Fri, 03/30/2018 - 20:32

Communication problem leads to confusion about pick six results

A communication problem between the New York Racing Association and AmTote resulted in incorrect pick six information being announced several times late on the Friday card.

Racing analyst Andy Serling announced on-air following the eighth race of the nine-race program that there would be a $61,486 carryover into Saturday. A graphic on the simulcast feed stated the same information.

After the ninth race was run, announcer Frank Mirahmadi said the pick six paid $61,486. He then came back on-air and said that there would be a carryover. The graphic then reappeared.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 14:36

Stakes next on docket for Kenjisstorm, True Royalty

Shigeki Kikkawa
Kenjisstorm survived the wildfire that destroyed San Luis Rey Downs on Dec. 7.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Kenjisstorm and True Royalty are scheduled to start next in stakes here after each won an optional claimer Thursday at Santa Anita.

Kenjisstorm won his first start since July in a race at a mile. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Kenjisstorm stalked the early pace before prevailing by 2 1/4 lengths over graded stakes winner Free Rose. The first two finishers are candidates for the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf April 21.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 14:30

McKinzie, Bolt d'Oro scaring them away from Santa Anita Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Bolt d'Oro (outside) and McKinzie are expected to get a rematch in the Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 7 may have one of its smallest fields in recent history, and the presence of the two leading 3-year-olds in the nation – Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie – is largely to blame.

McKinzie and Bolt d’Oro, both Grade 1 winners as 2-year-olds, were first and second, separated by a head, in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 10. McKinzie was disqualified and placed second behind Bolt d’Oro for causing interference in the stretch.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 14:16

World Approval sharp in Maker's 46 work

Barbara D. Livingston
World Approval, shown training Thursday, is seeking his fifth Grade 1 win.

World Approval, the reigning champion male turf horse, worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.95 over the turf course at Palm Meadows on Friday morning in preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland on April 13.

World Approval worked in company with the stakes-winning filly Let It Ride Mom, getting a final quarter in 24.29 seconds and galloping-out six furlongs in 1:14.20.

“The plan was to put a good, strong work in him today and it sounds like that’s what we got,” said Mark Casse, who was not at Palm Meadows on Friday.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 14:16

Gargan to keep a Florida stable

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Danny Gargan had his best Saratoga meet this summer with 10 wins from 38 starters.

Danny Gargan enjoyed a successful winter meet at Gulfstream Park and plans to keep a string of horses there year round, he said Thursday.

“Racing’s going in the right direction there,” Gargan said.

Gargan will have his main base in New York this summer, and he plans to have a presence in Kentucky during the fall.

“I’m looking at having a big stable in the fall in Kentucky,” Gargan said. ”People give you horses there.”

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 14:10

Red-hot Saez seeks even more success at Keeneland, Belmont

Lauren King/Coglianese Photos
Saez's seventh win Thursday came in the finale aboard Four Freedoms.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Luis Saez hopes to ride the wave of a record-setting winter into a successful spring at Keeneland and summer in New York.

On Thursday, Saez rode seven winners from eight mounts on the Gulfstream card, coming within a neck of having a perfect day. It was the second time this meet Saez has won seven races on a Gulfstream card, equaling the record set by Jerry Bailey in 1995 and equaled by Tyler Gaffalione last summer. Saez also won seven races on Jan. 24.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 14:10

Wood-bound Enticed saving his best for race day

Barbara D. Livingston
Enticed works four furlongs in 49.91 seconds at Palm Meadows on Friday.

Turning into the stretch at the Palm Meadows training center Friday morning, Enticed was about a length behind his stablemate First Commander, a maiden, in what was to be Enticed’s final workout before the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 7 at Aqueduct.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, watching from the clocker’s stand, said of Enticed, “He’s likely to be second.”

Indeed, Enticed was only able to get within a neck of First Commander at the end of the half-mile work. Enticed was timed in 49.91 seconds.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 13:26

Virus delays Caledonia Road's return

Barbara D. Livingston
Caledonia Road won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar in November.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Caledonia Road, who has not started since her resounding victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 4, will have her much-anticipated 3-year-old debut delayed again due to a virus she contracted earlier this month.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 10:56

Old Time Revival works five furlongs for Wood Memorial

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Old Time Revival has finished second in his last two starts.

Old Time Revival tuned up for the April 7 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct by working five furlongs at Laurel Park over a “good” track in a bullet 58.60 seconds Wednesday.

Maryland Jockey Club head clocker Kevin Geraghty timed Old Time Revival for a half-mile in 46.80, with a gallop-out of 1:11.40.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 10:50

Jockey Carrasco soon to start galloping horses

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Victor Carrasco is recovering from a foot injury sustained last Sunday at Laurel.

Jockey Victor Carrasco, sidelined with a badly broken right leg since a Sept. 14 spill at Delaware Park, was informed by his doctors Tuesday his bones have healed well enough for him to begin galloping horses in the next few weeks.

Carrasco, a leading rider in Maryland and the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice of 2013, has undergone extensive physical rehabilitation the past few months and is eager to resume his career.