SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A bruised foot kept Forte out of the Kentucky Derby and subsequently the Preakness. While he made it to the Belmont Stakes, it was asking a lot to win that 1 1/2-mile classic off a 10-week layoff.
That Forte was able to finish second only served to further validate him as an extremely talented horse.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Astronomer is set for his graded stakes debut next month after winning for the first time in more than 21 months in a tough allowance race at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Saturday.
Astronomer ($45) raced close to a fast pace and won by a head over Goliad, finishing in 1:32.32. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Astronomer earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
The allowance race win was Astronomer’s second start of the year, preceded by a 10th-place finish in an allowance race at 1 1/8 miles on turf July 21.
Practical Move, unraced since a win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April, has resumed workouts for a return to racing later this year.
On Saturday at Del Mar, Practical Move worked a half-mile in 47.40 seconds. On Aug. 13, Practical Move had his first work of the summer, drilling three furlongs in 36.60 seconds.
Trained by Tim Yakteen for Pierre and Leslie Amestoy and Roger Beasley, Practical Move was a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby May 6 before he was withdrawn two days before the race because of illness.
Del Mar sustained approximately 2.5 inches of rain on Sunday and early Monday from the remnants of Hurricane Hilary, a storm that caused the cancellation of racing on Sunday and forced significant work in the stable area to prevent extensive flooding.
Racing will resume on Thursday, but it was unclear on Monday whether the turf course will be used that day, according to racing secretary David Jerkens.
“It’s too early to tell,” Jerkens said. “We’re getting out of the storm now and we’ll see.”
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Handle on Sunday’s 13-race card of $18,127,049 was a record for a King’s or Queen’s Plate card at Woodbine, surpassing the previous record of $18,005,973 set in 2019.
“The first King’s Plate in 72 years was an incredible event in every way,” Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It resulted in an all-time wagering record. Thank you to our customers and to the Woodbine team for hosting an iconic social and sporting event.”
Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., has canceled Saturday night’s card due to excessive heat and will bring back the same program Thursday night, the track announced Saturday.
Canterbury called off the Saturday card due to a “projected excessive heat index,” according to a press release. The decision was made in conjunction with the Minnesota Racing Commission’s state veterinarian and the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, a mainstay on the New York Racing Association circuit for the last two decades, will no longer maintain a year-round presence in the state he said Friday.
Asmussen, who has 40 horses based at Saratoga this summer, has emptied his barn at Belmont Park, one which he has maintained since 2004. Asmussen said his stable was around 12-to-15 on a year-round basis at Belmont.
Hastings Racecourse has announced the appointment of Dawn Lupul as manager of racing and communications effective Aug. 28.
“We are thrilled to have Dawn join the team,” said Matthew Ruhlman, Chief Operating Officer of BC Racebook. “She is a highly respected professional in the industry, uniquely talented with both breeds and we are excited to bring her fresh perspective to B.C. as we continue to grow the business.”
If a fit racehorse like Free Like a Girl is having trouble handling the sweltering temperatures that have gripped the Southwest, what hope is there for the rest of us?
Free Like a Girl, the reigning Louisiana-bred of the year who is closing in on earnings of $1 million, is getting some downtime after finishing an uncharacteristic eighth in the Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Aug. 5 at Louisiana Downs.
