Trainer Jimmy Takter has owned the Hambletonian lately

Here is the latest Horse Racing News from NBC Sports.

Trainer Jimmy Takter has owned the Hambletonian lately
The Hambletonian has become trainer Jimmy Takter’s personal playground lately.

Haskell field includes Derby, Preakness winners
Leaving Monmouth Park hours after Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s triumphant return to the races in last year’s Haskell Invitational, track president Bob Kulina already was thinking ahead.

Haskell: Derby winner Nyquist 6-5 favorite over Exaggerator
Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist has been made the 6-5 morning-line favorite for the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in a six-horse field that includes Preakness winner Exaggerator.

Preakness winner Exaggerator joins Haskell field
Preakness winner Exaggerator has joined the field for Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational, setting up another matchup against Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.

Patriots Rule rallies to win California Dreamin’ Stakes
Long-shot Patriots Rule rallied from last to beat Ambitious Brew by a half-length in the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes at Del Mar.

California Chrome wins San Diego Handicap
California Chrome beat Dortmund by a half-length Saturday at Del Mar in the Grade 2 $200,000 San Diego Handicap.

Summer racing heats up with California Chrome, Songbird
Horse racing’s summer season kicks off in a big way this weekend at two of the sport’s most treasured racetracks, Del Mar and Saratoga.

Saratoga to open for its 148th season of thoroughbred racing
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The 148th season of thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs gets underway this week, kicking off nearly seven weeks of a summertime tradition dating to the Civil War. Opening day for Saratoga Race Course is Friday, with gates opening at 11 a.m. and the first race post time scheduled for 1 p.m. […]

Midnight Storm wins $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar
Midnight Storm fought off multiple challenges in the stretch to win the $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes on Sunday at Del Mar.

John Velazquez rides 4 winners at Belmont, takes both stakes
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez won four races, winning both stakes at Belmont Park.

Top Irish jockey Fallon retires because of depression
Speaking on Fallon’s behalf, the chief medical officer for the Irish Turf Club said on Monday that Fallon has had depression for almost three years.

Dalmore wins Affirmed Stakes for Desormeaux brothers
Dalmore won the $100,000 Affirmed Stakes by a half-length Saturday at Santa Anita for the Desormeaux brothers.

Momameamaria wins Belmont feature by 5 1/2 lengths
Momameamaria easily dispatched three rivals in the $80,750 allowance feature for fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

Ancient Secret wins Belmont’s Wild Applause Stakes by a head
Ancient Secret rallied to beat Thundering Sky by a head Sunday in the $100,000 Wild Applause Stakes.

Bradester wins Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs
Bradester took charge at the start and held off Eagle by a half-length Saturday night in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs to claim a spot in this fall in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Undefeated Songbird cruises to win at Santa Anita
Songbird won the $200,000 Summertime Oaks for 3-year-old fillies by 6 1/2 lengths Saturday at Santa Anita to improve to 8-0.

Chief Lion roars in Belmont Park feature
Chief Lion extended his winning streak to three with a 1 1/2-length victory Wednesday in the $85,000 allowance feature at Belmont Park.

American horse Tepin wins at Royal Ascot
American mare Tepin won the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in her first race in Europe.

A little help gets Creator to Belmont Stakes winner’s circle
A little gamesmanship, a celebrity chef added to the mix, and a stirring finish paid huge dividends all around when Creator came through in the Belmont Stakes.

Creator pulls upset in 148th Belmont Stakes
NEW YORK  — Creator closed with a rush and caught Destin at the wire to win the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, with Preakness winner Exaggerator finishing well back in the field. The 3-year-old gray colt trained by Steve Asmussen came flying down the stretch as Destin tried to hang on to the lead. […]

Belmont Stakes not the same without a Triple Crown at stake
A year ago, the joint was jumpin’.

BELMONT: Sizing up the field for final leg of Triple Crown
Preakness winner Exaggerator is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in a field of 13 3-year-olds for the 148th running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. A look at how the field shapes up for Saturday’s final leg of the Triple Crown (horses listed by post position, with trainer, jockey, analysis, morning-line odds):

Exaggerator Clear Betting Favorite on Odds to Win Belmont Stakes
After ending Nyquist’s chances of a Triple Crown triumph with his victory at the Preakness Stakes, Exaggerator is poised to leave the No. 11 post at Saturday’s Belmont Stakes as the race favorite at short +125 odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The Keith Desormeaux-trained colt showed his dominance in sloppy conditions three weeks ago […]

Exaggerator’s trainer in spotlight for Belmont Stakes
While he always says he’s thankful just for being able to train horses, Keith Desormeaux stops short of characterizing his newfound success as a dream come true.

Kent Desormeaux out of alcohol rehab, ready for Belmont
Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux returned from a short stay in a drug and alcohol rehab center and was aboard Preakness winner Exaggerator for a morning workout before Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.

Preakness-winning jockey Kent Desormeaux in alcohol rehab
Preakness Stakes-winning jockey Kent Desormeaux has gone to alcohol rehabilitation but will return in time to ride Exaggerator in the Belmont Stakes next weekend.

Paging F. Scott Fitzgerald: Jay Gatsby wins Belmont feature
Jay Gatsby rallied for a 1 1/2- length victory Friday in the $85,000 allowance feature on the turf at Belmont Park.

Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist returns to the track
Nyquist had been limited to walking around the barn since a fever and elevated white blood cell count forced him out of the Preakness.

Illuminant wins Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita
Illuminant closed from just off the pace to win the $300,000 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares by one length Monday at Santa Anita.

Si Sage wins Charles Whittingham at Santa Anita
Si Sage led all the way to win the $200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths Sunday at Santa Anita.

Gold Rush Dancer wins Snow Chief Stakes at Santa Anita
Gold Rush Dancer won the $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes by a nose Saturday at Santa Anita on California Gold Rush Day for state bred or sired horses.

My Cara Mia captures Belmont Park feature
My Cara Mia beat Coming Attraction by 1 ¼ lengths Friday in the $80,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares on the turf at Belmont Park.

Hancock, Woodward elected to racing Hall
The announcement was made Wednesday by the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.

Derby winner Nyquist won’t run in Belmont
The trainer of Nyquist says the Kentucky Derby winner is sick and won’t run in the Belmont Stakes on June 11.

Derby winner Nyquist’s trip to Belmont delayed by fever
The assistant trainer for Nyquist says the Kentucky Derby winner’s trip to Belmont Park has been delayed because the colt developed a “slightly elevated temperature.”

Exaggerator wins Preakness Stakes, upsets Nyquist
BALTIMORE — Finally, Exaggerator has beaten Nyquist, and it came in the Preakness on Saturday to end any chance of another Triple Crown. Seizing the lead at the top of the stretch, Exaggerator splashed past a tiring Nyquist and went on for a 3 1/2-length victory over Cherry Wine on a rain-drenched Pimlico Race Course. Exaggerator’s […]

Nyquist loses for 1st time, finishing 3rd in Preakness
Doug O’Neill was clapping feverishly as Nyquist charged to the finish line, a Triple Crown still within striking distance.

Two horses die in first four races on Preakness Day undercard
BALTIMORE (AP) — In a tragic start to Preakness day, two horses died at Pimlico Race Course and a jockey broke a collarbone after a spill on a damp, rainy Saturday. Pramedya broke down around the turn in the fourth race, tumbled to the ground as jockey Daniel Centeno was thrown to the turf. Pimlico […]

Nyquist and Exaggerator Dominate Odds to Win Preakness Stakes
Nyquist will be looking to become the third straight Kentucky Derby winner to race to victory at the Preakness Stakes when he hits the track on Saturday as a strong -175 betting favorite at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. After claiming a 1 1/4-length victory at this year’s Kentucky Derby, paying out as +225 chalk, Nyquist […]

Bob Baffert looks for Preakness upset with Collected
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert hopes Collected will deliver more than another “opening act” in the Preakness on Saturday at Pimlico.

Preakness 2016: Derby winner Nyquist ready for another
He’ll have another.

Monmouth Park to open thoroughbred season on Saturday
Monmouth Park will open its thoroughbred meet on Saturday with an 11-race card that features the $75,000 Decathlon Stakes.

He’s here! Kentucky Derby champ Nyquist arrives at Pimlico
Nyquist arrived at Pimlico on Monday and was eased into Stall 24 of the Stakes Barn despite the tradition of winners using Stall 40.

Derby winner Nyquist heads to Preakness; new rivals await
Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist heads to Baltimore on Monday to prepare for the Preakness, where the undefeated colt could face up to 13 rivals including nine new shooters seeking to derail his Triple Crown bid.

No more Triple talk for Baffert, Espinoza after 2016 Derby
The American Pharoah hangover is over for Bob Baffert, Victor Espinoza and Ahmed Zayat with Triple Crown chatter now turning to Nyquist.

Nyquist wins 2016 Kentucky Derby
The presumptive favorite remained unbeaten and won the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Nyquist Maintains Momentum as Kentucky Derby Betting Favorite
After claiming the No. 13 post position Nyquist continues to dominate the odds to win the Kentucky Derby, pegged as a +300 favorite at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Nyquist takes a perfect record through seven races into Saturday afternoon’s 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and is slated to occupy the same […]

Repole in Derby chase with Outwork, son of top sire Uncle Mo
Repole’s Uncle Mo is the sire of three horses running in Saturday’s Derby — from favorite Nyquist to a horse Repole owns, Outwork.

Nyquist draws No. 13 post as early 3-1 Kentucky Derby fav
Nyquist has been made the early 3-1 favorite for the 142nd Kentucky Derby, with Exaggerator the second choice in the full field of 20 horses.

22 horses entered for Kentucky Derby; field limited to 20
Twenty-two horses have been entered for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, two more than the maximum field of 20.

2016 Kentucky Derby Start Time, Post Time, TV and more
Where and when to watch the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Derby 2016: 5 horses to watch in 142nd Kentucky Derby
The starting gate will once again be full with 20 horses for the 142nd Kentucky Derby. Who should you be looking out for?

Wire-to-wire for Nyquist as No. 1 contender for Derby
Unlike Pharoah-phever a year ago, Nyquist-mania hasn’t yet struck in the days leading to the Kentucky Derby. It might by next Saturday night if the undefeated colt ends up in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs.

Keeneland has provided a training option for Derby hopefuls
No matter what happens in the Kentucky Derby, some trainers have found a comfort zone for preparation at Keeneland.

Nyquist Steady Atop Latest Odds to Win 2016 Kentucky Derby
Nyquist sits as the +300 betting favorite on the odds to win the Kentucky Derby at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com, but he faces growing competition from the field. Nyquist, a three-year-old colt that remains undefeated through seven races, is scheduled to run his final breeze at Keeneland on Friday before moving to Louisville ahead of […]

$1M bonus offered to horse sweeping 3 races in California
A $1 million bonus is being offered to a horse that sweeps this year’s Pacific Classic, Awesome Again Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Triple Crown winner Espinoza to ride Whitmore in Derby
Victor Espinoza will have a chance for an unprecedented three-peat in the Kentucky Derby, after all.

Racing Hall of Fame: Rachel, Zenyatta, Dominguez, Asmussen
Steve Asmussen hit the jackpot years ago with Rachel Alexandra. Soon, they’ll be together again — in the Racing Hall of Fame.

Breeders’ Cup to return to Churchill Downs in 2018
The Breeders’ Cup is returning to its old Kentucky home.

Finest City wins Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos
Finest City claimed victory in the $200,690 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Cupid has breathing problem, won’t run in Kentucky Derby
Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert says Cupid has a breathing problem and won’t run in the Kentucky Derby.

AP Derby Top 10: Nyquist is so No. 1, California horses rule
Led by unbeaten and top-rated Nyquist, the latest Run to the Roses Top 10 features four Derby-bound 3-year-olds based at Santa Anita Park.

Top filly Songbird out of Kentucky Oaks with fever
Without Songbird, the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on the day before the Kentucky Derby won’t be the same.

Creator pulls away to win $1 million Arkansas Derby
Creator closed out his second victory of the year, Saturday, to win the $1 million Kentucky Derby prep race.

Cindys Secret wins feature by 3 3/4 lengths at Los Alamitos
Cindys Secret won the $47,725 feature for fillies and mares bred or sired in California by 3 3/4 lengths Friday at Los Alamitos.

Unbeaten Nyquist Strengthens Position Atop Kentucky Derby Odds
There was a shakeup atop the odds to win the Kentucky Derby at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com following Nyquist’s victory at the $1 million Florida Derby, which extended the three-year-old colt’s perfect record on the track and made him the +300 betting favorite. Nyquist’s dominating victory by three lengths in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby […]

Trophy for winner of 142nd Kentucky Derby arriving at track
The 14-karat gold trophy to be presented to the Kentucky Derby winner’s owner has arrived at Churchill Downs.

Dinny Phipps remembered: ‘He won the Triple Crown of life’
Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps was remembered during a memorial service on Tuesday as a “big man with a big heart” who “won the Triple Crown of life.”

Dreamologist wins Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita
Quick Casablanca made a bold move around the final turn and went on to a 2 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes Sunday on closing day at Santa Anita, giving Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally his fourth career win in the race at age 83.

Stakes races highlight Keeneland’s spring opening weekend
Qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are up for grabs this weekend as Keeneland begins its 16-day spring meet.

Shagaf favorite in 8-horse field for Wood at Big A
So far, Shagaf has been a picture of perfection on the race track, but the biggest test for the 3-year-old bay colt comes Saturday, in the Wood Memorial.

Zulu is early favorite for Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland
Zulu is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, which will award 170 points toward the Kentucky Derby.

AP DERBY TOP 10: It’s still Nyquist, of course
And now, a few words about undefeated horses running in the Kentucky Derby – Nyquist, specifically.

Healthy, happy and still unbeaten, Nyquist heads to Kentucky
The numbers say Nyquist will face a daunting challenge in the Kentucky Derby, and trainer Doug O’Neill is fully aware of that.

DERBY PREPS: Little-known 3-year-olds get a Derby chance
Both Moyhamen and Nyquist are already qualified for the Kentucky Derby, but the Florida Derby is a last chance for some others.

Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel retires
Three-time Kentucky Derby winner and Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel — known as “Bo-rail” — is retiring.

Japan-based Lani headed to Kentucky Derby
Lani will be the first Japan-based horse to race in the Kentucky Derby since 1995 after winning the UAE Derby in Dubai.

Gun Runner wins Louisiana Derby
Gun Runner punched his ticket for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, pulling away for a commanding victory in the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds.

California Chrome wins Dubai World Cup by 5 lengths
California Chrome proved in emphatic fashion he was back at his best when he won the Dubai World Cup by five lengths on Saturday.

Tara’s Tango wins Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita
Tara’s Tango rallied from off the pace to collar 4-5 favorite Taris late and win the $500,000 Santa Margarita Stakes.

Olympic cycling champion Pendleton earns 1st win as a jockey
Barely a year after first sitting on a horse, Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton earned her first win as a jockey on Wednesday to potentially set her up for a ride at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival.

Jockey Ramon Dominguez 1 of 10 finalists for racing HOF
Jockeys Ramon Dominguez, Victor Espinoza, Garrett Gomez, and Craig Perret are among the 10 finalists on the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s ballot.

Mor Spirit, Brody’s Cause top fields for 2 Derby prep races
Last seen closing with a rush for third place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Brody’s Cause is ready for his 3-year-old debut – and a chance to stay on track for the Kentucky Derby.

Making Havoc wins Aqueduct feature
Making Havoc led all the way Thursday to take the $69,000 allowance feature at Aqueduct.

Illuminant wins turf feature at Santa Anita
Illuminant took command turning for home and won the $60,000 feature for older fillies and mares by 4 1/2 lengths Thursday at Santa Anita.

Backsideofthemoon wins Aqueduct feature
Backsideofthemoon beat Still Krz by 1 1/2 lengths Friday in the $67,000 allowance feature at Aqueduct.

Mor Spirit, Exaggerator head field for San Felipe Stakes
Bob Baffert is going to find out more about Mor Spirit when he saddles the 3-year-old in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes this weekend at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita cancels final 3 races after 1 inch of rain falls
Santa Anita canceled the final three races on Friday’s card after the track was hit with an inch of rain during a quick-moving storm.

Salutos Amigos surges to victory in Big A’s Tom Fool
Salutos Amigos unleashed an electrifying rally Saturday to defend his title in the $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct.

Danzing Candy wins San Felipe, favorite Mor Spirit is 2nd
Danzing Candy led all the way to win the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds by two lengths, upsetting 8-5 favorite Mor Spirit in the Kentucky Derby prep Saturday at Santa Anita.

Destin wins Tampa Bay Derby in record time
Destin won the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday, running 1 1/16 miles in the Kentucky Derby prep in a track and stakes-record 1:42.82.

16-1 shot Melatonin scores upset in $1M Santa Anita Handicap
Longshot Melatonin won the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap by 4 1/2 lengths.

Turco Bravo repeats in Big A’s Stymie Stakes at 20-1
Turco Bravo posted another upset victory in the $125,000 Stymie Stakes, rallying from last to beat the favored Dontbetwithbruno by one length on Sunday at Aqueduct.

71-1 shot Generosidade wins San Luis Rey in huge upset
Generosidade rallied late to win the $200,000 San Luis Rey Stakes for older horses by 1 1/2 lengths in a huge upset Sunday at Santa Anita.

Shagaf pulls out Gotham win, moves into Derby picture
Shagaf closed with a rush and won the $400,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday to improve his record to 3-0 and move into contention for the Kentucky Derby.

Derby Top 10: Danzing Candy, Destin in; Nyquist still on top
Slowly but surely, Todd Pletcher’s talented 3-year-olds are beginning to emerge from the pack less than eight weeks before the Kentucky Derby.

Wiggle It Jiggleit wins Little Brown Jug
Wiggle It Jiggleit won the Little Brown Jug on Thursday, rallying to edge Lost for Words by a nose in the third leg of the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacing triple crown.

Loki’s Vengeance wins Belmont feature by a length
Loki’s Vengeance beat Classic Salsa by a length Friday in the $85,000 allowance feature at Belmont Park.

Weekend Express draws off to win Monmouth Park feature
Weekend Express took the lead nearing the top of the stretch and beat Ginger Goose by 2 3/4 lengths Saturday in the $40,000 allowance feature at Monmouth Park.

Big Blue Kitten wins Belmont’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
Big Blue Kitten won the $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic in a course-record time Saturday at Belmont Park.