Wed, 09/18/2019 - 15:26

Jerkens works Preservationist, Green Light Go

Barbara D. Livingston
Preservationist earned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in Saturday's Grade 1 Woodward Stakes.

ELMONT, N.Y. – On Tuesday, trainer Jimmy Jerkens sent out Preservationist and Green Light Go for significant, stamina-building workouts in preparation for their respective upcoming engagements.

Preservationist, the Grade 1 Woodward winner, went seven furlongs in 1:28.15 as he points to the Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 28. Preservationist began the work at the half-mile pole and came to the wire in 50.95 seconds. He picked it up once past the wire going his next quarter in 24.88 seconds. His final eighth of the move was 12.32 seconds.

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 15:20

Racing will remain at Belmont through Oct. 27; first post moving to 1 p.m.

Debra A. Roma
It will take two years to complete the arena for the New York Islanders, which will be located by the west end of the Belmont grandstand.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Pending expected approval from the New York State Gaming Commission, racing at Belmont Park will continue through Oct. 27, and first post on weekdays will be 1 p.m. starting next Wednesday.

Owing to construction of a hockey arena behind the west end of the grandstand, NYRA officials had previously announced that the final 14 days of the Belmont meet – Oct. 11-27 – would be conducted at Aqueduct. Also, first post on weekdays since the meet began on Sept. 6 has been 3 p.m. with NYRA forced to card only eight races due to limits on available daylight.

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 15:16

Catholic Boy not entered in Kelso due to minor soreness

Barbara D. Livingston
Catholic Boy worked five furlongs in 1:00.50 over the Belmont Park training track on Saturday.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Catholic Boy was held out of Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park due to some minor soreness, trainer Jonathan Thomas said Wednesday.

“His last breeze was a little subpar for him,” said Thomas, referring to a half-mile breeze Sunday timed in 51.59 seconds over the Belmont training track. “We found a little area that he’s a little bit sore on. It’s nothing to be concerned with, but it’s not ideal going into a race.”

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 14:20

Carlos L. considered for Remington Derby start

Group 1 winner Carlos L. is being debated for a start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sept. 29 at Remington Park, according to trainer Jorge Navarro.

It would be the first start in North America for Carlos L., who is coming off a double-digit win over older rivals in a major race in Panama.

“Were going make a final decision at the end of the week,” Navarro said Wednesday. “We’re thinking about it, talking about it.

“We’re looking for the right spot to introduce him to American racing.”

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 14:11

Quarter Horses return to Lone Star

The Grade 1, $1 million Texas Classic Futurity will again highlight the Lone Star Park meet for Quarter Horses, which opens Friday night. The 16-date season will run through Nov. 9.

The Texas Classic Futurity is the state’s richest race. It will be run over 400 yards on the final card of the meet. Trials are Oct. 19. The Texas Classic Derby goes on the same Nov. 9 card, with the Grade 1, $400,000 race to be held at 440 yards.

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 14:10

Wood to be released from hospital

Jockey Dakota Wood, who sustained lung and rib injuries when thrown in a Sept. 13 race at Remington Park, was scheduled to be released from an Oklahoma City hospital on Wednesday, said his agent, Bradley White.

White said Wood is recuperating from a collapsed lung, four broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen. He said a chest tube was removed Tuesday, and that provided the rider passes some medical tests, he was to come home Wednesday.

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 14:00

Rodeo Drive Stakes Plan A for Vasilika

Benoit Photo
Vasilika is expected to make one or two more starts prior to being sold at Fasig-Tipton November.

With a little more than a week remaining before the start of the Santa Anita autumn meeting on Sept. 27, it was unclear Wednesday whether Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer would be allowed to train horses at the meet.

Whether Santa Anita allows him to participate at the meet will determine race plans for Vasilika, the leading female turf runner in California who is a candidate for the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita but could be sent to Keeneland for the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes on Oct. 5.

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 14:00

Leader of Men sidelined until January

Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.
Leader of Men won his fourth straight race in Saturday's Prelude Stakes at Louisiana Downs.

Leader of Men, who won four straight races at Louisiana Downs this meet, emerged from his sixth-place finish in the Sept. 7 Super Derby with a bone chip in his right foreleg, according to trainer Jodie Hodges.

“He didn’t have his usual kick,” Hodges said. “He chipped an ankle. A tiny, tiny chip.”

Hodges said Leader of Men had arthroscopic surgery to remove the chip at a new clinic in Ardmore, Okla., and is back recuperating at his barn in Louisiana. He looks for the horse to return to the races after the first of the year. Hodges will winter at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 13:46

D'Amato splitting up top milers Prince Earl, Bowies Hero

Benoit Photo
Prince Earl scores his first stakes victory in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile last month.

ARCADIA, Calif. – California’s top turf milers Prince Earl and Bowies Hero will go separate directions Oct. 5 in prep races for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, while their Phil D’Amato-trained stablemate Pee Wee Reese could be headed to the BC Turf Sprint.

Wed, 09/18/2019 - 13:16

Death of horse a result of 'freak' incident

ARCADIA, Calif. – The fatal injury to a 4-year-old horse Monday at Santa Anita was the result of a freak incident, according to trainer Dean Pederson, whose gelding Zeke was euthanized after he sustained a fractured pelvis during a workout on the infield training track.

Zeke galloped out on the backstretch after he worked a half-mile, then came to a sudden stop. Jockey Tiago Pereira told Pederson he did not hear any type of audible pop often associated with a severe injury. But Zeke was hurt and merely stopped.