Thu, 08/01/2013 - 08:50

Arlington, Hawthorne file 2014 dates requests

CHICAGO - Applications for 2014 racing dates filed Wednesday by Illinois racetracks with the Illinois Racing Board suggest next year’s Chicago racing schedule will look much like this year’s, and what figures to be more hotly disputed than the actual race days at the board’s annual September dates awards hearing are winter days when there is no Chicago racing.

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 08:42

Woodbine: Hobnobsnob confirms love for turf in Victoriana score

Michael Burns
Hobnobsnob, under Gerry Olguin, skips over the rain-softened turf course to win the $127,000 Victoriana on Wednesday night.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Hobnobsnob led virtually all the way under Gerry Olguin to notch her first stakes win in the $127,000 Victoriana on a wet Wednesday night at Woodbine.

Hobnobsnob was pressed by Consecutive through moderate fractions in the mile and a sixteenth route, run on a rain-softened turf course that was labeled firm. She opened up a clear lead late on the turn and never looked back en route to a two-length score over Best Gift of All and Bear’s Gem, who dead-heated for second.

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 21:16

2013 Saratoga 2-year old recaps - Brazen Persuasion, Bahnah

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Saratoga 2-year-old recaps: Brazen Persuasion, Bahnah, Race 9, July 19, 2013

Winning Beyer Speed Figure: 72, 72

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Wed, 07/31/2013 - 21:09

Del Mar pick six hit for $352,891 by three bettors

DEL MAR, Calif. - Wednesday’s pick six at Del Mar paid $352,891 to three ticketholders after a 36-1 shot won the sixth race and a strong favorite held on to win by a half-length after holding a four-length lead on the turn in the eighth and final race.

Interest was high in Wednesday’s pick six. There was a carryover of $261,359 from Sunday. Bettors added $1,492,488 on Wednesday.

Track officials said that two winning tickets were purchased through the TVG account-wagering system and one was purchased at Del Mar.

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 20:49

Del Mar: California Chrome wins Graduation thanks to blinkers, Delgado

Benoit & Associates
California Chrome wins the Graduation Stakes on Wednesday under Alberto Delgado.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Benefiting from the addition of blinkers and an ideal ride from jockey Alberto Delgado, California Chrome won the first stakes of his career in Wednesday’s $100,250 Graduation Stakes at Del Mar.

California Chrome ($14.40) closed from just off the pace in a field of seven to win the Graduation Stakes for California-breds by 2 3/4 lengths over Moving Desert, a 9-2 shot who raced behind horses on the turn.
Gangnam Guy finished third, followed by Better Bet, Solid Wager, Wille B Awesome and Betting McCann Can. Solid Wager was the 3-1 favorite.

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 18:12

Saratoga notes: McGaughey, Sciacca headed to Parcells Hall induction

Barbara D. Livingston
Saratoga Snacks, owned by Bill Parcells, is scheduled to run in Thursday’s John Morrissey Stakes.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Bill Parcells, whose horse Saratoga Snacks was to run in Thursday’s John Morrissey Stakes, has invited trainers Shug McGaughey and Gary Sciacca to be his guests Saturday when the two-time Super Bowl winning coach gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Parcells, who has a home in Saratoga, is a daily visitor to the Saratoga backside, making McGaughey’s barn one of his first stops.

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 17:18

Saratoga: McPeek aiming high with Java’s War

Barbara D. Livingston
Java’s War, with Danny Ramsey riding, trains at Saratoga on Wednesday, preparing for a Travers start.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Last year, Ken McPeek took a swing for the fences and connected big-time when his Golden Ticket dead-heated with Alpha for first in the $1 million Travers Stakes.

It looks like McPeek is getting ready to step into the batter’s box again in this year’s Travers Stakes.

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 16:48

Emerald Downs: Clemens Brook trying a route

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AUBURN, Wash. – Clemens Brook, a veteran sprinter who has never raced around two turns, will try to carry her speed over 1 1/16 miles Friday in the featured sixth race at Emerald Downs. A $17,500 claimer for statebred fillies and mares, it’s the highlight of a seven-race card that begins at 6:45 p.m. Pacific.

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 16:42

Saratoga: Hyper finds John's Call distance to his liking

Barbara D. Livingston
Hyper wins the 1 5/8-mile John's Call under Javier Castellano on Wednesday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Hyper, who had never raced beyond a mile and one-quarter in 19 previous starts, found the mile and five furlongs of Wednesday’s $100,000 John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga well within his range, rallying to an easy 1 3/4-length victory over Side Road in the restricted overnight stakes.