Sun, 03/24/2013 - 16:14

Japan: Lord Kanaloa sets Chuykyo Racecourse record

Lord Kanaloa, Japan’s champion sprinter or miler in 2012, won his fourth consecutive race in Sunday’s Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chuyko Racecourse in Japan, setting a course record in the race over about six furlongs.

Ridden by Yasunari Iwata, Lord Kanaloa, 5, was timed in 1:08.1, recording his third consecutive Group 1 or Grade 1 win in the $2,195,000 Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 10:06

Black Caviar wins 24th straight race in Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley

Black Caviar career may be winding down but her ability is showing no signs of abating.

Extending her unbeaten streak to 24 races, Black Caviar, a 7-year-old mare, won the Group 1 William Reid Stakes by four lengths over 50-1 pacesetter Karuta Queen on Friday at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia.

“It’s scary how well she’s going,” trainer Peter Moody told the press after the race.

Thu, 03/21/2013 - 15:28

Dubai World Cup looks like field of 13 at Meydan

Tom Keyser
Little Mike, eighth in Round 3 of the Maktoum Challenge, looks headed to the Dubai Duty Free on grass.

Thirteen horses are expected to be entered next week in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the March 30 centerpiece of what figures to be an outstanding night of racing in the desert.

[FULL LIST: 2013 Dubai World Cup Fields]

Thu, 03/21/2013 - 15:27

Japan: Lord Kanaloa goes for fourth straight win

Lord Kanaloa, who won Grade 1 and Group 1 races for sprinters in Japan and Hong Kong last fall, can win his fourth consecutive race in Sunday’s Group 1 TakamatsunomiyaKinen at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan.

Trained by Takayuki Yasuda for Lord Horse Club, Lord Kanaloa, 5, won the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse last September and the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December. Both races were run over about six furlongs, the same distance as the $2,195,000 TakamatsunomiyaKinen.

Wed, 03/20/2013 - 13:19

Royal Ascot purses raised to record level

Purses at Royal Ascot, England’s most prestigious flat-race meeting, have been increased 11 percent, to a record level of approximately $7,550,000 for the five-day meeting from June 18-22, Ascot officials announced on Wednesday.

The largest increases have been dedicated to Group 1 races for 3-year-olds over a mile. The St James’s Palace Stakes and Coronation Stakes for 3-year-olds fillies will be worth approximately $528,500, an increase from 2012 levels of $377,500.

Tue, 03/19/2013 - 13:56

Black Caviar a heavy favorite to stretch unbeaten streak to 24 in Reid Stakes

Black Caviar may go off at career-low odds of 1-25 when she attempts to stretch her unbeaten streak to 24 races in Friday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia.

A 7-year-old mare, Black Caviar is part of a field of seven in the $412,000 Reid, which is run over about six furlongs. There is little to suggest that the competition will offer Black Caviar a threat, reflecting her remarkably short odds.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 12:28

Cheltenham Gold Cup goes to favored Bobs Worth

CHELTENHAM, England – Cheltenham Racecourse has become a proving ground for Bobs Worth.

From a victory in a novice hurdle in January 2011, Bobs Worth has risen dramatically through England’s steeplechase rankings. Friday, he won the most prestigious chase in England, the $830,500 Cheltenham Gold Cup over 3 5/16 miles.

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 14:36

Cheltenham jockey taken to hospital, said to be in induced coma

CHELTENHAM, England - Jockey J.T. McNamara was taken to a hospital in nearby Bristol, England, after suffering serious injuries in a fall at Cheltenham Racecourse on Thursday.

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 12:20

Cheltenham: Solwhit takes advantage of mistake to win World Hurdle

CHELTENHAM, England – A year ago, Solwhit was sidelined with a tendon injury. Thursday, he won the richest three-mile hurdle race of the year in England in the $410,000 World Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse.

A 9-year-old gelding bred in France, Solwhit, a 17-2 chance, took advantage of a mistake at the last hurdle by leader Celestial Halo to take command and win by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Paul Carberry.

Celestial Halo, a 40-1 shot in the field of 13, held second, three lengths in front of 9-1 Smad Place.

Solwhit was timed in 5:57.50.