The National HBPA Foundation is coming to the assistance of Nebraska horsemen whose horses have been quarantined since March 10 following an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1. 

Don Alberto Stable’s First Constitution will look to score his second stakes victory this year in Saturday’s $150,000 Excelsior Stakes (G3) for older horses traveling nine furlongs at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The son of Goldencents last raced Feb. 27, 2021, when he won the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park.

As a prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the $750,000 Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) April 9 at Aqueduct Racetrack is the star attraction. But one of the other races on the program is also luring a compelling lineup.

With the defection of grade 1 winner and morning-line favorite Eda and super filly Secret Oath tackling the males in the Arkansas Derby (G1), the April 2 $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park has suddenly become anyone’s race.

The New York Racing Association announced March 31 that the 2021-22 Aqueduct winter meet, which ran from Dec. 9, 2021, through March 27, 2022, generated all-sources handle of $358,836,940, a 2.5% increase over the 2020-21 winter meet.

Late-running Kathleen O. will put an undefeated record on the line when the 3-year-old daughter of Upstart makes her two-turn debut in the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) April 2 after producing three late-closing gems around one turn.

Two-time grade 1 winner Gufo is scheduled to make his first start of the 2022 season in the $200,000 Pan American Stakes Presented by Rood & Riddle (G2T) April 2 on the Gulfstream Park turf.

This year’s Japanese Kentucky Derby (G1) representative, Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride, arrived at Churchill Downs’ quarantine facility March 30 and could clear his 42-hour quarantine by 8 a.m. April 1.

Dark Moon Rising wins the final leg of the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby” but no runner from that seven-race series will be involved in the Run for the Roses.