Tue, 05/28/2024 - 14:44

Nutella Fella, Becky's Joker tune up for 3-year-old debuts

Debra A. Roma
Nutella Fella scores a 54-1 upset in the Grade 1 Hopeful last summer at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Nutella Fella and Becky’s Joker were two of the more improbable winners of the 2023 Saratoga racing season. On Tuesday, the pair breezed six furlongs in company in 1:14.42 over the Oklahoma training track in their final serious works in preparation for their 2024 debuts, both of which are scheduled to take place during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival next weekend at Saratoga.

Mon, 05/27/2024 - 15:13

National Treasure probable for Met Mile

National Treasure wins Pegasus World Cup Jan 27 2024
Barbara D. Livingston
Bob Baffert said if National Treasure breezes well this weekend he'll be on a Sunday plane to New York.

A 2023 Preakness rematch looks to be in the offing as National Treasure and Blazing Sevens are both expected to run in the Grade 1, $1 million Metropolitan Handicap on June 8.

National Treasure won the Pegasus World Cup and finished fourth in the Saudi Cup. Trainer Bob Baffert said he was very happy with the colt’s six-furlong workout in 1:11 at Santa Anita last week.

“It was a good move, a good enough move if he comes back and breezes well this weekend he gets on the plane Sunday,” Baffert said.

Mon, 05/27/2024 - 13:50

Lovingier gets a hat trick of maiden winners

Fasig-Tipton
Terry Lovingier bred and co-owned the winners of three maiden races on Sunday's Santa Anita card.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The fillies In the Air Tonight and Lil’ Bit Bossy and the colt Rumble King gave California breeder Terry Lovingier a sweep of the three maiden races for statebred juveniles at 4 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Sunday.

All three are set to run in stakes this summer.

Lovingier co-owns each of the winners. All are by Stay Thirsty, who stands at Lovingier’s Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs, Calif.

Mon, 05/27/2024 - 13:50

Adare Manor continues to improve with age

Benoit Photo
Adare Manor followed her monster Apple Blossom victory with this 4 1/4-length win in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – After a narrow loss in her 2024 debut in early March, Adare Manor completed a perfect spring campaign with a second win in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Sunday.

The win builds toward an expected start in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 3, and a chance to gain a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 2.

Fri, 05/24/2024 - 15:31

Senor Buscador possible to return in San Diego Handicap

Debra A. Roma
After a successful 2023, which included a win in the Saudi Cup, Senor Buscador is possible to return in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar.

Senor Buscador, winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup in February and third in the $12 million Dubai World Cup in March, is tentatively scheduled to return to racing in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 27.

The 6-year-old Senor Buscador is currently based with trainer Richard Baltas at San Luis Rey Downs training center in northern San Diego county, not far from Del Mar. Senor Buscador will rejoin longtime trainer Todd Fincher’s stable next week when Fincher sends a group of horses to San Luis Rey Downs in advance of the Del Mar meeting that begins on July 20.

Fri, 05/24/2024 - 15:31

Defending winner Exaulted will skip Shoemaker Mile

Benoit Photo
Exaulted scored a break-through victory in last year's Shoemaker Mile but will skip this year's race on Monday.

Exaulted won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita in a career-defining performance in 2023, but will miss the same race on Monday, trainer Peter Eurton said on Friday.

“We’re going to wait and find another race for him,” Eurton said.

Exaulted has not raced since he finished second to Du Jour in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile last September. He missed the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita last November after being scratched on race week.

Fri, 05/24/2024 - 13:55

Love Appeals must overcome wide draw to return to winning ways

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Getting back to the turf, Love Appeals must overcome a wide draw in Sunday's feature at Churchill Downs.

With only a minor chance of rain into the weekend, soggy Churchill Downs could get back onto the grass course as soon as Saturday. And if the filly Love Appeals gets back on grass in the Sunday feature, she can get back to the winner’s circle for the first time in 13 months.

Fri, 05/24/2024 - 13:50

Cox barn looks primed for a big summer

Julie Wright
Idiomatic, defending older female champion, made her 2024 debut a winning one, taking the La Troienne last out.

Brad Cox didn’t win the Kentucky Derby, didn’t win the Preakness, but don’t shed a tear for the man. Cox comes into summer with a typically loaded stable that includes leading older dirt-route horse in both the female and male divisions.

Thu, 05/23/2024 - 14:22

Racing to resume Saturday after cancellations

Barbara D. Livingston
Golden Gate will close on June 9, with Pleasanton taking over the fall meet this year.

Golden Gate Fields resumes racing on Saturday for the first time in a week after cancelling racing last Sunday and Friday this week because of a lack of entries.

Golden Gate Fields will close on June 9.

Since mid-April, Golden Gate Fields has cancelled five days of racing as the stable area population has dwindled with some horses being sent to other circuits. There were approximately 700 horses housed at Golden Gate Fields aside from unraced 2-year-olds, a track official said earlier this month.

Thu, 05/23/2024 - 14:21

Hess to take a shot with Ashcroft against spotty field in Hollywood Gold Cup

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Bob Hess Jr. will send Ashcroft in Monday's Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita, the first stakes try and first start beyond a mile for the 4-year-old.

A colt who has never run in a stakes and has not raced beyond a mile is expected to start in Monday’s Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita.

If there is a time to try a new distance in a once-prestigious race, trainer Bob Hess, Jr., is ready to do so with the improving Ashcroft.

Owned by Craig Netwig and Debra Barkley’s GMT Racing Stables, the 4-year-old Ashcroft has won his last two starts since late March, both at a mile at Santa Anita – a maiden race on March 24 and an allowance race on April 27.