Sun, 09/06/2015 - 16:17

Graham suspended three days for causing interference

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey James Graham has been suspended three days, Oct. 2-4, for causing interference that led to the disqualification of Melanistic in the third race Friday at Del Mar.

Melanistic finished first by a head over Enduring Erin in an optional claimer for fillies and mares at a mile. The stewards demoted Melanistic to second for drifting out in the stretch.

The suspension covers the second weekend of the Santa Anita autumn meeting but does not prevent Graham from riding in designated races or graded stakes during that time.

Sun, 09/06/2015 - 16:14

Calculator returns to training after eight months off

Benoit & Associates
Calculator, winning the Sham Stakes in January, is back in training and is targeting a prep race and then the Malibu at Santa Anita.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Calculator, winner of the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita in January, has resumed training after recovering from an injury that kept him out of action in the last eight months.

Trainer Peter Miller said Calculator is “not very far” in his training.

“He hasn’t breezed,” Miller said. “He’s back, and he looks well.”

Calculator, who races for Richard Pell, sustained a non-displaced condylar fracture that required surgery, Miller said.

“It was pretty severe,” Miller said. “He had an operation.”

Sun, 09/06/2015 - 16:09

Hollywood Don will stay on grass after Juvenile Turf win

Benoit & Associates
Hollywood Don, with Brice Blanc aboard, was among three winners for trainer Peter Miller on Saturday's program.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Hollywood Don has found a home on turf for the foreseeable future after winning his stakes debut Saturday in the $101,500 Del Mar Juvenile Turf.

The temptation to try a stakes on the main track and eventually take part in the buildup to the 2016 Triple Crown is in trainer Peter Miller’s mind – for later.

“He’s trained well on dirt,” Miller said. “It’s something we’ll consider going forward, but in the immediate future, we’ll keep him on the grass.”

Sun, 09/06/2015 - 15:59

Songbird a likely favorite for Chandelier after Debutante victory

Benoit & Associates
Songbird could be headed to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies after a 5 1/4-length win under Mike Smith in the Del Mar Debutante.

DEL MAR, Calif. – The decisive win by Songbird in Saturday’s $301,250 Del Mar Debutante will lead to a predictable schedule in coming weeks.

Songbird is the likely favorite for the $300,000 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles Sept. 26 at Santa Anita, a key prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland on Oct. 31. Songbird will very much be part of the discussion for the BC Juvenile Fillies if she can repeat her performance from the Debutante in the Chandelier.

Sun, 09/06/2015 - 13:26

Pletcher ponders which Breeders' Cup race best for Liam's Map

Michael Amoruso
Liam's Map is under consideration for both the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and the $5 million Classic.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Liam’s Map, dominant winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, will most likely make his next start in the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, trainer Todd Pletcher said Sunday. What remains to be determined, however, is whether that start will be in the $1 million Dirt Mile on Oct. 30 or the $5 million Classic on Oct. 31.

Sat, 09/05/2015 - 15:31

With Sticksstatelydude, Burchell finally in spotlight

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Greg Burchell has been around horses his whole life and helped develop several champions, though none of them generated much national recognition for him personally.

As he prepares to wind down his career in racing, Burchell, 54, has developed one more horse he believes might have star quality. If so, everyone may soon know Burchell’s name.

Sat, 09/05/2015 - 15:16

V. E. Day pointed to Temperence Hill

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – V. E. Day, winless since taking last year’s Grade 1 Travers, will make his next start Saturday in the $200,000 Temperence Hill Stakes at Belmont Park, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.

V. E. Day, fifth in the Whitney last out, worked a mile in 1:41.17 on Thursday over Saratoga’s main track. He went the opening half-mile in 50.96 seconds and went in 50.21 for the second half-mile.

“It was good, pretty typical of him going two turns,” Jerkens said. “When you work him two turns, he’s methodical like that. He’ll work unbelievably fast at Belmont.”

Sat, 09/05/2015 - 15:11

I Spent It works five furlongs on comeback trail

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – I Spent It, the winner of the Grade 2 Saratoga Special and the runner-up in the Grade 1 Hopeful last year, zipped five furlongs in 59.79 seconds Saturday over the Saratoga main track as he continues his comeback from some minor issues that have sidelined him since April.

After the work, trainer Tony Dutrow said he would point I Spent It to the Grade 3, $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx on Sept. 19.

“We’re over the moon,” Dutrow said. “I don’t think you could want a horse any better.”

Sat, 09/05/2015 - 15:11

Percolator sidelined with tibia fracture

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Percolator, who finished third but was elevated to second July 25 in the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga, is sidelined with a hairline fracture of the tibia, trainer John Servis said.

Servis said no surgery is needed, and the colt is getting 90 days off on the farm.

“He’ll be fine,” said Servis. “He just needs time to heal up. We’ll get him back at Palm Meadows.”

Percolator, a son of Flashy Bull, won his debut by 4 3/4 lengths at Monmouth Park in June.

Sat, 09/05/2015 - 15:11

Championofthenile gives Rice fourth juvenile win

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Linda Rice spent a lot of money in the last year on young horses, and if the initial results are any indication, it has been money well spent.

Rice won her fourth 2-year-old race of the meet and her third with a horse she purchased when Championofthenile, an $840,000 purchase as a 2-year-old in training, scored a front-running six-length victory Friday at Saratoga.