Fri, 07/18/2014 - 15:01

Social Inclusion ships Tuesday for Haskell

Barbara D. Livingston
Social Inclusion will get a break prior to launching the second half of his 3-year-old campaign.

Trainer Manny Azpurua said Social Inclusion would ship to Monmouth Park on Tuesday to compete in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 27.

Social Inclusion worked four furlongs in 45.65 seconds Wednesday at Gulfstream. The 85-year-old Azpurua said Social Inclusion came out of his work well. He also proclaimed that his speedy 3-year-old is over the gate issues that plagued him earlier this year in the Wood Memorial and Preakness and forced him to school extensively at the gate prior to his third-place finish in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens at Belmont.

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 14:58

Saratoga Special prospect sent to Jacobson

Barbara D. Livingston
David Jacobson is looking for a prep to get Strapping Groom ready for the Aug. 31 Forego.

David Jacobson has led the standings in New York primarily for his work with claimers, some of whom have turned into stakes runners. Now, he appears to be entering the 2-year-old market.

The sharp maiden winner Tizcano, who sold for $710,000 – the second-highest price at Monday’s Fasig-Tipton July sale – was sent to Jacobson this week. The horse was purchased by Rockingham Ranch. Tizcano, a son of Tiznow, is likely being pointed to the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 10.

“I’m very excited, very appreciative Rockingham Ranch has confidence in me,” Jacobson said.

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 14:55

Purse increases take effect starting Thursday

Purses will increase 10 percent at Gulfstream Park beginning Thursday, while trainers also will receive a $250 starter incentive to help offset the costs of workers’ compensation.

The purse increase is the result of the dates agreement between Gulfstream and Calder that eliminated the neighboring tracks’ head-to-head conflict, which had plagued south Florida racing for the past year. Since the agreement was signed, Gulfstream’s handle and field sizes have increased significantly.

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 14:52

Stall eager to run Departing in Whitney

Barbara D. Livingston
Departing, who has trained at Saratoga each of the last two summers, will make his first start in New York in the Aug. 2 Whitney.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though Departing has never raced at Saratoga, his trainer, Al Stall, believes the grand-looking 4-year-old colt really thrives up here. It was hard to argue that point Friday morning after Departing worked a strong five furlongs in 1:00.02 over the main track.

Departing is preparing for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Whitney Handicap here Aug. 2.

“He loves New York,” Stall said. “I noticed that last year. He didn’t run here, but he ran well training here. I’m dying to run him in New York.”

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 14:47

Trackattacker has look of a good one

AUBURN, Wash. – Trackattacker is fast – he set an Emerald Downs track record in his career debut – but how fast is he, exactly? An answer should be forthcoming Sunday, when Trackattacker makes his second start against five rivals in the $50,000 Emerald Express for 2-year-old colts and geldings at six furlongs.

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 13:28

LoPresti pleased with Wise Dan's latest workout

Barbara D. Livingston
Wise Dan, under Damien Rock, breezes an easy half-mile in 49.10 seconds on Friday morning.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The larger-than-usual crowd gathering at the Oklahoma training track shortly before 10 a.m. on Friday could mean only one thing: Wise Dan was about to turn in his first work since arriving here from Kentucky one week ago.

The two-time defending Horse of the Year did not disappoint his fans, breezing an easy half-mile in 49.10 seconds before galloping out strongly into and around the turn, pulling up six furlongs in 1:14.53 with regular exercise rider Damien Rock aboard.

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 13:24

Albano win in Haskell could raise profile of sire Istan

Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Albano approaches the finish line 6 1/2 lengths in front under Kerwin Clark in the Pegasus, a local prep for next month's Haskell.

Owner-breeder Brereton Jones and trainer Larry Jones have developed some top 3-year-olds together. Next Sunday, they will try to get the consistent and improving Albano a Grade 1 win in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 09:10

Del Mar opener attracts more than 42,000

Benoit & Associates
A crowd of 42,021 turned out for opening day at Del Mar on Thursday.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Thursday’s opening day at Del Mar drew an ontrack crowd of 42,021, a decline of 2.3 percent over the 43,030 that attended the 2013 opening day.

It was the second consecutive year of decline, the first time that has occurred since 1995 and 1996, but the 10th consecutive year of an opening-day crowd of greater than 40,000. The 2012 opening day attracted an all-time record of 47,339.

Thu, 07/17/2014 - 21:46

$106,000 pick six carryover for Friday at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif. - Friday’s second day of the Del Mar meeting will feature a pick six carryover of $106,931.

A sequence of upset winners on Thursday’s opening day, notably Passing Game ($62.80) in the ninth race, clinched the carryover.
Friday’s pick six covers the third through eighth races on a program that begins at 4 p.m., Pacific.

As of Thursday morning, there were no early scratches for Friday.

There are plenty of horses to study. The pick six races have fields of 12, 9, 8, 10, 9 and 12.

Thu, 07/17/2014 - 18:54

Del Mar meet opens to samba beat

Benoit & Associates
Stylish hats are de rigueur for the fashion set on Del Mar's opening day.

DEL MAR, Calif. – They came from all over the world for opening day at Del Mar, none perhaps farther than jockey Tiago Pereira and trainer A.C. Avila.