Sat, 06/14/2014 - 11:58

Texas Ryano targets Oceanside Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Texas Ryano is bound for the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes on Del Mar’s opening day July 17 after a strong win in an optional claimer for 3-year-olds over 1 1/8 miles on turf Friday.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Texas Ryano ($12.60) closed from last in a field of six to win by three-quarters of a length over 1-2 favorite Quotient. Texas Ryano was timed in 1:46.53. Quotient, third in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs last month, was vanned off and diagnosed as unsound in his left foreleg, according to track stewards.

Sat, 06/14/2014 - 11:54

Shared Belief possible for Los Alamitos Derby

Vassar Photography
Shared Belief wins in his first start since December.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013, could have his first stakes appearance of the year in the $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby on July 5, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

Troubled by foot problems earlier this year, Shared Belief returned to racing with a win in an allowance race against older horses at Golden Gate Fields on May 26. Shared Belief had two workouts earlier this month, going a half-mile on June 3 and five furlongs on June 10 at Golden Gate Fields. Shared Belief will remain at Golden Gate Fields until later this month.

Sat, 06/14/2014 - 11:46

Hollendorfer's juveniles excel

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is building a strong team of early-season juvenile winners.

In recent weeks, Hollendorfer has won maiden special weight races with the fillies Seduire, a winner May 22, and Heart of Paradise, a winner June 5. On Friday, Hollendorfer was back in the winner’s circle with the California-bred Atta’ Boy Woody.

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 15:38

Stryker Phd needs pace help in Budweiser Handicap

Erin Palmer/Emerald Downs
Stryker Phd (far left) finishes second to Jebrica in the 2013 Budweiser Handicap, one of four second-place finishes for Stryker Phd against open stakes competition.

AUBURN, Wash. – Stryker Phd, a popular bridesmaid at Emerald Downs last year when he finished second in all four open stakes for older horses, will have his hands full Sunday when he returns from a long layoff to compete in the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap at one mile.

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 15:21

Qatar’s Pearl might target Lieutenant Governors

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Rob Gilker is considering taking a shot at the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors with Qatar’s Pearl, who beat a good field of allowance horses last Sunday. Gilker claimed Qatar’s Pearl for $50,000 in 2012 with an eye on the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby where he finished seventh. He didn’t run last year due to suspensory problems, but he is certainly headed in the right direction with two straight wins.

Qatar’s Pearl started twice at Santa Anita this winter before winning a maiden special weight race here May 4.

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 15:17

Father-son team relishes winning together as owner and trainer

The high-percentage meet that trainer Ernie Witt II is having at Lone Star Park near Dallas is sweeter than usual because the success is coming for his father, owner Ernie Witt. The men have shared a passion for racing for decades, but they’ve bonded like never before in recent years, ever since the younger Witt began training in 2007.

The Witts have strong ties to Arkansas, and in addition to competing at Lone Star, where they are winning races at a 27 percent clip this season, they are regulars at Oaklawn Park.

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 14:21

California Chrome recovering well, slated for six weeks of rest

Barbara D. Livingston
California Chrome is tentatively scheduled to be sent to the River Ranch division of Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., on Wednesday for six weeks of rest.

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome continues to show progress from a grabbed quarter sustained when he finished in a dead heat for fourth in the Belmont Stakes on June 7, assistant trainer Alan Sherman said Friday.

The winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in May, California Chrome is tentatively scheduled to be sent to the River Ranch division of Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., on Wednesday for six weeks of rest.

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 14:03

Goldencents likely for Bing Crosby

Barbara D. Livingston
Goldencents (blue cap) finishes second to Palace Malice in the Metropolitan Handicap on June 7 at Belmont Park.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Goldencents, second in the $1,250,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on June 7, will have a summer and fall campaign geared toward sprints and one-mile races, co-owner Glenn Sorgenstein said Thursday.

A four-time stakes winner, Goldencents is likely to return to racing in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes over six furlongs at Del Mar on July 27, followed by a potential trip to Saratoga for the $500,000 Forego Stakes over seven furlongs Aug. 30.

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 13:50

American Derby or Belmont Derby for Global View

Barbara D. Livingston
Global View (left) could remain at Arlington for the American Derby on July 12 or ship to New York for the Belmont Derby Invitational.

Global View, who is developing into one of the better 3-year-old grass horses in North America, has been stabled at Arlington since he finished second to Bobby’s Kitten in the May 31 Penn Mile at Penn National.

Global View has been in steady training here, but his next start has not yet been determined, according to Lindsay Schultz, the Arlington-based assistant to trainer Tom Proctor. Global View could stay at Arlington and race July 12 in the $200,000 American Derby, or travel to Belmont Park for a start in the $1,250,000 Belmont Derby Invitational.

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 13:40

Fashion Plate may switch to turf at Del Mar

Tom Keyser
Fashion Plate might be switched to turf for the Del Mar meeting, according to trainer Simon Callaghan.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Fashion Plate, the winner of consecutive Grade 1 races at Santa Anita in February and April but unplaced in major stakes in Kentucky and New York in recent weeks, might be switched to turf for the Del Mar summer meeting, trainer Simon Callaghan said.