A stud deal will not be completed on unbeaten GI Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown (Boundary) before Saturday's GI Preakness S. as originally expected, IEAH co-president Michael Iavarone revealed Thursday. "Unfortunately, we couldn't come to terms on a stud deal for Big Brown prior to the Preakness as we had hoped," Iavarone said. "Legal issues and time constraints proved too much to overcome, and we will revisit all options following the Preakness. Big Brown is training as well as ever, we expect a big effort on Saturday, and are very anxious for the race. We appreciate the great interest shown in our colt."

A necropsy report released Thursday confirmed that GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles (Unbridled's Song) suffered compound fractures of both legs at the fetlock joints, resulting in her death. The report, ordered by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA), found no pre-existing bone abnormalities, according to Dr. Lafe Nichols, chief state veterinarian. There was also no evidence of any disease or condition affecting the filly's cardiovascular and pulmonary systems or other major organs. Owner Rick Porter said that a preliminary report concluded no catastrophic heart attack or ailment. The post-mortem was performed at the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center at the University of Kentucky. At a meeting to be held May 19, the KHRA will be asked by chairman Robert Beck Jr. to form a work group to study health and safety issues. "Nothing is more important to the racing industry than the safety of the competitors," said Lisa Underwood, executive director of the KHRA.

Ballymacoll's Tartan Bearer (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}--Highland Gift {Ire}, by Generous {Ire}) outlasted Frozen Fire (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}--Flamingo Sea, by Woodman) by a head to take the G2 Dante S. at York. The 4-6 favorite Twice Over (GB) (Observatory--Double Crossed {GB}, by Caerleon) finished third in sustaining his first career defeat. The winner, a full brother to G1 2000 Guineas hero Golan (Ire), was coming off an impressive maiden score at Leicester Apr. 26.

Thursday, York, Britain
DANTE S.-G2, £150,000, York, 5-15, 3yo, 10f 88ydsT, 2:09.50, gd/fm.
1--@#TARTAN BEARER (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Spectrum (Ire)
        1st Dam: Highland Gift (Ire), by Generous (Ire)
        2nd Dam: Scots Lass (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
        3rd Dam: Edinburgh (GB), by Charlottown (GB)
O/B-Ballymacoll Stud Farm; T-Sir Michael Stoute;
J-Ryan Moore; £85,155. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0,
£89,190. *Full to Golan (Ire), MG1SW-Eng, GSW-Fr,
G1SP-Ire, $1,624,185. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2--Frozen Fire (Ger), 126, c, 3, Montjeu (Ire)--Flamingo
Sea, by Woodman. (€250,000 yrl ‘06 GOFFEB).
O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier;
B-J U W Hoyer; T-Aidan O'Brien; £32,280.
3--Twice Over (GB), 126, c, 3, Observatory--Double
Crossed (GB), by Caerleon. O-Khalid Abdullah;
B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd; T-Henry Cecil; £16,155.
Margins: HD, 2HF, 5. Odds: 10-1, 14-1, 4-6.
Also Ran: Centennial (Ire), Young Pretender (Fr), McCartney (Ger).
   Tartan Bearer was runner-up to the useful Foolin Myself (GB) over an inadequate seven furlongs at Newmarket on debut in November and after recovering from a slight setback was 2-5 to open his account stepped up to 10 furlongs on his sophomore bow. That Leicester performance looked better the further he traveled and his subsequent homework had convinced connections to take the plunge. Settled last of all by a watchful Ryan Moore off the honest early gallop here, he was asked for his effort soon into the straight and arrived alongside Twice Over in the centre of the track with a quarter mile remaining. Dealing with that rival quickly, he had Frozen Fire to account for thereafter and edged into an advantage inside the final 150 yards before digging in determinedly. "I must admit, I thought he might just struggle today but the boss was spot on," Moore said. "It was a nice race and they went a good even pace, but when he got to the front he idled and then really knuckled down in the last furlong when the O'Brien horse came to me. He's a very honest horse and I don't see why he won't stay a mile and a half and handle Epsom, but we'll see in a month's time." Stoute has a fifth blue riband in mind now. "He doesn't do flashy homework, but he'll travel well behind anything and has a good cruising speed," he continued. "He will run in the Derby with Tajaaweed." Frozen Fire may renew rivalry in the June 7 Classic, but Henry Cecil revealed that Twice Over may now sidestep the contest. "I am not blaming the ground, as all the others went on it," he told PA Sport. "He came there and emptied out and he was disappointing really. Whether he needs to come back in distance or not I don't know. It is up to the Prince, but I don't think he will run in the Derby after that." Click for the Racing Post chart, the brisnet.com PPs, or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree.
   

The Farm Bill, which includes a provision to amend the depreciation schedule for racehorses, has passed Congress. The House voted 318-106 to pass the bill Wednesday, and the Senate followed suit Thursday by a vote of 81-15. President Bush has said he will veto the bill because of the total cost, which is close to $300 billion, but Congress can override the veto by a two-thirds majority. It seems likely, based on this week's voting, that the veto will be overridden. Under current tax law, racehorses are depreciated over either three or seven years, depending on their age when they begin training. Legislation contained in the Farm Bill allows an owner to recover his/her costs over the period of time that the horse is likely to race. The bill also makes breeders eligible for emergency federal loans in the case of a disaster, and provides relief funds to farmers and ranchers who are hit by losses in USDA-declared disaster areas.

Juddmonte's Promising Lead (GB) (Danehill--Arrive {GB}, by Kahyasi {Ire}) proved a comfortable 3 3/4-length winner in her seasonal bow, the G3 Middleton S. at York. The homebred hadn't faced the starter since finishing second by a head in the G1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp Oct. 7. Her dam is a full sister to Juddmonte's star broodmare Hasili (Ire). Under the Rainbow (GB) (Fantastic Light--Farfala {Fr}, by Linamix {Fr}) claimed the runner-up spot, while Flying Clarets (Ire) (Titus Livius {Fr}--Sheryl Lynn {GB}, by Miller's Mate {GB}) finished third.
   
Thursday, York, Britain
MIDDLETON S.-G3, £50,000, York, 5-15, 4yo/up, f/m, 10f 88ydsT, 2:08.20, gd/fm.
1--@PROMISING LEAD (GB), 124, f, 4, by Danehill
        1st Dam: Arrive (GB) (SW-Eng), by Kahyasi (Ire)
        2nd Dam: Kerali (GB), by High Line (GB)
        3rd Dam: Sookera, by Roberto
O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd; T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Ryan Moore; £28,385. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 6-3-2-0, £103,120. *1/2 to Visit (GB) Oasis Dream (GB), GSW-Eng. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
2--Under the Rainbow (GB), 124, m, 5, Fantastic Light--Farfala (Fr), by Linamix (Fr). (52,000gns yrl ‘04 TATOCT). O-W J Gredley; B-Arbib Bloodstock Partnership; T-Barry Hills; £10,760.
3--Flying Clarets (Ire), 124, m, 5, Titus Livius (Fr)--Sheryl Lynn (GB), by Miller's Mate (GB). (€6,000 wnlg ‘03 GOFNOV; €13,000 yrl ‘04 TATIRE). O-The Matthewman Partnership; B-Gabriel Bell; T-Richard Fahey; £5,385.
Margins: 3 3/4, 7, 1 3/4. Odds: 2-5, 8-1, 6-1.
Also Ran: Ronaldsay (GB), Sell Out (GB). Scratched: Samira Gold (Fr) ,Soft Morning (GB).
   Promising Lead took a while to blossom last term and after finishing runner-up in this meeting's Listed Michael Seely Memorial Fillies' S. was only fourth in the Listed Hoppings S. at Newcastle the following month. After gaining her first stakes win in Salisbury's Listed Upavon Fillies' S. in August, the homebred excelled when a head second to Satwa Queen (Fr) in the G1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp on her final start in October. She was the only one the Knavesmire faithful wanted to know beforehand and showed why in the race with a straightforward comeback score, tracking the strong pace before leading approaching the final quarter and quickly asserting. "She's a very good, proper Group 1 filly and had much too class for these," jockey Ryan Moore commented. "I was in front too early and she doesn't do a lot when she gets there, so she'll come on a lot for this." Click for the Racing Post chart or the brisnet.com PPs.
   

York, 4.20, Mdn, £12,100, 2yo, 6fT, 1:12.05, gd/fm.
LORD SHANAKILL (c, 2, Speightstown--Green Room, by Theatrical {Ire}), third on debut at Thirsk Apr. 18, started at 13-2 and broke smartly to hold the call. Turning the screw inside the final quarter, the $110,000 KEESEP yearling was comfortably in command despite the efforts of Awinnersgame (Ire) (Kyllachy {GB}) and had 2 3/4 lengths to spare over that rival at the line. " We knew he had improved and his last couple of pieces of work with older horses were very good," trainer Karl Burke commented. "We always thought a lot of him and his family is progressive and not just a two-year-old one. I'll keep him at six furlongs for now and the G2 Coventry S. [at Royal Ascot June 17] is the obvious race." Lord Shanakill becomes the first winner for his freshman sire, champion sprinter Speightstown (Gone West). Lord Shanakill was produced by the unraced Theatrical (Ire) mare Green Room, a half-sister to GISW Spanish Fern and to the dam of GI Santa Anita H. winner Heatseeker (Ire). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, £8,606. Click for the free racingpost.co.uk chart.
O-Mark T Gittins; B-Vimal Khosla, Gillian Khosla & Templeton Stud; T-Karl Burke.

4th-PIM, $28,000, Msw, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :52 2/5, ft.
JUST HUMMM (c, 2, Bowman's Band--Jubilees Galore {SW, $168,067}, by Scarlet Ibis) failed to get into the mix of things in his debut at Delaware Apr. 26, and had to settle for fifth, beaten 8 3/4 lengths. Given a 6-1 chance for this second go, the $2,000 FTMOCT yearling settled off the early pace in third through an opening quarter in :22.97, took over inside the three sixteenths pole and drew clear to score by 4 3/4 lengths over Orchestrated (Bernstein). With the victory, the colt becomes the first winner for his freshman sire (by Dixieland Band). Click for the brisnet.com chart. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $17,160. 
O-Jason Quinzer. B-Highland Meadows Farm Inc (KY). T-Valora A Testerman.

It will be post seven for Big Brown (Boundary) in Saturday's GI Preakness S. at Pimlico. The GI Kentucky Derby hero, who bucked 79 years of history when he captured the Run for the Roses after breaking from post 20, gets a much more manageable post, historically speaking, for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Thus far, 11 Preakness winners have left from stall seven. Pimlico odds-maker Frank Carulli installed Big Brown as the heavy 1-2 favorite. The second choice in the 13-horse field, at 8-1, is recent addition Gayego (Gilded Time), who drew post 12 for the Preakness.

At the Preakness draw, IEAH president Michael Iavarone confirmed that stud plans for the two-time Grade I winner would likely be announced Thursday, and that Big Brown would definitely be retired after his three-year-old year.

The full field for the 1 3/16-mile second leg of the Triple Crown is:

1-Macho Again (Macho Uno); 2-Tres Borrachos (Ecton Park); 3-Icabad Crane (Jump Start); 4-Yankee Bravo (Yankee Gentleman); 5-Behindatthebar (Forest Wildcat); 6-Racecar Rhapsody (Tale of the Cat); 7-Big Brown (Boundary); 8-Kentucky Bear (Mr. Greeley); 9-Stevil (Maria's Mon); 10-Riley Tucker (Harlan's Holiday); 11-Giant Moon (Giant's Causeway); 12-Gayego (Gilded Time); 13-Hey Byrn (Put it Back).

Wednesday, York, Britain
   TATTERSALLS MUSIDORA S.-G3, £60,000, York, 5-14, 3yo, f, 10f 88ydsT, 2:09.78, gd/fm.
1--#@LUSH LASHES (GB), 124, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
        1st Dam: Dance for Fun (GB), by Anabaa
        2nd Dam: Hilaris (GB), by Arazi
        3rd Dam: Carnival Spirit (GB), by Kris (GB)
   (€80,000 yrl ‘06 GOFORB). O-Mrs J S Bolger; B-Mrs
   A M Jenkins; T-Jim Bolger; J-Kevin Manning. Lifetime
   Record: 4-2-0-0, £704,665. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
   2--Cape Amber (Ire), 124, f, 3, Cape Cross (Ire)--
   Maramba (GB), by Rainbow Quest. O/B-Five Horses
   Ltd; T-Peter Chapple-Hyam; £12,912.
3--Dar Re Mi (GB), 124, f, 3, Singspiel (Ire)--Darara (Ire),
   by Top Ville (Ire). O-Lord Lloyd-Webber; B-Watership
   Down Stud; T-John Gosden; £6,462.
   
Margins: 5, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 2-1, 9-1, 10-3.
   
Also Ran: Moonstone (GB), Sovereign's Honour, Cruel Sea, Comeback Queen (GB), Sayyedati Symphony.
   
Lush Lashes hit the jackpot when garnering the Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Fillies Million on debut at The Curragh last September, but found the deep mud too much of a hindrance when returning to run seventh in the G3 Park Express S. at the Co. Kildare venue in her sophomore bow Mar. 30. Noted for her closing rally when finishing a close-up sixth in the May 4 G1 1000 Guineas S. at Newmarket last time, she appreciated this firmer strip to trounce the opposition and claim a first pattern-race score. Keeping the leaders within range in fifth, the bay filly eased closer in early straight and broke loose once taking over inside the final quarter mile to outclass her rivals by daylight. "She did it very easy, considering there wasn't much early pace and that they quickened up a long way from home," explained jockey Kevin Manning. "There are no question marks about her getting a mile and a half." Trainer Jim Bolger issued a note of caution with regard to her participation in the June 6 G1 Epsom Oaks as representative Ger Flynn revealed, "Speaking to the boss on the phone just now, he said we're not going to rule anything out at the moment, and Epsom and The Curragh are both on the cards. We'll see how she is when we get her home, but it's more likely to be The Curragh [for the July 13 G1 Irish Oaks]." The winner's third dam is a half-sister to 1990 Arc hero Saumarez (GB).
   Click for the Racing Post chart.
   

ADJUDICATING S., $74,950, BEL, 5-14, 3yo, 6 1/2f, 1:16 3/5, ft.
1--READY'S IMAGE, 120, c, 3, More Than Ready--
   Clever Phrase, by Clever Trick. ($410,000 yrl '06
   KEESEP). O-James T Scatuorchio; B-Dark Hollow
   Farm (MD); T-Todd A Pletcher; J-John R Velazquez;
   $45,870. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 7-4-1-1,
   $305,292. Werk Nick Rating: C.
   Click for the eNicks report and 5-cross pedigree.
   2--Desert Key, 118, c, 3, E Dubai--Storm Key, by Storm
   Cat. ($270,000 yrl '06 KEESEP). O-Centennial Farms.
   $15,290.
3--True Quality, 118, c, 3, Elusive Quality--Louve
   Mysterieuse, by Seeking the Gold. ($280,000 yrl '06
   FTKOCT). O-Paraneck Stable. $7,660.
   
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 6. Odds: 0.95, 2.95, 4.00.
   Ready's Image won last year's Tremont S. and GII Sanford S. and was second behind Majestic Warrior in the Sept. 3 GI Hopeful S., but had not been seen since coming home last in the Oct. 6 GI Champagne S. Favored in this short field of five in his return, the dark bay colt raced at the back of the pack after a bobbled start. He moved into contention turning for home and reeled in the leaders down the length of the stretch for a professional win. Video, sponsored by Taylor Made. Click for the brisnet.com chart.
   

4th-CDX, $39,915, Msw, 2yo, 5f, :59 2/5, sy.
   +RETAP (c, 2, Tapit--Free Spin, by Olympio), looking to become the first winner for his freshman sire (by Pulpit), was the 5-2 second choice in his bow. The chestnut homebred was always close to the pace, took over in upper stretch and strode clear to a confident 3 1/2-length score. Join in the Dance (Sky Mesa) held on for second, a head in front of even-money favorite Awesome Preacher (Touch Gold). Chapel Run (Chapel Royal) was fourth. Click for the brisnet.com chart. Video, sponsored by Taylor Made. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $25,965.
   O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY). T-Steven M Asmussen.

Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stable added another top prospect at Barretts May on Tuesday, paying $700,000 for a filly from the second crop of Harlan's Holiday. Consigned by Murray Smith as agent, the Kentucky-bred bay is out of Leading the Way (Septieme Ciel), a daughter of MGSW Fit to Lead (Fit to Fight).

York, 4.20, Cond, £13,000, 2yo, 5fT, 1:00.01, gd/fm.
   +MASAMAH (IRE) (c, 2, Exceed and Excel {Aus}--Bethesda {GB}, by Distant Relative {Ire}), a 3-1 chance, chased the leaders and ran greenly through the early stages of this first go. Oozing confidence when making his bid inside the final quarter-mile, the grey colt seized control with a furlong to go and, despite drifting across the track to the far rail, kept on strongly for one tap of the whip in the closing stages to best Caranbola (GB) (Lucky Story) by 1 1/4 lengths. "He's always shown a lot of class at home and has a fantastic temperament apart from an intimidation of other horses," explained trainer Ed Dunlop. "[Jockey] Richard [Hills] very much did the right thing by letting him drift, because you want to be uncomplicated with two-year-olds at this stage of their career. He's a smart horse and, hopefully, he'll win again." Masamah, a 60,000gns DONAUG yearling, marks the first Northern Hemisphere winner for his freshman sire (by Danehill). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £8,419.
   O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Stanley Estate & Stud Co and Mount Coote Stud; T-Ed Dunlop.

Wednesday, Naas, Ireland
   BLUE WIND S.-G3, €90,000, Naas, 5-14, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/4mT, 2:09.24, gd.
1--#@ADORED (IRE), 121, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
        1st Dam: Sudden Hope (Fr), by Darshaan (GB)
        2nd Dam: Sudden Glory (Fr), by Luthier (Fr)
        3rd Dam: Sauce Supreme (GB), by Hard Sauce (GB)
   O-Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Whisperview
   Trading Ltd; T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Johnny Murtagh;
   €58,500. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, €70,247. *1/2
   to Frederick Ozanam (Ire) (Traditionally), GSP-Ire.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
   Werk Nick Rating: A+.
   2--Tiffany Diamond (Ire), 121, f, 3, Sadler's Wells--Niyla
   (Ire), by Darshaan (GB). O-Anne Marie O'Brien;
   B-Whisperview Trading Ltd; T-Aidan O'Brien; €18,000.
3--Profound Beauty (Ire), 135, f, 4, Danehill--Diamond
   Trim (Ire), by Highest Honor (Fr). O/B-Moyglare Stud
   Farm; T-Dermot Weld; €9,000.
   
Margins: 1 1/4, 2, 7. Odds: 9-2, 33-1, 4-7.
   
Also Ran: Allicansayis Wow, Sweet Sixteen (Ire), Arkadina (Ire), Marjalina (Ire).
   
   Adored made no impact on her first two starts at Navan in October and Leopardstown Apr. 6, but made a giant leap forward in the stable's now customary style at Gowran Park May 4. The bay looked a transformed character with that 11-length maiden success, and continued the progression under a forceful ride from Johnny Murtagh here as Ballydoyle enjoyed a one-two. Soon in front, she had drawn the sting from Profound Beauty before the final furlong and pulled out extra as Tiffany Diamond emerged to complete the exacta for her breeder and trainer. "The filly has improved a lot from her maiden," Murtagh told PA Sport. "She's a big, strong galloping filly with a lot of class." Click for the Racing Post chart.
   

Naas, 6.50, Cond, €20,000, 2yo, 6fT, 1:10.56, gd.
   BLAS CEOIL (f, 2, Mr. Greeley--Extraterrestral, by Storm Bird), off the mark at Navan last time Apr. 27, was keen under restraint behind the leading quartet before pulling her way to the fore passing halfway. Quickening to lead with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining, the 7-4 favorite had two lengths to spare over Heart of Fire (Ire) (Mujadil) at the line. Blas Ceoil is a full sister to Allwise, SP-Jpn, $453,088; and a half to Alienated (Gone West), SW; Machikane Isaribi (Gone West), SP-Jpn, $480,341; and Exhaust Note (A.P. Indy), SW-Jpn, $372,196. Her second dam is Canadian champion Victorian Queen (Victoria Park), who produced a trio of Grade I winners in Judge Angelucci (Honest Pleasure), War (Majestic Light) and Peace (Naskra) as well as Saviour (Majestic Light), the granddam of champion Teofilo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Click for the Racing Post chart. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €26,890.
   O-Mrs J S Bolger; B-WinStar Farm LLC; T-Jim Bolger.