LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Legislature on Monday afternoon advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to the November ballot that would allow the state’s racetracks to allow gambling on historical races through Instant Racing terminals.
Bill LR41CA, sponsored by Omaha Senator Scott Lautenbaugh, would alter the language in the state’s constitution to allow wagering on “live or replayed” horseraces. Parimutuel wagering was approved and written into the state’s constitution in the 1930s.
Dale Romans said he is unsure what he will do next with Medal Count, who broke loose Friday with a career-high 94 Beyer Speed Figure in capturing the Transylvania Stakes for him and owner B. Wayne Hughes.
“Mr. Hughes is in Australia, and I haven’t been able to get hold of him,” said Romans. “I’d actually like to run right back in the Blue Grass and try to make the Derby, but I kind of doubt we’ll be doing that. Maybe the American Turf on Derby weekend, or maybe we’ll try for the Preakness and just train him up to it.”
As one person said via Twitter about Stewart Elliott as the veteran jockey piled up win after win on opening weekend, he didn’t come to Keeneland “for the flowers or the coeds.”
Indeed, Elliott was all business, winning with five out of 14 mounts, including a three-bagger on a Saturday card with a crowd of 27,688 in attendance.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Pearl Turn, who gave Will Van Meter his first win as a trainer when she captured an allowance March 14 at Oaklawn, also could be his first graded stakes starter. On Monday, Van Meter was debating whether to run Pearl Turn in the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on Friday.
Van Meter, 30, is an Army veteran who holds a degree in equine business administration from the University of Louisville. He also is the son of Dr. Tom Van Meter, a veterinarian and prominent owner and consignor who co-bred 2005 Kentucky Oaks winner Summerly.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Plans are being made to send Sugar Shock, the winner of Saturday’s Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park, to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks, trainer Doug Anderson said Monday. Sugar Shock was a half-length winner of the Fantasy, wiring the field from her rail post and earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Sahara Sky finished second in last year’s Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct and returned to New York to win the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer hopes the same pattern holds true after Sahara Sky finished second to Dads Caps in Saturday’s Carter. Hollendorfer said Monday that Sahara Sky will return for the Met Mile on June 7 at Belmont Park.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Princess of Sylmar was one of four horses trainer Todd Pletcher ran in last year’s Kentucky Oaks. This year, Pletcher looks to have three contenders for the $1 million Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
On Monday, Pletcher shipped Gazelle one-two finishers My Miss Sophia and Got Lucky to Louisville where they will be joined in a few weeks by In Tune, winner of the Gulfstream Oaks on March 29.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The connections of Princess of Sylmar laid out a blueprint of the schedule they would like to keep this year for their 4-year-old filly, who made a successful return to the races Sunday with a 3 1/2-length victory in the Cat Cay Stakes at Aqueduct.
The schedule includes the $1 million Ogden Phipps on June 7 at Belmont Park, the $750,000 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park on July 12, the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga in August, and the Grade 1 Beldame on Sept. 27 at Belmont Park.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Todd Pletcher confirmed Monday that he will have three starters in the Blue Grass Stakes as he tries to increase his numbers for the Kentucky Derby.
The Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes, the annual spring meet highlight at Keeneland, is expected to have a full field of 14 for its 90th running Saturday. Entries will be drawn Wednesday morning at a media breakfast that will be televised live on TVG from 11:30 a.m. to noon Eastern.
