Mon, 01/20/2014 - 14:39

Aqueduct: Street Gent works for Withers Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Street Gent, a front-running winner of a two-turn maiden race over Aqueduct’s main track Dec. 1 for trainer Leah Gyarmati, worked a mile in 1:45.98 on Monday over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for the Grade 3 Withers Stakes here Feb. 1.

With jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons, Street Gent broke off at the wire and went the opening half-mile in an easy 55.92 seconds. Leaving the half-mile pole, Street Gent found himself mixed in with a pair of horses from another stable who broke off in front of him to work.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 14:24

Aqueduct: Long River to test graded stakes

Joe Labozzetta/NYRA
Long River gets up to win the Evening Attire Stakes under Irad Ortiz Jr.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Following his three-quarter-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Evening Attire Stakes at Aqueduct, Long River has his connections considering graded stakes both near and far for the royally bred 4-year-old colt.

Among the races trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he will discuss with Jimmy Bell, the president of Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Stable, are the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 1, the Grade 3, $200,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn on March 15, and the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior Handicap at Aqueduct on March 22.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 13:05

Holy Bull Stakes: Coup de Grace set for two-turn test

Coglianese Photos
Coup de Grace will stretch to two turns for Saturday's Grade 2, $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – The campaign that Coup de Grace will have in the next few months will be determined by how he performs Saturday in the Grade 2, $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Unbeaten in two starts, Coup de Grace will be making his first start around two turns in the Holy Bull. His aptitude at this endeavor will chart his course.

“I could see it going either way, but we have to try it,” said Chad Brown, who trains Coup de Grace. “To try the Kentucky Derby trail, you’ve got to try two turns, and he’s got the pedigree to suggest he can get two turns.”

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 12:58

Tampa Bay Downs: Bennett still piling up winners

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Back in the spring of 1976, Gerald Bennett bought a horse named Victoria Sun from a Kentucky horseman for $1,000. He ran the horse at Greenwood Raceway in Canada, and Victoria Sun won.

That victory was the first as a trainer for the native of Springhill, Nova Scotia, and last Friday, when the 72-year-old Bennett sent out Miss Twinkle Toes to win the nightcap, that tally marked the 3,400th career win for the veteran horseman, who now ranks 20th in career wins among North American trainers, active and retired.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 11:07

Oaklawn Park: Will Take Charge points to Donn Handicap after sharp work

Barbara D. Livingston
Will Take Charge is being pointed to the Donn Handicap on Feb. 9 at Gulfstream Park.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Will Take Charge, who Saturday night was named champion 3-year-old of 2013, is likely to make his seasonal debut in the Donn Handicap following a sharp work in company Monday morning at Oaklawn Park. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said the horse would shoot for the Feb. 9 race at Gulfstream Park if suitable travel arrangements could be made to Florida.

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 18:49

Fair Grounds: Vicar’s in Trouble eyes Risen Star Stakes after Lecomte score

Vicar’s in Trouble came out of his romping victory Saturday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes in good condition, and if all continues to go well, he will make his next start Feb. 22 in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, trainer Mike Maker said Sunday.

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 14:42

Santa Anita: Shakin It Up relishing new winter calendar

Benoit & Associates
Shakin It Up, with Mike Smith riding, wins the Strub Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Shakin It Up has emerged as the dominant 4-year-old male in California this winter, with wins in the $301,500 Malibu Stakes over seven furlongs Dec. 26 and the $200,750 Strub Stakes on Saturday.

But comparisons to winners of those races from past years are impossible.

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 14:29

Santa Anita: Shared Belief to breeze later this week

Shigeki Kikkawa
Shared Belief could provide trainer Jerry Hollendorfer with his best shot to win a Triple Crown race for the first time in 2014.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Shared Belief, the Eclipse Award winner as the champion 2-year-old colt of 2013, continues to recover from a grabbed quarter sustained earlier this month and will have a workout at Santa Anita on Wednesday or Thursday , trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Sunday.

Hollendorfer considered giving Shared Belief a workout Sunday but postponed the exercise.

“I want to make 100 percent sure that we can breeze him and there won’t be an issue related to that foot,” Hollendorfer said. “We’ll try to do something on Wednesday or Thursday.”

Sat, 01/18/2014 - 14:40

Gulfstream Park notes: Holy Bull Stakes contenders tune up

Michael Burns
Eurico Rosa Da Silva controlled the pace of the Swynford aboard Conquest Titan.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – General a Rod and Conquest Titan worked Saturday in preparation for the Grade 2, $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes next Saturday.

General a Rod, who is at Gulfstream Park, worked five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, with an opening three-eighths in 35.60 and a final quarter in 23.80. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.80.

Sat, 01/18/2014 - 14:23

Gulfstream Park: Groupie Doll set for swan song in Hurricane Bertie

Barbara D. Livingston
Groupie Doll, a two-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, will make her final start Feb. 9 in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie Stakes.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Buff Bradley was hoping things would go as well for him and his star Groupie Doll at Saturday evening’s Eclipse Awards dinner as they had earlier that day.

Groupie Doll, the 2012 champion female sprinter and two-time Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner, worked a very impressive five furlongs in 59.86 seconds Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park, shortly after which Bradley confirmed that she’ll make her final start before being retired to the breeding shed in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie here Feb. 9.