Thu, 07/23/2015 - 09:40

Rossi taken to Indianapolis hospital with spinal injuries

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - Jockey Oriana Rossi was transported from a local hospital to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Wednesday after being injured in a spill at Indiana Grand earlier in the day. Two other riders injured in the spill, Francisco Torres and Alejandro Contreras, were released from Major Hospital in Shelbyville Wednesday night.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 15:41

Summer meet draws big fields for big purses

Barbara D. Livingston
Wise Dan will make his next start in Saturday's $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It might be difficult to outshine a Belmont Park meet at which the first Triple Crown in 37 years was accomplished, but the New York Racing Association hopes to do just that when the 147th Saratoga season opens Friday.

With the highest daily purses in the country, a lucrative stakes program, and the prestige of Saratoga, this 40-day meet brings together the top horses and horsemen from all over.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 15:16

Valdez placed on probation after drug test

Erin Palmer/Emerald Downs
Jockey Felipe Valdez has been ordered to submit to drug testing with California Horse Racing Board officials after he tested over the permitted level of the pain killers hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone in a random drug test at Santa Anita on June 13.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Felipe Valdez has been placed on probation for testing in excess of the permitted levels of three prescription medicines, according to a ruling issued by Del Mar stewards on Sunday.

In addition, Valdez was fined $500 for excessive use of the whip in a separate ruling issued Sunday.

Valdez, 37, has been ordered to submit to drug testing with California Horse Racing Board officials after he tested over the permitted level of the pain killers hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone in a random drug test at Santa Anita on June 13.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 15:16

Beholder puts in final major work for Clement L. Hirsch

Benoit & Associates
Champion Beholder wins the Adoration Stakes on June 13 at Santa Anita.

DEL MAR, Calif. – It took a little longer than expected, but Beholder, the two-time champion, had her final major workout on Wednesday for the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Aug. 1 at Del Mar.

Working in company with Grade 2 winner Moulin de Mougin, Beholder worked a mile in 1:40.20, a time that reflected the deep nature of the Del Mar main track Wednesday morning.

“It’s pretty tiring,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 14:51

Diana distance the challenge for Tepin

Barbara D. Livingston
Tepin wins the one-mile Just a Game at Belmont Park. She has to run a furlong farther in the Diana on Saturday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though she has won all three of her starts in 2015, including the Grade 1 Just a Game, Tepin still has questions to answer in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Diana Stakes at Saratoga.

Primarily, can she get the 1 1/8 miles the Diana requires?

In six career starts on turf, Tepin has three wins and a second. Her two bad efforts on turf have come in races at 1 1/8 miles.

:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Friday

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 14:36

Stevens has chance for redemption with Catch a Flight

Shigeki Kikkawa
Catch a Flight wins the Californian on May 30 at Santa Anita.

DEL MAR, Calif. – When Catch a Flight finished third as the 8-5 favorite in the $501,500 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 27, the most frustrated person involved with the horse was jockey Gary Stevens.

Looking back, Stevens wished he had not urged Catch a Flight to the lead in early stretch and had waited longer before making a move.

“I went to the lead too early, and they went by me,” Stevens said. “I didn’t like my ride. I’d like a do-over.”

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 14:16

Lanerie enters meet one hot jock

Barbara D. Livingston
Corey Lanerie, here aboard Molly Morgan following a win in the La Troienne at Churchill Downs, has five mounts on opening day of the Saratoga meet.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Corey Lanerie, who won his eighth Churchill Downs riding title during the spring-summer meet, will be a regular here for the second summer in a row. Lanerie is looking to get off to a fast start with five mounts on opening day, including One Minute for trainer Steve Asmussen in the Grade 3 Schuylerville and Lady Zuzu for D. Wayne Lukas in the Grade 2 Lake George.

Lanerie will be represented for the first time this summer by jockey agent Matt Muzikar.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 14:11

Wonder Gal dives right into deep end

Michael Amoruso
Wonder Gal will try for her first Grade 1 win in the Coaching Club American Oaks on Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – In a perfect world, trainer Leah Gyarmati would give Wonder Gal a little confidence booster against allowance company before the prestigious Alabama Stakes here Aug. 22. But with the timing for that “not quite right,” Gyarmati instead will try to get Wonder Gal that elusive first Grade 1 win in Sunday’s Coaching Club American Oaks.

Wonder Gal is Grade 1-placed four times but winless in six starts since capturing her career debut last summer at Belmont Park. She tuned up for the Oaks by breezing an easy half-mile in 50.51 seconds here Wednesday.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 12:55

Pletcher fillies head juvenile crop at summer meet

Barbara D. Livingston
Rachel Alexandra's second foal, Rachel's Valentina, is one of Todd Pletcher's promising 2-year-old fillies set to start at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Todd Pletcher has been the dominant trainer at Saratoga over the last five summers based primarily on the success of his 2-year-olds, with 83 of his 174 wins (47.7 percent) coming from his juveniles.

Typically, it’s the colts who lead the charge. This year, however, it appears that if Pletcher is to enjoy success again, it will be ladies first.

“For whatever reason, we have more fillies than colts this year, and it seems like our fillies are a little stronger than our colts,” Pletcher said Tuesday at Saratoga.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 11:36

Five trainers you’ll be hearing about

Barbara D. Livingston
Mark Casse is based at Saratoga for the first time since 2012.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There are some new kids in town this summer at Saratoga, and it won’t take long to find out if everybody will be talking about them.

Trainers Mark Casse, Brian Lynch, Eddie Plesa, Joe Sharp, and Keith Desormeaux will be based at Saratoga this summer. Casse and Plesa are not necessarily new to the Spa, having had strings here before. But Casse has not had horses at Saratoga since 2012, and Plesa hasn’t been based here since 2005.