Mon, 07/29/2024 - 13:25

Pletcher considering Speak Easy for Allen Jerkens

By David Grening
Debra A. Roma
Off a debut maiden victory at Gulfstream, Speak Easy won an allowance sprint at Saratoga on Saturday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Speak Easy, who came off a six-month layoff to win a first-level allowance race by 2 1/4 lengths here on Saturday, will be considered for the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens on Aug. 24, trainer Todd Pletcher said.

Speak Easy, a son of Constitution, won a seemingly loaded maiden race at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27 and was entered in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on March 2 but was scratched when he ran off in the post parade, hit the inside rail, and suffered a few cuts. Speak Easy then had another minor setback when Pletcher was trying to continue his training.

Mon, 07/29/2024 - 13:20

Kimmel turning his attention toward bloodstock advising

By David Grening
Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer John Kimmel sends out debuter Grace and Grit in Wednesday's fifth race at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – John Kimmel is one of just six people to have won a trainer’s title at Saratoga in the last 30 years. That was in 1997, when Kimmel won a race on the final day of the then 36-day meet to tie Bill Mott, who was winning or sharing the fifth of what would become nine titles.

Fri, 07/26/2024 - 17:43

Champion New York-bred Dr Ardito retired

By David Grening
Barbara D. Livingston
Dr Ardito was the 2023 champion New York-bred dirt male and has now been retired.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Dr Ardito, the champion New York-bred older dirt male of 2023, has been retired from racing, co-owner Michael Dubb said Friday.

Dr Ardito came out of his fourth-place finish in the Commentator Stakes at Saratoga on June 9 with an issue that required time off. While Dr Ardito, a 6-year-old gelding by Liam’s Map, could have returned to racing, “we didn’t feel he’d return at the same level,” Dubb said.

Dubb, who owned Dr Ardito with Michael Caruso, named the horse for Dubb's close friend and physician, Dr. Anthony Ardito.

Fri, 07/26/2024 - 15:20

Cougar II winner Midnight Mammoth will try Pacific Classic

By Steve Andersen
Midnight Mammoth.Armando Ayuso wins Cougar II at DMR July 25 2024
Benoit Photo
Jockey Armando Ayuso was pumped up by Midnight Mammoth's 10 1/4-length upset victory Friday in the Cougar II Stakes.

A clear win in Thursday’s Grade 3 Cougar II Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar is likely to lead to the Grade 1 debut of Midnight Mammoth in the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 31.

Midnight Mammoth started at an extended distance for the first time in the Cougar II and led throughout to win by 10 1/4 lengths in a 9-1 upset.

“I think the timing of the Pacific Classic is something to think about,” trainer Craig Dollase said on Friday. “He has an affinity for the track.”

Fri, 07/26/2024 - 15:01

Kristin Mulhall disbands stable; moving to Ohio

By Steve Andersen

Trainer Kristin Mulhall recently disbanded her California-based stable after a 22-year career to focus on development of a 67-acre horse property in Ohio.

In a conversation on Thursday, Mulhall did not entirely rule out returning to training at some point, perhaps in Kentucky, but said she will no longer be involved with racing on the West Coast. She said she recently sold her home near Santa Anita.

“No more California for me,” she said. “I shut down my barn at Santa Anita. I am going to be buying and selling riding horses, just traveling around and having a good time.”

Fri, 07/26/2024 - 14:15

All-around horsemen Walter Hodges dead at 81

By Mary Rampellini

Walter Hodges, a noted Quarter Horse jockey who later trained Thoroughbreds, died Monday in Chickasha, Okla., according to his brother, Dale Hodges. Walter Hodges was 81.

Dale Hodges said his brother died from complications that arose due to circulation issues in his left leg.

Walter Hodges competed as a jockey for about 30 years, among his high points in the saddle was winning the 1970 Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs aboard the filly Go Together.

Fri, 07/26/2024 - 14:10

Red Route One likely for Charles Town Classic

By Mary Rampellini
Barbara D. Livingston
Red Route One has won two graded stakes this year in the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic and Grade3 Cornhusker.

Red Route One is under serious consideration for the Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic following his recent win in the Grade 3 Cornhusker at Prairie Meadows, according to his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Red Route One was up for a half-length win over stablemate Unload in the Cornhusker, a 1 1/8-mile race held July 6. The Charles Town Classic will be run over the same distance Aug. 23.

“We’ll consider a couple of spots for him, but probably the most likely is the Charles Town Classic,” Asmussen said.

Fri, 07/26/2024 - 13:15

Master of The Seas steps up training for Fourstardave

By David Grening
Barbara D. Livingston
Master of The Seas worked a half-mile in 48.51 Friday over the Oklahoma turf course.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Master of The Seas, unraced since his Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile victory at Keeneland in April, picked up the pace in his preparation for the Grade 1 Fourstardave on Aug 10 by working four furlongs on the Oklahoma turf course in 48.51 seconds Friday morning. Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch caught Master of The Seas galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.28, while pulling away from his workmate.

Fri, 07/26/2024 - 13:15

Nobals kicks off 2024 in stakes-class allowance

By David Grening
Barbara D. Livingston
Nobals was last seen springing a 12-1 upset in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Nobals, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner, will make his seasonal debut Sunday at Saratoga in a $120,000 stakes-caliber allowance race at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.

Trainer Larry Rivelli entered Nobals and One Timer, a multiple stakes winner, in both this race and Sunday’s $100,000 Robert Molaro Stakes at Hawthorne. One Timer wound up on the also-eligible list for the Saratoga allowance, making Rivelli’s decision on where to run both horses an easy one.

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