Sat, 09/07/2013 - 13:45

Finger Lakes: Peter's Project enters Tuesday feature on a roll

Tom Cooley Photography
Fox Rules, who won last year's New York Derby, drew the far-outside No. 11 post for Saturday's Genesee Valley Handicap.

The addition of Lasix and the switch from sprints to routes has turned Peter’s Project into one of the best young horses on the grounds at Finger Lakes this summer.

After losing his career debut and getting disqualified for slamming into another horse with about a quarter-mile remaining in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint, the 3-year-old Peter’s Project has won three races in a row, all routes, by 10 1/4 lengths or more. He looks to extend that streak in Tuesday’s featured eighth race at 1 1/16 miles in a field of allowance runners that includes 2012 New York Derby winner Fox Rules.

Sat, 09/07/2013 - 13:36

Mountaineer: Our Edge dips to lowest class level of his career in Monday optional claimer

As a 3-year-old, Our Edge was talented enough to win a Grade 3 stakes by seven lengths, he led the Grade 1 Travers after a half-mile, and was in front through the first six furlongs of the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby. Those performances all came four years ago, however, and at age 7, Our Edge is just 1 for 12 over the past two seasons.

Sat, 09/07/2013 - 13:29

Woodbine: Riding the River readies for Woodbine Mile

Michael Burns
Riding the River (right) began his career at the $16,000 claiming level.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Riding the River tuned up for the Woodbine Mile here Saturday with a five-furlong breeze under rider Todd Kabel on the main track.

Slated to work in company in a scenario that went awry, Riding the River was given an official time of 1:03, which was disputed by his trainer and co-owner, Dave Cotey.

“His workmate, Honey Come Home, broke off way in front of him,” Cotey said. “He tracked her anyway and caught up to her.”

Honey Come Home also was given a time of 1:03 for the work, which took place during heavy rainfall.

Sat, 09/07/2013 - 11:27

Louisiana Downs: Departing stretches legs on Super Derby morning

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Super Derby favorite Departing was out for some light exercise before dawn Saturday morning at Louisiana Downs. He is expected to start as the odds-on choice in the mile and an eighth race which has an approximate post time of 5:15 p.m. Central.

Departing, the winner of last month’s Grade 2 West Virginia Derby, came onto the track at 6:10 a.m., accompanied by a pony. The horses stood for a brief while before proceeding to jog a mile. Departing came off the track around 6:20.

Fri, 09/06/2013 - 20:17

Barretts at Fairplex: Ondine takes Beverly Lewis on opening day

POMONA, Calif. – Odds-on favorite Ondine became a stakes winner Friday at the Los Angeles County Fair, where she won the $50,000 Beverly J. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by a half-length over Warren’s Veneda.

Friday was opening day of the Barretts at Fairplex meet, and form held in 100-degree heat. Favorites won three of the nine races, the pick six was hit to the tune of $16,905.80 for one ticketholder, and Ondine returned $3.60 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Fri, 09/06/2013 - 17:03

Emerald Downs: Stryker Phd should be favored for stakes breakthrough

Erin Palmer/Emerald Downs
Jebrica (4) holds off Stryker Phd (5) to win the Budweiser Handicap.

AUBURN, Wash. - While Stryker Phd has been one of the fastest horses at Emerald Downs in recent memory, posting Beyer Speed Figures of 96 and 97 in his past two starts, it's also true that the late-running 4-year-old has never won a race at his home track. A hard-luck second in four consecutive stakes appearances, Stryker Phd will try to kick down the door Sunday as the likely favorite in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic for older horses at 1 1/16 miles.

Fri, 09/06/2013 - 16:57

Louisiana Downs notes: Gibson thriving back at home

Lou Hodges Jr.
Jonas Gibson has 30 horses in training at Louisiana Downs

BOSSIER CITY, La. – This past spring, trainer Jonas Gibson moved his stable back to his home track of Louisiana Downs for the first time since 2007. It’s been the right call for the barn.

Gibson, a 31-year-old from Benton, La., is enjoying arguably the best meet of his young career. He ranked fifth in the local standings through Thursday, with 23 wins from 82 starters. In addition, Gibson’s strike rate of 28 percent is one of the highest win percentages among trainers at Louisiana Downs. He is returning to this region after having raced at Delaware Park, among other tracks.

Fri, 09/06/2013 - 16:50

Emerald Downs: Chu and You formidable on Washington Cup Day

AUBURN, Wash. – While the race for horse-of-the-meeting honors at Emerald Downs has narrowed to two standout contenders – Herbie D, who captured his only two local starts in brilliant fashion, and the undefeated 3-year-old filly Stopshoppingdebbie – Chu and You could make a compelling case for consideration with a victory Sunday in the $50,000 Northwest Farms Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

The Northwest Farms is one of six $50,000 stakes on Washington Cup Day, all for statebreds, highlighted by the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic.

Fri, 09/06/2013 - 16:23

Belmont: Dance Card may try sprinting in Gallant Bloom

Barbara D. Livingston
Dance Card, who won the Grade 1 Gazelle last year, is rehabilitating after having ankle surgery and will be sidelined until late summer.

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ELMONT, N.Y. – Though she was a Grade 1 winner around two turns at age 3, Dance Card could have a different agenda as she prepares for a limited 4-year-old campaign.

Fri, 09/06/2013 - 15:56

Fair Grounds: Halstrom leaving as general manager

Eric Halstrom will leave his position as vice president and general manager for racing at Fair Grounds Racecourse and Slots on Oct. 1, Halstrom confirmed Friday morning.

Halstrom has worked at Fair Grounds in a similar capacity since 2008. He said he was leaving the job in New Orleans “for personal and family reasons.”

Fair Grounds president Tim Bryant said the track was in the early stages of finding a replacement for Halstrom, with the track’s 2013-14 meet scheduled to start Nov. 21.