Fri, 02/13/2015 - 13:18

Mizz Money targets LaCombe Memorial

The 3-year-old filly Mizz Money, who led all the way to defeat the favored Divine Dawn by three-quarters of a length in a turf allowance at about 7 1/2 furlongs last Sunday at Fair Grounds, likely will run next in the Allen LaCombe Memorial on March 7, trainer Bernie Flint said.

Mizz Money, who has won two of four starts, is 2 for 2 at the meet. She defeated maidens at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf by 2 1/2 lengths Jan. 19 in her return from a six-month layoff.

“We gave her plenty of time to grow up,” Flint said. “I thought she’d make a good 3-year-old.”

Fri, 02/13/2015 - 13:14

Hard Aces joining Sadler’s barn

Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography
Hard Aces, winner of the Louisiana Handicap, is being sold and transferred to John Sadler in California.

Hard Aces, a 5-year-old who became a stakes winner in a four-length romp in the Louisiana Handicap on Jan. 17, is being sold by Dreamchaser Thoroughbreds and will be sent to the California barn of trainer John Sadler, Larry Jones said Friday. He trained and was a co-owner of Hard Aces, who has won five of 19 starts and earned $215,145.

Jones, who had been preparing Hard Aces for the Mineshaft, said that with the horse set to leave the barn, Albano, who was training toward the Maxxam Gold Cup at Sam Houston, might run instead in the Mineshaft.

Fri, 02/13/2015 - 12:56

Gorgeous Bird carries the Whitney torch

Barbara D. Livingston
Gorgeous Bird will start in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 21 at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Since 1968, the famed eton blue and brown silks of the Whitney family have been carried just once in the Kentucky Derby, when Birdstone ran eighth in 2004. Gorgeous Bird could revive a century-old tradition by running in the 141st Derby, but a couple of major tests await the gray colt, the first being the Fountain of Youth Stakes next Saturday, Feb. 21, at Gulfstream Park.

“This is all about the horse and the owner,” said trainer Ian Wilkes.

Fri, 02/13/2015 - 12:25

Risen Star lacks a marquee horse

Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography
Lecomte winner International Star heads eight probables for the Feb. 21 Risen Star Stakes.

NEW ORLEANS – The Risen Star Stakes has taken a couple of body blows, the latest being the news this week that Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red won’t be coming from California because of a foot abscess.

Texas Red, who began his 2015 season with a runner-up finish in the seven-furlong San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita, was being pointed to the Feb. 21 Risen Star at Fair Grounds by trainer Keith Desormeaux. Instead, he has sent the colt to a California farm for treatment, recovery, and swimming.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 14:28

Ocho Ocho Ocho targets San Felipe for comeback

Coady Photography
Ocho Ocho Ocho, ridden by Mike Smith, earns a nose victory to remain undefeated by taking the Delta Downs Jackpot.

Ocho Ocho Ocho, unraced since winning the $1 million Delta Jackpot Stakes in Louisiana in November, is on schedule for a comeback March 7 in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.

On Thursday, Ocho Ocho Ocho worked five furlongs in 59.40 seconds. Trainer Jim Cassidy timed Ocho Ocho Ocho in 59, galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.20 and a mile in 1:40.20.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 14:21

Bobbi Grace faces large field in Sweet Life

Shigeki Kikkawa
Bobbi Grace is coming off her first North American win.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bobbi Grace won for the first time in the U.S. in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course Jan. 16 at Santa Anita, the filly’s third start in this country.

Gary Stevens rode Bobbi Grace that day and is hoping for a long-term partnership with the Irish runner, who starts in Saturday’s $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

Bobbi Grace was sent off at even-money Jan. 16 and pulled clear late to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

“It was a steer job, just like it looked,” Stevens said.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 13:50

Far From Over training in Florida

Debbie Roma
Far From Over goes from last to first under Manuel Franco in the Withers.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though he is expected to make his next start in New York, Withers Stakes winner Far From Over arrived at the Palm Beach Downs training center in south Florida on Thursday morning in order to maintain a regular training regimen, according to trainer Todd Pletcher.

Far From Over, who overcame a bad stumble to win last Saturday’s Grade 3 Withers by 1 3/4 lengths, will run next at Aqueduct in either the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham on March 7 or the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial on April 4.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 13:20

Busher a starting point for Condo Commando

Barbara D. Livingston
Condo Commando hasn't raced since this 11 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2 Demoiselle on Nov. 29.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Condo Commando, a multiple graded stakes winner and a finalist for the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly of 2014, will make her 3-year-old debut in the $100,000 Busher Stakes on Feb. 21, trainer Rudy Rodriguez said.

On Tuesday, Condo Commando worked six furlongs in 1:16.31 at Aqueduct, just her third breeze since resuming training. Condo Commando hasn’t raced since winning the Grade 2 Demoiselle by 11 1/2 lengths at Aqueduct on Nov. 29. She also won the Grade 1 Spinaway by 13 1/4 lengths in the slop at Saratoga last summer.

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 11:26

Kent Stakes bolsters Delaware Handicap card

Delaware Park has bolstered its biggest day of the season this year by moving the Grade 3 Kent Stakes from its usual September spot on the calendar to the Delaware Handicap undercard.

The Grade 1, $750,000 Delaware Handicap, a 1 1/4-mile race for fillies and mares, will be run July 18. It was won last year by Belle Gallantey, who went on to win the Grade 1 Beldame Invitational at Belmont Park in September.

The $200,000 Kent is a 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds. It's purse has been boosted $50,000 this year.

Wed, 02/11/2015 - 15:54

Country star Keith has promising 3-year-old gelding

Hillbilly Royalty, undefeated in two starts after winning a first-level allowance Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park, could see stakes action in the near future, said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains the horse for his Oklahoma-based breeder, the Dream Walkin’ Farms operation of country music artist Toby Keith and his family.