Wed, 12/27/2017 - 15:16

Forever Unbridled still in holding pattern

Barbara D. Livingston
Forever Unbridled (right) prevailed by a half-length over Abel Tasman in the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Friday at Del Mar.

Forever Unbridled, the Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner last month at Del Mar, remains in training at Fair Grounds, but no plans – either for retirement or racing – have yet been made for the 5-year-old mare, trainer Dallas Stewart said.

Stewart and owner Charles Fipke have Seeking the Soul for the Pegasus World Cup next month at Gulfstream, a race in which Fipke originally said he would start Forever Unbridled. Forever Unbridled worked Dec. 11 at Fair Grounds but has not breezed since.

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 15:10

Valadorna ready to step it up after Tiffany Lass win

Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.
Valadorna prevailed by 3 1/2 lengths under Brian Hernandez Jr. in Tuesday's Tiffany Lass Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Valadorna knocked out the first stakes win of her career Tuesday at Fair Grounds in the $50,000 Tiffany Lass Stakes.

“Now we can think about taking on the big girls,” trainer Mark Casse said.

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 15:06

Wonder Gadot might take on the boys in Lecomte

Ronnie Betor
Wonder Gadot prevailed by 3 3/4 lengths under John Velazquez in Saturday's Grade 2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct.

Trainer Mark Casse will have two fillies, Heavenly Love and Wonder Gadot, in New Orleans for the first 3-year-old dirt-route stakes of the Fair Grounds season on Jan. 13, but both might not run in the same race.

Heavenly Love, as has been the plan for several weeks now, will race against fillies in the Silverbulletday Stakes, but Wonder Gadot could step outside her own sex to face males in the Lecomte Stakes, Casse said.

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 14:26

Daddys Lil Darling on the road again for American Oaks

ARCADIA, Calif. – The well-traveled Daddys Lil Darling will race at her seventh track this year when she starts in Saturday’s Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita.

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 13:46

Bowies Hero considered for Frank Kilroe Mile

Benoit and Associates
Kent Desormeaux guides Bowies Hero past pacesetter Kroy at the wire of the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile on Tuesday.

ARCADIA, Calif. – It’s official: The 3-year-old colt Bowies Hero is best at a mile on turf.

On Tuesday, Bowies Hero won his fourth stakes in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile against 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. All the stakes wins have been at a mile on turf. Trainer Phil D’Amato said he might start Bowies Hero in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile against older horses on March 10.

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 13:40

Giant Expectations might get shot at huge payday

Benoit & Associates
Gary Stevens piloted Giant Expectations to a 3 1/4-length victory in the San Antonio Stakes on Tuesday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Giant Expectations may start in an eight-figure race after winning Tuesday’s Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita.

Trainer Peter Eurton said on Wednesday that Giant Expectations will be considered for the $16 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27 or the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 24. He stopped well short of committing to either world-class race.

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 13:36

Florida breeders sponsor new Sire Stakes race, Florida Derby bonus

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association announced Wednesday it will be sponsoring a new Florida Sire Stakes race, the $150,000 Wildcat Heir. The race is for FSS-eligible 3-year-olds and up and will be run at a mile on the dirt Sept. 29 at Gulfstream Park.

:: CLOCKER REPORT: Get workout grades and comments for the Gulfstream Park Championship meet

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 13:36

Unique Bella, Paradise Woods may get rematch in Santa Maria

Benoit and Associates
Unique Bella, ridden by Mike Smith, pulls away from Paradise Woods to win the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes on Tuesday.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 3-year-old fillies Unique Bella and Paradise Woods may be seeing quite a lot of each other in coming months.

After finishing first and second in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Tuesday, Unique Bella and Paradise Woods are likely to meet again in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 10, their trainers said on Wednesday.

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 13:16

Dak Attack kicks off Derby trail for Romans in Mucho Macho Man

Coady Photography
Dak Attack has not raced since winning the Ellis Park Juvenile in August.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Dale Romans said he plans to unveil the first of his talented 3-year-olds of 2018 when he sends out the unbeaten Dak Attack in the one-mile Mucho Macho Man here Jan. 6. Dak Attack has not started since closing his 2-year-old campaign with an easy victory in the Ellis Park Juvenile on Aug. 20.

“We’ll run Dak Attack in the first one and then figure out what to do with the others,” Romans said.

Wed, 12/27/2017 - 13:16

H. Allen Jerkens tops stakes-filled Saturday card

Michael Burns
Bullards Alley won the Canadian International at 42-1 on Saturday.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Saturday’s card at Gulfstream includes five turf stakes, led by the two-mile H. Allen Jerkens, which lured a field of eight, topped by the Grade 1 Canadian International winner Bullards Alley; California invader Infobedad, runner-up in the Grade 2 Marathon at Del Mar on Breeders’ Cup weekend; and the Shug McGaughey-trained and ever-improving Gold Shield.