Fri, 12/06/2024 - 12:16

Patch Adams puts a smile on Cox's face with 98-Beyer win

Coady Media

Patch Adams leaves the field in his wake, scoring a lengthy victory in a seven-furlong maiden race Nov. 30 at Churchill that earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure.

Trainer Brad Cox saddled the undefeated Godolphin filly Good Cheer to comfortably win the Grade 2 Golden Rod last weekend, but she wasn’t the most eye-catching among four Cox winners on that Nov. 30 card, composed only of 2-year-old races.

The Into Mischief colt Patch Adams in his second start won a seven-furlong maiden race by more than 10 lengths, his raw time of 1:20.77 yielding a 98 Beyer Speed Figure, just one point lower than the highest 2-year-old figure of 2024, Rated By Merit’s 99 from a Florida sires stakes in late October.

Fri, 12/06/2024 - 12:06

Former jockey Torres taught First Resort patience

By Marcus Hersh

Coady Media

First Resort rated much kinder in his win in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.

Several days before the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Nov. 30 at Churchill Downs, trainer Eoin Harty lamented the impatience with which First Resort, a 2-year-old colt he trains for Godolphin, approached the Saratoga Special on Aug. 10. Making his second start following a debut victory at Ellis Park, First Resort held gamely to finish second of eight in the Saratoga Special after compromising his chances dueling for the lead on a fast pace.

Thu, 12/05/2024 - 15:30

Johannes well wound for start in San Gabriel on opening day at Santa Anita

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Johannes won four in a row this year before just coming up short in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

An eager Johannes is set to have his first start since a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last month in the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

Trainer Tim Yakteen has the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25 targeted as a wintertime goal for Johannes. Yakteen said on Thursday that Johannes has shown enthusiasm in recent weeks and that a start in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes has become more realistic.

Thu, 12/05/2024 - 12:08

Wood Memorial card highlight of spring Aqueduct meet

By David Grening

Adam Coglianese/NYRA

The Excelsior has been lengthened to 1 1/4 miles and added to the Wood Memorial card on April 5.

The Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial headlines an Aqueduct spring stakes schedule that will offer 12 stakes worth $2.8 million during the 15-day meet that runs April 3-27, the New York Racing Association announced Thursday.

The Wood is the last of four stakes for 3-year-olds run at Aqueduct during the first quarter of 2025 that offer qualifying points to the May 3 Kentucky Derby. The winter program includes the Jerome, Withers, and Gotham, offered the first Saturday in January, February, and March, respectively.

Wed, 12/04/2024 - 15:18

Ben Cecil's last winner, Look Forward, joins Michael McCarthy's stable

By Steve Andersen

Barbara D. Livingston

Ben Cecil died on Nov. 29 at age 56. Look Forward is expected to run in Saturday's Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos on Saturday.

Look Forward, a recent arrival at trainer Michael McCarthy’s stable, is a poignant addition.

A 2-year-old filly, Look Forward was the final winner for trainer Ben Cecil, in a maiden race at six furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 8. Cecil died on Nov. 29 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 56.

McCarthy worked for Cecil well before he began training on his own. The two remained friends.

On Saturday at Los Alamitos, Look Forward is scheduled to start in the Grade 2 Starlet Stakes, a $200,000 race at 1 1/16 miles.

Wed, 12/04/2024 - 15:01

Mystik Dan likely to launch comeback in Malibu Stakes

By Steve Andersen

Barbara D. Livingston

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan hasn't started since finishing eighth in the Belmont Stakes on June 8. Trainer Kenny McPeek may van Mystik Dan from Fair Grounds to California for the Malibu.

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is scheduled to have his first start since June in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.

The $300,000 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs will be Mystik Dan’s first start since an eighth-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga on June 8, and the colt’s first sprint since a maiden race win at 5 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs in November 2023.

“We’re fully considering the Malibu,” trainer Kenny McPeek said on Wednesday.

Wed, 12/04/2024 - 12:42

NYRA to offer 20 stakes during winter meeting

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

The winter stakes program will include three points preps for the Kentucky Derby, the Jerome, Withers, and Gotham stakes.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- There will be 20 stakes worth $3.1 million offered during Aqueduct’s 2025 winter meet, which will have 49 programs from Jan. 1-March 30, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday.

During the 2024 winter meet, there were 26 stakes offered totaling $3.5 million in purses. This winter, NYRA has eliminated a trio of $100,000 stakes – the Cicada, Rego Park, and Franklin Square – while moving three stakes – the Excelsior, Haynesfield, and Biogio’s Rose – to the spring meet.

Wed, 12/04/2024 - 12:02

Big purses lure 17 new faces to Oaklawn trainer ranks

By Mary Rampellini

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Mark Casse will have a division at Oaklawn Park this winter.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn’s purses are projected to average more than $900,000 per card, and the riches over an extended period of dates have helped lure 17 new trainers to the meet.

“These are outfits that run in New York or Florida or California and elsewhere,” Oaklawn president Lou Cella said. “They’re making a concerted effort to relocate for the season. They see the shining star and they’re headed for it.”

Wed, 12/04/2024 - 11:59

Oaklawn expands gift shop, concession stand to apron

By Mary Rampellini

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Patrons returning to Oaklawn for the new meet will see some changes near the sixteenth pole area of the apron.

“We’ve been around for over 100 years, so we always have to do something, and this year we’re expanding the Winning Colors Gift Shop and the Pony Express Grill,” track president Lou Cella said in late November.

Wed, 12/04/2024 - 11:57

Changes paying off for Oaklawn's path to Kentucky Derby

By Mary Rampellini

Mystik Dan wins the Southwest at OP Feb 3 2024

Coady Photography

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan wins the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in 2024.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Oaklawn Park program for 3-year-olds is due a victory lap ahead of Friday’s season opener after it “hogged” the national spotlight this year with Arkansas-raced runners Mystik Dan winning the Kentucky Derby, Seize the Grey taking the Preakness, and Thorpedo Anna winning the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

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