Upstart, who finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his 2-year-old finale, now is likely to make his 3-year-old debut Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the Grade 2 Holy Bull.
Art Sherman had an early morning flight Sunday to head back to California, but he probably didn’t need the plane, so high was he emotionally after his colt California Chrome was named Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male Saturday night at the 44th annual Eclipse Awards dinner at Gulfstream Park.
Today’s late pick four at Gulfstream looks like a difficult sequence. It’s book-ended by maiden races on the grass featuring several first-time turf runners. Handicappers could make a case for almost all of the horses in those races, and pick four players are betting blind into a last leg that features a debut runner trained by Chad Brown. Ideally, it would be nice to get a gauge on tote action, but that’s not going to happen with this type of wager.
Old Friends Equine Retirement has announced a partnership with Kentucky Downs to establish a satellite facility at the Franklin, Ky., racetrack.
Hip Four Sixtynine closed from next to last for a 3 1/2-length win over School Spirit in Saturday night’s $70,000 Fremont at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third to Bellarmine.
Quiet Acceleration defended his title in the $50,000 Richard King at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday night, when he got up for a half-length win over Fly the Red Eye. It was another head back in third to the favorite Magna Breeze.
California Chrome proved as popular with Eclipse Award voters as he was with the general public, earning titles as both Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male at the 44th annual Eclipse Awards dinner Saturday night at Gulfstream Park.
Ghost Is Clear appeared beaten shortly after the start of the $56,460 Forego Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday night when slow into stride, and more so at the finish when Hollywood Talent resurged inside of him just before the wire. But in the end, right beneath the finish line, the photo camera showed Ghost Is Clear the narrowest of winners.
After launching a powerful rally from midpack, Notte d'Oro outfought Eden Prairie in the final furlong to win the $60,000 Marie Krantz Memorial Handicap by a length Saturday at Fair Grounds.
Recent maiden winner Cross the Line ($11.40) captured the 100th running of the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, giving trainer Jerry Hollendorfer his fourth straight win in the race.
