Sun, 07/24/2016 - 18:34

Vets uncertain whether they can save Big Book

Benoit & Associates
Big Book scores by 2 1/4 lengths under Rafael Bejarano in the Fleet Treat for California-bred 3-year-old fillies.

DEL MAR, Calif.- Big Book, a three-time winner who was graded stakes-placed last year, remained under evaluation on Sunday, a day after sustaining sesamoid injuries in a workout at Del Mar.

Trainer Tim Yakteen said veterinarians were assessing whether Big Book could undergo an operation and be saved as a broodmare.

“They haven’t decided what to do,” he said.

Sun, 07/24/2016 - 17:57

Owners retire Her Emmynency, have high hopes for Auntjenn

Emily Shields
Impressive maiden winner Auntjenn could run in the Sorrento Stakes on Aug. 6.

DEL MAR, Calif .- The Grade 1 winner Her Emmynency has been retired after a series of poor performances, trainer Kristin Mulhall said over the weekend.

“She just gave up on us,” Mulhall said.

Owned by Ike and Dawn Thrash, Her Emmynency won 4 of 11 starts and earned $560,595. Mike Stidham trained Her Emmynency prior to this year.

Sun, 07/24/2016 - 16:17

California Chrome, Dortmund conquer physical ailments to remain elite runners

Emily Shields
California Chrome and Dortmund, headss apart during the stretch run of the San Diego Handicap, will continue their rivalry in next month's Pacific Classic.

DEL MAR, Calif. - The energy from California Chrome’s brilliant half-length win over Dortmund in Saturday’s $200,000 San Diego Handicap was still present at trainer Art Sherman’s stable at Del Mar on Sunday morning, a very welcome sort of hangover.

In his first start since a win in the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 26, California Chrome caught Dortmund in early stretch and held off his stubborn and determined rival through a thrilling final furlong.

“It was a battle,” said Frank Taylor, who co-owns California Chrome. “Dortmund is some kind of horse. He didn’t quit.”

Sat, 07/23/2016 - 15:50

Bar of Gold looks to break through in Honorable Miss Handicap

Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Bar of Gold, ridden by Junior Alvarado, holds off Haveyougoneaway to win the Critical Eye Stakes on Monday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The talented New York-bred Bar of Gold once again will seek her first graded stakes victory when she runs in Wednesday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap at Saratoga.

Bar of Gold is 4 for 4 against New York-breds but is winless in eight graded stakes tries. Last summer at Saratoga, she finished second to Cavorting in the Grade 1 Test and Grade 2 Prioress.

On Saturday morning, Bar of Gold blew out three furlongs in 36.44 seconds.

Sat, 07/23/2016 - 15:45

Stopchargingmaria to miss Shuvee Handicap

Barbara D. Livingston
Stopchargingmaria (above) and stablemate Curalina run next in the Shuvee at Saratoga on July 31.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Stopchargingmaria, the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner, will miss next Sunday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap due to a cough, trainer Pletcher said Saturday.

Pletcher still will be well represented in the race by Curalina, the Grade 1 La Troienne winner, who worked a solid half-mile in 47.86 seconds Saturday morning over the Saratoga main track.

Pletcher said if he didn’t have his radio to communicate with the exercise rider, Curalina “might have went a little quicker.”

Sat, 07/23/2016 - 15:39

Exaggerator likely to skip Jim Dandy after subpar workout

Debra A. Roma
Exaggerator works a half-mile in 50.16 seconds Saturday morning.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The anticipated meeting between Preakness winner Exaggerator and Belmont Stakes winner Creator in next Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga likely will not materialize after the connections of Exaggerator said their horse most likely will skip the race.

Exaggerator put in a subpar workout Saturday morning over the Saratoga main track, getting his first quarter-mile in 24.44 seconds and his last quarter in 25.72. He did not gallop out very strongly.

Sat, 07/23/2016 - 14:02

Enola Gray eyes Rancho Bernardo Handicap

Benoit & Associates
Enola Gray pulls away to win the seven-furlong Fleet Treat Stakes by 7 3/4 lengths.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Enola Gray extended her unbeaten streak to three races in Friday’s $147,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies at Del Mar, enhancing trainer Phil D’Amato’s deep team of prospects in the division for late summer.

Keeping them apart will be tricky.

Fri, 07/22/2016 - 22:55

Saratoga opening-day handle increases slightly

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – All-sources handle on Friday’s opening-day card at Saratoga was $17,763,037, a less than 1 percent increase compared to last year’s figure of $17,706,202.

Ontrack handle Friday was $4,703,479, a 6.6 percent decline from last year’s figure of $5,040,927.

The New York Racing Association announced attendance as 32,980, a 5.1 percent decrease from last year’s figure of 34,783. NYRA, as it did last year, counts season passes sold in its daily attendance count whether those ticketholders were here or not.

Fri, 07/22/2016 - 15:46

Surgical Strike eyes Secretariat

Four-Footed Fotos
Surgical Strike is likely to make his next start in the Grade 1 Secretariat on the Aug. 13 Arlington Million card.

Surgical Strike, a close fifth last out in the $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational, is likely to make his next start in the Grade 1 Secretariat on the Aug. 13 Arlington  Million card, trainer Ben Colebrook said.

Surgical Strike won the Arlington Classic here May 28 by a head over One Mean Man, a narrow win that took on added luster when One Mean Man returned to win the American Derby on Million Preview Day.

Fri, 07/22/2016 - 15:39

Faufiler likely to return to Chicago for Beverly D.

Four-Footed Fotos
Faufiler, winner of the Modesty Handicap on July 9, is under consideration for the Aug. 13 Beverly D.

Modesty Stakes winner Faufiler is a likely runner in the Beverly D. Stakes on Aug. 13 at Arlington, trainer Graham Motion said Thursday. ‘

The Niarchos family’s Flaxman Holdings Ltd., which owns Faufiler, also was considering sending a horse from Ireland for the Beverly D., but Motion said it now appears likely they will be represented by Faufiler.

“She’s being strongly considered for that race,” Motion said. “She’ll breeze next week. I usually give them three weeks after a race. My only reservation with her is the long ship.”