There’s much to be unsure about in the Caesars Handicap, one of two $150,000 turf miles Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis. But this much is certain: If Depiction is close to his 20-1 morning-line odds, he’s worth a bet.
Unfortunately, Depiction figures half that price at best. He’s one of nine 3-year-olds in the Caesars, designated as a handicap to skirt a ban on Lasix in stakes races at participating North American tracks. The weight spread among the entrants is minimal.
Mugatu was foaled in Kentucky and trains at Belterra Park in Ohio. But in some ways, he’ll be coming home when he runs in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. The colt was conceived in Maryland, as he is sired by Blofeld, a prominent young sire in the state who stands at Murmur Farm in Darlington.
A popular bonus system designed to lure horses from other states or countries to race at the Del Mar summer meeting will have smaller payoffs for some horses at the track’s forthcoming season from July 20 to Sept. 8.
Horses who have not raced in California in the last 12 months, and did not have their previous starts in California, will be eligible for a 40 percent bonus for purses earned in overnight races through the meeting. Horses that meet that criteria and start no more than twice at Santa Anita in May or June also are eligible.
First-time starters are excluded.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Two Rivers Over, winner of the Group 2 Godolphin Mile on dirt in Dubai in March, will resume his 2024 season in the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile on May 27 at Lone Star Park, co-owner Ty Leatherman said Sunday.
Two Rivers Over was being considered for the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap on June 8 at Saratoga, but Leatherman said the $400,000 Sexton Mile has greater appeal from a competitive standpoint.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though she has found the winner’s circle just once in 15 starts, Foxy Cara has rarely failed to put forth an honest effort, finishing in the money in 11 of those starts.
Given the proper pace scenario and the right field, Foxy Cara could find the winner’s circle again Thursday in a six-furlong first-level allowance for New York-bred females that serves as the feature on a pedestrian eight-race card at Aqueduct.
Henry Longfellow, 3 for 3 as a 2-year-old, is one of 13 entered in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, the French 2000 Guineas, a one-turn, one-mile contest Sunday at Longchamp.
The likely favorite figures to perform better in this Guineas race than his Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate, City of Troy, who finished ninth May 4 as the odds-on choice in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Pipsy, coming off two solid wins in Ireland, makes her U.S. debut and first start for trainer William Walden in Sunday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Soaring Softly Stakes scheduled for six furlongs over Aqueduct’s outer turf course.
An overflow field of 13 for turf and one main-track-only filly was entered for the Soaring Softly, a race that would be limited to 10 starters on turf. Trainer Wesley Ward said Friday that Baraye will scratch from the race, which allows the also-eligible Caress to draw into the field.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – There are three $61,000 allowance events on Sunday’s nine race card at Gulfstream Park, the most compelling of which is the first of the trio, a five-furlong turf dash for 3-year-old fillies that features Tiffany Gold, an impressive debut winner over the Tapeta strip.
