SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Two things come immediately to mind when cracking open the past performances for Wednesday’s $100,000 New York Stallion Series Stakes at Saratoga.
First, West Hills Giant looks like the one to beat returning to the grass off a third-place finish in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes, and second, what is a Louisiana-bred like Old Pal of Mine doing in the restricted race?
DEL MAR, Calif. – Pick six carryovers have translated into box office success for Del Mar, whose handle figures are continuing to increase as the meet progresses, with overall handle now up 11 percent through Sunday, encompassing the first three weeks of the meet.
A two-day pick six carryover going into Saturday’s races spurred more than $2.4 million in fresh money that day alone in the pick six, and helped contribute to an overall handle average of $12,968,426 per day compared to $11,679,037 through the first 15 days last year, a gain of 11 percent.
Trainer Billy Morey didn’t win either of the stakes at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., over the weekend, but he still considered his week a success with the emergence of the 2-year-old filly City by the Bay.
Sure, he would have been happier had Rush In and Positive Response both finished better than fourth in their respective weekend stakes, the Roger Dupret Derby and Joseph T. Grace Handicap, but his week started off with a bang when City by the Bay scored an impressive 4 1/2-length victory in her debut Wednesday.
ERIE, Pa. – One look was all it took for apprentice Taylor Rice. In her first outing, Rice kept her mount, Giggle Fit, in front all the way for a nearly four-length win at Presque Isle Downs on Sunday.
The 3-year-old filly, sent off as the favorite in the fifth race, paid $5.40 for winning her second race in four starts. The time for the 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:04.79. Rice, 25, is the daughter of trainer Wayne Rice and the sister of Kevin Rice, who trains Giggle Fit for his grandfather, Clyde Rice.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Nipissing, winner of the Woodbine Oaks, had to be euthanized late Sunday afternoon after breaking down during the running of the Wonder Where Stakes.
“She just shattered her left hind leg,” said Rob Landry, general manager for the Chiefswood Stable of Robert and Mark Krembil, the owners and breeders of Nipissing.
Nipissing was pulled up on the far turn of the 1 1/4-mile turf race by jockey Steven Bahen, who had ridden the 3-year-old filly in all of her starts.
Ride On Curlin, a sharp Ellis Park maiden winner who had been the target of several high-profile would-be buyers, has been entered in the $60,000 Prairie Meadows Juvenile Mile Stakes on Saturday night, the day after his jockey, Calvin Borel, will be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Groupie Doll was assigned post 2 in a field of 12 fillies and mares set to race Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Gardenia Stakes at Ellis Park in western Kentucky.
Groupie Doll, the 2012 female sprint champion, will be making her first start since being beaten a nose in the Cigar Mile in late November after winning her five prior starts by substantial margins. Rajiv Maragh, who has ridden her in her last seven starts, will be in from New York to ride once again.
AUBURN, Wash. – Chu and You raced to an impressive, front-running victory Sunday in the $45,000 Angie C. Stakes at Emerald Downs, running her career record to 2 for 2 in the meeting’s first stakes race for 2-year-old fillies. The second choice in a field of six, Chu and You ran six furlongs in 1:09.88 and paid $5.40.
Chu and You’s assignment was made easier Sunday morning when Tinkerbelle Tops, expected to vie with Chu and You for the early lead, came down with a fever and was withdrawn by trainer Charles Essex.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Mike Puype celebrated his 47th birthday in style Sunday at Del Mar by sending out two winners, including Alberts Hope, who tenaciously fought off a spirited bid from Celtic Moon to capture the Grade 2, $150,000 Best Pal Stakes for 2-year-olds.
Alberts Hope ($7), the favorite in a field of six, settled comfortably behind the contested pace of Alpine Luck and Guns Loaded, advanced toward the leaders on the turn, took the lead a furlong out, then had to hold off 11-1 shot Celtic Moon, who sneaked through along the rail and made Alberts Hope earn it.
