Fri, 09/27/2024 - 12:15

Clovisconnection back at better distance in Harris Farms

Vassar Photography
Cutting back to six furlongs, Clovisconnection will look to repeat in Sunday's Harris Farms at Fresno.

A few strides after the start of Sunday’s $75,000 Harris Farms Stakes for California-breds in Fresno, Calif., Clovisconnection will either be in front or near the lead.

Jockey William Antongeorgi knows Clovisconnection well, having won four times aboard the gelding in eight races. Antongeorgi’s early race tactics will be partially determined by what jockey Assael Espinoza does aboard Bob’s Blue Moon, who has shown speed at times.

Bob’s Blue Moon is drawn to the outside of Clovisconnection in the Harris Farms Stakes, which is run at six furlongs for California-breds.

Fri, 09/27/2024 - 12:10

Drysdale returns to Hawthorne with Nineeleventurbo in Carey Memorial

Coady Photography
In Sunday's Carey Memorial at Hawthorne, Nineeleventurbo (left) will be trainer Neil Drysdale's first Hawthorne runner since 2013.

STICKNEY, Ill. – There’s a chance of rain this weekend at Hawthorne Racecourse. Nonetheless, circumstances won’t be anything like the last time California-based trainer Neil Drysdale ran a horse here.

In 2013, Drysdale won the Hawthorne Derby with a horse named Kid Dreams. How wet was the grass course that day? It took Kid Dreams 2:01.49 to cover 1 1/8 miles.

Fri, 09/27/2024 - 11:35

Fasig-Tipton Midlantic fall yearling sale looks to build on recent success

Debra A. Roma
Studlydoright, a $110,000 purchase at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic fall yearling sale, wins the Tremont Stakes at Saratoga.

Maryland-bred Studlydoright was set to return to his home state for Saturday’s $150,000 Laurel Futurity. The colt had a career bankroll of $152,180 entering the race and has already more than earned back his $110,000 purchase price from last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic fall yearling sale, showcasing the quality of the sale’s graduates.

Fri, 09/27/2024 - 11:00

Asmussen freshening Cogburn, Society for Breeders' Cup

Barbara D. Livingston
Cogburn should be a strong favorite in the BC Turf Sprint off big-figure wins in races like the Grade 1 Jaipur (above).

Steve Asmussen said two major players for Breeders’ Cup races, Cogburn and Society, won’t start again until November.

Cogburn figures a heavy favorite for the BC Turf Sprint after putting up a third consecutive powerhouse performance winning the Grade 2 Turf Sprint on Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs. Cogburn earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure for that performance following a 111 in the Grade 1 Jaipur at Saratoga in June and a 107 in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill the month before.

Fri, 09/27/2024 - 10:35

DeVaux to prep for Breeders' Cup at Keeneland

Debra A. Roma
Vahva won two graded sprints earlier this year, including the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff in May.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux’s hopes for Breeders’ Cup races are based this fall at Keeneland. DeVaux plans to train two of them, Pyrenees and Vahva, straight into Breeders’ Cup starts, while Breeders’ Cup Mile hope More Than Looks starts Oct. 5 in the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland.

Fri, 09/27/2024 - 10:25

Cox lining up his ducks for Breeders' Cup

Raging Sea (left) runs down Idiomatic to win Personal Ensign at SAR Aug 23 2024
Barbara D. Livingston
Idiomatic (right) was just caught by Raging Sea in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga.

Brad Cox’s key contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Breeders’ Cup Distaff will follow different paths to Del Mar.

When Highland Falls, all being well, runs in the Classic, he’ll race for the first time since a surprisingly dominant victory Sept. 1 in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Idiomatic, before she attempts to repeat in the Distaff, will have a go at landing her second straight Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, Cox said this week.

Fri, 09/27/2024 - 10:10

Hurricane Clair favored over males in final leg of Canadian Triple Crown

Hurricane Clair trains at WO Sept 26 2024
Michael Burns
Hurricane Clair, winner of the 1 1/4-mile Wonder Where, will attempt to stretch out to 1 1/2 miles and beat the boys in the Breeders' Stakes.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Hurricane Clair will be a big favorite to become the first filly to win the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes since 2012 in the anchor leg of the Canadian Triple Crown on Sunday at Woodbine.

This year’s King’s Plate, the opening leg of the series, was won by the filly Caitlinhergrtness.

Thu, 09/26/2024 - 14:30

War Like Goddess may actually get a suitable pace in Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Silver Knott works at SAR Sept 20 2024
Barbara D. Livingston
Silver Knott had won three stakes in a row before coming up a bit flat in the Sword Dancer.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – So often in her career, the late-running War Like Goddess has found herself attempting to overcome a pedestrian pace. Her record of 12 wins from 21 starts illustrates that she’s been pretty good at it.