Wed, 02/22/2017 - 13:16

Troubled trip hindered Page McKenney in John Campbell Handicap

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
On a day when outside closers did well at Laurel, Page McKenney was bottled up on the rail for most of the John Campbell Handicap.

Page McKenney emerged unscathed from his adventurous journey in the John B. Campbell Stakes at Laurel Park last Saturday, according to trainer Mary Eppler.

Page McKenney finished second in the 1 1/8-mile Campbell while making his second start following a nine-month layoff.

“He’s perfect,” Eppler said. “He came out of the race like his old self. His legs are ice cold and tight.”

Bodhisattva launched a wide bid from last to overpower Page McKenney from the outside in upper stretch. He won by 3 3/4 lengths after lagging far behind the field on the backstretch.

Wed, 02/22/2017 - 13:16

Stevens on track for March return to saddle

Barbara D. Livingston
Gary Stevens works Pioneerof the West on Wednesday. It was his first workout since he underwent a hip replacement.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, out since December after undergoing hip-replacement surgery, is moving closer to a comeback.

On Wednesday at Santa Anita, Stevens rode his first workout since being cleared by doctors to resume exercise. Stevens rode Pioneerof the West for trainer Vladimir Cerin through a five-furlong workout in 1:03.80.

“I feel better than expected,” Stevens said. “I’m not blowing like I thought I would. I feel good.”

Wed, 02/22/2017 - 13:01

John Jones projects to make 2017 return during Pimlico's meet

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
John Jones, shown winning the Jennings Stakes, is currently on vacation in South Carolina.

Lacey Gaudet had a career year running her family’s racing operation in 2016, winning 31 races and more than $850,000 in purses. Additionally, she made a tremendous claim in July at Laurel Park on behalf of owner Matt Shera, taking John Jones for $25,000.

John Jones has since developed into one of the leading older horses in Maryland, winning five of six starts, including a pair of Maryland-bred stakes, and earning $222,000. In his lone loss since being claimed, John Jones finished third, beaten two lengths, in the $190,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at Gulfstream Park.

Wed, 02/22/2017 - 12:54

Imperial Hint provides small stable with big win in General George

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Thee 4-year-old Imperial Hint wins the General George, giving trainer Luis Carjaval and owner Raymond Mamone their first victory in a graded race.

Parx-based horseman Luis Carvajal Jr. said he was relieved after Imperial Hint won the Grade 3 General George last Saturday at Laurel Park. The win was the first in a graded race for the horse, trainer, and owner Raymond Mamone.

“For me, having a small stable, it is a big deal to win a race like this,” Carvajal said Monday. “Going to the races that day, driving to Laurel, I knew he had a shot, and I was very nervous.”

Wed, 02/22/2017 - 12:10

McCraken training toward Tampa Bay Derby

Tom Keyser
McCraken is back in training following this victory in the Sam F. Davis on Feb. 11 at Tampa Bay Downs.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – McCraken, one of the favorites for the 143rd Kentucky Derby on May 6, is back in a daily training routine at the Palm Meadows training center in Boynton Beach, Fla., following his victory in the Feb. 11 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. McCraken is being pointed to a return to Tampa for the March 11 Tampa Bay Derby.

Wed, 02/22/2017 - 12:10

Game has changed for Jolley, 79, but he's still a player

Barbara D. Livingston
LeRoy Jolley, who trained two Kentucky Derby winners, in a photo dated 2009.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – LeRoy Jolley can walk virtually unnoticed among the crowd at Gulfstream Park. It wasn’t always this way.

More than a generation ago, Jolley was the trainer of the moment in much the same way that Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, and Bob Baffert are today. He was destined for greatness at a very young age; when he was just 24, he trained Ridan, the heavy favorite and third-place finisher in the 1962 Kentucky Derby. He accomplished so much during the quarter-century that followed that his plaque was enshrined in the Racing Hall of Fame in 1987.

Wed, 02/22/2017 - 11:36

Practical Joke to start off in Fountain of Youth

Barbara D. Livingston
Practical Joke, who won the Grade 1 Champagne in October, is set to make his 3-year-old debut in either the Fountain of Youth or the Gotham Stakes.

Practical Joke will make his first start as a 3-year-old in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 4, and Jose Ortiz will have the mount, trainer Chad Brown said Wednesday.

Brown also had been considering the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on March 4 for Practical Joke’s first start on the Kentucky Derby trail.

“Ultimately, the decision was made because he’s thriving in south Florida, and I really don’t want to move the horse since he’s doing so well,” said Brown, who winters at the Palm Meadows training center.

Tue, 02/21/2017 - 18:18

Unbridled Mo pointed for Azeri

Lauren King/Coglianese Photos
Malagacy earned an 87 Beyer Speed Figure for a 15-length win in her career debut.

Unbridled Mo has won some of her biggest races on the road and the plan is for the Houston Ladies Classic winner to travel for her next start, trainer Todd Pletcher said Tuesday. The filly based in South Florida is a candidate for the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri on March 18 at Oaklawn.

Tue, 02/21/2017 - 17:37

One Liner's next start undecided after Southwest Stakes victory

Coady Photography
One Liner (left) wins the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, earning a 102 Beyer Speed Figure.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The undefeated One Liner, who popped a Beyer Speed Figure of 102 for his win Monday in the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, was traveling Tuesday, headed back home to Palm Beach Downs in South Florida.

Tue, 02/21/2017 - 14:33

Arrogate works five furlongs for yet-to-be-determined next start

Barbara D. Livingston
Arrogate works five furlongs in 59 seconds under Martin Garcia Tuesday at Santa Anita.

Arrogate, the best horse in the world, worked a sharp five furlongs in 59 seconds on Tuesday morning at Santa Anita. Trainer Bob Baffert said Arrogate's next start has yet to be determined, but conceded, "We've got a week to figure out what to do."