Fri, 06/16/2017 - 14:46

I Still Miss You to wait for Schuylerville

Barbara D. Livingston
I Still Miss You paid $10.80 in winning the Astoria Stakes at Belmont on Thursday.

ELMONT, N.Y. – I Still Miss You, the New York-bred filly who has won both of her starts, including the Astoria Stakes here on June 8, most likely will make her next start in the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville on July 21, opening day of Saratoga.

I Still Miss You is eligible for the $100,000 Lynbrook Stakes on July 16, closing day of the Belmont meet, but trainer Jeremiah Englehart said, “The numbers came back, and she improved a lot from her first start to her second start, so I’m in favor of giving her the extra time.”

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 14:36

Always Dreaming, Cloud Computing headed for rematch in Jim Dandy

Joe Labozzetta
Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming will likely use the Jim Dandy as a prep for the Travers.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and Preakness winner Cloud Computing are expected to meet again in the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 29.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 14:16

Dubai-raced Lindo Amor pointing to Del Mar

Barbara D. Livingston
American Gal finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in November.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Lindo Amor, third in two stakes at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai this year, has joined trainer Paulo Lobo’s stable and will have his American debut during the Del Mar summer meeting.

The Del Mar meeting runs July 19 to Sept. 4.

Lindo Amor was second in a Group 1 race in Argentina in 2016. In Dubai this year, Lindo Amor was third in the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes in February and 10th in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar on March 4, with both races at a mile on dirt.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 14:06

Midnight Storm going back to the turf

Barbara D. Livingston
Midnight Storm finished second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in his last start.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Midnight Storm is returning to turf after three consecutive losses on dirt. Trainer Phil D’Amato said this week that the 6-year-old Midnight Storm will be pointed for the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on July 22 or the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 20. Midnight Storm won both races in 2016.

Owned by Alex Venneri and Little Red Feather Racing, Midnight Storm was later third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on turf at Santa Anita. He won the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes on dirt at Del Mar in November and the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 1.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 14:00

Suburban possible next start for Cupid

Shigeki Kikkawa
Cupid wins his first Grade 1 race in Saturday's Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Cupid, the winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 27 in his first start of 2017, could start in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park on July 8, trainer Bob Baffert said on Friday.

The $750,000 Suburban Handicap is run at 1 1/4 miles on dirt, the same distance as the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

“If he’s going good, I’m thinking of the Suburban,” Baffert said.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 12:36

Migliore leaving post as racing analyst at NYRA

Michael Amoruso
Richard Migliore's last day as NYRA racing analyst will be July 8.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Citing a desire to find a better balance between his personal and professional lives, former jockey Richard Migliore announced Friday that he is leaving his post as racing analyst with the New York Racing Association.

Migliore’s last day at NYRA will be July 8, the day of the five-stakes Stars and Stripes program at Belmont Park.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 11:40

Classic Empire returns to training, points to Haskell

Barbara D. Livingston
Classic Empire, who missed the Belmont Stakes with a foot abscess, has resumed training.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mark Casse said from his base at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. training center that Classic Empire returned to training Friday morning at Churchill Downs for the first time since being declared from consideration for the Belmont Stakes with a foot abscess. Classic Empire, fourth in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Preakness, was the Belmont favorite prior to his defection.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 11:10

Lady Soul gives Brisset first win as trainer

Churchill Downs/Coady Photography
Lady Soul captures a maiden race Thursday at Churchill Downs, giving Rodolphe Brisset his first win as a trainer.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In more than 10 years as an assistant and exercise rider for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, Rodolphe Brisset worked with top-class racehorses on a daily basis, including Royal Delta, Drosselmeyer, To Honor and Serve, Tourist, and many others.

Now on his own since early April, the cupboard isn’t nearly as full, but just give Brisset a little time. On Thursday evening at Churchill Downs, Brisset got his first winner as a trainer when Lady Soul, ridden by fellow countryman Julien Leparoux, won a $40,000 maiden-claiming route by 2 3/4 lengths.

Fri, 06/16/2017 - 11:06

Romans scores double with juveniles

Churchill Downs/Coady Photography
Free Drop Billy wins his racing debut Thursday at Churchill.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Wesley Ward, Steve Asmussen, and John Hancock have dominated the 2-year-old ranks this spring in Kentucky. But Dale Romans raised his hand Thursday evening at Churchill to effectively say: “Count me in, too.”

In a one-hour span, Romans won two 5 1/2-furlong races with Free Drop Billy, a colt by Union Rags, and Dak Attack, a colt by Ghostzapper. Both are owned by the Albaugh Family Stable and were ridden by Robby Albarado.

“We’ve got a lot of hope for both of them,” Romans said. “I’m sure at least one of them will go with me to Saratoga.”

Thu, 06/15/2017 - 15:16

Giant Expectations gone, but probably not for long

ELMONT, N.Y. – The dominance of California-based horses here recently was not restricted to Belmont Stakes weekend.

Giant Expectations, a New York-bred based in Southern California, shipped to New York a few weeks ago and won two races in a span of 11 days for trainer Peter Eurton. On May 29, Giant Expectations won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race by 9 3/4 lengths. On June 8, he won a statebred first-level allowance at a mile by 2 1/2 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.