Mon, 06/19/2017 - 10:35

Calgary Cat pointing to Highlander Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Calgary Cat could make one more start before the year is over.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Calgary Cat most recently finished a narrow third in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup over seven furlongs on turf here June 3 and will shorten up for the Grade 2, $250,000 Highlander Stakes over six furlongs on turf as part of the Queen’s Plate card July 2, trainer Kevin Attard said.

Calgary Cat was 9 1/2 lengths off the lead with just three furlongs left to run in the Connaught Cup but closed well down the lane under jockey Luis Contreras. He was involved in a three-horse photo finish with winner Tower of Texas and runner-up Commute, losing by a head.

Mon, 06/19/2017 - 10:26

Noholdingback Bear returns to De Paulo's Woodbine barn

Barbara D. Livingston
Noholdingback Bear raced twice at Belmont this spring.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Noholdingback Bear, Canada’s champion male sprinter of 2016, has returned to trainer Mike De Paulo’s barn at Woodbine after a brief stint with trainer Brian Lynch in New York.

Noholdingback Bear shipped back to Woodbine last Wednesday night. De Paulo said he was pleased to have Noholdingback Bear back in the barn and was going to evaluate his condition before deciding on his next race.

Sun, 06/18/2017 - 19:23

September Stars has no significant injuries, trainer says

Benoit & Associates
Gary Stevens said he preferred to "err on the side of caution" after September Stars didn't feel comfortable while winning the Possibily Perfect.

ARCADIA, Calif. - September Stars, pulled up after winning the $77,995 Possibly Perfect Stakes on June 4, recently underwent a battery of tests that showed no significant injuries, trainer Paddy Gallagher said last week.

Gallagher said he plans to give September Stars a one-month rest before she is reassessed. The condition of a front ankle caused some concern and will be examined this summer, Gallagher said.

“We’ll back off and give her some time,” Gallagher said. “We’ll rescan her in 30 days and go from there.”

Sun, 06/18/2017 - 19:17

Cat Burglar likely for Saturday's Precisionist Stakes

Benoit & Associates
Cat Burglar ($3.80) stalked the pace before taking the lead in the early stretch, en route to his first career stakes win.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Cat Burglar, the winner of the 2016 Santana Mile and an optional-claimer in March in his only start this year, is likely to represent leading stakes trainer Bob Baffert in the Grade 3 Precisionist Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Sun, 06/18/2017 - 15:18

Faypien possible for G1 Test Stakes at Saratoga

Shigeki Kikkawa
Faypien, inside, wins the Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on Saturday.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Faypien won her graded stakes debut in Saturday’s Grade 2 Summertime Oaks at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita, a distance that may not figure in her plans in coming months.

Trainer Bob Baffert considers Faypien to be equally effective at shorter distances.

“It was important to get that Grade 2 in her,” Baffert said. “I wouldn’t be afraid to back her up to one turn.”

Baffert mentioned the Grade 1 Test Stakes at seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga on Aug. 5 as a possible race for Faypien.

Sun, 06/18/2017 - 15:07

Sircat Sally likely for two stakes starts at Del Mar meet

Shigeki Kikkawa
Sircat Sally's winning streak now stands at seven.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Sircat Sally has compiled a seven-race victory streak since November by winning a sprint, two stakes for California-bred fillies, a minor stakes against open company, and three graded stakes.

After winning the Grade 2 Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, her most prestigious win, attention has turned toward the Del Mar summer meeting, where Sircat Sally is expected to have two starts in graded stakes on turf for 3-year-old fillies.

Her unbeaten status will face a stern test in coming weeks.

Sun, 06/18/2017 - 14:37

Jockey Karamanos notches 2,000th North American victory

Jim McCue
Horacio Karamanos' 2000th North American win came aboard Liquid Aloha on Sunday.

Jockey Horacio Karamanos won his 2,000th race in North America on Sunday at Laurel Park when he guided Liquid Aloha to victory in race 3.

Karamanos, who will turn 44 on June 28, also has more than 1,500 wins in his native Argentina.

Liquid Aloha, who is trained by Kelly Breen, paid $12.60 in the starter allowance race on turf.

Karamanos' wife Veronica and daughter Milagros were on hand to see his milestone victory and participated in the post-race winner's circle celebration.

Sun, 06/18/2017 - 13:54

Arrogate, Stellar Wind prep for summer with half-mile works

ARCADIA, Calif. - Arrogate, the world's top-rated horse, the champion Stellar Wind, and the 2017 Grade 1 winners Cupid and Paradise Woods were among 238 horses with recorded workouts at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Arrogate, unraced since winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 25, worked a half-mile in 46.80 seconds. Trainer Bob Baffert timed Arrogate in a slightly slower 47 seconds.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 15:40

Gaffalione sticking around for the summer

Barbara D. Livingston
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will not ride for a week due to illness.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The rest of the local riding colony may not like the news, but his legion of fans in south Florida will be delighted to know that jockey Tyler Gaffalione has decided to remain at Gulfstream Park through the summer. Gaffalione had been considering trying his luck at Saratoga.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 15:40

Plenty of interest in Princess Rooney

Barbara D. Livingston
Curlin's Approval is a two-time graded stakes winner this season.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Nominations for the Summit of Speed program on July 1 close at midnight Saturday. The card includes a pair of Win and You’re In races for this year’s Breeders’ Cup, the Grade 2 Princess Rooney (Filly and Mare Sprint) and the Grade 2 Smile Sprint (Sprint).