The Stars of Tomorrow cards aren’t necessarily the only ones that produce exciting 2-year-olds at the Churchill Downs fall meet. A good horse is eligible to spring forth from just about any 2-year-old race at Churchill – such as an allowance held as the second race Saturday.
Anything can and will happen during the waning days of the marathon Woodbine meet, which concludes Nov. 29.
What we’d all like to point a finger at but only Brian Sears gets to pay for in a 15-day forced vacation, is that much of what goes on during the regular racing program is systematic. Systematic in a sense that the races are scheduled in a certain order and our horses just don’t have the capacity to whack out mile after mile on the front end without some residual damage being done.
Tevis Q. McCauley already has the distinction of being the rare trainer with that middle initial. If he doesn’t watch out, McCauley also could become known as a trainer who’s adept at winning turf sprints with young homebreds. McCauley turned some heads this summer when Sylven Park won back-to-back turf sprints at Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park, and now he’ll try to keep Amarachi unbeaten in two starts when the 3-year-old filly goes postward as one of the favorites in the lone allowance on a 10-race Thursday card at Churchill.
Bob Pandolfo's Sharp Horses and Track Trends report featuring horses from Northfield, Dover, Yonkers and others.
Horses to watch from Monticello Raceway.
Trip Notes for November 14: Red Smith Handicap, Mrs. Revere, Bob Hope by Michael Hammersly.
A large wager that was canceled just minutes before the first race on Saturday at Del Mar prompted an investigation by officials from the racetrack, the California Horse Racing Board, and TVG, through which the wager was placed and then canceled.
Big Macher was a stakes winner at Del Mar's fall meet one year ago, and he is expected to defend his title, on Sunday, in the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for California-bred sprinters going six furlongs.
Joe Talamo and Elizabeth Ellis, daughter of trainer Ron Ellis, are getting married on Friday night in San Diego. On Saturday, Talamo will head right back to work at Del Mar aboard Three Hearts, who will defend her title in the Grade 3, $100,000 Red Carpet Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 3/8 miles on turf.
