Tue, 05/21/2013 - 15:00

Hollywood Park: Trainer says horse at center of rescinded claim is fine

Benoit & Associates
Open Water will train at Saratoga this summer, but is likely to return to California for the Clement Hirsch at Del Mar in August.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The gelding at the center of a rescinded claim because of unsoundness at Betfair Hollywood Park last Sunday emerged from the race without injury, trainer Bill Spawr said on Tuesday.

Plenny of Henny won Sunday’s first race and was claimed for $10,000 from Spawr by trainer Ted H. West. When Plenny of Henny was ruled to be unsound in the backstretch test barn after the race by state veterinarian Tim Grande, the claim was rescinded through a new rule enacted on May 16 by the California Horse Racing Board.

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 14:15

Belmont Stakes security protocols similar to last year

Horses competing in the June 8 Belmont Stakes will be subject to out-of-competition blood testing and 24-hour security beginning three days before the race, but will be allowed to remain in their own barn as part of security measures announced Tuesday by racing authorities.

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 14:05

Golden Gate: Positive Response recovered and ready for All American

Vassar Photography
Positive Response, with Julien Couton riding, wins the 2011 California Derby.

It’s important for trainers to have a Plan B just in case Plan A doesn’t work out.

Trainer Billy Morey had to fall back on Plan B with Positive Response, and he’s feeling confident going into Monday’s Grade 3, $100,000 All American at 1 1/16 miles over the Golden Gate Fields Tapeta main track.

Positive Response is the sorta-kinda defending champ. He was first under the wire in last year’s Memorial Day stakes, the Berkeley. But he was disqualified and placed fourth.

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 14:04

Golden Gate: Sherman enjoys pair of satisfying wins

Trainer Steve Sherman had a pair of winners last week – one with a former claimer and the other with a current claimer.

Justalittleloopy, who has five victories and has hit the board in all 10 career starts, scored a nice win in a $62,500 optional claimer on Friday, while Elizabeth A scored her third straight win and fifth in her past six starts on Saturday.
Justalittleloopy began her career in a bottom-level $8,000 maiden claimer.

“She’s definitely an overachiever,” said Sherman. “She tries her butt off every single time.”

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 13:20

Churchill Downs notes: Moquett enjoys four-win week

Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
Gentlemen’s Bet earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure for his allowance win Friday and might run in the Grade 3 Aristides on June 1.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – If every week was like the last one, life would be very easy indeed for Ron Moquett. Moquett won four races last week, including a pair of high-end allowances at Churchill.

“I love when a plan comes together,” said Moquett, 41.

Livi Makenzie won a third-level allowance Thursday, Gentlemen’s Bet won a third-level allowance Friday, and Graceful Rage won a maiden special weight race Sunday.

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 13:16

Churchill Downs: Crazy Lucky tries to emulate success of her siblings

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 16-year-old Hidden Assets has been an outstanding asset in the Klein family broodmare band as the producer of stakes winners Due Date, Country Day, and Good Deed. Her youngest foal to race, a 3-year-old filly named Crazy Lucky, has yet to reach those heights, but all she might need is a little more time.

Steve Margolis, the primary trainer for the Louisville banking family of Bert, Elaine, and Richard Klein, said he believes Crazy Lucky is progressing steadily and rates a decent chance to join her siblings someday.

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 13:12

Calder: Close It Out to get another crack at Smile Sprint Handicap

Coady Photography
Close It Out wins the Champali Stakes by 4 1/2 lengths at Calder on Saturday for trainer Steve Towne.

MIAMI – After finishing third, just a nose shy of second, in the 2012 Smile Sprint Handicap with Close It Out, trainer Steve Towne is looking forward to getting his star sprinter back to the Grade 2 fixture on Summit of Speed Day here this summer.

Mon, 05/20/2013 - 20:34

Hastings: Herbie D returns at top of game in John Longden 6000

VANCOUVER, British Columbia- Herbie D, the champion sprinter in British Columbia last year, made a successful return to the races with a sharp win in the $50,000 John Longden 6000 at Hastings Monday.

Herbie D paid $5.10 as the favorite in the six and one-half furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, which drew five horses.

Mon, 05/20/2013 - 17:32

Woodbine: Paso Doble wins New Providence Stakes

Michael Burns
Paso Doble, with Eurico Da Silva aboard, wins the New Providence Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths Monday at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The favored Paso Doble delivered a strong performance in the $125,000 New Providence Stakes for the third straight year Monday at Woodbine, winning the six-furlong dash for Ontario-sired stock by 1 1/4 lengths.

Paso Doble stalked an honest pace along the inside and then mowed down the front-running Royal Egbert early in the stretch before drawing clear and finishing in 1:09.81. Sorry About That rallied wide to finish second over another longshot, Executive Five.