Thu, 07/13/2023 - 13:45

Casa Creed moves back to mile in Kelso

Barbara D. Livingston
Casa Creed is using Saturday’s Grade 3 Kelso at Saratoga as a prep for his long-range goal of a repeat victory in the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap on Aug. 12.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Casa Creed is a superior turf sprinter who, at least at Saratoga, has been equally effective going a mile.

With the goal of a repeat victory in the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at a mile here Aug. 12, Casa Creed will take on Grade 1 winner Annapolis and six others in Saturday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Kelso Stakes going one mile over Saratoga’s inner turf course.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 13:25

Motion has formidable duo with Pao Alto, Royal Patronage in Prince George's County

Barbara D. Livingston
Pao Alto is one of two that trainer Graham Motion will send out in Saturday's Prince George's County Stakes at Laurel Park.

With Pao Alto and Royal Patronage, trainer Graham Motion sends out two strong contenders in Saturday’s Prince George’s County Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward traveling 1 1/8 miles on the Laurel Park turf.

The Prince George’s County shares top billing on the nine-race program with two other $100,000 stakes. The Big Dreyfus is for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf and the Caesar’s Wish is for fillies and mares racing a one-turn mile on dirt.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 13:00

Beyers make Gold Sweep clear favorite in Sanford

Gold Sweep takes Tremont at BEL June 11 2023
Barbara D. Livingston
Gold Sweep earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure for his nine-length victory in the Tremont Stakes.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Eight of the 10 juveniles in Saturday’s $175,000 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga won their career debuts. Gold Sweep was not one of them.

Despite that fact, it is Gold Sweep who will be heavily favored to win the Grade 3 Sanford, the first of three graded stakes for 2-year-olds to be run, as always, during the Saratoga meet culminating with the Grade 1 Hopeful on closing day.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 12:55

Rain biggest factor for Blue Sparkler trio

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Love Appeals is cross-entered in Saturday's Coronation Cup at Saratoga and the Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth. With rain in the forecast for both locations, it's unclear where the Christophe Clement-trainee will run.

The key race regarding the $100,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park is the $150,000 Coronation Cup on Friday at Saratoga.

Both races are turf sprints restricted to 3-year-old fillies, and three horses entered in the Coronation – Love Appeals, My Sweet Affair, and Bosserati – also are in the Blue Sparkler, where they likely would be the top three betting choices.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 12:40

Ocean City, Phileas Fogg may take to Kent's new distance

Ocean City wins maiden at KEE April 20 2023
Coady Photography
Ocean City, a half-brother to Jackie's Warrior by American Pharoah, is 2 for 3 on turf. He will try to stretch out from 1 1/16 miles to 1 3/8 miles in the Kent.

Stamina may ultimately determine Saturday’s $150,000 Kent Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Delaware Park.

The Kent, downgraded from a Grade 3 to a listed event for 2023, was previously a nine-furlong staple on the Delaware schedule. None of the horses in this year’s Kent has raced past 1 1/8 miles.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 12:15

Lothenbach all over Hall of Fame card at Canterbury

Coady Photography
Midnight Current, Canterbury’s 2022 horse of the year, is owner Bob Lothenbach’s top hope in the Minnesota Turf Distaff.

Bob Lothenbach’s influence on the Minnesota racing and breeding program can be found all over the entries for Saturday night’s Hall of Fame card at Canterbury Park, particularly in the $50,000 Minnesota Turf Distaff, in which he has defending winner Midnight Current, Let’s Skedaddle, and main-track-only runner Charlie’s Penny.

In all, Lothenbach is the breeder, owner, or both, of 10 horses on the card that features four stakes worth a cumulative $200,000. Each of the races is restricted to horses bred in Minnesota. There will be reduced takeout on select wagers.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 11:50

In Italian aims for Diana repeat, at a much shorter price

Barbara D. Livingston
In Italian has been dominant since last year’s Diana, including this easy win in the Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont Park.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hard to fathom now, but In Italian, at 8-1, was the longest price of Chad Brown’s four runners when she led a 1-2-3-4 finish for the trainer in last year’s Diana Stakes at Saratoga.

In Italian set a course record of 1:45.06 for the 1 1/8 miles in a breakthrough performance that foreshadowed her next year, during which she won three more Grade 1 stakes and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. For the record, Bleecker Street was the 4-5 favorite in the 2022 Diana and finished third.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 11:30

Transient drops and cuts back in Powder Break

Transient will be making a significant cut back in distance Saturday when she returns from a freshening for the $75,000 Powder Break at Gulfstream Park.

The race, which will be run at a mile and 70 yards on Tapeta, has drawn 10 fillies and mares. The group includes win machine Midnight Bella, stakes winner Ocean Safari, the improving Empress Ellie, and the well-bred Free Data.

Transient has been racing in a series of graded stakes, her latest over 1 1/2 miles on turf April 1 at Gulfstream. She will start from post 9 under Tyler Conner.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 11:15

After beating males, Bolt Enoree facing fillies in My Dear Stakes

Living Magic wins maiden at PRX May 1 2023
Nikki Sherman/Equi-Photo
Living Magic wins her debut at Parx for Maryland-based Phil Schoenthal. She has since finished third in the Astoria at Belmont Park and will add blinkers for the My Dear Stakes.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – After beating the boys in her debut, Bolt Enoree will take on fillies in Saturday’s $125,000 My Dear, the first 2-year-old stakes of the Woodbine meet.

Trained by Kevin Attard, Bolt Enoree darted out to a clear lead and never looked back to prevail in her 4 1/2-furlong debut on May 21, putting up a 68 Beyer Speed Figure. Runner-up My Boy Prince came right back to graduate by six lengths with a whopping 84 Beyer.

Thu, 07/13/2023 - 11:10

Midnight Mojo has figure edge but might be vulnerable

Midnight Mojo figures to be a clear favorite when meeting a small cast of allowance foes in Saturday’s feature race at Emerald Downs.

On paper, Midnight Mojo might seem like a standout based on his last-race Beyer Speed Figure of 73 in a field where the only other contestant above 54 last out finished six lengths behind Midnight Mojo in their last start.