Wed, 07/03/2024 - 14:39

Tamara to miss Del Mar, hopeful for fall return

Barbara D. Livingston

After an injury in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Tamara won't be ready for the upcoming Del Mar meet.

Tamara, the brilliant winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante for 2-year-old fillies last September, is only in light training at Santa Anita with the hope she can have her 2024 debut this fall.

“I’m going easy,” trainer Richard Mandella said on Wednesday. “I’m going to take some time with her.”

Tamara was in training this spring with the intent of a start as soon as Saturday’s Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos. She has not worked since late May and is not scheduled to work in coming days, Mandella said.

Wed, 07/03/2024 - 14:39

Che Evasora, Argentinian Group 1 winner, moved to D'Amato barn for Breeders' Cup Distaff

By Steve Andersen

Barbara D. Livingston

Now with trainer Phil D'Amato, Che Evasora is hopefully for a start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff after earning a spot in Argentina.

Che Evasora, winner of the Group 1 Gran Premio Criadores for fillies and mares in Argentina in May, has joined trainer Phil D’Amato’s California stable in advance of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

Che Evasora, a 6-year-old Argentine-bred mare, earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Distaff win the recent stakes win, her final start in South America.

D’Amato said that Che Evasora cleared quarantine in late June in Florida and is currently at Santa Anita.

Wed, 07/03/2024 - 14:36

Field of nine expected for Great Lady M.

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Grade 1 Beholder Mile winner Sweet Azteca tops an expected field of eight for Saturday's Grade 2 Great Lady M. at Los Alamitos.

Led by the Grade 1 winner Sweet Azteca, Saturday’s Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos has a probable field of nine.

The $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes is the leading sprint for older females of the summer in California. The race is the richest stakes of the three-week summer meeting at Los Alamitos, which ends on Sunday.

Wed, 07/03/2024 - 12:55

Didia pointing to Saratoga encore in Diana Stakes

By Marcus Hersh

Debra A. Roma

Didia, winner of the New York Stakes at Saratoga, is being pointed to the Grade 1 Diana Stakes on July 13.

The 6-year-old Argentine mare Didia ran the best race of her career – at least the North American part of it – winning the Grade 1 New York Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga, and Didia is going back for more.

After Didia turned in an excellent workout Wednesday morning at her Keeneland base, trainer Ignacio Correas said the mare would be shipped to Saratoga on Sunday to start there July 13 in the Grade 1 Diana.

Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:40

Just Steel progressing from injury suffered in Preakness

By Nicole Russo

Just Steel (outside) works at CD April 20 2024

Barbara D. Livingston

Just Steel ran in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, finishing 17th in the Kentucky Derby and fifth in the Preakness.

Just Steel is progressing well in his rehabilitation on a Kentucky farm following surgery to repair a condylar fracture of his right front fetlock he sustained in the Preakness Stakes.

Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:40

Justifreak defies the odds in comeback victory

By Nicole Russo

Coady Media

Justifreak wins Sunday at Churchill, his first victory since he was involved in a van accident on March 25.

Justifreak was lukewarm on the board and returned $22.84 to backers for a maiden victory Sunday at Churchill Downs. But in many ways, the colt was the longest shot to race beneath the twin spires this season and had already prevailed just by walking into the paddock. Justifreak returned to the races just more than three months after a horrific van accident that claimed the lives of several of his Eddie Kenneally-trained stablemates on a Kentucky highway.

Tue, 07/02/2024 - 17:52

New Mexico Thoroughbred racing could move from Ruidoso to Albuquerque following floods

By Steve Andersen

The New Mexico State Racing Commission on Tuesday asked officials with The Downs at Albuquerque to form a contingency plan to run Thoroughbreds at that track in coming weeks while Ruidoso Downs in the southern part of the state rebuilds a portion of its track damaged by flash floods on Saturday and Sunday.

An official with The Downs at Albuquerque told the commission that a proposal could be presented on Wednesday or Friday.

Mon, 07/01/2024 - 14:58

Time trials canceled due to continued flooding

By Steve Andersen

Jake Rogers/Ruidoso Downs

Ruidoso Downs was forced to cancel its Monday program of Quarter Horse time trials due to flooding after wildfires in the area were followed by heavy rain.

Ruidoso Downs in southern New Mexico canceled racing for the second consecutive day on Monday after ongoing flash floods caused by runoff from recent wildfires in the area damaged a portion of the track.

Ruidoso Downs canceled the final two races of Saturday’s 17-race program when the normally tranquil Rio Ruidoso, which runs through the center of the track, burst its banks, leading to widespread flooding on the first turn and part of the backstretch.

Mon, 07/01/2024 - 12:00

Mischief River pointed to Best Pal off maiden score

By Steve Andersen

CYPRESS, Calif. – Mischief River’s appearance in a maiden race for 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos on Saturday led to both a learning experience and a victory. The colt is set for a stakes appearance next month at Del Mar.

Trainer James Glenn Jr. said Mischief River will be pointed to the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs on Aug. 11, a key prep for the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 8.

Mon, 07/01/2024 - 11:55

Senor Buscador on tight schedule for San Diego Handicap

By Steve Andersen

Dubai Racing Club

Senor Buscador won last year's San Diego Handicap but is questionable to make the race this year.

CYPRESS, Calif. – Senor Buscador, winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup in February and third in the $12 million Dubai World Cup in March, is running out of time for a comeback in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 27.

Senor Buscador had three workouts at San Luis Rey Downs training center in June, including a half-mile in 47.80 seconds on June 22. With four weeks remaining before the $300,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles, trainer Todd Fincher said on Saturday that “it’s going to cut close” on whether Senor Buscador will be ready.

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