Lookin At Lucky to make 2010 debut in Rebel (AP)
Lookin At Lucky makes his 2010 debut in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. Trainer Bob Baffert's colt is the leader in graded stakes earnings for this year's Kentucky Derby, but he hasn't raced since December. Lookin At Lucky will race with blinkers for the first time this weekend.

NY gov drops support for Aqueduct racino group (PA SportsTicker)
By MICHAEL VIRTANEN Associated Press Writer

Shine Upon wins Dreamy Mimi Stakes (AP)

Shine Upon stretched her unbeaten streak to three, holding off Speightful Affair by a nose Thursday to win the $60,000 Dreamy Mimi Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. In the blanket finish, Anchorage got third -- only a neck behind the top two. It was the first tight finish for Shine Upon following wins by 4 and 6 1/2 lengths, both at Aqueduct.

Meadowlands to reschedule 9 harness racing dates (AP)
Meadowlands Racetrack is rescheduling nine dates on its harness racing calendar for later this year. The track announced the move Thursday. While it did not give a reason for pushing back the dates, it is believed running them later will be more profitable. The track said it will not run on March 17, 21, 24, 28 and 31; April 11 and 18; Memorial Day (May 31); and Father's Day (June 20).

Zenyatta arrives at Santa Anita for season debut (AP)
Zenyatta has arrived at Santa Anita for final preparations ahead of her return to racing in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap. She arrived Thursday morning by van from her home base across town at Hollywood Park. Undefeated in 14 career races, the 6-year-old mare was scheduled to walk in Santa Anita's paddock between races later in the day.

Quisisana wins Santa Anita feature (AP)
Quisisana defeated Hallelujah Trail by a length to win Wednesday's $62,940 feature for fillies and mares and extend her winning streak to three races at Santa Anita. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Quisisana ran six furlongs in 1:08.61. She paid $7, $4 and $2.40. Hallelujah Trail returned $16.60 and $5, while Free Flying Soul was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third and paid $2.10 to show.

NY horse breeder convicted of animal cruelty (AP)

Prominent New York thoroughbred breeder and owner Ernie Paragallo was convicted Wednesday of mistreating dozens of malnourished horses on his Hudson Valley farm. A judge convicted Paragallo of 33 of 34 misdemeanor animal cruelty counts in a nonjury trial in Greene County. The 52-year-old Long Island resident was charged after state police and animal welfare investigators raided his farm in...

Deal calls for $1M a day purses at Monmouth Park (AP)
State officials and New Jersey horse racing industry leaders say they have reached an agreement to reduce the number of racing dates at Monmouth Park this summer but boost purses to $1 million a day, tops in the nation. Under the agreement reached Monday, the track will conduct a 50-day meet, racing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, plus three Monday holidays, from May 22 to Sept.

Rachel Alexandra to face 4 rivals in 2010 debut (AP)
The wait is almost over for Rachel Alexandra. The 2009 Horse of the Year will face four rivals when she makes her first start in six months in Saturday's $200,000 New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds. The 4-year-old filly drew the No. 2 post position Monday and regular rider Calvin Borel will be aboard.

Pletcher using spread offense to get to Derby (AP)

Todd Pletcher is going to the spread offense. Many of the trainer's top 3-year-olds will be strategically deployed over the next few weeks in a move to win races, earn money and run in the Kentucky Derby on May 1. Some big plays may unfold as early as Saturday, when Pletcher plans to send out Super Saver in the Tampa Bay Derby and Interactif in the San Felipe Stakes.