Sat, 08/01/2015 - 15:04

Motown Men targets Brubaker

Shigeki Kikkawa
Motown Men wins the Tiznow Stakes for California-breds at a mile on May 23 at Santa Anita.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Motown Men won for the third time in his last five starts in a competitive optional claimer in Friday’s sixth race at a mile. The win will lead to a start in the $80,000 Harry Brubaker Stakes at a mile Aug. 26, trainer Ted H. West said on Saturday.

Sat, 08/01/2015 - 15:00

After CTBA win, Obey eyes Generous Portion

Benoit & Associates
Obey, ridden by Tiago Pereira, wins the CTBA Stakes by three-quarters of a length Friday.

DEL MAR, Calif. – The 2-year-old filly Obey gave trainer Sam Scolamieri his first stakes win in more than 18 years when she won the $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar on Friday night.

Scolamieri might only wait another month for his next big win.

On Saturday, Scolamieri, who is based at the San Luis Rey Downs training center in northern San Diego County, said Obey will be considered for the $150,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs Aug. 28.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 18:45

Saratoga pick six carryover of $309,846 for Saturday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Adding spice to an already solid card at Saratoga, there will be a pick six carryover of $309,846 into Saturday’s 11-race program.

The pick six starts with race 6 (3:53 p.m. Eastern) and includes three stakes races – the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Grade 2 Bowling Green, and Grade 2 Jim Dandy, the latter of which will have a four-horse field.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 15:31

Jerkens: V. E. Day ready for Whitney

Barbara D. Livingston
Noble Bird works at Saratoga on Friday for his matchup against V. E. Day and Tonalist in next Saturday's Grade 1 Whitney.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – V. E. Day, the 2014 Travers winner, worked a stamina-building six furlongs in 1:14.17 on Friday over Saratoga’s main track in preparation for next Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney Stakes.

With Kelvin Pahal in the irons, V. E. Day went in fractions of 25.63 seconds, 37.51, and 49.08 and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:28.16.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said he was happy with what he saw and believes that despite V. E. Day having had only two starts this year, his fitness level is where it needs to be to face a star-studded cast shaping up for the Whitney.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 15:20

Walder eyes graded stakes for Come to Mischief, Maid On a Mission

Michael Burns
Sunday's Adirondack Stakes marks Come to Mischief's first start since winning her career debut in the My Dear Stakes.

Trainer Peter Walder could have graded stakes starters on two fronts Aug. 15. He said Come to Mischief is on deck for the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga, while Maid On a Mission is possible for the Grade 1, $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park.

“I might need to clone myself,” said Walder.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 12:58

Valenzuela loses bid to resume riding

Barbara D. Livingston
Patrick Valenzuela was turned down by the California Horse Racing Board in his attempt to resume working at the racetrack as either a jockey or exercise rider.

The California Horse Racing Board has rejected a request by Patrick Valenzuela to allow the troubled jockey to resume his career.

In a closed hearing at Del Mar on July 17, the racing board rejected the opinion of a hearing officer, who recommended that the 52-year-old Valenzuela be allowed to ride. The decision was announced in a statement released by the racing board Friday.

Valenzuela’s case before the hearing officer was held earlier this year.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 11:37

Pender fined $5,000

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Mike Pender was fined $5,000 on Thursday after reaching a settlement agreement with the California Horse Racing Board regarding an infraction for benefiting financially while under suspension in 2014, according to a ruling issued by Del Mar stewards.

Pender was suspended 21 days and fined $5,000 last year for having five horses test positive for Class 4 medications in a 12-month period ending June 15, 2014. During the suspension, Pender issued “billing for training services,” according to steward Scott Chaney.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 11:36

No summer rematch for Wild Dude, Masochistic

Benoit & Associates
Wild Dude, recent winner of the Bing Crosby, will point to the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien on Aug. 22.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Wild Dude and Masochistic, the first two finishers in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on July 26, are going their separate ways. Wild Dude is a candidate for the $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs Aug. 22. The Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth for the BC Dirt Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 30.

“That looks like a logical spot,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

The Bing Crosby win gave Wild Dude an automatic berth for the BC Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 11:32

Moulin de Mougin retired

DEL MAR, Calif. – Moulin de Mougin, who won the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar in 2014 and three other races in a 16-race career, has been retired because of concern over the condition of an ankle, trainer Richard Mandella said.

Moulin de Mougin left Mandella’s barn at Del Mar on Thursday for owners Jan Van de Bos and Robert Naify’s property in central California.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 11:32

Stellar Wind’s next start hinges on turf workout

Shigeki Kikkawa
Trainer John Sadler is unsure whether he wants to point Stellar Wind to the Del Mar Oaks on turf or the Torrey Pines at a mile on dirt.

DEL MAR, Calif. – A six-furlong turf workout at Del Mar on Sunday will determine the next start for Grade 1 winner Stellar Wind.

Trained by John Sadler for Kosta and Pete Hronis, Stellar Wind was a notable absentee from Saturday’s $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, the top race of the summer meeting for fillies and mares.

Sadler said he is considering races such as the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on turf or the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes at a mile on dirt.

“It depends on whether I want to stay on turf or dirt,” he said.