ELMONT, N.Y. - The Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey has run three horses at Del Mar but has never himself been to the Southern California track.
That will change next month when he brings War Flag to Del Mar for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. War Flag punched her ticket to that race with a head victory over Dacita in Sunday’s Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – All-sources handle for the first three days of the Keeneland fall meet was down 15 percent, according to figures released Monday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. This is the first meet since Keeneland announced a raise in takeout to the permissible maximums on all wagers (17.5 percent win-place show and 22 percent on exotics) except the pick five (15 percent).
Groups such as the Horseplayers Association of North America have called for a boycott of Keeneland racing in response to the increase.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Nothing makes trainer Dale Romans happier than having live prospects for the Kentucky Derby. With less than seven months until the 144th Derby in May, the lifelong Louisville resident has no fewer than four colts who have shown Derby potential.
“It’s what we’re in this business for,” Romans said. “Nothing energizes me and my family like the Derby.”
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Maybe it was the rainy weather or the ambient light, but the more Kenny McPeek talked about Ten City, the glassier his eyes seemed to become.
Sadly, Ten City was euthanized shortly after breaking down in his left foreleg while on the lead Saturday in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland. A little less than 24 hours later, McPeek, his trainer, was still agonizing over the tragic loss.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Bad luck in the summer may be the only thing keeping Roy H from an impressive winning streak this year.
Roy H won his first Grade 1 race Saturday in the $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at six furlongs, earning a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4. From trainer Peter Miller’s perspective, the free berth to the BC Sprint should have been achieved in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar on July 29.
ARCADIA, Calif. - The waiting game is underway for the people behind Blackjackcat, the winner of four consecutive races in Southern California and a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 4.
Blackjackcat won his final prep Saturday in the $79,685 Obviously Mile at Santa Anita.
Owners Al and Sandee Kirkwood and trainer Mark Glatt are hopeful Blackjackcat’s winning streak, led by a victory in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 20, will be sufficient for the 4-year-old gelding to secure a berth in a race that is annually oversubscribed.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Diversify was at the front of the stall looking for more when his caretakers arrived at the barn Sunday morning. Whether he will be given the opportunity to do more in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 4 has not been determined.
Diversify came out of his victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup in good shape, but trainer Rick Violette said he and owner Ralph Evans “will take our time” before deciding whether to run in the Classic.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Although she emerged as one of the country’s leading older females this season, the 2017 Breeders’ Cup is off the table for Vale Dori.
Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Sunday that Vale Dori will be freshened for the winter meet at Santa Anita. She will not run this year in the BC Distaff or Filly and Mare Sprint.
“She needs a break. She’s not showing any energy,” Baffert said. “She ran hard all year, and I think she’s sort of tailing on me.”
MIAMI, Fla. – Travers runner-up Gunnevera got a little more serious in his preparations for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4, working five furlongs in 1:00.75 over his home base at Gulfstream Park West on Saturday.
With jockey Edgard Zayas aboard, Gunnevera posted splits of 24 and 35.66 for his opening three-eighths before galloping out six panels in 1:14.63. He was pushed along early on after being chased and then joined inadvertently by an unidentified worker from another barn, who broke off behind Gunnevera at the six-furlong pole.
Trainer Antonio Sano and jockey Edgard Zayas will team up with one of the favorites, Arthemisa, in Monday’s $42,000 main event carded at 1 1/16 miles on the turf under optional claiming and allowance conditions for fillies and mares. It’s the highlight of a special 10-race Columbus Day program.
Arthemisa has registered five victories, more than any other member of the nine-horse field, and is one of only two in the lineup with a win over the Gulfstream Park West turf course, along with Pat M’s Image.
