Taraz

5th-Belmont The Big A, $83,700, Msw, 10-14, 2yo, f, 1m (off turf), 1:38.78, sy, 1 1/2 lengths. PURLOIN (f, 2, Arrogate--Smooth Path, by Scat Daddy), a $200,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $400,000 OBS April breezer, was bet down to 6-5 favoritism in a race scratched down to just four entrants when it was washed onto the sloppy main track. Content to trail, but always in touch beneath Kendrick Carmouche, the gray filly raced two wide around the turn, came out and around rivals into the lane and pulled clear in...

Taraz (Into Mischief), a 3-year-old filly who seemed poised to emerge as a major star, was euthanized Monday after suffering an injury during a workout at Oaklawn Park. The news was confirmed by her owner and breeder Juddmonte Farms, which issued a statement shortly after the injury. "Taraz severely fractured her left front pastern this morning in a workout at Oaklawn Park," the statement read. "She was transported back to the barn where X-rays were taken and reviewed, with the attending veterinarian consulting Dr. Bob Hunt of Hagyard. Given the...

There's never been a GI Kentucky Derby contender quite like No Parole (Violence), who stayed undefeated when winning Saturday's Premier Night Prince S. at Delta Downs. He may not be the best 3-year-old in the country, but he is certainly the most intriguing. How good is he? It's impossible to tell. His route to the Derby has included a maiden race, an allowance race and the Prince, all races against fellow Louisiana-breds. Normally, anyone winning those races wouldn't register on anyone's radar, but this horse is different. The 'TDN Rising...

George Hall's Max Player (Honor Code) exited his victory in Saturday's GIII Withers S. at Aqueduct in fine shape and will likely make his next appearance in the Apr. 4 GII Wood Memorial. Sent to post at odds of 5-1, Max Player was in tight and taking significant kickback into the first turn before jockey Dylan Davis angled him outside for smoother sailing. Settled wide in fifth, he grinded his way into contention through the final turn and found his best stride late to put away GII Remsen S. winner...

TARAZ (f, 3, Into Mischief--Silk Route, by Empire Maker) Oaklawn, 2-1, Martha Washington S., 1m, 1:38.64. The unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' and Oaklawn winner owes her name to a smart historical/geographical connection. The 3-year-old is out of the mare Silk Route. The 2000-year-old city of Taraz (now in Kazakhstan) was a major trade center in the inland regions of the Silk Route, which was a series of ancient trade networks that connected China and the Far East with countries in Europe and the Middle East. Sharp, sophisticated name. An Italian...

Taraz earned the 'TDN Rising Star' moniker after romping by 7 1/2 lengths in her Churchill Downs unveiling Nov. 14 and made good on that initial promise with an 11 1/4-length tour de force in the Letellier Memorial S. in the slop at the Fair Grounds Dec. 21. Heavily favored to continue her hot streak in this sophomore bow, the Juddmonte homebred went straight to the front, cruising through early splits of :23.44 and :47.50. Still just cantering along as she turned for home in front, Taraz sauntered home to...