Wed, 07/12/2017 - 14:06

French raider Enthrall wastes no time ahead of San Clemente

The French filly Enthrall will have her graded stakes debut in the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar on July 23, days after arriving in the United States.

Enthrall is scheduled to arrive in California this weekend and clear quarantine by Monday, according to Kentucky-based trainer Brendan Walsh.

Owned by Rebecca Hillen, Enthrall, a Kentucky-bred by Bernardini, has won 2 of 3 starts in France, including an allowance race at a mile on turf at Chantilly on June 23. She was seventh in the Prix Finlande at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Chantilly on May 28.

Tue, 07/11/2017 - 15:30

Songbird may finally give Porter a long-sought Delaware Handicap win

Barbara D. Livingston
Owner Rick Porter leads Songbird to the winner’s circle following the Coaching Club American Oaks.

Rick Porter has run two horses in the Delaware Handicap. Havre de Grace was beaten a nose at 3-5 during her 2011 Horse of the Year season, and Jostle finished fourth at 4-5 in 2001.

Havre de Grace’s loss was especially difficult for Porter as it came at the hands of Blind Luck in the sixth and final meeting between the two fillies. Blind Luck moved up outside Havre de Grace in upper stretch and the pair battled eyeball to eyeball the final furlong in one of the all-time great editions of the Delaware Handicap.

Tue, 07/11/2017 - 07:39

Knee injury sidelines Bh Lisas Boy

Bh Lisas Boy, the dominant older Quarter Horse in California this year, has been sidelined with a knee injury that jeopardizes his chance of starting in the $750,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos on Dec. 16.

Bh Lisas Boy won his fifth consecutive race in the $162,600 Vessels Maturity at Los Alamitos on July 2. The injury was detected in the days after the race. The 5-year-old gelding underwent surgery to have a bone chip removed from a knee last Friday, according to owner and trainer Bill Hoburg.

Mon, 07/10/2017 - 19:20

Penn National bans three trainers permanently

Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pa., has banned three trainers connected to the conviction of a trainer last week on 14 federal counts related to the illegal administration of race-day medications, according to a statement released by the track.

Mon, 07/10/2017 - 17:51

Dona Bruja, Kasaqui give Correas formidable tandem

Four Footed Fotos
Dona Bruja won the Modesty Handicap by a length over Prado's Sweet Ride.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Trainer Ignacio Correas’s two intended Arlington Million Day starters, Dona Bruja and Kasaqui, returned to Kentucky shortly after racing Saturday at Arlington, but both are scheduled to return to Arlington a few days before the Million card on Aug. 12.

Mon, 07/10/2017 - 17:07

Klimt ready to get year started

Barbara D. Livingston
Del Mar Futurity winner Klimt works a half-mile in 47.32 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday.

CYPRESS, Calif. – Klimt, who will have his 2017 debut in Saturday’s Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby, has been largely forgotten in recent months.

A winner of his first four starts, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last September, Klimt has not raced since finishing eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita last November.

Since then, Klimt has switched stables, going from Bob Baffert to Art Sherman. The change occurred when owner Kaleem Shah parted ways with Baffert and sent several runners to Sherman.

Mon, 07/10/2017 - 16:34

Theriot to appeal suspension

Jamie Theriot plans to appeal a three-day suspension for failing to ride his mount to the wire at Los Alamitos on July 7, according to his agent, Saul Marquez.

Fast Cotton set the pace in a maiden race for 2-year-olds at five furlongs but faded in the final furlong to finish fifth. Fast Cotton was beaten a head for fourth by Neighborhood Bully.

The suspension is scheduled for the final three days of the Los Alamitos summer meeting – Friday through Sunday.

Mon, 07/10/2017 - 14:16

High Providence inspires Breeders' Cup dreams

High Providence won a two-turn turf race for 2-year-olds like a horse with a future last Saturday night at Lone Star Park near Dallas.

He rallied from last for a 1 1/2-length victory in his career debut and handled a number of variables, including shipping from his base of Louisiana Downs.

“I thought he was pretty straightforward, did his job,” said Jason Meaux, who trains High Providence for Run For The Cross. “He handled the ship good, handled the paddock like a pretty good professional.”

Mon, 07/10/2017 - 14:10

Jockamo's Song possible for Louisiana Cup Sprint

Coady Photography
Jockamo's Song won the Louisiana Legends Sprint by a length.

Jockamo’s Song, who invaded from the East Coast to win the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint last Saturday night at Evangeline Downs, could stay down south a little longer.

Trainer Michael Stidham said Monday that Jockamo’s Song is being considered for the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint. The six-furlong race for statebreds is Aug. 5 at Louisiana Downs.

Mon, 07/10/2017 - 12:10

Classic Empire has eventful breeze for Haskell Invitational

Barbara D. Livingston
Preakness runner-up Classic Empire likely will breeze this weekend at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – According to trainer Mark Casse, Classic Empire remains targeted for the July 30 Haskell at Monmouth Park after breezing Monday at Churchill Downs.