Mon, 03/06/2017 - 13:50

For Miss Sky Warrior, no fanfare is no problem

Leslie Martin/Coglianese Photos
Miss Sky Warrior wins her third consecutive graded stakes start in Saturday's Davona Dale.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – On the West Coast, a 3-year-old filly who won her fourth straight race Saturday – and her third straight graded stakes – is the latest rage in American racing.

On the East Coast, a 3-year-old filly won her fourth straight race Saturday – and her third straight graded stakes – and all you hear is crickets.

Kelly Breen, who trains Miss Sky Warrior here in the East for owner and breeder Arlene London of Boca Raton, Fla., doesn’t much care that his stable star is receiving a fraction of the hype that Unique Bella is getting out West.

Mon, 03/06/2017 - 13:46

Conquest Enforcer, feet healthy, will run in Frank Kilroe Mile

Benoit & Associates
Conquest Enforcer wins the Mathis Brothers Mile last December.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Conquest Enforcer will start in Saturday’s Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf at Santa Anita with four healthy feet.

Four weeks ago, the 4-year-old colt was in a different state. Immediately after a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Arcadia Stakes at a mile on turf Feb. 11, Conquest Enforcer was found to have a quarter crack. Through February, the foot was treated by noted farrier Wes Champagne, and it has responded to treatment, according to trainer Phil D’Amato.

Mon, 03/06/2017 - 13:40

Stevens set to return from hip-replacement surgery

Barbara D. Livingston
Jockey Gary Stevens expects to begin exercising horses in early March as he returns from hip-replacement surgery.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens returns to riding at Santa Anita on Thursday for the first time since undergoing a hip-replacement operation in December.

Stevens, who turned 54 Monday, rides Oopper Wallah in the fourth race, a $40,000 claimer at six furlongs, and Jabber Now in the eighth race, a maiden race for California-bred fillies and mares on turf. Stevens has two mounts Friday, including Paquita Coqueta in the $75,000 Wishing Well Stakes for fillies and mares on the hillside turf course.

Mon, 03/06/2017 - 13:40

Irish Surf, two others ending lengthy layoffs

Barbara D. Livingston
On Thursday, Irish Surf is set to make his first start since 2014.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Irish Surf has not raced since the 2014 Thanksgiving weekend, when he finished sixth in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar. Two injuries led to layoffs that will end with an appearance in a competitive optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Thursday.

“We gave him a break, and he got cast in his stall,” trainer Dan Hendricks said last weekend. “He had a setback on the farm, and it took forever, it seems, to bring him around.”

Mon, 03/06/2017 - 12:56

No Dozing, Pletcher pair among Tampa Bay Derby contenders

Kenny Martin/Coglianese Photos
Tapwrit, with Eddie Castro aboard, wins the off-the-turf Pulpit going a mile.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The biggest day of the Tampa Bay Downs season is Saturday, with large fields expected for the card’s five stakes races, which are worth a total of $925,000, making for the richest card in track history. The highlight of the annual Festival Day program is the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby, a 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds that offers 85 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to its top four finishers on a 50-20-10-5 basis.

Here’s a look at the major players expected for the Tampa Bay Derby.

Mon, 03/06/2017 - 11:20

Bejarano back in time for meet's biggest races

Coady Photography
Rafael Bejarano returned to racing this past weekend, three weeks after sustaining a knee injury.

ARCADIA, Calif. – One viewing of the replay of the ninth race at Santa Anita on Feb. 11 was enough for veteran jockey Rafael Bejarano. The memories returned quickly when he saw the spill in a turf race that left him sidelined for nearly three weeks.

“It looked bad,” Bejarano said.

The incident left Bejarano with a sore knee that could have been worse, he said.

“The doctor, he told me it would be longer,” Bejarano said. “I went back to him after a week, and he couldn’t believe how improved I was. He said, ‘You’ll come back quickly.’ ”

Sun, 03/05/2017 - 16:34

Unique Bella proves she can win when not everything goes smoothly

Emily Shields
Unique Bella is on course for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks, a $400,000 race at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old fillies on April 8.

ARCADIA, Calif.- Apparently not all stakes wins in these early months of the year will be a breeze for Unique Bella, who fought her way to a third consecutive victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Sun, 03/05/2017 - 15:49

Midnight Storm works on Santa Anita Handicap strategy

Barbara D. Livingston
Midnight Storm worked five furlongs Sunday in preparation for the Santa Anita Handicap.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Midnight Storm worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 at Santa Anita on Sunday in a scenario that could resemble the race strategy for his next start in Saturday's Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap.

Midnight Storm worked alone, but two runners from another stable began workouts shortly before Midnight Storm. Through the workout, Midnight Storm raced a few lengths behind the other horses under exercise rider Jose Dominguez.

“The company was in front and he didn’t turn a hair,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “He galloped-out well.”

Sun, 03/05/2017 - 15:38

Mastery likely favorite in Saturday's San Felipe Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Mastery worked six furlongs Sunday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Mastery, undefeated in three starts at 2 in 2016, will be favored against a growing field in his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Mastery has not raced since recording an impressive win in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 10. Owned by Cheyenne Stables, Mastery won his debut here in October and his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 19.

Sun, 03/05/2017 - 15:23

Arrogate works seven furlongs in prep for Dubai World Cup

Barbara D. Livingston
Jockey Martin Garcia runs Arrogate through Sunday's workout.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Arrogate, winner of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup, worked seven furlongs in 1:24 at Santa Anita on Sunday in preparation for the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 25.

Trainer Bob Baffert said after the workout that Arrogate will be sent to Dubai on March 13. The 4-year-old Arrogate will have an additional workout at Santa Anita next weekend before being shipped.

“One more good work and we’re off,” Baffert said.