Sun, 09/23/2018 - 13:14

McKinzie possible for BC Classic or Clark Handicap

Barbara D. Livingston
McKinzie got a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 107 in winning the Pennsylvania Derby.

BENSALEM, Pa. - McKinzie and Axelrod, the first- and second-place finishers in the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Saturday, will both be headed home to California as their trainers consider where they will start next.

Trainer Bob Baffert sent out McKinzie for a 1 3/4-length score in the Pa. Derby off a more-than-six-month layoff. Jockey Mike Smith challenged for the lead with McKinzie on the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile race and came into the stretch in front by himself. He turned back a solid bid from Axelrod in midstretch to prevail.

Sun, 09/23/2018 - 12:39

Midnight Bisou, Monomoy Girl turn focus to BC Distaff

Barbara D. Livingston
Midnight Bisou (left) and Monomoy Girl head to the finish line in Saturday's Cotillion at Parx Racing.

BENSALEM, Pa. - The top three finishers in the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx Racing on Saturday came out of the race well and will be sent to Churchill Downs to resume training. Midnight Bisou and Monomoy Girl will be pointed to the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill, while Wonder Gadot is a "possibility" for that race.

Midnight Bisou and Monomoy Girl both ran strong races in the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion. Monomoy Girl appeared to have the race in hand entering the stretch, but possibly lost her focus when she found herself several lengths in front.

Sat, 09/22/2018 - 14:35

Gronkowski has final prep for Jockey Club Gold Cup

Debra A. Roma
Gronkowski, training at Saratoga Thursday, makes his second U.S. start in Saturday’s Travers.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Gronkowski, the Belmont Stakes runner-up, completed preparations for a start in next Saturday’s Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup by working five furlongs in 1:00.87 Saturday morning over the Belmont main track.

Gronkowski worked in company with the Chilean-bred mare Wow Cat - who is pointing to the Grade 1 Beldame on Oct. 6 - with the two getting their final quarter in 24.21 seconds. They galloped-out six furlongs in 1:13.70.

“I think the horse is fit and strong,” trainer Chad Brown said. “He went perfect for me.”

Sat, 09/22/2018 - 13:06

Sistercharlie likely to miss Flower Bowl, train up to BC

Coady Photography
Sistercharlie returned $5.20 as the favorite after finishing in 1:56.77 over a course rated firm.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Sistercharlie, the leader of the female turf division, most likely will miss the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont Park on Oct. 7 and be trained up to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3, trainer Chad Brown said Saturday.

Sistercharlie, a three-time Grade 1 winner this year, missed some training due to a foot bruise, Brown said. She has not worked since winning the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Park on Aug. 11, though she is scheduled to breeze Sunday morning at Belmont.

Fri, 09/21/2018 - 15:00

She Takes Heart needs rain to run

Ronnie Betor
She Takes Heart is entered as main-track-only in the $48,000 eighth race, an optional claimer for fillies and mares at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – She Takes Heart, hopelessly overmatched against Abel Tasman and Elate in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign last month at Saratoga, is back home and in the entries here at Gulfstream on Sunday.

But she’ll need some help from Mother Nature to run, since she’s entered as one of the three main-track-only horses in the $48,000 eighth race, an optional claimer for fillies and mares at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Fri, 09/21/2018 - 14:56

Trophy Chaser will bring impressive Beyer Figure to Champagne Stakes

Lauren King/Coglianese Photos\
Trophy Chaser (left) runs second to Jackson in his July 15 debut at Gulfstream. In his second start, Trophy Chaser won by 15 3/4 lengths and earned a 96 Beyer, highest of the year for a 2-year-old.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Which 2-year-old has registered the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the division at this point of the season? A hint: He’s not stabled on the West Coast with Bob Baffert or Jerry Hollendorfer. Nor is he based in New York with either Chad Brown or Todd Pletcher.

Fri, 09/21/2018 - 14:26

Jessies First Down ready to score for Padgett

Gay Harris/Ruidoso Downs
Jessies First Down wins the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Gold Cup.

Trainer Jimmy Padgett is closing out a strong meet at the Downs at Albuquerque and the barn has not even called on its biggest gun, Jessies First Down.

That will change Sunday, when the two-time world champion runs in the $300,000 Fall Quarter Horse Championship.

Fri, 09/21/2018 - 14:06

Gift Box to join Sadler barn, prepare for 2019

Barbara D. Livingston
Gift Box, shown training last summer at Saratoga, hasn't raced since winning an allowance at Aqueduct in March.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gift Box, fourth in the 2016 Travers Stakes but unraced since a win at Aqueduct in March, has been bought by California-based owners Pete and Kosta Hronis, trainer John Sadler said.

Sadler said Gift Box will join his stable this fall and be pointed for a 2019 campaign at Santa Anita.

“He can be a player in the handicap division,” Sadler said.

Fri, 09/21/2018 - 14:06

Baffert's cup runneth over with talented juveniles

Benoit Photo
Mario Gutierrez piloted Game Winner to a 1 1/2-length victory in Monday's Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity.

CYPRESS, Calif. – Mucho Gusto is the latest in a remarkable string of 2-year-old winners for trainer Bob Baffert in the last 60 days.

On Thursday at Los Alamitos, Mucho Gusto led throughout a maiden special weight race at six furlongs to post a four-length victory in his career debut. Since the beginning of the Del Mar summer meeting on July 18 and through Thursday at Los Alamitos, Baffert has won 12 maiden special weight races with 2-year-olds and one stakes –the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity with Game Winner.

Fri, 09/21/2018 - 14:06

Frey needs knee surgery, out until next summer

Coady Photography
Jockey Kyle Frey has two Grade 3 wins this year.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Kyle Frey, the champion apprentice jockey of 2011, will be sidelined until next summer after sustaining a knee injury when he was unseated in a post parade at Del Mar in July.

Frey is scheduled to meet with an orthopedic surgeon on Thursday to discuss surgical options for a torn anterior cruciate ligament, according to his agent, Bill Sadoo.

“If he makes it back in a year, it would be good,” Sadoo said. “Maybe next summer at Del Mar. We’ll be trying for that.”