Wed, 09/25/2024 - 15:02

Sugar Fish tries to get back on track in the Zenyatta

Benoit photo

Sugar Fish will be trying to rebound from a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch when she faces older rivals in the Zenyatta Stakes on Saturday.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday will be take two for the 3-year-old filly Sugar Fish in an important stakes against older fillies and mares.

Sugar Fish won the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in June by 9 3/4 lengths, but was sixth by 11 1/2 lengths in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes against older fillies and mares at Del Mar on Aug. 3 after a wide trip.

“It took her a long time to get over that race,” trainer Jeff Mullins said recently.

Wed, 09/25/2024 - 14:50

Motion trying to gauge if Trikari is Breeders' Cup-ready

By Steve Andersen

Trikari wins Secretariat at CNL Aug 11 2024

Coady Media

In his last two starts, Trikari has won the Grade 2 Secretariat (above) at Colonial Downs and the Grade 1 Belmont Derby at Aqueduct.

The lone 3-year-old, and only shipper, in Saturday’s Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on turf at Santa Anita is the millionaire Trikari who has shown rapid improvement since early spring.

Trikari has won four stakes at four different tracks in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia by racing near the front or from slightly off the pace.

Wed, 09/25/2024 - 14:20

Adrianne DeVaux to send out first starter

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Spirit of St Louis will run next in open company, in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When someone would ask Adrianne DeVaux when she would begin training horses on her own, her answer was always the same.

“Just give me five years,” said DeVaux, the younger sister of trainer Cherie DeVaux.

Well, that timeline has been pushed up a bit. Saturday, at Aqueduct, Adrianne DeVaux, 26, will send out her first starter when she runs the 2-year-old Shoot the Nickel in a maiden race for horses that sold for $50,000 or less at auction or did not reach their reserve of $50,000 or less.

Wed, 09/25/2024 - 14:15

Maiden winner Filoso headed to Breeders' Futurity

By David Grening

Susie Raisher/NYRA

Filoso was a maiden winner this summer at Saratoga.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Filoso, a maiden winner at Saratoga this summer, is heading to the Breeders’ Futurity to take advantage of the two turns.

“The two turns made the most sense,” said Chad Summers, who trains Filoso for owner Al Gold. “Is there an eye towards the Breeders’ Cup? Of course, but there’s also an eye toward his 3-year-old campaign. You want to see where you’re at and where you stack up.”

After finishing fourth on debut July 20, Filoso, a son of City of Light, won a one-mile maiden race by 3 1/2 lengths on Aug. 29 at Saratoga.

Wed, 09/25/2024 - 14:05

Ferocious will go next in Breeders' Futurity

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Ferocious's first two races were at one turn, including a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Hopeful. He tries two turns in the Breeders' Futurity.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Ferocious, runner-up to Chancer McPatrick in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on Sept. 2 at Saratoga, will make his next start in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity on Oct. 5 at Keeneland, part-owner Ramiro Restrepo said Tuesday.

Restrepo said the ability to stretch Ferocious out in distance and go two turns made the Breeders’ Futurity more appealing than the Grade 1, $400,000 Champagne, a one-turn mile race run the same day at Aqueduct.

Wed, 09/25/2024 - 11:35

Princess Rooney winner Soul of an Angel headed to BC Filly and Mare Sprint

By Mary Rampellini

Soul of an Angel wins Princess Rooney at GP Sept 21 2024

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos

Soul of an Angel successfully cut back in distance in the Princess Rooney, rallying from last for a 3 1/4-length win. She earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

Soul of an Angel emerged from her win in the Grade 3 Princess Rooney on Saturday at Gulfstream Park in good order and is scheduled to run next in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Tuesday.

“She bounced out the race well,” he said. “She’ll stay in Florida and ship to the Breeders’ Cup, all being well.”

The $1 million BC Filly and Mare Sprint, which will be run over seven furlongs, is Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Wed, 09/25/2024 - 11:35

Two of D'Angelo's Breeders' Cup horses to work Sunday

By Mary Rampellini

Howard Wolowitz wins Franklin-Simpson at KD Sept 7 2024

Coady Media

Howard Wolowitz wins the Grade 1 Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs. The 3-year-old will work at Palm Meadows for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on Sunday.

Grade 1 winner Howard Wolowitz and Gulfstream Park stakes winner Gabaldon are both scheduled to work at Palm Meadows on Sunday in preparation for Breeders’ Cup races, according to trainer Jose D’Angelo.

The horses are among three runners D’Angelo is pointing to the championship series at Del Mar. He said Bentornato, who won the Grade 2 Gallant Bob last Saturday at Parx Racing, is targeting the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 2.

Tue, 09/24/2024 - 12:06

Castellano plans Oct. 3 return to riding after hand injury

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Javier Castellano fractured his hand in a spill at Saratoga on Aug. 30.

Jockey Javier Castellano, who suffered a fractured hand in a spill at Saratoga on Aug. 30, got clearance from his doctor on Tuesday to resume riding and is expected to begin riding races again on Oct. 3 at Aqueduct, his agent, P.J. Campo, said.

Campo said that Castellano will likely start getting on horses a few days before he rides in the afternoon. Entries for the Oct. 3 card will be taken on Friday. Among his first expected mounts back will be Donegal Momentum in the $135,000 Gio Ponti Stakes for 3-year-olds on turf on Oct. 3 at Aqueduct.

Mon, 09/23/2024 - 19:10

Seven enter California Crown, with a few on the fence

By Steve Andersen

Barbara D. Livingston

Senor Buscador's biggest victory came in the $20 million Saudi Cup in February.

The number of runners in Saturday’s Grade 1 California Crown at Santa Anita may not necessarily equal the number of runners entered on Monday.

The field of seven is led by the older horses Senor Buscador, the winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia in February, and National Treasure, who won the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park in January; and the 3-year-old Muth, the winner of his last two starts, the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby in March and Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on Sept. 1.

Mon, 09/23/2024 - 13:53

Dettori expected to resume riding on Sunday

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Frankie Dettori suffered a separated shoulder on Sept. 19. He has been given permission from his doctor to start riding again when he feels well enough.

Jockey Frankie Dettori, who suffered a separated shoulder in a spill at Aqueduct on Sept. 19, is expected to resume riding Sunday at Aqueduct, his agent, Ron Anderson said Monday afternoon.

On Monday morning, Dettori saw orthopedic specialist Dr. Stephen O’Brien, who told him he could start back “as soon as he wants,” Anderson said.

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