Sat, 01/25/2014 - 15:42

Gulfstream Park notes: Top Billing moves forward as Kentucky Derby prospect

Barbara D. Livingston
Top Billing and jockey Joel Rosario win an allowance race by 2 3/4 lengths Saturday.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Top Billing gave every indication that he will be a major player on the road to the Kentucky Derby this season when he rallied from last to a very impressive 2 3/4-length victory over the well-regarded Surfing U S A in Saturday’s fourth race at Gulfstream Park.

The victory was the second in three starts for Top Billing, a son of Curlin who suffered his only setback when beaten a neck by another leading Derby prospect, Commissioner, going 1 1/8 miles in a similar first-level allowance here earlier this month.

Sat, 01/25/2014 - 14:15

Aqueduct: Classic Giacnroll works for Withers

Michael Amoruso
Classic Giacnroll worked a half-mile in 50.86 seconds Saturday ahead of next Saturday’s $250,000 Withers Stakes.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Classic Giacnroll, the runner-up in the Jerome Stakes here Jan. 4, worked a half-mile in 50.86 seconds Saturday over the Aqueduct inner track in preparation for next Saturday’s $250,000 Withers Stakes. It was the third-fastest of 15 works at the distance.

Sat, 01/25/2014 - 13:18

Santa Anita: No Jet Lag gets unusual equipment change for Arcadia Stakes

Benoit & Associates
No Jet Lag, ridden by Mike Smith, will move on to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile after upsetting the City of Hope Mile.

ARCADIA, Calif. No Jet Lag will have a different look when he starts in Saturday’s $200,000 Arcadia Stakes at Santa Anita.

In an effort to settle the 4-year-old gelding and keep him from setting the pace in the one-mile turf race, trainer Simon Callaghan plans to put cotton in No Jet Lag’s ears, hoping for a calming effect. The cotton will be held in place by a hood.

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 16:21

Santa Anita notes: Suggestive Boy pointing to Arcadia

Tom Keyser
Suggestive Boy is scheduled to return in the $200,000 Arcadia on Feb. 1 at Santa Anita.

The Ron McAnally-trained Suggestive Boy, unraced since last March, is on schedule for a comeback in the $200,000 Arcadia Stakes at a mile on turf on Feb. 1.

Suggestive Boy on Thursday worked seven furlongs on turf in 1:27.60 under jockey Joe Talamo, who has the mount in the Grade 2 Arcadia. The workout impressed McAnally since Suggestive Boy was racing closer to the outside rail than the inside rail.

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 16:13

Santa Anita notes: Argentine import Di Giorgio to ease into U.S. racing

The American debut of Argentine Group 1 winner Di Giorgio in Sunday’s $75,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes is unlikely to result in a win.

Trainer Ron McAnally said on Friday that Di Giorgio will need a start to be at his best in this country. The Clockers’ Corner Stakes is run at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

“He’s going to need a race,” McAnally said. “It’s a start for him. He’s fit enough to go 6 1/2 furlongs.”

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 15:51

Oaklawn Park notes: Will Take Charge travel plans

Barbara D. Livingston
Likely champion 3-year-old male Will Take Charge made a stop at Parx in September, winning the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Travel arrangements for champion Will Take Charge, who is scheduled to make his 4-year-old debut in the Grade 1, $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream on Feb. 9, are still being determined, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said earlier this week. Lukas has been working to line up a suitable flight from Arkansas to Florida.

“We want to run in the Donn,” he said. “We’re working very diligently on coordinating travel arrangements. If we have to van, we’ll go seven, eight days early.”

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 15:46

Santa Anita: Shared Belief to bypass Lewis as injury is slow to heal

Benoit & Associates
Shared Belief won the Hollywood Prevue on Nov. 10.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013, is unlikely to start in the Grade 2, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 8 because of ongoing concern over a grabbed quarter.

Shared Belief has not worked since Jan. 3 and did not work as scheduled at Santa Anita on Friday. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said that Shared Belief does not have a scheduled workout in coming days.

“We’re not satisfied with the progress of the foot,” said Hollendorfer, who described the foot as slow to heal. “You have to proceed day by day.”

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 15:43

Oaklawn Park: On Fire Baby shipping in

Barbara D. Livingston
On Fire Baby, winner of the Apple Blossom, spiked a fever high enough to warrant observation at a veterinary clinic.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Apple Blossom winner On Fire Baby was en route to Oaklawn on Friday afternoon, trainer Gary Hartlage said. She was due to arrive in Hot Springs on Saturday morning after being based at a farm in Florida.

On Fire Baby has been in light training following a freshening and on Wednesday worked three furlongs and galloped out strongly, said Hartlage, who was on hand for the Florida move. He said plans are to breeze her at Oaklawn next Saturday or Sunday.

“She’ll be on a regular work schedule when she gets here,” Hartlage said.

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 15:39

Oaklawn Park: Majestic Stride being pointed to Count Fleet

Benoit & Associates
Majestic Stride and jockey Edwin Maldonado win the Vernon Underwood Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths Thursday.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Majestic Stride, who earlier in his career participated in the 3-year-old stakes series at Oaklawn, now has designs on the meet’s biggest race for sprinters. Trainer Jeff Bonde said the Grade 3, $300,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 10 is a goal for Majestic Stride, who last fall was a close fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 13:16

Aqueduct: Reid hopes lightning strikes twice in Withers

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
The unbeaten Samraat is among the probables for next Saturday's Withers.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Four years ago, trainer Butch Reid won the Grade 3 Withers Stakes with Afleet Again, who upset four rivals at odds of 24-1.

Next Saturday, when the Withers is run for the 134th time, Reid will try to win it again with Honorable Judge, a full brother to Afleet Again.

“I don’t know if lightning can strike twice or not, but we’ll give it a try,” Reid said.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]