Happily Unbridled

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said he has been proactive in his support of expanded gambling to assist horse racing and breeding, and the “continued tough economy may further underscore that effort.”

The performance of the Fasig-Tipton Texas sale of 2-year-olds in training March 31 exceeded expectations when the average price held steady amidst tumbling figures at juvenile auctions across the country. The sale was held at Lone Star Park.

The Pamplemousse, with his regular rider Alex Solis aboard, turned in a sharp final tune-up March 31 for the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I). The 3-year-old son of Kafwain worked three furlongs in :34.80 seconds at Santa Anita Park in California. He was the fastest of 15 workers at that distance.

Proud Spell will miss the April 4 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas because of an injury, according to Daily Racing Form. The publication reported March 31 that the 4-year-old filly’s trainer, Larry Jones, discovered some swelling in her left hind ankle the evening of March 30.

Team Valor International and Gary Barber’s Gitano Hernando, who is being prepared for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) by trainer Marco Botti at Newmarket in England, easily won his 3-year-old debut March 29, going a mile and a quarter on turf at Doncaster.

Arlington Park management has reached an agreement with the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (ITHA) to offer a bonus of up to 5% of the base purse of overnight races contingent upon the number of distinct wagering interests in the starting field.

Champion Stardom Bound is scheduled to run in the April 4 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, but her half-brother by Roman Ruler won’t be offered during the Keeneland April sale of 2-year-olds in training in Lexington.

HRTV will provide live coverage of Keeneland’s sale of 2-year-olds in training, which is scheduled for April 6 and 7 in Lexington. Sessions begin each evening at 7 p.m. (EDT).

Snow Dance, who won or placed in a dozen graded turf stakes, was euthanized March 28 after undergoing colic surgery several days earlier.

Some of the 3-year-olds entered in the $150,000 Central Bank Transylvania (gr. IIIT) made brief stops on the Triple Crown trail and are now switching gears. Others began their careers on dirt but have recently found success on turf. Whatever the individual case may be, it has made for an interesting field of eight in Keeneland’s feature race April 3, which is opening day of the Lexington racetrack’s 15-day spring meet.