Wed, 08/22/2018 - 14:36

Tony Maragh fined, suspended for questionable ride

The stewards at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday handed Tony Maragh a 60-day suspension and $1,000 fine in the wake of the jockey’s controversial ride aboard Musical Heart, the runner-up in the fourth race Sunday at the South Florida track.

Wed, 08/22/2018 - 13:46

Optimism in the air ahead of 30th anniversary season

Remington Park will open one of its most significant meets ever on Friday night in Oklahoma City.

The track will be celebrating its 30th birthday throughout the season. Purses have increased over the corresponding meet in 2017. And, the stakes schedule, led by the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby, has a second graded race for the first time in track history in the Grade 3, $200,000 Remington Park Oaks.

Wed, 08/22/2018 - 13:16

Spiced Perfection goes back to drawing board

Shigeki Kikkawa
Spiced Perfection wins the Evening Jewel Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs in April.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Two-time stakes winner Spiced Perfection finished a quiet fourth as the favorite in the Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies on July 29. The loss was a surprise for owner Dare to Dream Stable and trainer Brian Koriner and has led to relaunch of Spiced Perfection’s campaign Friday.

Spiced Perfection runs in an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option at six furlongs against open company in Friday’s sixth race.

“There is nowhere else to go,” Koriner said.

Wed, 08/22/2018 - 13:16

Gutierrez picks up mount on Battle of Midway for Pat O'Brien Stakes

Debra A. Roma
Battle of Midway starts for the first time since winning last year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Mario Gutierrez has been booked to ride Battle of Midway in Saturday’s Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar, the first start of 2018 for the 4-year-old colt who was a failure at stud earlier this year.

The $200,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes will be Battle of Midway’s first race since he won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile here last November. Battle of Midway was sent to stud in Kentucky last winter, but was put back in training in the spring when he was found to be subfertile.

Wed, 08/22/2018 - 12:00

Pocahontas next up for Serengeti Empress

Coady Photography
Serengeti Empress returns $4.80 with the win in the Ellis Debutante on Sunday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the Ellis Park meet winds down, Kentucky horsemen are marking their condition books for upcoming meets at Kentucky Downs and Churchill Downs.

Wed, 08/22/2018 - 11:40

Timonium opens with state-fair vibe, two stakes on schedule

Maryland Jockey Club
The 2017 Timonium meet opens Friday and features higher purses and trainer participation incentives.

Horse racing at state and county fairs used to be commonplace and remains part of the culture in certain regions of the country. But on the East Coast, Timonium is the last of the Mohicans.

The Maryland State Fair in Timonium, which begins a seven-day run Friday, will race three days this week and then Friday through the Labor Day holiday next week. In addition to its annual fair meet, Timonium is home to a year-round offtrack betting parlor and is the site of three Fasig-Tipton horse sales.

Tue, 08/21/2018 - 19:21

Wonder Gadot draws post 2 in field of 11 for Travers

Barbara D. Livingston
Wonder Gadot will try to become the first filly to win the Travers since 1915.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Wonder Gadot has won five races from 13 starts. Six of her eight losses have come by less than a length. In her two most recent victories, both against Canadian-bred males, she has won by a combined 10 1/2 lengths.

So, what’s changed? Is it the blinkers that she has worn in each of her last two starts? Trainer Mark Casse doesn’t think so. Is it the restricted company she’s been beating in the first two legs of Canada’s Triple Crown? Perhaps.

Tue, 08/21/2018 - 15:26

Da Silva takes control of jockey race

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The jockey and trainer races are heating up at the halfway point of the 133-day Woodbine meet.

Even though he missed the first few weeks of the meet due to a suspension, Eurico Da Silva recently blew by Rafael Hernandez to take the lead in the rider standings by a 107-100 margin through last Sunday. Patrick Husbands ranks third with 60 wins. Rounding out the top five are Gary Boulanger with 56 and Luis Contreras with 52.

Tue, 08/21/2018 - 15:06

Game Winner to stretch out after debut win

Emily Shields
Game Winner, a Candy Ride colt trained by Bob Baffert, wins his debut on Aug. 18 at Del Mar.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Game Winner, a Candy Ride colt who won a six-furlong maiden race for 2-year-olds in his debut Saturday at Del Mar, will be aimed for races at longer distances and stakes, according to his trainer, Bob Baffert.

“He’s a nice horse,” Baffert said. “We knew he’d run well, but we didn’t think he’d show that much speed. He came out of it well. He wants to go further. We’ll find something for him. He’ll be nominated everywhere.”

Tue, 08/21/2018 - 14:40

Splashy Kisses eyes Debutante, Chandelier

Emily Shields
Maiden winner Splashy Kisses will make her next start in a stakes race, trainer Doug O'Neill said.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Splashy Kisses, who rolled to victory in her second start Saturday at Del Mar, could return in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante going seven furlongs Sept. 1 but is more likely to await the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 29 at Santa Anita, trainer Doug O’Neill said.

Splashy Kisses drew the rail and was eighth in her debut going five furlongs when facing the highly regarded Brill on opening day, July 18. She won going six furlongs Saturday.