DEL MAR, Calif. – Gabriel Charles, a Grade 1 winner in July who underwent colic surgery last Saturday, will remain at a veterinary clinic in Bonsall, Calif., until at least late August, said trainer Jeff Mullins.
Gabriel Charles was rushed to the clinic after showing signs of distress after training last Saturday, Mullins said. Surgery was conducted that afternoon.
Mullins described Gabriel Charles’s condition as “day to day.”
Churchill Downs on Wednesday released the schedule of points races that will determine eligibility for the 2016 Kentucky Derby, with the lone change being a doubling in points for the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile from 10 to 20.
Otherwise, the schedule of 35 races remains virtually the same as it has since the points system was first implemented leading into the 2013 Derby, although Churchill also announced Wednesday a modification to the tiebreaker rule for two or more horses with the same number of points.
The Maryland Jockey Club has started construction on the second of three new 150-stall barns at Laurel Park.
“We’re looking forward to completing the barns by the spring of 2016,” said Sal Sinatra, the Maryland Jockey Club’s general manager.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Rattataptap lost all chance for a win in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at a mile on turf June 27 at Del Mar when she was stuck in traffic with a quarter-mile to go. She finished fourth, a performance good enough to merit a start in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf Saturday.
The Senorita was a source of frustration for trainer Phil D’Amato, who watched Rattataptap miss by 3 3/4 lengths to Prize Exhibit despite the trouble.
Jockey Alex Thomas, who was badly injured in a spill at Charles Town on July 25, has made substantial progress in his recovery and expects to soon be released from Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va.
Thomas, 32, is out of intensive care, off the respirator that he needed after the accident, and is walking at the hospital daily. Thomas broke most of his ribs, punctured his lungs, and suffered facial injuries, among other injuries, in the four-horse accident.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Catch a Flight has won three graded stakes in Southern California since early May, the most recent being the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 25.
Despite those accomplishments, Catch a Flight might not be favored in the track’s richest race, the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles Aug. 22. Catch a Flight might not even rank as the best chance for trainer Richard Mandella, a role that will go to Beholder, the 5-year-old mare and two-time champion.
“I like them both equally,” Mandella said Wednesday.
Laurel Park has scheduled Maryland Pride Day on Aug. 22, closing weekend of its summer meet. The card will consist of races for Maryland-sired or -bred horses. There will be four $50,000 stakes – two turf sprints and two 1 1/8-mile turf races.
DEL MAR, Calif. – It’s the nature of the claiming game that horses come into a barn and can quickly go, but trainer Peter Miller had grown quite attached to Nextdoorneighbor, who was claimed away from him Saturday after eight races and six victories.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Whitney Stakes winner Honor Code’s first trip back to the track Wednesday was a bit more exciting than anticipated. The colt was on the Oklahoma training track as another horse ran loose for several minutes before being apprehended in the stable area.
Other than that, the morning took place without incident, and Honor Code appeared eager while jogging a little more than a mile with his stable pony.
“Terrific,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “He came out real good.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Keen Ice continued his preparation for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes on Aug. 29 with another strong gallop Wednesday here. Trainer Dale Romans said he plans to breeze the colt Saturday on Saratoga’s main track.
“The plan is to run, whoever’s in the race,” Romans said, alluding to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, whose status for the Travers remains uncertain.
