ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Penner Ash might be rounding back into peak form in time for Thursday’s Woodbine headliner and could clear the nonwinners-of-three condition in the hybrid event for Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers.
October 25
Del Mar
Weather: Foggy
Temperature: 54
Track: Fast
DEL MAR, Calif. – Keeping a close eye on the Breeders’ Cup contenders stabled at Del Mar became a difficult task on Friday with dense fog blanketing the area throughout training hours. The fog obscured the view of nearly the entire racetrack save for about a quarter-mile portion, from the eighth pole to and through the wire into the clubhouse turn.
The formidable trainer-jockey team of Saffie Joseph Jr. and Edgard Zayas have a chance to sweep the two richest races on Sunday’s card at Gulfstream Park.
The duo will team with probable favorite Sol Hope in the fifth race, a conditioned allowance for fillies and mares at five furlongs on turf with a purse of $62,000.
In the eighth race, Zayas rides leading contender Shankar for Joseph in the first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up bred in Florida. The 1 1/16-mile turf race has a purse of $48,000.
Joseph and Zayas have won multiple titles at Gulfstream.
East Avenue, the potential favorite for next Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and Jonathan’s Way, one of his main threats, both put in their final workouts Friday morning at Churchill Downs.
East Avenue, impressive winner of the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland last out, was timed in 1:00.20 for five furlongs. Tyler Gaffalione was aboard for the work, which was done in company with the 3-year-old San Silo, recent winner of a first-level allowance at Churchill.
DEL MAR, Calif. – The fog that enveloped Del Mar on Friday morning was an apropos setting on the morning Senor Buscador was to have his final workout in preparation for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2.
Despite a sensational start to his 6-year-old season, Senor Buscador’s status as a win candidate in the Classic is hazy at best.
Sheriff Bianco will be looking to nail down his first stakes win Sunday, when the earner of more than $700,000 sprints in the $150,000 Hudson on Empire Classic Day at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct.
The 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up is one of two stakes at the distance. The $150,000 Iroquois for fillies and mares drew the talented 3-year-old filly Tricky Temper.
The future of the New York breeding program looks as bright as ever with 2-year-olds like Mo Plex and With the Angels coming up the ranks. Both will see action Sunday on Empire Showcase Day at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct.
Mo Plex will be seeking the third stakes win of his young career in the $200,000 Sleepy Hollow, while With the Angels is looking to run her record to 3 for 3 in the $200,000 Maid of the Mist for fillies. Both races are one-turn miles.
A move to Los Alamitos has changed the season for American Dreamin, the fastest qualifier for Sunday’s $1,073,800 Golden State Million Futurity at 400 yards.
After losses in time trials for the Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in June and the All American Futurity at the Downs at Albuquerque in August, American Dreamin is unbeaten in two starts at Los Alamitos.
Prince of Monaco, a Grade 1-winning 2-year-old of 2023, has been retired from racing due to minor bone bruising that would force him to miss the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita later in the year, according to his connections.
Prince of Monaco, a son of Speightstown trained by Bob Baffert for a group that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, and Stonestreet Stables, will stand stud at Claiborne Farm.
ARCADIA, Calif. – A class drop and distance cutback benefit three-time stakes winner Medoro, favored to win the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes on Sunday, closing day of the Santa Anita autumn meet.
Twelve entered the Autumn Miss, a turf mile for 3-year-old fillies that includes Medoro’s nemesis Zona Verde and rapidly improving upset candidate Tahini.
Closing weekend could be big for Medoro’s trainer, Peter Eurton, who entered Twilight Derby favorite Stay Hot on Saturday. Stay Hot is a laid-back late-runner, unlike his stablemate.
