Mon, 10/17/2016 - 12:59

Nyquist gets target for six-furlong workout

Barbara D. Livingston
Nyquist has lost three consecutive starts ahead of the Breeders' Cup Classic.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Nyquist worked six furlongs in company Monday at Santa Anita, where time is running out for the Kentucky Derby winner to regain top form.

Nyquist won his first eight starts but has lost all three since the Derby. He finished sixth last out. Despite uncertain form, the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5 remains the goal. After the Monday work, it was fair to wonder if Nyquist still has it.

“To me, it’s there,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “We have faith it’s there. But after three losses in a row, we’re looking for his competitive spirits again.”

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 12:10

Noholdingback Bear breezes for BC Sprint

Barbara D. Livingston
Noholdingback Bear put in his first published work since winning the Gallant Bob on Sept. 24.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Noholdingback Bear returned to the Woodbine work tab Saturday, recording his first published work since winning the Grade 3 Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx Racing on Sept. 24.

Next for Noholdingback Bear is a trip to Santa Anita for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 5. Trainer Michael De Paulo said Saturday’s work, a four-furlong breeze in 48.20 seconds on the dirt training track, went well.

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 12:06

Dragon's Cry likely for Clarendon Stakes

Michael Burns
Dragon's Cry could make his next start in the Clarendon Stakes in November.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Dragon’s Cry upset the heavily favored Signature Spring to earn his first stakes victory in the Bull Page Stakes on Oct. 10 and now appears likely for Woodbine’s $150,000 Clarendon Stakes for Ontario-bred 2-year-olds over six furlongs on Tapeta on Nov. 5.

“I would think that would be the next move,” trainer Robert Tiller said.

Dragon’s Cry has won back-to-back races and was a runner-up in his Aug. 20 career debut. Tiller said it appears that Dragon’s Cry has come out of the Bull Page in good order.

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 12:00

Caren headed to Carotene Stakes

Michael Burns
Caren (left) wins the Ontario Colleen Stakes over Woodbine's turf track.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Caren recorded her third straight win and her first graded stakes victory in the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes over a mile on turf last time out Sept. 24. She will seek her fourth straight in Sunday’s $150,000 Carotene Stakes.

The Carotene is for Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies and covers 1 1/8 miles on Woodbine’s E.P. Taylor turf course.

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 11:30

Lucy N Ethel impressing new trainer in advance of Raven Run

Barbara D. Livingston
Lucy N Ethel, ridden by Jose Lezcano pays $47.40 for winning the Prioress.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lucy N Ethel will put her unbeaten record on the line Saturday as part of a terrific field of 3-year-old fillies in the richest race this week at Keeneland, the $250,000 Raven Run at seven furlongs.

Lucy N Ethel will be making her first start since being transferred by owners J A G Racing and Jettany Thoroughbred Corp. into the care of Tom Amoss about three weeks ago. The dark bay filly has had two breezes at Keeneland.

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 11:26

Time and Motion on fence for Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf

Coady Photography
Time and Motion, under John Velazquez, prevails by a head in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – For now, Time and Motion will remain under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf following her stirring victory Saturday in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.

Trainer Jimmy Toner said Monday from New York that he is “torn” about whether to proceed to Santa Anita for the Nov. 5 Filly and Mare Turf with Time and Motion, who prevailed in a tight three-way photo over Harmonize and Hawksmoor in the QE II.

Sun, 10/16/2016 - 16:07

Gormley continues works in prep for Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Shigeki Kikkawa
FrontRunner winner Gormley is pointing toward the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Gormley began October by winning his stakes debut in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1. Through the rest of the month, trainer John Shirreffs has planned workouts to prepare the colt for a variety of circumstances that could occur in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile here on Nov. 5.

Sat, 10/15/2016 - 15:53

Flintshire, Ectot get rare Saturday Belmont turf workout

Barbara D. Livingston
Ectot, ridden by Jose Ortiz, wins the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic by five lengths Saturday.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Flintshire and Ectot, the beaten favorite and the winner, respectively, of the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on Oct. 1, returned to the worktab Saturday morning at Belmont Park as they prepare for a rematch in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

The New York Racing Association opened the turf course Saturday for horses, and their workmates, who have Breeders' Cup plans. The turf course usually is open only on Sundays.

Sat, 10/15/2016 - 13:50

Melatonin, Union Strike put in works for Breeders' Cup races

Shigeki Kikkawa
Melatoin, by Kodiak Kowboy, wins the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

The Grade 1 winners Melatonin and Union Strike were among several Breeders’ Cup race hopefuls to work at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Union Strike worked six furlongs from the gate in 1:14 in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 5. Union Strike joined trainer Craig Dollase’s stable this week after owners Mick and Wendy Ruis transferred their runners from their daughter, first-year trainer Shelbe, to Dollase.

Sat, 10/15/2016 - 09:35

California Chrome drills for Breeders' Cup Classic

Benoit & Associates
California Chrome, geared down by jockey Victor Espinoza, wins the Awesome Again by 2 1/4 lengths.

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome on Saturday morning at Los Alamitos began his serious work in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, going a half-mile in 48 seconds in the first of three drills trainer Art Sherman has planned prior to the $6 million Classic on Nov. 5 at Santa Anita.

California Chrome two weeks ago won the Awesome Again Stakes in his final prep for the Classic. Sherman wanted an easy work on Saturday, something to get started, and California Chrome was eager to go.