The Meadowlands closes out its 2015 campaign on Saturday night with a 15-race program and an early post time. First post is 6:35 p.m. on a card that not only has full fields but appears more like a Friday program saturated with trotting races and filly and mare pacing events. Trainer Rob Harmon has five entered on the card and he'll be there early and late with hopes of sending out his season on a high note.
Bluegrass Cat began his stud career in Kentucky and stood at two different farms in New York before relocating to Ballena Vista Farm in Ramona, Calif., for the 2015 season. He is California's leading active resident by progeny earnings – and, judging by his immediate popularity in the Golden State, may have finally found a long-term home.
For the third time in a history that dates back to Aug. 9, 1926—when, with great expectations, it opened for thoroughbred racing bearing the name Lincoln Fields—Balmoral Park will go out of business at the conclusion of Saturday night’s standardbred program. Neil Milbert looks back at the history of the track and what led to its final fate.
He's riding with more confidence at this Fair Grounds meet. He's demonstrating patience. And he's riding better horses. In a variety of ways, Mitchell Murrill, who made his Fair Grounds debut last season as an apprentice, is a more polished jockey in first local season as a journeyman. The results certainly are backing up the point.
The waning days of 2015 may produce a milestone for California owner and breeder Nick Alexander.
Fillies and mares will provide the highlights of Sunday's card at Tampa Bay Downs in a pair of second-level optional $32,000 claimers on the main track.
Last year, Jrc Callas First came into The Championship at Sunland Park on a seven-race win streak. He ended up fourth – although the loss didn't stop him from becoming the 2014 World Champion Running Quarter Horse. This year, Jrc Callas First enters The Championship at Sunland Park on a four-race win streak. With the World Champion title probably out of reach following Heza Dasha Fire's Champion of Champions win, Jrc Callas First and his owners – Brian and Dana Stroud – will have to be satisfied with a victory in the Grade 1, $350,000 race on Sunday.
There is a late Christmas present arriving at Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, Calif., this week. Einstein, the 13-year-old stallion who won the 2009 Santa Anita Handicap, is scheduled to arrive at the farm on Dec. 28 to launch his California stud career in 2016.
Bob Pandolfo's Sharp Horses and Track Trends for December 17 to 20, 2015.
Derick Giwner's analysis of the Saturday 12/26 card at The Meadowlands.
