Mon, 03/20/2017 - 12:20

J Boys Echo possible for Florida Derby

Debra A. Roma
J Boys Echo (left) earned a career-high Beyer of 102 when he won the Gotham Stakes.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The prospective field for the $1 million Florida Derby got a little more interesting Sunday when trainer Dale Romans said he’s not ruled out running Gotham Stakes winner J Boys Echo in the important Kentucky Derby prep here April 1.

Mon, 03/20/2017 - 11:46

R Angel Katelyn drills for Sophomore Fillies Stakes

Tom Keyser
R Angel Katelyn is pointed toward the Sophomore Fillies Stakes.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – R Angel Katelyn, a three-time stakes winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Sunday as she gears up for her role as the probable favorite in the $100,000 Sophomore Fillies Stakes on Florida Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs.

Mon, 03/20/2017 - 11:46

Full dozen expected for Spiral Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Kitten's Cat (7), owned and bred by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, might be favored in the Spiral Stakes on Saturday.

A full field of 12 3-year-olds seeking a spot in the Kentucky Derby is expected Saturday at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., where the Grade 3, $500,000 Spiral Stakes will be run for the 46th time.

Kitten’s Cat, a Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebred, could be favored in the 1 1/8-mile Polytrack race after having competed exclusively in turf races. Another turf horse, Parlor, also could be among the favorites. He is exiting an impressive allowance victory at Tampa Bay Downs.

Mon, 03/20/2017 - 11:06

Keeneland purses get boost from Instant Racing

Purses for most overnight races at the Keeneland spring meet in Lexington, Ky., have increased substantially, thanks primarily to the influx of new revenue from Instant Racing machines that became operational last year at Keeneland’s partner track, The Red Mile.

Maiden special weight races for 3-year-olds are now worth $70,000, an increase of some 17 percent from previous levels. Maiden races for 2-year-olds are up to $60,000 from $50,000. Purses for the four allowance races in the condition book for opening day range from $72,000 to $76,000.

Sun, 03/19/2017 - 16:00

Malagacy could return for Arkansas Derby

Coady Photography
The 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby on April 15 would be the next logical step for Rebel winner Malagacy.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Trainer Todd Pletcher could be going for a stakes triple for 3-year-olds next month at Oaklawn Park. He said Sunday that Malagacy is a candidate for the track’s Arkansas Derby after winning the Rebel here Saturday.

The Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel was the second of Oaklawn’s three graded preps for the Kentucky Derby that Pletcher has won this meet, starting off with the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest in February with One Liner.  The Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby will be run April 15.

Sun, 03/19/2017 - 15:47

Jockey Lebron rests after spill, plans Wednesday return

Barbara D. Livingston
Victor Lebron called the chance to ride in the Kentucky Derby “an amazing experience.”

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Jockey Victor Lebron was resting at home Sunday, one day after going down in a scary spill when his mount, Tether to Reality, crashed into the portable rail while on the lead in a turf race at Tampa Bay Downs.

Lebron took off his mounts Sunday, but agent Phil Wasiluk said the jockey plans to ride his four mounts on Wednesday’s nine-race card.

Tether to Reality sustained a “couple scratches” but was otherwise fine Sunday, according to trainer Joan Scott.

Sun, 03/19/2017 - 12:52

Unique Bella still points to Santa Anita Oaks, Kentucky Oaks

Barbara D. Livingston
Exercise rider Edgar Rodriguez takes Unique Bella through a morning workout Sunday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Unique Bella, alone at the top of the 3-year-old filly division, was alone in her workout Sunday morning at Santa Anita, where she cruised six furlongs in 1:11.20.

Prior to the workout, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer reiterated plans for Unique Bella that call for her to race in her division. “We’re not going in the Santa Anita Derby,” he said.

Unique Bella worked by herself under exercise rider Edgar Rodriguez minutes before 8 a.m. The workout was five furlongs in 59 seconds; her official workout time was six furlongs in 1:11.20.

Sat, 03/18/2017 - 16:47

Gunnevera, Practical Joke, Three Rules tune up for Florida Derby

Adam Coglianese/Coglianese Photos
Chris Warren, director of racing for Delta Downs, hopes the results of last weekend's major stakes for 3-year-olds, including the win by Gunnevera in the Fountain of Youth, will lead to a higher grade for the 1 1/16-mile Delta Downs Jackpot.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -  A handful of potential Florida Derby starters were in action at four different venues in south Florida on Saturday, including Gunnevera, Practical Joke, and Three Rules, the first three finishers two weeks ago  in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.

At Gulfstream Park West, Gunnevera turned in a very easy five-furlong breeze in 1:04.40 with regular exercise rider Edgard Zayas aboard. The work was the first for Gunnevera since his impressive 5 3/4-length triumph in the Fountain of Youth.

Fri, 03/17/2017 - 19:59

Santa Anita jackpot pick six carryover at $289,904 for Saturday card

ARCADIA, Calif. – There is a pick six single-ticket jackpot carryover of $289,904.62 at Santa Anita on Saturday. There were eight perfect tickets Friday; the pick six paid $9,102. There were 186 tickets with five winners; the consolation payoff was $84.20.

There was $136,298 wagered into the Friday pick six; $88,419 was paid to winning bettors. There has not been a single-ticket jackpot winner for 13 racing days, since Feb. 20.

Saturday's pick six sequence begins with Race 5 at 2:30 p.m. Pacific.

Fri, 03/17/2017 - 14:16

Wilburnmoney likely to have few rivals in Cicada

Joe Labozzetta/NYRA
The 3-year-old filly Wilburnmoney, with Angel Arroyo, wins the Franklin Square by two lengths.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Believe it or not, the inner-track meet comes to an end next weekend, highlighted by the $100,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday.

Wilburnmoney, the 20-1 upset winner of the Franklin Square Stakes for New York-breds, is expected to start in the six-furlong race.