Ellis Park announces temporary closing

Ellis Park Racetrack has announced that it will shutdown its simulcast operations at the conclusion of satellite racing on Sunday, November 8. The track will restart simulcast operations on Thursday, April 1, 2010.

Florida Stallion Stakes winner Jackson Bend sold

Jackson Bend, who swept this year's Florida Stallion Stakes series for 2-year-olds, has a new majority owner and will be trained by National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame member Nick Zito.

Einstein unequivocal to Breeders' Cup Classic

The year 2009 will not go down as a great time for older male handicap horses. Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin concluded his racing career after the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic and no older male thoroughbred has filled the void.

Top position remains with Rachel Alexandra

Three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra, currently on vacation until 2010, remains in first-place in the weekly NTRA Thoroughbred Poll. The winner of all eight starts this year received 18 of 20 first-place votes.

Gearing up for the Breeders' Cup

The best thoroughbreds in the country are training in southern California in preparation for the 26th annual Breeders' Cup World Championships on November 6 and 7 at Santa Anita Park.

Larry Jones reaching end of training career

After nearly 30 years in the racing business, trainer Larry Jones became an overnight sensation in 2007 with Kentucky Derby contender Hard Spun. Now two years later the native of the Bluegrass State is coming to the finish line as a thoroughbred conditioner.

Sons of Birdstone headed for Breeders' Cup Classic

Birdstone is best known for his 2004 upset victory over Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes. However, this year the one- time longshot has made a name for himself as the sire of the top two three- year-old males of 2009.

Rachel Alexandra maintains poll position

Preakness and Haskell winner Rachel Alexandra remains in first-place in the weekly NTRA Thoroughbred Poll over champion mare Zenyatta. The filly leads the five-year-old by 14 points in the latest voting.

CALDER RACE COURSE

It's a clean sweep at Calder for Jackson Bend

Despite a stumble at the start of the race, Jackson Bend held off Thank U Philippe to capture the In Reality Stakes and sweep Calder's Florida Stallion Stakes series.

IN MY OPINION

Future looks bright for young colt

Owner/breeder Fred Brei admits he's an emotional basket case on race day. Feeding off his frenetic vibes, you're surprised that when brilliant 2-year-old Jackson Bend stumbled to his knees one misstep out of the starting gate Saturday, Brei didn't slump to his knees as well.

Jackson Bend goes for Stallion Stakes sweep

Jackson Bend will get a challenge from improving Bim Bam in the In Reality Stakes, part of Calder's Festival of the Sun card.

Champs Elysees and Lahaleeb gain entrance to Breeders' Cup

A pair of furious rallies down the stretch gave victories to Champs Elysees and Lahaleeb Saturday afternoon at Woodbine Race Course. Each winner has automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup next month through the "Win and You're In" program.

CALDER RACE COURSE

History beckons 2-year-old

Jackson Bend, a 2-year-old colt, can become the seventh horse to sweep the three Florida Stallion Stakes races with a victory Saturday at Calder Race Course.

Marsh Side back to defend International crown

Post positions were drawn Wednesday for Saturday's $2 million Canadian International and $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine Race Course. The Canadian International and E.P. Taylor, both turf events, are both part of the "Win and You're In" program that gives the victors automatic entry into Breeders' Cup races.

Square Eddie makes return to the races

One-time Kentucky Derby contender Square Eddie made his return to the races on Sunday in the Ancient Title Stakes at Santa Anita Park. It was the three-year-old colt's first start since April.

Zenyatta narrows lead of Rachel Alexandra

Rachel Alexandra's lead in the weekly NTRA Thoroughbred Poll over champion mare Zenyatta has been cut to five points. Coming off a repeat victory in Santa Anita Park's Lady's Secret Stakes, Zenyatta trails the three-year-old filly 184 points to 189.

Breeders' Cup Classic next for Mine That Bird

In spite of finishing sixth in his most recent start, Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will make his next start in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, November 7 at Santa Anita. His owners and trainer came to the decision Monday morning.

NOTEBOOK

After start at Calder, 2 horses on rise

Two horses that began their careers at Calder Race Course this summer have moved to top spots on national lists of 2-year-olds by winning major stakes at tracks in New York.

Zenyatta remains perfect with Lady's Secret victory

Defending Breeders' Cup champion Zenyatta captured her 13th straight race Saturday with a repeat win in the $300,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Undefeated in her 13 career starts, she equals Personal Ensign's lifetime record of 13 wins in as many starts.

Rachel Alexandra resting in Louisville ending 2009 campaign

Four weeks until the 26th Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park and the leading thoroughbred in the nation is taking it easy at home. No hurry for the horse to prepare for the next start, that won't come till 2010.