Gold Medal Dancer, the winner of the Grade 2, $294,000 Azeri in her last start March 14, had a significant work at Oaklawn on Saturday, breezing five furlongs by herself in a bullet 59.20 seconds. She has emerged from the work in good order and remains under consideration for the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn on April 10, according to trainer Donnie Von Hemel.
Trainer Bret Calhoun could have the favorites in two of the three undercard stakes supporting the Arkansas Derby. He said Promise Me Silver, who is undefeated in six starts, is being pointed for the $100,000 Instant Racing for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. She will be seeking her sixth career stakes win.
Faced with the most difficult decision of his young career, Jim Marohn, Jr. has decided to remain at The Meadowlands on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the championship meet rather than return to defend his Tioga Downs driver title.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Bridget’s Big Luvy will take up the chase for some Kentucky Derby eligibility points later this month when he starts in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby. The horse earned a shot at the April 11 race at Oaklawn Park with a convincing win in the $100,000 Private Terms on March 21 at Laurel. There were a couple of reasons why the Arkansas Derby was targeted for the Belmont Park-based Bridget’s Big Luvy, trainer Jeremiah Englehart said Tuesday.
The Keeneland spring meet figures to get away quicker than a Wesley Ward 2-year-old with a revamped schedule that’s more front-loaded than ever before.
A program to financially reward owners and trainers for bringing race-ready horses to Del Mar expands to the entire Southern California circuit on Thursday.
David Lehr, who replaced his brother Butch as track superintendent at Churchill Downs in 2012, is retiring from that post effective May 31, it was announced Tuesday by the Louisville, Ky., track.
Shared Belief, unbeaten in two major stakes this year, worked six furlongs in 1:14.20 at Golden Gate Fields on Tuesday in preparation for the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic in West Virginia on April 18.
Days before the biggest race of his career, Bolo had the fastest half-mile workout of his career at Santa Anita on Tuesday. Bolo worked four furlongs in 46.80 seconds, his final major exercise before Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita Derby.
Warren’s Veneda, the top female in California, will stay home for her next start, though trainer Craig Lewis will keep travel options open for her.
