeated a strong group that included past Essex winners Jonesboro and Spotsgone, and for the effort earned a career-best 93 Beyer. Hobby said Shim’s Pride has been nominated to the Essex, but he is not sure if the horse will start in the race.

“He ran so hard the other day,” Hobby said.

Better consult with Chindi.

Tiger’s Song eyes Martha Washington

Tiger’s Song, a recent private purchase, was scratched from the $50,000 Dixie Belle at Oaklawn on Saturday because she suffered a foot bruise the day before the race, trainer Chris Richard said.

“It was a minor setback,” he said. “She’s already back to the track.”

Richard said Tiger’s Song could run next in the one-mile, $50,000 Martha Washington for 3-year-old fillies at Oaklawn on Feb. 15. He said the other option would be an allowance race.

Darrell and Evelyn Yates bought the stakes-placed Tiger’s Song out of Florida recently, with an eye toward some of the 3-year-old filly stakes at Oaklawn.

There is a $6,568 pick-six carryover for Thursday.

Rather than retire, Curlin repeated as Horse of the Year.

The Dubai World Cup winner took the top honor at the Eclipse Awards once again Monday night. Big Brown, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, was chosen 3-year-old Male of the Year.

A year ago, Curlin co-owner Jess Jackson decided to bring his horse back as a 4-year-old. Curlin set a North American record with career earnings of $10.5 million before being retired in November.

It has been rewarding for us particularly because we decided to race Curlin again, Jackson said. I thank everyone for applauding that, and I hope everyone in the entire industry understands that older horses can run and still be sires.

Curlin is now in Versailles, Ky. to begin his stud career.

Curlin still wants to run, Jackson said. Hes running around the ice-hardened floor of his Lanes End paddock, and when he goes into the stable he gets depressed. He doesnt know what hes up for. I think hes going to be very pleased.

The other nominees for Horse of the Year were Big Brown and undefeated Zenyatta, the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic winner. Big Brown bested two other nominees for top 3-year-old male: Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John and Breeders Cup Classic winner Ravens Pass.

Curlin was chosen top older male over Commentator and Brazilian-bred Einstein.

Hes now one of the greats of the industry, Jackson said. This is an honor beyond the dreams of somebody who dreamed that he would someday own a champion race horse when I saw Seabiscuit run in 1938.

Zenyatta was selected top older female over Ginger Punch and Chilean-bred Cocoa Beach.

Proud Spell was selected the top 3-year-old filly over Music Note and sentimental choice Eight Belles, who broke both front ankles moments after finishing second to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby and was euthanized.

Big Browns racing career ended in October when he injured his right front foot while working out at Aqueduct.

It would have been an honor to race against Curlin, said Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables, co-owners of Big Brown. Unfortunately it didnt come to fruition.

Big Brown won seven times in eight career starts, but his bid for the Triple Crown ended with a last-place finish in the Belmont.

Steve Asmussen, who worked with Curlin, was chosen trainer of the year over Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. and Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel.

Besides the Dubai race, Curlins 2008 victories included the Stephen Foster Handicap, the Woodward Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was fourth in the Breeders Cup Classic on Santa Anitas synthetic surface, the only out-of-the-money finish in his career.

Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Midshipman won the award for top 2-year-old male over Old Fashioned and Vineyard Haven. Stardom Bound was chosen the best 2-year-old filly.

Garrett Gomez, who won four Breeders Cup events, was chosen jockey of the year over Robby Albarado and Rafael Bejarano. Pascacio Lopez won the award for apprentice jockey.

Other winners were Stronach Stables for owner, Adena Springs for breeder, Benny the Bull for male sprinter, Indian Blessing for female sprinter, Forever Together for female turf horse and Good Night Shirt for steeplechase horse.

The Eclipse Awards are voted on by turf writers and racing secretaries at National Thoroughbred Racing Association tracks.