ELMONT, N.Y. – The life of a private trainer is an enjoyable one when the client is happy. You have only one person with whom to discuss plans; no need to hustle owners; a steady influx of horses.
But when the relationship sours – and ultimately ends – the trainer has to pick up the pieces and move on. That’s not always easy.
ARCADIA, Calif. – A spring spent in the Bay Area nearly made a stakes winner of Harmonic, who runs in Saturday’s $75,000 Singletary Stakes at a mile on turf.
Harmonic finished second by a nose in the Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on May 10 and returned to win an optional claimer at a mile on turf May 25. Those races have trainer Jerry Hollendorfer hoping Harmonic can be a factor in a competitive running of the Singletary.
“We think he’s better on turf,” Hollendorfer said. “He doesn’t mind us shipping him around.”
ARCADIA, Calif. – Although Prospect Park lost the Grade 3 Affirmed as the odds-on favorite June 7, the comeback effort – his first start in two months – earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure and set up the colt for a summer campaign.
Trainer Cliff Sise and owner Marty Wygod have discussed two options for what may be next.
“We’re looking at the Los Alamitos Derby or the Oceanside,” Sise said. “It’s 50-50.”
The purse for the Los Alamitos Derby on July 4 is $350,000, while the purse for the Oceanside Stakes on July 16 on turf at Del Mar is $100,000.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Bayern, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November who has been beaten in two starts this year, is a candidate for the $200,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 25 at Del Mar.
Trainer Bob Baffert said the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap has appeal because it is around two turns and could serve as a prep race for the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 22.
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Triple Crown winner American Pharoah might have a workout between races on the June 27 card at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday.
American Pharoah, who was shipped Thursday from Kentucky to California, is scheduled to be at least paraded between races June 27, the day of the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Baffert said he wants to work American Pharoah that weekend and will speak with Santa Anita officials about the possibility of a public workout.
“That would be pretty cool,” Baffert said.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Cavorting, who earned a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Jersey Girl Stakes here June 5, likely will make her next start in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga on Aug. 8, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Wednesday.
McLaughlin said Cavorting ran terrific in the Jersey Girl off a 104-day layoff, so he is not concerned about giving the filly 64 days between races in the Test.
“She got a big sheet number, and she did well off a little time,” McLaughlin said.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Stopchargingmaria, the winner of the Allaire duPont Distaff at Pimlico in her last start, missed the Ogden Phipps on June 6 due to a temperature. Trainer Todd Pletcher said she would be pointed to the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap at Saratoga on Aug. 2.
Several of Pletcher’s horses came up with a temperature, including Blofeld and Protonico. Pletcher said he’s not really sure who else was affected, although some of his horses ran inexplicably poor races, such as Competitive Edge, who finished last as the favorite in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Having missed a Grade 1 opportunity when she got sick before the $1 million Ogden Phipps two weeks ago, Dame Dorothy will have to settle for a Grade 3 chance when she runs in Saturday’s $150,000 Bed o’ Roses Handicap at Belmont Park.
Dame Dorothy, undefeated at the seven-furlong distance of the Bed o’ Roses, including a victory in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff last out, likely will be favored in an eight-horse field that includes three-time graded stakes winner La Verdad and the improving Room for Me.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – After cutting back racing weeks to three days so far at this meet and paring down cards to eight races per day, Arlington was hit with a handle decline in May and could face further problems when its racing week expands to four days in July and August.
