In his first workout since being named 2014 Horse of the Year and winning the Eclipse Award for outstanding 3-year-old male on Saturday, California Chrome worked seven furlongs in 1:27.20 at Los Alamitos on Monday. He went well in hand under jockey Victor Espinoza, continuing to impress trainer Art Sherman in advance of a scheduled comeback in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 7.
Jockey Roman Chapa has been suspended by the Sam Houston Race Park board of stewards pending an investigation into his ride in Saturday night’s ninth race, the $50,000 Richard King Handicap, which he won aboard Quiet Acceleration.
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The importance of evaluating and managing jockeys’ head injuries and concussions was among the major topics addressed Monday morning during the opening session of the Jockeys’ Guild annual members’ assembly at the Diplomat Resort here.
When trainer Eric Ell went to the Harrisburg mixed auction this past November he was looking for a young trotter that would fit at a low non-winners category. He may have come away with more than he expected for the $32,000 price.
The only three victories that the 6-year-old mare City Trip has recorded during her 25-race career have come on Polytrack or turf. Her best finish in three starts on dirt was a third at Gulfstream Park two years ago. But based on how well City Trip has been working at Charles Town since arriving from Woodbine, she looks raring to go for Wednesday night’s $30,000 Shenandoah Stakes for fillies and mares.
Laurel Park canceled its nine-race card for Monday due to poor racetrack conditions stemming from winter weather. Laurel and nearby Pimlico Race Course are still open for simulcasting, and live racing is scheduled to resume at Laurel on Friday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.
Trip Notes for Jan. 17: Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap, Lecomte, La Canada by Michael Hammersly.
When Roma’s Sister rallied inside through the late stages of Sunday’s opener to upset the heavily favored Fiesta Rose, the win was emblematic of trainer Gerald Bennett’s approach to life and training horses.
Janelle Campbell seems to know how to light up the board. The young apprentice brought home Lady Lucilla to take the nightcap Saturday for an $85.40 payoff.
Hocaba, the filly with the weird blinker and tons of speed, remained undefeated with an impressive 4 1/2-length victory over a field of 3-year-old fillies in Friday’s five-furlong feature that was moved from the turf to the main track.
