Joe Sharp has developed a reputation as a skilled claiming trainer, but if his entrant in Friday’s eighth race at Churchill Downs, Knockitdownhard, proves successful, he said it will be owner Carl Moore that deserves the credit.
Victor Espinoza wasn’t taking any chances aboard American Pharoah with the Kentucky Derby at stake and a tenacious Firing Line digging in for the long haul down the stretch at Churchill Downs. Espinoza gave his colt a rat-a-tattooing reminiscent of the steady beat Calvin Borel applied to Rachel Alexandra to get the job done in the 2009 Woodward Stakes, and American Pharoah ended up draped in roses. This, after all, was the point of the exercise.
Bee A Magician, who was harness racing’s 2013 Horse of the Year, has started her campaign with back-to-back wins over male rivals. She will try to make it three in a row when she leaves from post eight with driver Brian Sears in the $183,650 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial final at the Meadowlands.
Following up a recent column on the best early speed drivers, let’s take a look at some of my favorite drivers to bet behind closers.
The Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan shares center stage with the Pimlico Special on a seven-stakes Preakness Eve card at Pimlico on Friday.
The Association of Racing Commissioners International is considering a rule that would allow racing commissions to penalize horsemen if their horses test for an “excessive” amount of any substance, according to the RCI.
Daily Racing Form will provide live video coverage from Pimlico Race Course this week, including exclusive live streaming coverage of tonight's 2015 Preakness Post Position Draw show from 4-6 pm EDT on live.drf.com.
A well-matched field of 10 turf-meant fillies and mares will line up for Friday’s featured eighth race, an $80,000 optional claimer with second-level allowance conditions scheduled for six furlongs on Belmont Park’s Widener turf. A meltdown up front could pave the way for closers such as Distorted Beauty and Hillhouse High, both of whom narrowly missed in stakes on this circuit last year and make their seasonal debuts on Friday.
Commissioner and Top Billing loom major players in Friday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Pimlico Special, the final race on a 14-race Pimlico card which begins at noon Eastern.
Miss Temple City and Lady Zuzu both acquitted themselves well against stiff competition in graded stakes in Kentucky this spring. Their performances make them standouts as each seeks a first stakes score in the $100,000 Hilltop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf Friday at Pimlico.
