The 2012 Canterbury Park racing season is nearly upon us and we want to let you know that we have moved! The new Canterbury Park Blog, Canterbury Live, can be found by visiting: www.canterburylive.com.
We look forward to seeing you over at our new digs. Check it out!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
You know the live race meet is near when the Canterbury stable begins coming to life. Trainers are now sending in their advance teams to prepare barns for the imminent arrival of horses this week. Lay down the mats, hang the tubs, bed the stalls, sharpen the pitch forks.
The main track will open for training on Friday as the sprint to opening day begins in earnest.
All of the top trainers are planning to return. Mac Robertson should hit Shakopee soon in defense of his training title. Bernell Rhone, enjoying a bang-up meet at Tampa Bay Downs, is expected here in the first week of May.
The jockey rumor-mill is churning as it does each spring. Word is Ry Eikleberry will remain in slots-rich New Mexico. Jockey agent extraordinaire Richard Grunder has indicated that he will handle the book of Tanner Riggs, last seen here as a regular member of the jockey colony in 2007. Unconfirmed yet buzzing is that Paul Nolan will go to Assiniboia Downs. Paul has been a mainstay in Shakopee for decades. The all-around good guy would be missed here if that pans out. Bobby Walker Jr. is also rumored to be coming to Canterbury this spring.
With all these rumors, the only thing we know for sure is that nothing is for sure until the subject of said rumor drives through the stable gate, or in some cases doesn’t.
Good news for those that dine in the stable area... the track kitchen will be run by a local restaurant specializing in authentic Mexican cuisine.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Claiming Crown 2012 to Gulfstream Park
Edited Press Release
Lexington, Ky. – Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida will host the 14th running of the Claiming Crown on the opening day of its 2012-2013 meet, Saturday, December 1, 2012. The 2012 event will see a significant increase in purses to $850,000 for seven races with the individual race purses ranging from $100,000 to $200,000. In addition to the six Claiming Crown races conducted at the 2011 event, the Tiara for fillies and mares on the turf will return this year.
“We’re ecstatic to play host to the 14th running of the Claiming Crown on opening day December 1,” said Gulfstream Park President and General Manager Timothy Ritvo. “Horses competing in the claiming ranks are many of the toughest in the world. They’re game and they build loyal followings within the Thoroughbred community, whether with fans, owners or trainers.
“This is an important event to our chairman, Mr. Frank Stronach, and we’re very excited about kicking off our 2012-2013 season with the Claiming Crown. The management and staff at Gulfstream look forward working with the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.”
“The FHBPA Board of Directors thought that the purses for the Claiming Crown had become quite outdated and stale over its 13-year history, and thus, chose to significantly increase them. The Board felt that if the Claiming Crown were to come to Gulfstream Park, it needed to be the best Claiming Crown ever,” said FHBPA Executive Director Kent Stirling. “We are proud to join with Gulfstream Park, the National HBPA and TOBA to revitalize this great day for our claiming horses. Claiming horses are the backbone of our industry and deserve to be celebrated on their day with higher purses, and what we expect to be record setting live handle and simulcasting numbers.”
“We are excited and honored that Gulfstream Park has agreed to host the 2012 Claiming Crown,” said TOBA president Dan Metzger, who also serves as chairman of Claiming Crown Limited. “The enthusiasm and purse commitment from both Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA has been extraordinary and we believe that this year’s event promises to be our best yet.”
“The National HBPA is extremely pleased that this year the Claiming Crown will be hosted by Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA. Their commitment to purses and a quality day of racing certainly elevates the Claiming Crown to a new level and will position it among the premier racing days of the year anywhere in the United States,” said Joe Santanna, President and Chairman of the National HBPA, one of the co-partners of the Claiming Crown. “The Gulfstream Park Claiming Crown races provide horsewomen and horsemen across the country with an exceptional opportunity.”
Patterned after the Breeders’ Cup, Claiming Crown was designed to reward Thoroughbred racing’s “blue-collar” horses and will offer races at varying distances on both dirt and turf.
This will mark the first time Gulfstream Park has hosted the event, which debuted at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota in 1999. Canterbury has hosted 10 of the first 13 renewals of the event. The Claiming Crown was held at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) in Bensalem, Pennsylvania in 2002, at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky in 2007 and Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2011.
Further details on the event’s race lineup, purse structure, nomination and entry deadline schedule and eligibility dates to be released soon.
The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The Claiming Crown was created to be the claiming horse owner’s Breeders’ Cup; a special racing event, created for the “average owner,” and featuring some of the most competitive horses in the country. The Claiming Crown has been held annually since 1999. For more information about Claiming Crown please visit www.claimingcrown.com.
TOBA, based in Lexington, Kentucky, was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. TOBA’s mission is to “improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders.” Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, The Racing Game, Sales Integrity Program and Claiming Crown. TOBA is the owner of The Blood-Horse Inc., and is represented on the Board of Directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association as a founding member.
The National HBPA, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is the largest racing horsemen’s representative association in North America, with 30 affiliate organizations and over 30,000 member horsemen. Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies, Equineline.com, Finish Line Horse Products, Inc. and Horseman Labor Solutions are proud corporate partners of the National HBPA.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Thoroughbred Racing Weekend Advance
By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
The Santa Anita Handicap and Kentucky Derby preps in New York and Kentucky highlight weekend Thoroughbred racing.
Turf lovers get a treat with graded grass events on both coasts and Aqueduct has graded stakes for sprinters and filly and mare milers. Kentucky Oaks hopefuls get a workout at Santa Anita.
Here's what to watch:
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The "Big Cap"
With Game On Dude headed for Dubai, Ultimate Eagle has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in a contentious field of 13 for Saturday's $750,000, Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, a 1 1/4-mile test for 4-year-olds and up.
Ultimate Eagle moved to the dirt track for the first time in the Feb. 4 Strub Stakes and responded with a 7 1/4-lengths victory – the fifth win in his last six starts for trainer Michael Pender. A 4-year-old Mizzen Mast colt, Ultimate Eagle also won the Oak Tree Derby and the Hollywood Park Derby – both on grass – during that win skein.
Also in the entries is Setsuko, who lost to Game On Dude in a controversial stretch run in last year's Big Cap. Setsuko, a 5-year-old Pleasantly Perfect gelding, has had trouble finishing his races, winning only twice in 17 starts.
Bob Baffert, who opted to send Game On Dude to Dubai, still will be represented Saturday by Prayer For Relief, who accounted for last year's Iowa Derby, West Virginia Derby and Super Derby. However, Prayer For Relief finished third, well behind Ultimate Eagle, in the Strub in his last start.
The field also includes Uh Oh Bango, winner of the Grade II San Pasqual in his last start. Ron the Greek ships in after finishing second to Mucho Macho Man in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park in his last start. Twice the Appeal comes from Oaklawn Park, where he finished second in the Fifth Season Stakes and third in the Essex Handicap last month.
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Derby preps
The Kentucky Derby trail winds through the Big Apple Saturday in the $400,000, Grade III Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, final local prep for the April 7 Wood Memorial. Topping the 13 entries is Hansen, the Breeders' Cup and Eclipse Award winner who suffered his first defeat in his last outing, finishing second to the now-injured Algorithms in the Holy Bull over a sloppy Gulfstream Park oval.
Dr. Kendall Hansen, who owns the gray colt, warned not to underestimate Hansen off the Holy Bull loss.
"We had some bad luck last time and people probably think we're beatable," Hansen said. "We were about 75 percent last time and were hoping for an easy spot, but we ran into a top horse in Algorithms." Now, he said, Hansen is "at about 85 or 90 percent. Obviously, we want to peak in May."
Hansen will start from the No. 12 gate with Ramon Dominguez assigned to get him out cleanly and over if he is to employ his usual pacesetting tactics.
Trainer Todd Pletcher's Derby aspirations took a major hit when Algorithms was hurt but he still has plenty of bullets in his bandolier. Pletcher will field two in the Gotham – second-stringers who could move up with a good showing.
Dan and Shiela, who was a late-running fourth in the Grade III LeComte at Fairgrounds Jan. 21, is the more accomplished of the two. Raconteur remained a maiden after five starts last year but has won two straight at the Big A, the latter an optional claimer. "It might be a little bit of a tall order at the moment," admitted Pletcher assistant Mike McCarthy of Raconteur challenging Hansen.
Hansen hasn't scared anyone off and the expected large field also includes My Adonis, who was third in the Holy Bull, and Tiger Walk, third in the Grade 3 Withers at Aqueduct behind Alpha on Feb. 4.
My Adonis drew the rail and was listed as the second pick in the morning line at 5-1. Tiger Walk got the outside gate and was assigned 12-1 odds.
Canadian conditioner Mark Casse has several sophomores on the edge of Derby contention and one of them – Stealcase, could move forward in the Gotham. The Lawyer Ron colt, owned by John Oxley, is making his first graded stakes effort after breaking his maiden in a route effort at Gulfstream Park, defeating Pletcher trainee Windsurfer.
"I think Hansen will be awful tough to beat going a mile and a sixteenth," Casse said. "That's okay. We're not concentrating necessarily on going a mile and a sixteenth. We're concentrating on trying to run a mile and a quarter. We hope to run well and need to pick up some graded earnings."
Turfway Park's Saturday card features the $75,000 John Battaglia Memorial, the final local prelim for the $500,000, Grade III Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes on March 24.
Mr. Prankster is seeking a sweep of the local 3-year-old preps after winning the Turfway Prevue in January and the WEBN Stakes last month for trainer Mike Maker. The It's No Joke colt has won half his six lifetime starts. Five rivals are trying for a breakthrough, including another Oxley-owned, Casse-trained runner, Dynamical. Dynamical, a Hard Spun colt, remains a maiden after losing a photo in a 9-furlong try at Gulfstream Park despite earning an 83 Beyer Speed Figure. "We think he could be a Derby horse," Casse said. "He's only run twice and got the nose his last start at Gulfstream."
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Elsewhere:
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Santa Anita
The "Big Cap" is supported by 50 food trucks, 20 craft beers, live music and, oh yes, two other major graded stakes – the $300,000, Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile on the grass and the $250,000, Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.
The Kilroe field of eight includes Mr. Commons, a 4-year-old Artie Schiller colt who finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Mile last fall but has posted wins in both his 2012 starts – both Grade II events over the Santa Anita lawn. Jeranimo defeated Mr. Commons last fall in the Oak Tree Mile, finished seventh in the Breeders' Cup and finished second to Norvsky in the San Gabriel in his last start in mid-January. An interesting chance is Willyconker, an Irish-bred 4-year-old who has stepped up quickly from the claiming ranks and finished a late-running second to Mr. Commons in the Arcadia Stakes on Boxing Day in his last outing. Massone is back after finishing third in the Arcadia with some traffic trouble but has won only twice in 30 starts. Compari, a lightly raced 6-year-old, has won eight of 14 starts.
Eight potential Oaks candidates are entered for the somewhat tough-to-figure Las Virgenes. Willa B Awesome comes to the race off an major upset over Killer Graces in the Grade III Santa Ysabel in their last outing. Killer Graces won the Hollywood Starlet before that. Reneesgotzip won the Grade II Santa Ynez while Made to Love Her was second that race after winning the Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood last November.
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Gulfstream Park
Saturday's feature is the $150,000, Grade III Canadian Turf Stakes at 1 mile for 4-year-olds and up. This race, along with the Kilroe, will start to set the agenda for turf milers this year – unless, of course, Frankel should unexpectedly target the Breeders' Cup in the fall.
A well-balanced field of eight signed on for the Candian Turf with Little Mike established as the 2-1 morning-line choice off four straight wins dating back to the same race last year. Mutual Trust, who raced in France, is making his second U.S. start for trainer Bill Mott after a fifth-place finish in the Group III Fort Lauderdale last time out. Doubles Partner returns from a 10-month layoff after finishing third in the Grade II Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs.
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Aqueduct
Looking past the Gotham, Aqueduct's Saturday card includes the $200,000, Grade II Top Flight Handcap for distaffers at 1 1/16 mile and the $200,000, Grade III Tom Fool at 6 furlongs.
The Tom Fool's field of six features Caleb's Posse in his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs. Caleb's Posse, who ships in from Oaklawn Park for the race, also enlivened 2011 with his nose victory over Uncle Mo in the King's Bishop last year at Saratoga. Todd Pletcher saddles Calibrachoa, who last year won both the Grade 3 Toboggan and the Tom Fool. Calibrachoa came back to win this year's running of the Toboggan by 2 1/4 lengths and is looking to repeat the double. Other tough sprinters in the field include Capt. Candyman Can, Royal Currier and Justin Philip. Against that formidable lineup, Godolphin sends Emcee, unbeaten and essentially unchallenged in two previous starts. Art Magnuson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, admitted, "It's a big step up … We think we belong. If we don't, we can adjust, but he's as fast a horse as we've had in a long time." Emcee is a son of Unbridled's Song.
Godolphin has the prohibitive morning-line favorite in the Top Flight – It's Tricky, the Mineshaft filly who won the Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks last year before finishing second to Eclipse Award champ Royal Delta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Five others, include a Kelly Breen entry, look to be running for place money. Asked if It's Tricky can maintain that level of performance in her first 2012 start, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said, "I don't have that answer. I hope she maintains that Grade 1 status. She won two last year, and it's hard to maintain that. We expect her to be in the top five in her class. Hopefully, it works out well for us." Among those looking to take down the favorite is Delightful Mary, who has had two starts already this year and was second to Awesome Feather in her last start in the Sunshine Millions Distaff.
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Sam Houston Race Park
Saturday's program stars the $150,000 Maxxam Gold Cup with 4-year-olds and up going 9 furlongs. Coyote Legend and Gleam of Hope are the 1-2 morning-line choices in a field of eight. Coyote Legend has not run out of the money in his last 11 starts.
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International
The Aus-Group 1 Australian Guineas runs Saturday at Flemington. The NZ-Group 1 New Zealand Derby is Saturday at Ellerslie Race Course in Auckland – a race won last year by Jimmy Choux.
UPI Racing Writer
The Santa Anita Handicap and Kentucky Derby preps in New York and Kentucky highlight weekend Thoroughbred racing.
Turf lovers get a treat with graded grass events on both coasts and Aqueduct has graded stakes for sprinters and filly and mare milers. Kentucky Oaks hopefuls get a workout at Santa Anita.
Here's what to watch:
-0-
The "Big Cap"
With Game On Dude headed for Dubai, Ultimate Eagle has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in a contentious field of 13 for Saturday's $750,000, Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, a 1 1/4-mile test for 4-year-olds and up.
Ultimate Eagle moved to the dirt track for the first time in the Feb. 4 Strub Stakes and responded with a 7 1/4-lengths victory – the fifth win in his last six starts for trainer Michael Pender. A 4-year-old Mizzen Mast colt, Ultimate Eagle also won the Oak Tree Derby and the Hollywood Park Derby – both on grass – during that win skein.
Also in the entries is Setsuko, who lost to Game On Dude in a controversial stretch run in last year's Big Cap. Setsuko, a 5-year-old Pleasantly Perfect gelding, has had trouble finishing his races, winning only twice in 17 starts.
Bob Baffert, who opted to send Game On Dude to Dubai, still will be represented Saturday by Prayer For Relief, who accounted for last year's Iowa Derby, West Virginia Derby and Super Derby. However, Prayer For Relief finished third, well behind Ultimate Eagle, in the Strub in his last start.
The field also includes Uh Oh Bango, winner of the Grade II San Pasqual in his last start. Ron the Greek ships in after finishing second to Mucho Macho Man in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park in his last start. Twice the Appeal comes from Oaklawn Park, where he finished second in the Fifth Season Stakes and third in the Essex Handicap last month.
-0-
Derby preps
The Kentucky Derby trail winds through the Big Apple Saturday in the $400,000, Grade III Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, final local prep for the April 7 Wood Memorial. Topping the 13 entries is Hansen, the Breeders' Cup and Eclipse Award winner who suffered his first defeat in his last outing, finishing second to the now-injured Algorithms in the Holy Bull over a sloppy Gulfstream Park oval.
Dr. Kendall Hansen, who owns the gray colt, warned not to underestimate Hansen off the Holy Bull loss.
"We had some bad luck last time and people probably think we're beatable," Hansen said. "We were about 75 percent last time and were hoping for an easy spot, but we ran into a top horse in Algorithms." Now, he said, Hansen is "at about 85 or 90 percent. Obviously, we want to peak in May."
Hansen will start from the No. 12 gate with Ramon Dominguez assigned to get him out cleanly and over if he is to employ his usual pacesetting tactics.
Trainer Todd Pletcher's Derby aspirations took a major hit when Algorithms was hurt but he still has plenty of bullets in his bandolier. Pletcher will field two in the Gotham – second-stringers who could move up with a good showing.
Dan and Shiela, who was a late-running fourth in the Grade III LeComte at Fairgrounds Jan. 21, is the more accomplished of the two. Raconteur remained a maiden after five starts last year but has won two straight at the Big A, the latter an optional claimer. "It might be a little bit of a tall order at the moment," admitted Pletcher assistant Mike McCarthy of Raconteur challenging Hansen.
Hansen hasn't scared anyone off and the expected large field also includes My Adonis, who was third in the Holy Bull, and Tiger Walk, third in the Grade 3 Withers at Aqueduct behind Alpha on Feb. 4.
My Adonis drew the rail and was listed as the second pick in the morning line at 5-1. Tiger Walk got the outside gate and was assigned 12-1 odds.
Canadian conditioner Mark Casse has several sophomores on the edge of Derby contention and one of them – Stealcase, could move forward in the Gotham. The Lawyer Ron colt, owned by John Oxley, is making his first graded stakes effort after breaking his maiden in a route effort at Gulfstream Park, defeating Pletcher trainee Windsurfer.
"I think Hansen will be awful tough to beat going a mile and a sixteenth," Casse said. "That's okay. We're not concentrating necessarily on going a mile and a sixteenth. We're concentrating on trying to run a mile and a quarter. We hope to run well and need to pick up some graded earnings."
Turfway Park's Saturday card features the $75,000 John Battaglia Memorial, the final local prelim for the $500,000, Grade III Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes on March 24.
Mr. Prankster is seeking a sweep of the local 3-year-old preps after winning the Turfway Prevue in January and the WEBN Stakes last month for trainer Mike Maker. The It's No Joke colt has won half his six lifetime starts. Five rivals are trying for a breakthrough, including another Oxley-owned, Casse-trained runner, Dynamical. Dynamical, a Hard Spun colt, remains a maiden after losing a photo in a 9-furlong try at Gulfstream Park despite earning an 83 Beyer Speed Figure. "We think he could be a Derby horse," Casse said. "He's only run twice and got the nose his last start at Gulfstream."
-0-
Elsewhere:
-0-
Santa Anita
The "Big Cap" is supported by 50 food trucks, 20 craft beers, live music and, oh yes, two other major graded stakes – the $300,000, Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile on the grass and the $250,000, Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.
The Kilroe field of eight includes Mr. Commons, a 4-year-old Artie Schiller colt who finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Mile last fall but has posted wins in both his 2012 starts – both Grade II events over the Santa Anita lawn. Jeranimo defeated Mr. Commons last fall in the Oak Tree Mile, finished seventh in the Breeders' Cup and finished second to Norvsky in the San Gabriel in his last start in mid-January. An interesting chance is Willyconker, an Irish-bred 4-year-old who has stepped up quickly from the claiming ranks and finished a late-running second to Mr. Commons in the Arcadia Stakes on Boxing Day in his last outing. Massone is back after finishing third in the Arcadia with some traffic trouble but has won only twice in 30 starts. Compari, a lightly raced 6-year-old, has won eight of 14 starts.
Eight potential Oaks candidates are entered for the somewhat tough-to-figure Las Virgenes. Willa B Awesome comes to the race off an major upset over Killer Graces in the Grade III Santa Ysabel in their last outing. Killer Graces won the Hollywood Starlet before that. Reneesgotzip won the Grade II Santa Ynez while Made to Love Her was second that race after winning the Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood last November.
-0-
Gulfstream Park
Saturday's feature is the $150,000, Grade III Canadian Turf Stakes at 1 mile for 4-year-olds and up. This race, along with the Kilroe, will start to set the agenda for turf milers this year – unless, of course, Frankel should unexpectedly target the Breeders' Cup in the fall.
A well-balanced field of eight signed on for the Candian Turf with Little Mike established as the 2-1 morning-line choice off four straight wins dating back to the same race last year. Mutual Trust, who raced in France, is making his second U.S. start for trainer Bill Mott after a fifth-place finish in the Group III Fort Lauderdale last time out. Doubles Partner returns from a 10-month layoff after finishing third in the Grade II Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs.
-0-
Aqueduct
Looking past the Gotham, Aqueduct's Saturday card includes the $200,000, Grade II Top Flight Handcap for distaffers at 1 1/16 mile and the $200,000, Grade III Tom Fool at 6 furlongs.
The Tom Fool's field of six features Caleb's Posse in his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs. Caleb's Posse, who ships in from Oaklawn Park for the race, also enlivened 2011 with his nose victory over Uncle Mo in the King's Bishop last year at Saratoga. Todd Pletcher saddles Calibrachoa, who last year won both the Grade 3 Toboggan and the Tom Fool. Calibrachoa came back to win this year's running of the Toboggan by 2 1/4 lengths and is looking to repeat the double. Other tough sprinters in the field include Capt. Candyman Can, Royal Currier and Justin Philip. Against that formidable lineup, Godolphin sends Emcee, unbeaten and essentially unchallenged in two previous starts. Art Magnuson, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, admitted, "It's a big step up … We think we belong. If we don't, we can adjust, but he's as fast a horse as we've had in a long time." Emcee is a son of Unbridled's Song.
Godolphin has the prohibitive morning-line favorite in the Top Flight – It's Tricky, the Mineshaft filly who won the Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks last year before finishing second to Eclipse Award champ Royal Delta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Five others, include a Kelly Breen entry, look to be running for place money. Asked if It's Tricky can maintain that level of performance in her first 2012 start, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said, "I don't have that answer. I hope she maintains that Grade 1 status. She won two last year, and it's hard to maintain that. We expect her to be in the top five in her class. Hopefully, it works out well for us." Among those looking to take down the favorite is Delightful Mary, who has had two starts already this year and was second to Awesome Feather in her last start in the Sunshine Millions Distaff.
-0-
Sam Houston Race Park
Saturday's program stars the $150,000 Maxxam Gold Cup with 4-year-olds and up going 9 furlongs. Coyote Legend and Gleam of Hope are the 1-2 morning-line choices in a field of eight. Coyote Legend has not run out of the money in his last 11 starts.
-0-
International
The Aus-Group 1 Australian Guineas runs Saturday at Flemington. The NZ-Group 1 New Zealand Derby is Saturday at Ellerslie Race Course in Auckland – a race won last year by Jimmy Choux.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thoroughbred Racing Weekend Advance
By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
It's final tune-up time a world apart for two top contenders for next month's $10 million Dubai World Cup.
Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom will return to the races Saturday in a Gulfstream Park allowance designed as his sole prep for the Dubai race. And in Tokyo, last year's World Cup runner-up, Transcend, goes in Sunday's Group 1 February Stakes.
And undefeated Australian mare Black Caviar is set to run Saturday at Flemington in what might or might not be a final prep for one of the sprints on the World Cup undercard.
Earlier plans called for Animal Kingdom to make his 4-year-old debut Feb. 25 at Tampa Bay Downs. But trainer Graham Motion and Barry Irwin of Team Valor International said Wednesday the hastily arranged Gulfstream allowance event will be an easier and more targeted lead-up to the $10 million World Cup on March 31.
Animal Kingdom worked 6 furlongs on Tuesday and is ready to go, Irwin said, adding, "For this kind of allowance race, I think the horse will be fine on Saturday.
"He's doing super, but we don't want him to be too primed for a big race first time back. We want him to get something out of the race, not leave his Dubai World Cup race on the course."
After winning the 2011 Kentucky Derby, the son of Leroidesanimaux finished second in the Preakness Stakes and sixth in the Belmont. After a rough trip in the Belmont, he was found to have a fracture in his left hind leg and he has not raced since.
While Animal Kingdom will be coming off an eight-month layoff, Black Caviar is looking likely to contest Saturday's Lightning Stakes at Flemington in Australia with just one week's rest.
Black Caviar – undefeated in 18 starts – barely got warmed up in winning last Saturday's C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield and trainer Peter Moody said if she came back well, the Lightning was a possibility.
"I'd say we're about 95 percent," part-owner Neil Werrett said Wednesday on TVN. "Unless something happens on Saturday morning – she pulls up with a headache or something – we're there."
He also said if the Lightning is as easy a task as the Orr, Black Caviar might come back in yet another week's time to try for her 20th win at Caulfield.
Meanwhile, Moody is looking at flights to Dubai with an eye on taking Black Caviar outside her comfort zone in one of the sprints on Dubai World Cup night. And she long has been eyed for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23.
Other weekend toppers:
Japan
Speaking of the World Cup: Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday hosts the $1.2 million, Group 1 February Stakes for 4-year-olds and up going 1 mile on the dirt. Transcend, who finished second in the World Cup last year after prepping with a win in this race, is back for another try. Transcend ended an outstanding 2011 season with a victory in the Japan Cup Dirt so hopes are high. But trainer Takasuki Yasuda is still smarting over last year's visit to Meydan. "He ran his heart out and proved himself second best in the entire world," Yasuda said. "But we were so close. I would have given anything to have won it." He said he expects Transcend to dictate the pace on Sunday. "That's the kind of race we'll expect from him this time," the trainer said. "We're going back to the Dubai World Cup and this time, I want to win it." Also back for the February Stakes in an expected field of 12 is Espoir City, who won the race two years ago but has not won since.
Gulfstream Park
Saturday's feature – other than Animal Kingdom -- is the $150,000, Grade II Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship. Force Freeze, beaten only a neck by Amazombie in last November's Breeders' Cup Sprint, faces a questionable field with many making their first foray into stakes competition. Force Freeze, who spent a lot of time in Dubai last year before finishing ninth in the Golden Shaheen on World Cup night, came home to win the Teddy Drone Stakes at Monmouth, then finished second in the Vosburgh at Saratoga before the Breeders' Cup near miss. Force Freeze was fifth in the Golden Shaheen in 2010. "My only concern is the distance, particularly coming off the layoff," said trainer Peter Walder. "Seven furlongs can be a tricky distance, but Paco (Lopez) is very confident it won't be a problem. He can run with any horse in the country at six furlongs. I'm excited to have him back." Others to watch: Capt. Candyman Can and the well-bred and promising 4-year-old, Bold Warrior.
Sunday, it's the $150,000, Grade III Hurricane Bertie for fillies and mares going 6 1/2 furlongs. A well-balanced field of seven includes Bobby Flay's filly Her Smile, making her first start since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Laurel Park
Saturday's card is highlighted by the $200,000, Grade II Barbara Fritchie Handicap for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs on the main track. The 7-furlong Fritchie drew nine entrants with Nicole H installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite. The daughter of Mr. Greeley has finished first or second in eight of her last nine races, including five stakes victories, including the Correction Stakes just two weeks ago. "We are very happy with how she came out of her last race,” trainer Mike Hushion said. "We don't usually run a horse like her back in two weeks but she bounced out of her last race and I think seven-eighths is a perfect distance." Also in the field is C C's Pal, who has won three of four starts since moving to the Rick Dutrow’s barn, including the Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct on New Year's Day.
The $100,000 John B. Campbell at 9 furlongs supports the Fritchie on Saturday's card.
On President's Day on Monday, the $200,000, Grade II General George takes the spotlight.
Santa Anita
Saturday's feature is the $200,000, Grade II Santa Maria Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles. Seven are entered, including Ellafitz, who enters the fray off dominating back-to-back stakes wins for trainer Bob Baffert. The 5-year-old Tiznow mare took down the Grade II Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park in December, then accounted for the Paseana last month at Santa Anita. Miss Mittagong was second in the Bayakoa and then third in the Robert J. Frankel on New Year's Day.
Sunday, it's 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs in the $150,000, Grade II San Vicente with graded stakes earnings still vital in a pretty wide-open Kentucky Derby picture. Creative Cause returns to the races for trainer Mike Harrington for the first time since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Drill, who has been going steadily downhill since winning the Del Mar Futurity last September, will try to make amends for trainer Bob Baffert. Captain Obvious, an Irish import, makes his second U.S. start after a fourth in the Real Quiet Stakes in November. Ben Cecil trains.
Golden Gate Fields
The $200,000, Grade III El Camino Real Derby tops the weekend action in northern California. Trainer Graham Motion ships in Lucky Chappy, who finished second to Howe Great in the Kitten's Joy Stakes over the Gulfstream Park turf last month. Before that, the Irish-bred High Chaparral colt was third in the Bourbon Stakes on the Keeneland lawn and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He started his career with three races in Italy last year and it will be interesting to see how he handles the all-weather track. Russian Greek, Cahill Chrome and Senor Rain – the top three finishers from the Jan. 14 California Derby, all are back to face off again. Handsome Mike, a favorite of the Horse Racing Radio Network team, ships in from Southern California after a couple promising also-rans including a fourth in the Grade III Sham Stakes last month. Daddy Nose Best, another turf specialist trying a different surface, is in for trainer Steve Asmussen, who won last year's El Camino Real with Silver Medallion and Julien Leparoux will take the transcontinental flight to ride. They all could be in trouble, though, if Jerry Hollendorfer's star filly, Lady of Fifty, gets an easy lead. The Kentucky-bred After Market miss has won three stakes in a row over the Golden Gate oval, including the California Oaks in her last start. Hollendorfer also trains Russian Greek.
UPI Racing Writer
It's final tune-up time a world apart for two top contenders for next month's $10 million Dubai World Cup.
Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom will return to the races Saturday in a Gulfstream Park allowance designed as his sole prep for the Dubai race. And in Tokyo, last year's World Cup runner-up, Transcend, goes in Sunday's Group 1 February Stakes.
And undefeated Australian mare Black Caviar is set to run Saturday at Flemington in what might or might not be a final prep for one of the sprints on the World Cup undercard.
Earlier plans called for Animal Kingdom to make his 4-year-old debut Feb. 25 at Tampa Bay Downs. But trainer Graham Motion and Barry Irwin of Team Valor International said Wednesday the hastily arranged Gulfstream allowance event will be an easier and more targeted lead-up to the $10 million World Cup on March 31.
Animal Kingdom worked 6 furlongs on Tuesday and is ready to go, Irwin said, adding, "For this kind of allowance race, I think the horse will be fine on Saturday.
"He's doing super, but we don't want him to be too primed for a big race first time back. We want him to get something out of the race, not leave his Dubai World Cup race on the course."
After winning the 2011 Kentucky Derby, the son of Leroidesanimaux finished second in the Preakness Stakes and sixth in the Belmont. After a rough trip in the Belmont, he was found to have a fracture in his left hind leg and he has not raced since.
While Animal Kingdom will be coming off an eight-month layoff, Black Caviar is looking likely to contest Saturday's Lightning Stakes at Flemington in Australia with just one week's rest.
Black Caviar – undefeated in 18 starts – barely got warmed up in winning last Saturday's C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield and trainer Peter Moody said if she came back well, the Lightning was a possibility.
"I'd say we're about 95 percent," part-owner Neil Werrett said Wednesday on TVN. "Unless something happens on Saturday morning – she pulls up with a headache or something – we're there."
He also said if the Lightning is as easy a task as the Orr, Black Caviar might come back in yet another week's time to try for her 20th win at Caulfield.
Meanwhile, Moody is looking at flights to Dubai with an eye on taking Black Caviar outside her comfort zone in one of the sprints on Dubai World Cup night. And she long has been eyed for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23.
Other weekend toppers:
Japan
Speaking of the World Cup: Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday hosts the $1.2 million, Group 1 February Stakes for 4-year-olds and up going 1 mile on the dirt. Transcend, who finished second in the World Cup last year after prepping with a win in this race, is back for another try. Transcend ended an outstanding 2011 season with a victory in the Japan Cup Dirt so hopes are high. But trainer Takasuki Yasuda is still smarting over last year's visit to Meydan. "He ran his heart out and proved himself second best in the entire world," Yasuda said. "But we were so close. I would have given anything to have won it." He said he expects Transcend to dictate the pace on Sunday. "That's the kind of race we'll expect from him this time," the trainer said. "We're going back to the Dubai World Cup and this time, I want to win it." Also back for the February Stakes in an expected field of 12 is Espoir City, who won the race two years ago but has not won since.
Gulfstream Park
Saturday's feature – other than Animal Kingdom -- is the $150,000, Grade II Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship. Force Freeze, beaten only a neck by Amazombie in last November's Breeders' Cup Sprint, faces a questionable field with many making their first foray into stakes competition. Force Freeze, who spent a lot of time in Dubai last year before finishing ninth in the Golden Shaheen on World Cup night, came home to win the Teddy Drone Stakes at Monmouth, then finished second in the Vosburgh at Saratoga before the Breeders' Cup near miss. Force Freeze was fifth in the Golden Shaheen in 2010. "My only concern is the distance, particularly coming off the layoff," said trainer Peter Walder. "Seven furlongs can be a tricky distance, but Paco (Lopez) is very confident it won't be a problem. He can run with any horse in the country at six furlongs. I'm excited to have him back." Others to watch: Capt. Candyman Can and the well-bred and promising 4-year-old, Bold Warrior.
Sunday, it's the $150,000, Grade III Hurricane Bertie for fillies and mares going 6 1/2 furlongs. A well-balanced field of seven includes Bobby Flay's filly Her Smile, making her first start since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Laurel Park
Saturday's card is highlighted by the $200,000, Grade II Barbara Fritchie Handicap for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs on the main track. The 7-furlong Fritchie drew nine entrants with Nicole H installed as the 6-5 morning line favorite. The daughter of Mr. Greeley has finished first or second in eight of her last nine races, including five stakes victories, including the Correction Stakes just two weeks ago. "We are very happy with how she came out of her last race,” trainer Mike Hushion said. "We don't usually run a horse like her back in two weeks but she bounced out of her last race and I think seven-eighths is a perfect distance." Also in the field is C C's Pal, who has won three of four starts since moving to the Rick Dutrow’s barn, including the Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct on New Year's Day.
The $100,000 John B. Campbell at 9 furlongs supports the Fritchie on Saturday's card.
On President's Day on Monday, the $200,000, Grade II General George takes the spotlight.
Santa Anita
Saturday's feature is the $200,000, Grade II Santa Maria Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles. Seven are entered, including Ellafitz, who enters the fray off dominating back-to-back stakes wins for trainer Bob Baffert. The 5-year-old Tiznow mare took down the Grade II Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park in December, then accounted for the Paseana last month at Santa Anita. Miss Mittagong was second in the Bayakoa and then third in the Robert J. Frankel on New Year's Day.
Sunday, it's 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs in the $150,000, Grade II San Vicente with graded stakes earnings still vital in a pretty wide-open Kentucky Derby picture. Creative Cause returns to the races for trainer Mike Harrington for the first time since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Drill, who has been going steadily downhill since winning the Del Mar Futurity last September, will try to make amends for trainer Bob Baffert. Captain Obvious, an Irish import, makes his second U.S. start after a fourth in the Real Quiet Stakes in November. Ben Cecil trains.
Golden Gate Fields
The $200,000, Grade III El Camino Real Derby tops the weekend action in northern California. Trainer Graham Motion ships in Lucky Chappy, who finished second to Howe Great in the Kitten's Joy Stakes over the Gulfstream Park turf last month. Before that, the Irish-bred High Chaparral colt was third in the Bourbon Stakes on the Keeneland lawn and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He started his career with three races in Italy last year and it will be interesting to see how he handles the all-weather track. Russian Greek, Cahill Chrome and Senor Rain – the top three finishers from the Jan. 14 California Derby, all are back to face off again. Handsome Mike, a favorite of the Horse Racing Radio Network team, ships in from Southern California after a couple promising also-rans including a fourth in the Grade III Sham Stakes last month. Daddy Nose Best, another turf specialist trying a different surface, is in for trainer Steve Asmussen, who won last year's El Camino Real with Silver Medallion and Julien Leparoux will take the transcontinental flight to ride. They all could be in trouble, though, if Jerry Hollendorfer's star filly, Lady of Fifty, gets an easy lead. The Kentucky-bred After Market miss has won three stakes in a row over the Golden Gate oval, including the California Oaks in her last start. Hollendorfer also trains Russian Greek.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thoroughbred Racing Weekend Advance
By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
This weekend: Four big graded stakes at Gulfstream Park and Black Caviar stretching out to 7 furlongs in Australia in quest of her 18th straight win.
With Dubai World Cup night fast approaching, those far-flung venues easily – or maybe, stay tuned -- could help determine fields for the big night on March 31.
As of Saturday, it's seven weeks until the World Cup and 12 weeks until the Kentucky Derby.
The haps:
At the top of the weekend list is the $500,000, Grade I Donn Handicap at Gulfstream – recently, the first big East Coast handicap of the year and often a scene-setter for what's to come. In 2007, for example, Invasor won the Donn en route to victory the following month in the Dubai World Cup. Six years earlier, Captain Steve completed the same double and, of course, Cigar won the inaugural running of the World Cup in 1996 off a win in the Donn.
Cigar won the Donn twice, in 1995 as well as 1996, following in the hoofprints of the immortal Pistols and Roses, who won it in 1993 and 1994. Other winners include Saint Liam, Medaglia d'Oro, Captain Steve and Jade Hunter.
Bob Baffert, who trained Captain Steve and also won the World Cup in 1998 with Silver Charm, noted last week at Santa Anita it's not as easy for American horses to compete in Dubai now after the shift from real dirt at the old Nad Al Sheba track to the Tapeta artifical surface at the plush new Meydan track.
Nonetheless, that isn't going to deter many U.S. owners and trainers from chasing the winner's share of the $10 million World Cup purse if they have a horse that looks capable.
Saturday's renewal of the Donn also features what some are calling the "rubber match" from last year's Triple Crown. While Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is not in the field, Preakness winner Shackleford and Belmont winner Ruler On Ice will be in the starting gate.
So will Trickmeister, who is undefeated in five starts but stepping into graded stakes company for the first time. The Triple Crown veterans and Trickmeister all like to run on or near the lead so it could be an interesting tactical race.
"Everybody's knocking this (2011's) crop of 3-year-olds," Dale Romans, Shackleford's trainer, said Wednesday at Gulfstream. "But I think by the end of this year, we'll realize we were watching a good crop last year. You could go five deep that could show up and be this year's top handicap horse."
Also in the field are Flat Out, fifth in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic; Where's Sterling, who won the Iselin at Monmouth last year before finishing second in the Hawthorne Gold Cup; Mission Impazible, second in last year's Clark Handicap; Redeemed, never off the board in eight starts; Soaring Empire, who finished second in the Gulfstream Park Handicap last year, beating the likes of Tizway and Rule; and Hymn Book, second in the Cigar Mile last time out.
Tough race.
On the same card are the $300,000, Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, the $150,000, Grade II Hutcheson for 3-year-olds going 7 furlongs and the $150,000, Grade III Suwannee River Stakes for fillies and mares at 9 furlongs on turf.
In the GP Turf, Silver Medallion comes in with two straight wins in Florida. Big Blue Kitten won last year's National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga and could be channeling the Kentucky basketball team. Boisterous had two straight graded wins in New York to wrap up 2001. Get Stormy won last year's Maker's Mark Mile and Woodford Reserve. A few others could be dangerous as well in another tough one to handicap. Yummy With Butter is usually in the mix and has a cool name.
Six entries were found for the Hutcheson, which could be a stepping stone toward the Florida Derby if one of them really shows something special. Il Villano, who finished third after showing the way for Alpha in the 1 mile, 70-yards Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct in November, is a prime contender. Another is Ever So Lucky, who was the favorite on Nov. 26 when he finished second to Gemologist in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs going 1 1/16 miles. So it's not hopeless.
The Suwanee River got a field of 10 plus to "main track only" hopefuls.
In California, The Usual Q.T. is a headliner in Saturday's $150,000, Grade II San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on the grass.
The Usual Q.T., a 6-year-old California-bred, was third in the Grade II San Gabriel Stakes on Jan. 16 but that was his first race in nearly eight months and trainer Jim Cassidy said the multiple Grade I winner might not have been fully cranked.
"His schedule was a bit advanced to make the San Gabriel and we've had more time to prepare for this race," Cassidy said.
The Usual Q.T. has not been off the board in nine starts since his trip to Dubai nearly two years ago. But the gelded son of Unusual Heat also has not won since the Grade I Eddie Read Stakes in July of 2010.
Also in the eight-horse field are Sanagas and Bourbon Bay, who finished first and second in the Grade I Hollywood Turf Cup in their last outing Nov. 19; Norvsky, who won the San Gabriel; and Slim Shadey, a British import who oddly enough is not trained by Baffert but, rather, by Simon Callaghan.
Setting sail across the South Pacific, we get to Caulfield in Australia, where Black Caviar continues to face local rivals while her handlers decide which overseas targets will eventually provide a real test for her ability.
After 17 straight wins against overmatched opponents, Black Caviar faces a furlong more than her normal 6 in Saturday's C.F. Orr Stakes and butts heads with Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed and well-regarded Playing God and Midas Touch.
A steady bag of mixed signals has had the 6-year-old mare staying home to try to win 20 straight for the locals; continuing to run at home until Royal Ascot in June; detouring to Dubai for one of the sprints on World Cup night; or plotting a "grand tour" that also could include Japan and/or Hong Kong late in the year with very lucrative bonus money on offer.
First things first. And the first thing is Saturday.
Trainer Peter Moody seems confident.
"The only worry is the 1,400-meter start is 20 meters from where she sleeps every night, so we'll have to keep her awake," Moody told the Daily Telegraph.
"She goes out and makes her own luck in her races. She can race forward or back. She can sit off them or be the speed. I don't harbour any fears there ... She'll be as effective, if not more, at 1,400 meters. I can't see any reason why anybody should be worried about her doing it."
Elsewhere:
-- Aqueduct has the $75,000 Dearly Precious for 3-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs on the Saturday card with three other state-bred stakes during the weekend.
-- At Fair Grounds, Saturday's headliner is the $75,000 Tiffany Lass Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.
-- Laurel Park in Maryland cards the $75,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes on Saturday for distaffers at 9 furlongs.
-- In Arkansas, Oaklawn Park, which as enjoyed excellent weather and a big boost in attendance early this season, boosted daily purses this week and Saturday offers the 1-mile Martha Washington Stakes for 3-year-old fillies – a potential Oaks prep.
UPI Racing Writer
This weekend: Four big graded stakes at Gulfstream Park and Black Caviar stretching out to 7 furlongs in Australia in quest of her 18th straight win.
With Dubai World Cup night fast approaching, those far-flung venues easily – or maybe, stay tuned -- could help determine fields for the big night on March 31.
As of Saturday, it's seven weeks until the World Cup and 12 weeks until the Kentucky Derby.
The haps:
At the top of the weekend list is the $500,000, Grade I Donn Handicap at Gulfstream – recently, the first big East Coast handicap of the year and often a scene-setter for what's to come. In 2007, for example, Invasor won the Donn en route to victory the following month in the Dubai World Cup. Six years earlier, Captain Steve completed the same double and, of course, Cigar won the inaugural running of the World Cup in 1996 off a win in the Donn.
Cigar won the Donn twice, in 1995 as well as 1996, following in the hoofprints of the immortal Pistols and Roses, who won it in 1993 and 1994. Other winners include Saint Liam, Medaglia d'Oro, Captain Steve and Jade Hunter.
Bob Baffert, who trained Captain Steve and also won the World Cup in 1998 with Silver Charm, noted last week at Santa Anita it's not as easy for American horses to compete in Dubai now after the shift from real dirt at the old Nad Al Sheba track to the Tapeta artifical surface at the plush new Meydan track.
Nonetheless, that isn't going to deter many U.S. owners and trainers from chasing the winner's share of the $10 million World Cup purse if they have a horse that looks capable.
Saturday's renewal of the Donn also features what some are calling the "rubber match" from last year's Triple Crown. While Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is not in the field, Preakness winner Shackleford and Belmont winner Ruler On Ice will be in the starting gate.
So will Trickmeister, who is undefeated in five starts but stepping into graded stakes company for the first time. The Triple Crown veterans and Trickmeister all like to run on or near the lead so it could be an interesting tactical race.
"Everybody's knocking this (2011's) crop of 3-year-olds," Dale Romans, Shackleford's trainer, said Wednesday at Gulfstream. "But I think by the end of this year, we'll realize we were watching a good crop last year. You could go five deep that could show up and be this year's top handicap horse."
Also in the field are Flat Out, fifth in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic; Where's Sterling, who won the Iselin at Monmouth last year before finishing second in the Hawthorne Gold Cup; Mission Impazible, second in last year's Clark Handicap; Redeemed, never off the board in eight starts; Soaring Empire, who finished second in the Gulfstream Park Handicap last year, beating the likes of Tizway and Rule; and Hymn Book, second in the Cigar Mile last time out.
Tough race.
On the same card are the $300,000, Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, the $150,000, Grade II Hutcheson for 3-year-olds going 7 furlongs and the $150,000, Grade III Suwannee River Stakes for fillies and mares at 9 furlongs on turf.
In the GP Turf, Silver Medallion comes in with two straight wins in Florida. Big Blue Kitten won last year's National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga and could be channeling the Kentucky basketball team. Boisterous had two straight graded wins in New York to wrap up 2001. Get Stormy won last year's Maker's Mark Mile and Woodford Reserve. A few others could be dangerous as well in another tough one to handicap. Yummy With Butter is usually in the mix and has a cool name.
Six entries were found for the Hutcheson, which could be a stepping stone toward the Florida Derby if one of them really shows something special. Il Villano, who finished third after showing the way for Alpha in the 1 mile, 70-yards Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct in November, is a prime contender. Another is Ever So Lucky, who was the favorite on Nov. 26 when he finished second to Gemologist in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs going 1 1/16 miles. So it's not hopeless.
The Suwanee River got a field of 10 plus to "main track only" hopefuls.
In California, The Usual Q.T. is a headliner in Saturday's $150,000, Grade II San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on the grass.
The Usual Q.T., a 6-year-old California-bred, was third in the Grade II San Gabriel Stakes on Jan. 16 but that was his first race in nearly eight months and trainer Jim Cassidy said the multiple Grade I winner might not have been fully cranked.
"His schedule was a bit advanced to make the San Gabriel and we've had more time to prepare for this race," Cassidy said.
The Usual Q.T. has not been off the board in nine starts since his trip to Dubai nearly two years ago. But the gelded son of Unusual Heat also has not won since the Grade I Eddie Read Stakes in July of 2010.
Also in the eight-horse field are Sanagas and Bourbon Bay, who finished first and second in the Grade I Hollywood Turf Cup in their last outing Nov. 19; Norvsky, who won the San Gabriel; and Slim Shadey, a British import who oddly enough is not trained by Baffert but, rather, by Simon Callaghan.
Setting sail across the South Pacific, we get to Caulfield in Australia, where Black Caviar continues to face local rivals while her handlers decide which overseas targets will eventually provide a real test for her ability.
After 17 straight wins against overmatched opponents, Black Caviar faces a furlong more than her normal 6 in Saturday's C.F. Orr Stakes and butts heads with Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed and well-regarded Playing God and Midas Touch.
A steady bag of mixed signals has had the 6-year-old mare staying home to try to win 20 straight for the locals; continuing to run at home until Royal Ascot in June; detouring to Dubai for one of the sprints on World Cup night; or plotting a "grand tour" that also could include Japan and/or Hong Kong late in the year with very lucrative bonus money on offer.
First things first. And the first thing is Saturday.
Trainer Peter Moody seems confident.
"The only worry is the 1,400-meter start is 20 meters from where she sleeps every night, so we'll have to keep her awake," Moody told the Daily Telegraph.
"She goes out and makes her own luck in her races. She can race forward or back. She can sit off them or be the speed. I don't harbour any fears there ... She'll be as effective, if not more, at 1,400 meters. I can't see any reason why anybody should be worried about her doing it."
Elsewhere:
-- Aqueduct has the $75,000 Dearly Precious for 3-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs on the Saturday card with three other state-bred stakes during the weekend.
-- At Fair Grounds, Saturday's headliner is the $75,000 Tiffany Lass Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.
-- Laurel Park in Maryland cards the $75,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes on Saturday for distaffers at 9 furlongs.
-- In Arkansas, Oaklawn Park, which as enjoyed excellent weather and a big boost in attendance early this season, boosted daily purses this week and Saturday offers the 1-mile Martha Washington Stakes for 3-year-old fillies – a potential Oaks prep.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
• Q&A with DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship $1 million winner Michael Beychok
• A collection of news and blogs about HBO’s critically acclaimed new horse racing drama Luck
• Videos
• Photos
• Triple Crown Watch
• News
• Tweets and Voices from the Grandstand
• Racing Calendar and more
Click HERE to view the NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
• A collection of news and blogs about HBO’s critically acclaimed new horse racing drama Luck
• Videos
• Photos
• Triple Crown Watch
• News
• Tweets and Voices from the Grandstand
• Racing Calendar and more
Click HERE to view the NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
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