The nine-horse field is so deep, so loaded with quality -- and uncertainty -- that he says the best way to approach it is to take the Kentucky Derby office pool approach. Curlin has never been asked to handle anything but a fast track during his eight-race career, but his breeding suggests he should relish the gooey going. Classic boasts fast, loaded field with sights on even bigger prize Saturday, October 27, 2007 BY TOM LUICCI Star-Ledger Staff Carl Nafzger has given up trying to figure...

This year he faced the starter as a heavier horse, a year wiser, and more gifted, revealed his trainer, Colin Little, after the race. Nolen -- who was so very tempted to take off early when he saw his favorite old buddy Wonderful World make a pronounced forward charge at leader Haradasun coming near the bend -- held his cool. He has been a star galloper in Australia from day one and like most champions, seems to get better with every passing year. And he did it quite comfortably in the end...

The unsettling sight of the Irish colt standing alone in the dusk in Monmouth Park homestretch with his shattered limb dangling grotesquely beneath him recalled images of Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner who waged a long but ultimately unsuccessful fight to survive a similar injury. The unsettling sight of the Irish colt standing alone in the dusk in Monmouth Park homestretch with his shattered limb dangling grotesquely beneath him recalled images of Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby...

Bathurst club move Gold Crown payments date to ease pressure In a move aimed at assisting participants in the harness racing industry feeling the impact of Equine Influenza, the Bathurst Harness Racing Club have re- scheduled the due date for sustaining payments for the current Bathurst Gold Crown, which is set to be run in late March 2008. Bathurst club move Gold Crown payments date to ease pressure In a move aimed at assisting participants in the harness racing industry feeling the...

Late last year, DNA tests revealed that a femur bone taken from the big deer carcass matched an 11-point deer head seized from the Parker County ranch of renowned quarter horse jockey Jacky Martin. It was the biggest white-tailed deer he had ever seen on the property and, just days earlier, Pritchett had spotted the big buck again but didn't have a shot. He pointed out that Martin has no reason to illegally hunt deer; he receives invitations from notable people all over the country to hunt...

Then, at the peak of his career, after training and racing for years at wildly unsustainable levels, his body finally shut down. As soon as he returned to Portland, his primary-care physician prescribed some tests, which were inconclusive, and referred Salazar to a cardiologist. At this level, at this stage of the season, each moment in a runners life every weight-training session, massage and meal is too important to neglect. True, he had an alarmingly deep family history of heart...

Coho salmon bag limit increased on <<Sandy>>, Clackamas and Eagle Creek The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife adopted a temporary rule that increased the bag limit for coho salmon to three adipose fin-clipped coho salmon per day on Eagle Creek and the Sandy and Clackamas rivers. Coho salmon bag limit increased on <<Sandy>>, Clackamas and Eagle Creek The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife adopted a temporary rule that increased the bag limit for coho salmon to three adipose...

Two motorists have died in separate road traffic collisions as garda repeat appeals for road users to use caution while driving. It is understoodthe car he was driving was in collision with a truck The deaths come after garda and the Road Safety Authority made fresh calls to all road users to exercise caution on the roads over the weekend, which is typically one of the busiest times on our roads. It is understoodthe car he was driving was in collision with a truck The deaths come after...

OCEANPORT, New Jersey (Reuters) - Trainer Bob Baffert waited five years to end his Breeders' Cup drought then celebrated two victories in as many hours on Saturday with favorites Indian Blessing and Midnight Lute roaring to commanding wins. One of the United States top trainers, Baffert has saddled three Kentucky Derby champions during his illustrious career. But the three-time Eclipse Award winner has not enjoyed the same success at the Breeders' Cup, celebrating just three wins in 44...