Mike Marlow, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, was home from a full day’s work when American Pharoah walked into the starting gate for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. Marlow, who heads the stable’s division at Los Alamitos, was settled in his living room, anxious to see if American Pharoah could sweep the Triple Crown.
Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps, the highly influential owner and breeder, will step down as chairman of The Jockey Club on Aug. 8, the group announced on Monday.
Horses to watch from Mohawk Racetrack.
Trip Notes for races run on June 6-7 by Michael Hammersly.
This past week we found out just what Jeff Gural’s vision was for the future of gaming in New Jersey. Numbers were cast into the air on a grand scale and for those listening, most of the figures painted the Hard Rock-Meadowlands project a veritable win-win proposition. Still months or perhaps years away from public approval and potential reality, it’s hard not to listen to the words and feel at least optimistic for the sport within the Garden State.
Apprentice David Lopez, fourth in the Golden Gate Fields riders’ standings with 70 wins, will be sidelined four to six weeks with fractures in his lower back.
Kikisoblu raced to an easy victory Sunday in the $50,000 Washington State Legislators Handicap at Emerald Downs, further cementing her status as the top older filly or mare in the Pacific Northwest.
First Valiant Sign pulled a 31-1 upset in the Grade 1, $750,000 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity on Sunday, when he drove to a neck win in the first major race for 2-year-olds at the New Mexico meet.
Arabella’s Muse, with leading rider Richard Hamel aboard, scored a game one-length win over Hollywood Miss in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun for fillies and mares at Hastings on Sunday.
American Pharoah is not another Secretariat, Affirmed, or Seattle Slew. But after his front-running victory Saturday, he deserves an exalted place in racing history, for he swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes at a time when the feat has become more difficult than ever.
