• Eight Belles Wristbands Benefit Rescue•
Six days after Eight Belles' breakdown in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms approved a wristband manufactured in memory of the gallant filly, with proceeds to benefit MidAtlantic Horse Rescue.
According to Fox Hill spokesperson Victoria Keith, the idea was inspired by the fans who frequent Porter's Rockport Harbor Web site and forums.
"These past couple of days we've been knocked to the ground, and we're just getting back up and thinking of things to do," Keith said. "Whatever happened to Eight Belles, there's nowhere we can direct money that could bring her back. But we hope that some of the excellent charities in the racing industry will benefit from her legacy in some way. We've told people it's a wonderful gesture to want to donate funds in her name, and wherever is in their heart to donate will be a perfect place.
"At the Rockport Harbor Web site, we've raised money for MidAtlantic to rescue Thoroughbreds before, so that organization seemed like a logical recipient for the funds from these wristbands."
The wristbands, which sell for $5, will be made of red silicone and embossed with Eight Belles' name. With proceeds from the sales, the Maryland-based non-profit will rescue one or more Thoroughbreds in honor of the filly.
Checks or money orders should be made to MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, and mailed to Fox Hill Farm, P.O. Box 24255, Lexington, KY 40524.
Fox Hill Farm will pay packaging and postage on all orders.

• Gayego likely to run in Preakness•
Gayego, who won the Arkansas Derby but then was 17th in the Kentucky Derby, is under serious consideration for the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico, trainer Paulo Lobo said Monday afternoon.
"I'm going to see how he gallops Tuesday," said Lobo, who is based at Hollywood Park. "He's doing very well. If everything is good, there's a very good chance he'll go."
Lobo said Mike Smith, Gayego's regular rider, has the call for the Preakness.
The trainer said Gayego likely would fly to Baltimore on Wednesday.

• Preakness Weather: Cloudy and Cool•
Although rain is forecast for Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday, Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (gr. I) should be contested under cloudy skies, with cool temperatures.
According to the weather.com Web site, the warmest day of the week will be Wednesday, when the temperature is expected to reach a high of 76 degrees under partly cloudy skies. On Thursday, the temperature is forecast to reach 75, again with mostly cloudy skies.
On Friday, when the Pimlico Special (gr. I) and Black-Eyed Susan (gr. II) highlight the Pimlico race card, there is a 40% chance of precipitation, with a high of 56 degrees and low of 53.
The Saturday forecast is for partly cloudy conditions and a high of 67. There is a 20% chance of precipitation on Preakness Day.

• Sadler's Wells Pensioned •
Irish-based Coolmore Stud announced May 12 that legendary sire Sadler’s Wells is to be retired from stud duties due to declining fertility. The 27-year-old son of Northern Dancer will remain at Coolmore, where he has stood since retiring to stud for the 1985 season.
Sadler’s Wells was the leading sire in England and Ireland a record-breaking 14 times, including 13 years in succession (1992-2004).
“I think Sadler’s Wells is generally acknowledged as the best sire Europe has ever seen, and we feel very privileged to have been associated with him,” said Coolmore manager Christy Grassick. “Despite his advancing years, he is still in remarkably good condition, and I hope he enjoys a long and happy retirement. His influence will be felt for many years to come, and in Galileo, Montjeu, and High Chaparral we are delighted to have his three best sons at Coolmore.”
Sadler’s Well has sired 295 stakes winners, second to the 347 sired by deceased Coolmore stallion Danehill. Sadler’s Wells is closing in on the 200 mark by number of stakes winners as a broodmare sire. One of his recent representatives, Henrythenavigator, won the May 3 Stanjamesuk.com Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I).
Bred in Kentucky by Robert Sangster’s Swettenham Stud and Partners, Sadler’s Wells raced for Sangster, winning such events at 3 in 1984 as the Airline Coolmore Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I), Coral-Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I), and Phoenix Champion Stakes (Ire-I). In France, where he ran second in that year’s Prix du Jockey-Club (Fr-I), he was a champion miler. He was trained by Vincent O’Brien, father-in-law of Coolmore managing partner John Magnier.
In addition to dominating Europe with wave after wave of group I winners and champions, Sadler’s Wells achieved plenty of fame in North America. His offspring have won a record six Breeders’ Cup (gr. I) events, including the 2003 John Deere Turf, in which High Chaparral finished in a deadheat for first. They also won two runnings of the Arlington Million Stakes (gr. IT). A son of Sadler’s Wells, El Prado, was leading sire in 2002 and second the next two years.
Sadler’s Wells is out of the Bold Reason mare Fairy Bridge, whose half-brother Nureyev also was a champion and major sire.