Wise Dan among 31 nominated to Woodbine Mile
Two-time Woodbine Mile winner Wise Dan heads the list of 31 nominees for this year’s edition of the Grade 1 turf event on Sept. 13.
Ron GierkinkAug 28, 2015
Two-time Woodbine Mile winner Wise Dan heads the list of 31 nominees for this year’s edition of the Grade 1 turf event on Sept. 13.
If Fleet Eagle can come close to reproducing the 100 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his blowout win going 6 1/2 furlongs May 17 in the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap in his first start at Emerald Downs, it is game, set, and match when runs in an unrestricted allowance race Sunday. The six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and headlines a 10-race card that begins at 2 p.m. Pacific.
The $100,000 Smart N Fancy Stakes at Saratoga on Sunday matches two of the top filly or mare turf sprinters in the East, Lady Shipman and Free as a Bird.
Despite 10 races carded for the seaside Saturday, options seem limited with a few short fields and four races (2, 4, 8, and 10) loaded with firsters. At least one race, however, with a big, contentious field, provides an opportunity, particularly for trifectas/superfectas.
Trainer Ashlee Brnjas saddles Sleepy P (#5, ML 3-1) in Friday's fourth race at Woodbine, a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight race on turf. Since Jan. 1, 2014, Brnjas is winning at a 46 percent clip with first-time turf starters, for a return on investment of $5.34. Check out the Positive ROI report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
Seth Hancock, part of the family that founded central Kentucky’s Claiborne Farm, has been appointed a trustee of the Keeneland Association, replacing Louis Lee Haggin III, who has retired from the position, the company announced on Friday.
Thirty years ago, Bruce Dillenbeck finished third as a jockey in the Humboldt County Marathon. On Sunday, he hopes to win the race as a trainer, in the $20,000, 1 5/8-mile stakes race on closing day of the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale.
The 3-year-olds Hebbronville and W V Jetsetter, who were a neck apart as the one-two finishers in a Grade 3, $100,000 stakes last month, are rematched in another $100,000, six-furlong sprint Sunday at Parx Racing.
Conquest Strate Up will face males in her stakes debut in Sunday’s $125,000 Vice Regent Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds over one mile on Woodbine’s turf course.
Tanner's Popsicle (#5, ML 5-2) returns in Friday's seventh race at Canterbury Park, a 5 1/2-furlong optional claimer. It will be his first start since finishing second by seven lengths in an optional claimer July 2 at Canterbury Park. The first- and third-place finishers from that race came back to win their next starts. Get the Key Race report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.