Wed, 02/28/2024 - 15:06

Jockey Silvio Amador suspended 10 days for alcohol violation

Northern California-based jockey Silvio Amador is in the midst of a 10-day suspension for being under the influence of alcohol earlier this year, according to a ruling published Feb. 18 by Golden Gate stewards.

The suspension began Monday and covers 10 calendar days through March 6.

In the ruling, Amador has been ordered to undergo regular testing for alcohol conducted by the California Horse Racing Board and “refrain from any alcohol-related violations” through the duration of his current license which expires in September 2025.

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 14:57

Dandy Man Shines could get right trip in Kilroe Mile

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Dandy Man Shines wins the restricted Let It Ride Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar in November.

The good news regarding the chances of Dandy Man Shines in Saturday’s Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita is that the speedy Goliad is likely to set the pace in the $300,000 turf race.

The bad news is that a closer such as Dandy Man Shines will have an accomplished rival in Easter also racing from off the pace.

“There’s always something to worry about,” owner Tim Cohen said with a laugh on Wednesday.

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 12:50

Castle Chaos to scratch from Gulfstream Mile, run in Stymie

By David Grening

Tumbarumba (right) noses out Castle Chaos in Fred Hooper at GP Jan 27 2024

Debra A. Roma

Castle Chaos (left) was nosed out by Tumbarumba in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper in January. He drew post 1 for the Gulfstream Park Mile.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Castle Chaos will scratch from Saturday’s Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile and instead run in Saturday’s $150,000 Stymie Stakes at Aqueduct.

Castle Chaos is coming out of a nose defeat to Tumbarumba in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper at Gulfstream on Jan. 27. Prior to that, he finished third, behind Hoist the Gold and Senor Buscador in the Grade 2 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.

Castle Chaos had drawn the rail for the Gulfstream Park Mile.

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 12:45

Yates testing Frankie's Empire, Fiona's Magic in graded stakes

By David Grening

Frankie's Empire wins Swale at GP Feb 3 2024

Barbara D. Livingston

Swale winner Frankie’s Empire will stretch out in distance and face tougher company in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Michael Yates will learn more about his improving 3-year-old Frankie’s Empire and his 3-year-old filly Fiona’s Magic when they run in graded stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Frankie’s Empire, who won the seven-furlong Swale Stakes in his first start for Yates, will take on Dornoch and Locked in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes while Fiona’s Magic, runner-up in the Grade 3 Forward Gal, takes on last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Just F Y I in the Grade 2, $200,000 Davona Dale.

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 12:37

O'Connor gets sick on flight to West Coast; won't run in Big Cap

By Mike Welsch

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Saffie Joseph Jr. reported Wednesday that O’Connor, who shipped to California to compete in Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, took ill on the flight and will be forced to skip the race.

“The flight was delayed 10 hours, it became a real ordeal, and he was sick when he got off the plane,” Joseph said. “I’m not even going to enter him.

“We’ll just give him the time he needs to recuperate, bring him back home, and figure out what to do next from there.”

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 11:40

Plans for Woodcourt up in the air

By Mary Rampellini

Coady Photography

Woodcourt last finished fourth in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Plans for Woodcourt, who ran fourth in the Rebel on Saturday after breaking from post 12, are to be determined, trainer Cipriano Contreras said Tuesday.

“I really don’t know what we’re going to do next,” he said. “We’ll see.”

Contreras said Woodcourt will be considered for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on March 30, but also the $200,000 Hot Springs, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds here March 23.

Harr nears return

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 11:40

Octane pushing distance limits with Oaklawn Handicap

By Mary Rampellini

Coady Photography

Octane has yet to try longer than 1 1/16 miles, the distance of his last-out win in the Razorback.

A brother act from Florida could invade Oaklawn for next month’s Racing Festival of the South.

Octane, a multiple stakes winner who shipped in to win the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback here Saturday, and Gatsby, his stakes-winning full brother, are being considered for some local races, said Brian Cohen, president of their breeder and owner, Arindel.

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 11:35

Last Samurai returns to work for 6-year-old campaign

By Mary Rampellini

Coady Photography

Last year, Last Samurai won the Razorback and Essex at Oaklawn.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Last Samurai, a $2.2 million earner who won two-thirds of the handicap series last season at Oaklawn Park, is back on the work tab in Arkansas.

He is gearing up for a 6-year-old campaign, but there is not a specific target for his return, trainer Eddie Milligan Jr. said Tuesday.

“I worked him a half-mile last weekend and he handled it well,” Milligan said. “We’re moving forward.”

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 11:05

Tessuto eyes Santa Anita Derby off maiden win

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Trainer George Papaprodromou rubs Tessuto's head after his maiden win last Sunday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Tessuto won his first start at a mile in a maiden race at Santa Anita last Sunday in a manner that left trainer George Papaprodromou considering a start in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.

After finishing third in two maiden races for sprinters earlier this winter, Tessuto closed from third in a field of six to win by 2 1/2 lengths on Sunday. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Tessuto was timed in 1:37.90 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 79.

The $750,000 Santa Anita Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles.

“We may give it a shot,” Papaprodromou said.

Wed, 02/28/2024 - 11:05

Tapalo to stay on synthetic in Jeff Ruby Steaks

By Brad Free

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stakes-placed Tapalo is the latest California 3-year-old targeting an out-of-state stakes. Stronghold won in New Mexico, Slider runs Saturday in New York, and now Tapalo is heading to Kentucky for the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 23 at Turfway Park.

John Sadler trains Tapalo, the better-than-looked runner-up in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 10 at Golden Gate Fields. Both tracks, Turfway and Golden Gate, have synthetic surfaces.

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