LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bob Baffert-trained duo of American Pharoah and Dortmund are the top morning-line choices in the fourth and final pool in the 2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Friday at noon Eastern for a three-day run.
Churchill Downs linemaker Mike Battaglia has listed American Pharoah as the 9-2 choice in Pool 4 over Dortmund (5-1), with Carpe Diem next at 6-1. Next at 8-1 is the field, the 24th or “all others” entry, followed by Firing Line (12-1) and three horses at 15-1.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Monday approved a rule that will allow Kentucky tracks to offer races in which horses will not be allowed to be administered the anti-bleeding medication furosemide on race day.
Don McNeill, a prominent breeder and owner from Edmond, Okla., died Saturday morning in California. He was 63.
McNeill bred Caleb’s Posse, the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner in 2011 that he raced in partnership with Everett Dobson. McNeill also bred and raced Clever Trevor, winner of the inaugural Remington Park Derby in 1989, and Mr Ross, an Oklahoma-bred who won 14 stakes. The three horses, who earned more than $1 million each, were trained by Donnie Von Hemel, who on Sunday said McNeill was an influential person in both his personal life and career.
Available now, the Wizard sets his sights on this weekend’s best racing, with an eye toward the best betting opportunities. With his full-card selections and analysis, you’ll find a detailed look at the field and top picks for each race. With the addition of the betting window, you’ll get suggested wagers, including exotics. Plays are updated 30 to 60 minutes before first post to account for scratches and changes. Find out more and buy now.
Available now, the Wizard sets his sights on this weekend’s best racing, with an eye toward the best betting opportunities. With his full-card selections and analysis, you’ll find a detailed look at the field and top picks for each race. With the addition of the betting window, you’ll get suggested wagers, including exotics. Plays are updated 30 to 60 minutes before first post to account for scratches and changes. Find out more and buy now.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Brian Lynch said he will be scaling back his operation at Woodbine this season because if he doesn’t, changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program would have forced him to let several long-term employees go.
Lynch, who typically maintains a stable with 45 stalls at Woodbine, said he still will keep 10 to 12 horses in Canada during the meet, but the majority of his horses will be stabled at Belmont Park.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Lord Nelson, fourth in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 7, will skip the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico on Sunday, trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday.
Baffert said Lord Nelson will be held out of the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby in favor of a stakes in coming weeks, but did not name an alternative race. He said he made the decision on Thursday morning after returning from a 2-year-olds in-training sale in Florida earlier in the week.
The California Authority of Racing Fairs named John McGary as its announcer for the summer fair season at its Pleasanton, Sacramento, Ferndale, Stockton, and Fresno race meetings.
McGary, who was the announcer for the fairs from 2000-2005, will also serve as the morning-line oddsmaker and host of the handicapping seminars. He will replace Frank Miramahdi, who will call the races at Monmouth Park this summer.
McGary has called races for more than 20 years, including Evangeline Downs and Mahoning Valley Race Course, where he is currently employed.
An organization that recommends national policies on racing regulations expects to approve a rule establishing a threshold for the naturally occurring mineral cobalt at its next meeting in April, the executive director of the organization said on Thursday.
Royal Son
Tiznow – Mama Nadine, by A.P. Indy
(Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm)
Royal Son broke through with an upset win in last month’s John Battaglia Memorial Stakes on Turfway Park’s synthetic surface, the local prep for the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes this Saturday. The Tiznow colt will get a class test in the days and weeks ahead but does bring a classic-type pedigree to his upcoming challenges.
