Fri, 10/18/2024 - 18:35

Machado suspended three days, fined $2,500 for misjudging finish line

Coady Media

Gotta Have Dreams, with James Graham up, edges Ultimate Strike on the wire after jockey Luan Machado appeared to misjudge the finish line.

Jockey Luan Machado has been suspended three racing days and fined $2,500 by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards for misjudging the finish line in Wednesday’s eighth race at Keeneland – which utilizes two finish lines – costing his mount, Ultimate Strike, a virtually certain win.

In the ruling, posted to the KHRC website Friday, the board of stewards ruled that Machado’s “error in judgment . . . resulted in the horse not obtaining his best placing.” Machado's suspension is to be served Oct. 27, 30, and 31, the first three days of the Churchill Downs fall meet.

Fri, 10/18/2024 - 14:39

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Yakteen hoping Sea Runner can get into field

By Steve Andersen

Benoit photo

Tim Yakteen could have as many as four runners in the Breeders' Cup, including Johannes (above) in the BC Mile.

All she needs is a chance.

Sea Runner, who was stakes-placed at Del Mar last month and won a maiden race for 2-year-old fillies on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 4, will be pre-entered on Monday for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1, trainer Tim Yakteen said.

By Wednesday, Yakteen and his clients, Joe and Debby McCloskey, will know whether Sea Runner has earned a berth among the 14 probable starters or is on an also-eligible list.

Fri, 10/18/2024 - 14:10

Damon's Mound has first work since joining Mott's barn

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Damon's Mound had his first work for new trainer Bill Mott on Oct. 12 at Saratoga.

Damon’s Mound, a three-time stakes-winning sprinter who has been away from the races for 10 months, is now with trainer Bill Mott.

Damon’s Mound had his first workout Oct. 12, going three furlongs in 38 seconds over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga.

“I like him, very nice horse, looks great, moving well,” Mott said. “He’s had time off, so he’s a fresh horse coming back. He’s won some nice races.”

Fri, 10/18/2024 - 14:05

Gargan confirms Snowyte for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Dakota Gold, pointed toward the Mohawk Stakes, worked in company Friday with Snowyte, who Danny Gargan confirmed for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Snowyte, a maiden who finished second in the Grade 1 Frizette, worked a half-mile in 49.77 seconds on Friday over the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga. Afterward, trainer Danny Gargan confirmed her for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Snowyte worked in company with Dakota Gold, who is pointing to the $200,000 Mohawk Stakes on Oct. 27 at Aqueduct.

“She worked great, I’m going to run her in the Breeders’ Cup,” Gargan said. “I think it’s worth taking a shot. There’s no standout.”

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 16:41

Pair of double-digit winners lead to Friday pick six carryover

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Friday’s card includes the Glen Cove and Carle Place Stakes and a pick six carryover.

The pick six at Aqueduct went unsolved for a second consecutive card resulting in a carryover of $101,783 into Friday’s card.

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 15:11

Eagles Flight back on work tab with hopes of returning for winter-spring meet

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Eagles Flight hasn't raced since an easy maiden win in May.

Eagles Flight, a 3-year-old half-brother to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, has resumed workouts for the first time since early June with the hope he can resume his career at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting that begins on Dec. 26.

Trained by John Sadler, Eagles Flight worked three furlongs in 35 seconds at Santa Anita on Thursday. On Oct. 10, the colt worked a quarter-mile in 23.20 seconds.

“He’s going to work every Thursday going into Santa Anita,” Sadler said.

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 14:55

Breeders' Cup: Fierceness tops five workers at Saratoga

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Breeders' Cup Classic contender Fierceness worked five furlongs in 1:01.69 at Saratoga on Thursday and then galloped out a strong mile.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It may have been the coldest morning of the fall in Saratoga on Thursday, but that didn’t stop five likely Breeders’ Cup horses from getting their workouts in over two surfaces.

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 14:30

Free Like a Girl likely headed to Mistletoe

By Mary Rampellini

Hodges Photography

Free Like a Girl, the all-time leader in earnings for Louisiana-breds, will be pointed toward the Mistletoe at Oaklawn.

Free Like a Girl emerged from her win in the $100,000 Magnolia on Oct. 11 at Delta Downs in good order and will likely see stakes action in December at Oaklawn Park.

Trainer Chasey Deville Pomier said Tuesday that the $150,000 Mistletoe for fillies and mares at a mile Dec. 14 is a target for the mare, who is the all-time leading earner among Louisiana-breds at $1.9 million.

Last December, Free Like a Girl ran in her native Louisiana and won the Ladies Distaff on Champions Day at Fair Grounds, but that race is not on the schedule for 2024.

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 14:25

Cox has graded stakes lined up for Alpine Princess

By Mary Rampellini

Dustin Orona Photography

Trainer Brad Cox has a few graded stakes options for Alpine Princess.

Alpine Princess has graded stakes options in New York and Kentucky following her powerful win in last month’s $200,000 Remington Park Oaks.

Trainer Brad Cox said Tuesday that the filly could make her next start in either the Grade 3, $300,000 Chilukki at a mile Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs, the Grade 3, $400,000 Falls City at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 28 at Churchill, or the Grade 3, $200,000 Comely at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 30 at Aqueduct.

“Those are all races we will kind of keep an eye on,” Cox said.

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 14:25

Silver Prospector tries for third straight win of the meet

By Mary Rampellini

Dustin Orona Photography

Silver Prospector will try for his third win of the meet Saturday at Remington.

The popular Silver Prospector will be going for his third straight win of the Remington Park meet on Saturday night, in a no-conditions allowance over 1 1/16 miles.

The earner of $1.6 million is part of a field of six that includes Paluxy, the 2023 winner of the Governor’s Cup, and Without a Trace, the runner-up in this year’s edition, who is coming off an allowance win at Remington.

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