Doomed by stumbling at the start when ninth in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, East Avenue returns to action Feb. 15 in the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm.

Headlined by the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), middle jewel of the Triple Crown, a total of 16 stakes, eight graded, worth $4.3 million in purses will be contested May 16-17 at Pimlico Race Course.

The Sam F. Davis Stakes is a solid first step toward a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as it awards 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top 5 finishers in the 1 1/16-mile stakes.

A strong performance by local hopeful Naughty Rascal in the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs could result in the colt advancing to the track's annual showcase event, the March 8 Tampa Bay Derby (G3).

The graded-placed Owen Almighty, disqualified from victory in the Jan. 11 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs due to interference, aims for his first route success in the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis Stakes Feb. 8 at Tampa.

After finishing a surprise third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1, Hill Road has remained in the United States and joined the barn of five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown.

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

Following a successful return to the races, 2-year-old champion male Citizen Bull widened his lead on stablemate Barnes in the second week of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old poll, released Feb. 4.

A total of 373 3-year-olds, led by champion 2-year-old male Citizen Bull, were made eligible to this year’s Triple Crown series with a $600 early nomination payment that was due Jan. 27. This year’s total represents a 7.8% increase from last year.

During the first episode of the BloodHorse Monday podcast, trainer Ron Moquett said a decision on running Speed King in the Rebel is still undecided. The ultimate goal is the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park March 29.

Outcome aside, dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said he was ecstatic with Sandman's performance in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds Jan. 25 at Oaklawn Park.

Preparing to make their sophomore debut in the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) on Louisiana Derby Preview Day Feb. 15, both Jonathan's Way and East Avenue breezed at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 1.

Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. sat in his Belmont Park office Feb. 2 still basking in the glow of his newly-minted stakes-winner Captain Cook's dominant victory in the $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack Feb. 1.

Whitham Thoroughbreds' Burnham Square, last-to-first winner of the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Feb. 1, exited the Triple Crown prep "bright and alert" and could return in Gulfstream Park's next Triple Crown prep in four weeks.

Citizen Bull earned 20 additional qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby to give him 60 in all. That should be more than enough points to make the 20-horse cutline for the Derby.

A less-than-ideal break from the gate forced jockey Edgard Zayas to change his plan of attack with Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Burnham Square, who nevertheless persevered to capture the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park.

In winning his 13th Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and seventh straight, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert best summed up the performance from Citizen Bull during a postrace television interview, saying, "The champ is back."

Perhaps in two months trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. will start focusing on the Kentucky Derby (G1). For now anyway, he's quite content to know he has an exciting 3-year-old in Captain Cook who can be pointed to another lucrative stakes.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is finalizing February plans for his Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls and those include a geographical swap for two candidates and the stakes debut for a popular third.