BALTIMORE – New shooters: That’s the term for horses jumping into the Preakness Stakes without running in the Kentucky Derby.
In recent years, the new shooters have had no shot.
Horses exiting the Derby swept the top five spots in the 2013 Preakness, ran 1-2-3 in 2012, and were 1-2-4-6 in 2011.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Southern California veterinarian Melinda Blue was fined $1,500 and suspended seven calendar days for failing to administer the anti-bleeding medication Lasix to a horse in her care, according to a ruling issued Saturday by Santa Anita stewards.
Blue was cited for failing to administer the medication to Miracle Merger prior to the first race at Santa Anita on Oct. 26, 2013. Miracle Merger, an 8-1 shot trained by Paula Capestro, finished third in a $12,500 claimer over six furlongs. Miracle Merger finished second in his next start, on Dec. 22.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Top Fortitude, the winner of the $100,500 Lazaro Barrera Stakes in a 30-1 upset Saturday, is likely to start in a stakes June 7. But the distance, and the location, will be determined later this month, trainer Kory Owens said on Sunday.
Owens said he has no immediate plans for Top Fortitude. He said the $100,000 Affirmed Stakes over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita and the $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes over seven furlongs at Belmont Park will be considered. Both races are for 3-year-olds and will be run June 7.
CYPRESS, Calif. -- With white hooves on all four feet, Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome always has needed a little extra attention to hoof care, and his trainer, Art Sherman, said blacksmith Judd Fisher came up with a unique solution. California Chrome races in glue-on shoes, but the shoes are not glued on, they are affixed with nails.
The shoe, not the glue, is the reason, Sherman said. The shoes that California Chrome wears “help so he doesn’t go back on his heels,” Sherman said.
ARCADIA, Calif. -- Big Macher, who has emerged as a leading sprinter in California this year, worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday, but was vanned off following the workout with concern over his right foreleg.
Trainer Richard Baltas said that Big Macher partially dislodged his right front shoe in the work and that the 4-year-old gelding was resting in his stall.
“It’s nothing obvious,” Baltas said. “He’s off in his right front. The shoe was tweaked in the work.”
Baltas said early Saturday afternoon that no injury had surfaced.
ARCADIA, Calif. -- Henry’s Holiday was the surprise winner of a maiden race for 2-year-olds on Friday, easily beating stablemate and heavy favorite Sky Preacher by 3 1/4 lengths.
The win gives trainer Doug O’Neill a second candidate for the $125,000 Santa Anita Juvenile over 5 1/2 furlongs on June 22.
Henry’s Holiday ($20.80) ran 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.25 seconds. He took the lead in early stretch and was not threatened late. Sky Preacher was 1-2. The first two finishers are trained by O’Neill, who said he expected a reverse outcome.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Following a meeting with horsemen Friday, Hastings canceled its card for Sunday, May 18. To make up for the loss, Hastings will add a racing day, Wednesday, July 23.
“We will strive to have strong nine-race cards on Saturday, May 17, and the Victoria Holiday Day Monday on May 19,” said Hastings general manager Darren MacDonald. “Tentatively, we’re looking at a 3 p.m. start time for the July midweek card.”
MacDonald said the change of dates was made in cooperation with horsemen.
ELMONT, N.Y. - LL Cool J, Frank Sinatra Jr., and former New York Yankees centerfielder Bernie Williams headline the musical acts that will perform at the June 7 Belmont Stakes, the New York Racing Association announced on Friday.
Musicians from the United States Military Academy will also be at the track and there will be a performance from the Tony-Award winning Broadway musical “Wicked.”
LL Cool J, a two-time Grammy Award winning singer and a star on the CBS drama “NCIS: Los Angeles” will perform two songs between the running of the Manhattan and the Belmont Stakes.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Skyler White Shield is one of the bright new additions to the Lone Star Park riding colony. White Shield, 18, who finished fourth in the standings at the recent Turf Paradise meet in Phoenix, hopes to establish himself in this market and, following Lone Star, will ride at nearby Remington Park in Oklahoma City.
“That’s the plan,” he said. “I’m just going to stick around and try to make it work, keep working hard.”
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Craig MacPherson is still trying to figure out the mystery of the very talented but unpredictable Miss Derek. The 4-year-old filly will likely make her first start of the year in the $50,000 Strawberry Morn Stakes for fillies and mares on Victoria Day, May 19, at Hastings Racecourse.
“I was hoping she would have matured over the winter, but she’s still a work in progress,” said MacPherson.
