Bob Baffert prefers to be 2nd to none in Derby (AP)

If you think Bob Baffert likes finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, think again. The first time the trainer saddled a horse in the Derby, he was second with Cavonnier in 1996, losing to Grindstone by the smallest of margins -- a nose, after a photo finish. Upset but undeterred, Baffert simply came back and won the Derby the next two years, first with Silver Charm and then with Real Quiet.

Monmouth Park to average $1 million daily purses (AP)
Horse racing officials in New Jersey have agreed on a plan to stage a million-dollar meet at Monmouth Park, lower the number of thoroughbred racing dates in the state and make the Meadowlands a harness racing-only track. The dramatic shift was announced Monday by New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority Chief Executive Dennis Robinson.

Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta is off, for now (AP)
Rachel Alexandra won't be facing Zenyatta next month in their planned highly anticipated $5 million showdown, leaving racing's other female superstar to take on all comers. Rachel Alexandra's owner, Jess Jackson, said Sunday that his 2009 Horse of the Year is not in top form after her defeat in the New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds.

Huge rally gives Annihilation win at Santa Anita (AP)
Annihilation rallied from eighth to beat favorite Czechers by a neck and win the $64,050 Clocker's Corner Handicap on Sunday at Santa Anita. Czechers sat second in the field off 11 fillies and mares for most of the race and appeared perfectly poised for a win, but Annihilation and jockey Alex Solis, still eighth at the top of the stretch, staged a furious rally and passed the favorite in the...

African Diamond wins Big A feature (AP)

African Diamond splashed to a 4-length win over Tranquil Manner in the $43,000 allowance feature in the slop on Sunday at Aqueduct. The 1 1-16 miles race scratched down to only four runners. Rosie Napravnik sent African Diamond right to the front and they dictated the pace the rest of the way. African Diamond cruised to his third win the last four starts, improving to 5 for 13.

Sidney's Candy wins San Felipe at Santa Anita (AP)
Calling Sidney's Candy a frontrunner on the Kentucky Derby trail isn't just hype. The colt has led all the way in winning his first two races of the season. Sidney's Candy won the $150,000 San Felipe Stakes by a half-length on Saturday, sending 3-year-old rival Caracortado to his first loss in six races.

Zenyatta improves to 15-0 with Santa Anita win (AP)
Zenyatta's owners brought her back to the races so they could have some fun and the fans could enjoy the mare who loves putting on a show. She delivered on both counts Saturday, when Zenyatta won the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap by 1 lengths, extending her career victory streak to 15-0. "Everybody really loves her," co-owner Jerry Moss said.

Lookin At Lucky wins Oaklawn's Rebel by a head (AP)
Bob Baffert took it easy on Lookin At Lucky while preparing for Saturday's Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. That strategy nearly cost him a victory but he was content with how the top 3-year-old on the road to the Kentucky Derby fared in the 1 1-16 mile race. "He passed all the tests," Baffert said after Lookin At Lucky recovered from a hard bump in the backstretch and won by a head over...

Zardana upsets Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds (AP)
America's most famous filly fizzled out and now the most anticipated race of the year is no sure thing. Rachel Alexandra lost her first start of 2010, beaten by Zenyatta's stablemate, Zardana, in Saturday's $200,000 New Orleans Ladies. What was widely seen as a tune-up for Rachel Alexandra before her showdown with unbeaten mare Zenyatta at the $5 million Apple Blossom at Oaklawn on...

Odysseus rallies to win Tampa Bay Derby (AP)
Odysseus rallied from between horses in deep stretch Saturday to win the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby by a nose over Schoolyard Dreams. Race favorite Super Saver was third. Trained by Thomas Albertrani and ridden by Rajiv Maragh, Odysseus covered the 1 1-16th mile in 1:44.31 while winning by a head bob at the finish line.