Wed, 01/04/2017 - 12:20

Servis develops another fast filly in Ms Locust Point

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Ms Locust Point will be pointed to the Grade 2 Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park.

In the fall of 2015, John Servis won a Parx maiden race with a 2-year-old filly and then sent her to Laurel Park for the Gin Talking Stakes, which she won easily. From there, it was off to Florida, with the Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park circled on the calendar.

As it turns out, Cathryn Sophia was up to the challenge and won by 5 1/2 lengths. She added the Davona Dale next and then finished a close third in the Grade 1 Ashland before scoring her biggest win before a national audience in the Kentucky Oaks.

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 11:36

California Chrome picks up steam in final three furlongs of five-furlong breeze

Barbara D. Livingston
California Chrome had his final workout in California on Wednesday before leaving for Florida, where he will run in the Pegasus World Cup.

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome is being sent to Florida on Friday in a condition that has delighted trainer Art Sherman.

Sherman has had California Chrome in his Southern California stable for most of the last four years and said the 6-year-old is training better now than in recent seasons. California Chrome is scheduled to have his final start in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28 before going to stud in Kentucky in February.

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 09:26

Daily handle dips a bit at holiday meet

All-sources daily wagering was down slightly at the Turfway holiday meet that ended last Saturday night, according to figures released by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Per-day wagering averaged $1,583,827 during the 20-day meet, which began Nov. 30. That was down 3.6 percent from the $1,642,549 averaged during a 15-day holiday meet in December 2015.

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 09:26

Ouzts, 62, getting push for Hall of Fame consideration

Jonh C. Engelhardt/Coady Photography
Perry Ouzts, 62, has won 6,712 races, putting him 11th on the all-time list.

Turfway Park will recognize the remarkable career of Perry Ouzts during a ceremony between races Friday night at the northern Kentucky track. Perry Ouzts Day is an effort to heighten awareness of a fan-driven initiative to get the 62-year-old jockey into the Racing Hall of Fame.

With 6,712 career victories, Ouzts ranks 11th all time among North American jockeys and third among active riders behind only Edgar Prado (6,932) and Mario Pino (6,777).

Tue, 01/03/2017 - 19:04

Turf Paradise cancels after first-race spill

PHOENIX – Turf Paradise canceled live racing Tuesday after a spill and fatal breakdown in day’s first race. The track had canceled the racing cards of Jan. 1 and 2 after heavy rain hit the Phoenix area over the weekend.

Running for Annie, ridden by Jake Barton, was well back while racing wide into the lane in Tuesday’s opener, a maiden-claiming sprint, when she broke down and fell. The Paulick Report reported that Barton did not suffer any serious injury, though Running for Annie had to be euthanized.

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 15:50

Fair Grounds newcomer Walsh has good older horses

. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges Jr.

Trainer Brendan Walsh is running a Fair Grounds string for the first time this winter, and his horses, particularly two older dirt-route horses, have been doing well.

The 5-year-old Honorable Duty won the Tenacious Stakes around two turns on dirt Dec. 17 and is set to make his next start in the Jan. 21 Louisiana Stakes. The 4-year-old Egyptian scored in a sharp first-level, two-turn dirt allowance Dec. 29 and, while not as advanced as his stablemate, also seems headed in the right direction.

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 15:40

Cox 3-year-olds have good day on turf

Lou Hodges Jr.
Believe in Bertie paid $5.00 to win in the Pago Hop Stakes.

Saturday was a good day – almost great – for the Brad Cox stable’s 3-year-old filly grass horses.

At Fair Grounds, Believe in Bertie ran off the screen in the $75,000 Pago Hop, setting a course record for one mile in an eye-popping performance. At Santa Anita, Sassy Little Lila ran an excellent race but was nipped at the wire by Decked Out in the Grade 1 American Oaks.

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 15:06

Brown, Ortiz, Dubb top categories

Photos by Barbara D. Livingston
From left: Chad Brown led all trainers in wins and earnings at NYRA tracks in 2016; Jose Ortiz led jockeys in wins; and Michael Dubb led owners in wins.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Chad Brown, Jose Ortiz, and Michael Dubb were the dominant connections on the New York Racing Association circuit in 2016.

Brown was the leading trainer at NYRA tracks with 135 winners and $15,041,606 in purse earnings. It was the second straight year that Brown was the leading trainer at NYRA tracks; he won 131 races in 2015. Rudy Rodriguez finished second in wins last year with 127 and was followed by Todd Pletcher (112), Linda Rice (91), and David Jacobson (60).

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 15:06

Send It In staying put

Joe Labozzetta/NYRA
Send It In wins the Alex M. Robb on Saturday. He will stay at Aqueduct rather than head to Gulfstream for a stakes.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Following Send It In’s victory in Saturday’s Alex M. Robb Stakes, owner Paul Pompa Jr. mentioned the possibility of shipping the horse to south Florida for either the $12 million Pegasus or the $400,000 Poseidon, both Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.

On Monday, however, Pompa said Send It In will stay in New York for the time being.

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 15:00

Wonder Gal goes for new owner in Ladies

Barbara D. Livingston
Wonder Gal, who finished fifth in the Gallant Bloom, is a leading contender in the Empire Distaff on Saturday.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Wonder Gal, a 5-year-old stakes-winning New York-bred mare, was recently sold privately. She will attempt to recoup some of her new owner’s investment in Saturday’s $100,000 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct.

The Clearview Stable of Bernard Cleary purchased Wonder Gal over the weekend from owner Jeff Treadway. Though Wonder Gal was purchased primarily as a broodmare prospect, she was being trained for the Ladies, which closed Monday with a five-horse field.