Michael Dubb’s Battle Bling, last-out winner of the nine-furlong Ladies, will look to double up in stakes scores when facing four other stakes winners in the March 6 $125,000 Heavenly Prize Invitational at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Gun Runner seems to be the theme this weekend when it comes to standout maiden runners, with Taiba, Beguine, Bella Runner, and Run the Tap all competing for their first wins.

BloodHorse Visuals Director Anne M. Eberhardt paid a visit March 4 to Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa Farm to see the first foal out of champion Midnight Bisou, a striking colt by leading sire Curlin.

Coinciding with an ascent in his riding career, Ramon Vazquez is about to make a career change, his agent Bill Castle said the morning of March 3.

No fillies have won preps domestically this year on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Yet one did so March 4 within the European portion of the series when Juddmonte homebred Juncture whipped past rivals to capture the Patton Stakes at Dundalk.

Starting July 1, all tracks accredited with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association will receive interim accreditation, while tracks not accredited will be granted a one-year provisional accreditation and be given a reasonable period to comply.

Arrowfield Stud’s renowned faith in Japanese stallions is well poised to bear more spectacular fruit at Flemington, with star 3-year-olds Profondo and Hitotsu heading the market for the AUS$1 million Australian Guineas (G1).

Racing commentary from Jay Hovdey

The Equinosis Q with Lameness Locator was unveiled during the final panel session at this year’s National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association conference March 4 at the Oaklawn Park hotel in Hot Springs, Ark.

Lisa Miller bred the first reported foal, a colt out of winner Spanish Fever.