Mon, 02/02/2015 - 11:42

Constitution, Commissioner to meet in Donn Handicap

Barbara D. Livingston
Constitution, shown training Sunday, most recently was third in the Clark Handicap on Nov. 28.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – After this, their paths likely will diverge. But with the Donn Handicap being the lone viable option for a while, the 4-year-old WinStar Farm standouts Constitution and Commissioner will race against each other Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

“You normally prefer not to do it like this, and I imagine we’ll keep them separated down the road,” said WinStar president Elliott Walden. “But they’re right there, doing well, and we think it’s a good way for both to start off their years.”

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 11:32

Tampa Bay course oddity involved in Endeavor DQ

SV Photography
Hard Not to Like (white cap) finishes first in the Grade 3 Endeavor Stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, but is disqualified and placed second after a stewards' inquiry.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The Grade 3, $150,000 Endeavour  on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs produced a blanket finish and a disqualification as an oddity involving the turf course popped up again at the worst possible moment.

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 11:22

Ocean Knight gets down to business with Sam F. Davis win

SV Photography
Ocean Knight wins the Sam F. Davis Stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Festival Preview Day’s top races last Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs produced varied results, from longshots, to disqualifications, to the validation of an up-and-coming young star.

Ocean Knight passed his first test as a 3-year-old with a hard-earned victory over a game Divining Rod in the Grade 3, $201,500 Sam F. Davis Stakes, taking an important step toward the Kentucky Derby.

Sun, 02/01/2015 - 14:21

Tough Sunday needs time to heal cracked shin

Tough Sunday, a deaf colt who finished last of seven in the $250,000 California Cup Derby on Jan. 24, has been turned out at owner and breeder Nick Alexander’s farm in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Alexander said on Saturday that Tough Sunday emerged from the California Cup Derby with a cracked shin that will not require surgery.

“It’s not displaced,” Alexander said. “He’ll need 60 to 90 days.”

Sun, 02/01/2015 - 14:18

You Know I Know may run in San Antonio

Benoit & Associates
You Know I Know followed this optional-claiming victory at Del Mar in August with a third in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic.

You Know I Know, unraced since finishing eighth in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar last August, is a candidate for the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, trainer John Sadler said.

“I do want to see what the field looks like,” Sadler said.

A 6-year-old gelding, You Know I Know was third in the San Diego Handicap last July and third in the Pacific Classic in 2013.

Sun, 02/01/2015 - 12:58

California Chrome works easy five furlongs in prep for San Antonio Stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome is all set to make his first start since being named Horse of the Year as he completed his serious training for Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita with an easy five-furlong workout Sunday morning at Los Alamitos.

Sun, 02/01/2015 - 12:07

Take Charge Brandi points to Honeybee on road to Kentucky Oaks

Coady Photography
Take Charge Brandi wins the Martha Washington Stakes by a head Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Champion Take Charge Brandi will continue on the path to the Kentucky Oaks, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Sunday, the morning after her determined win over Sarah Sis in the $100,000 Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park.

Lukas said the road will go through Arkansas as the remaining meet objectives for Take Charge Brandi are the Grade 3, $150,000 Honeybee on March 7 and the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy on April 4.

Sat, 01/31/2015 - 15:07

Prospect Park to get stakes try after impressive optional-claiming win

ARCADIA, Calif. – Prospect Park earned a start in a stakes race after an impressive win in an optional claimer at a mile Friday. Now, owners Marty and Pam Wygod and trainer Clifford Sise have to pick a race.

“Marty is going to focus on where to go,” Sise said Saturday. “We want to find the easiest spot.”

One local option is the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles March 7. California Chrome won the 2014 San Felipe and the Santa Anita Derby a month later before winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes last spring.

Sat, 01/31/2015 - 14:56

Punctuate may point to Robert Lewis Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Punctuate was withdrawn from Sunday’s $200,000 San Vicente Stakes after becoming cast in his stall at trainer Bob Baffert’s stable Saturday.

On Saturday, Baffert said Punctuate was not injured in the incident and may not be away from the races for long. He considers the well-bred 3-year-old a candidate for the $150,000 Robert Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 7.

“I’ll see how he is,” Baffert said. “I could put him in there.”

Sat, 01/31/2015 - 14:45

Hoppertunity will go in San Antonio Stakes

Benoit & Associates
Hoppertunity, under Martin Garcia, surpasses $1 million in earnings by winning the San Pasqual.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hoppertunity, the winner of graded stakes at Churchill Downs and Santa Anita in his last two starts, will face the champions California Chrome and Shared Belief in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 7.

On Saturday, trainer Bob Baffert said Hoppertunity will be his only starter in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes, which is run at 1 1/8 miles.