Mon, 11/13/2023 - 12:45

McGaughey mapping out plans for weekend winners

Adam Coglianese/NYRA

Signator will winter in Florida for Shug McGaughey but could return to Aqueduct for the Queens County Stakes.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Patience has paid off for Signator who looks to be reaching the potential his connections hoped for after he won his maiden as a 2-year-old last fall at Aqueduct.

On Sunday, Signator drew clear to a 2 1/2-length victory in a race that will likely have him stakes-bound for his next start. Though the horse is headed to South Florida this week to continue training, trainer Shug McGaughey mentioned the $150,000 Queens County Stakes on Dec. 31 at Aqueduct as a potential spot for his stakes debut.

Mon, 11/13/2023 - 11:20

Dutrow might train White Abarrio up to Saudi Cup in late February

By David Grening

White Abarrio wins Breeders' Cup Classic at SA Nov 4 2023

Barbara D. Livingston

There is a possibility White Abarrio could run in the Pegasus World Cup prior to the Saudi Cup on Feb. 27.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 27 is the main early season target for White Abarrio in 2024, it is still not certain whether the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner will make a start before then or not.

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. maintains he is comfortable training White Abarrio up to that race and said over the weekend that the horse would remain based at Santa Anita until such time as he would ship to Saudi Arabia, which may not be until mid-February.

Mon, 11/13/2023 - 11:20

Iavarone may take another swing at Pegasus World Cup Turf with Master Piece

By David Grening

Master Piece wins Red Smith at AQU Nov 11 2023

Chelsea Durand/NYRA

Master Piece finished seventh in last January’s Pegasus World Cup Turf but will likely run in the race again in 2024 after winning the Red Smith.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Mike Iavarone has been trying to win the Pegasus World Cup Turf since the race was rebranded from the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in 2019. He hasn’t come close.

Next Shares went winless in three tries. Flavius finished last in 2022. Master Piece ran seventh in January.

Master Piece may have earned another shot at the Pegasus Turf with his victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct.

Fri, 11/10/2023 - 14:49

Arizona HBPA extends simulcast agreement with Turf Paradise through Dec. 31

By Matt Hegarty

Coady Photography

Turf Paradise is in the process of being sold and to the frustration of horsemen it is uncertain when a live race meet will begin.

The board of the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association on Friday approved an extension to its existing agreement allowing Turf Paradise to import full-card simulcasts to Dec. 31, according to the executive director of the organization.

The extension was passed by a “slim margin” of the 10-person board, according to Leroy Gessman, the Arizona HBPA’s executive director. The current extension was set to expire on Sunday, which would have led to a blackout of full-card simulcasts at the state’s 37 off-track betting locations.

Thu, 11/09/2023 - 16:17

Recent Brown winners possible for Remsen

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Chad Brown is targeting both Domestic Product and Sierra Leone toward the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. — Trainer Chad Brown may have two runners for the Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes in second-time out winner Domestic Product and the debut-winning Sierra Leone.

Domestic Product, a son of Practical Joke, won a 1 1/8-mile maiden race at Aqueduct on Oct. 27. The race came with blinkers added and about 12 weeks after he finished sixth on debut going six furlongs. Domestic Product earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure for his maiden win.

Thu, 11/09/2023 - 16:11

Dornoch to target Remsen

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

After finishing second in the Sapling at Monmouth and breaking his maiden at Keeneland, Dornoch is targeting the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. — Dornoch, the half-brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mage who won a maiden race at Keeneland last month, is back in New York and targeting the Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct on Dec. 2.

Dornoch, trained by Danny Gargan, worked a half-mile in 49.74 seconds last Friday over the Belmont Park training track.

“He looked like he was walking and he still went in 49-and-three,” Gargan said. “He’s still green and figuring it out. He’s going to get better.”

Thu, 11/09/2023 - 13:36

Prospective Turf Paradise owner addresses commission; horsemen's simulcasting vote is Friday

By Matt Hegarty

Coady Photography

The Arizona Racing Commission on Thursday approved Turf Paradise's request to import simulcast signals through next March. The track now needs horsemen approval.

The head of a group that intends to buy Turf Paradise in Phoenix told the Arizona Racing Commission on Thursday that live racing could start as early as Jan. 13 but that the opening date may have to be delayed depending on paperwork revolving around licensing and complying with national regulations.

Mon, 11/06/2023 - 14:20

Echo Zulu has a good week recovering from injury

By Steve Andersen

Echo Zulu wins the Ballerina at SAR Aug 26 2023

Debra A. Roma

Echo Zulu was training for a Breeders' Cup race when she fractured sesamoids Oct. 13 at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Echo Zulu continues to recover at a Southern California vet clinic from fractured sesamoids sustained in a workout Oct. 13 at Santa Anita.

Echo Zulu, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2021, is expected to remain at the clinic for several weeks, according to Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.

“She continues to impress us always,” Blasi said in the Santa Anita stables on Sunday.

“She’ll be around here for a while. Every day you get further away is a good day.

Mon, 11/06/2023 - 14:20

Irad Ortiz Jr. gets three days for ride on Goodnight Olive

By Steve Andersen

Goodnight Olive wins the BC F-M Sprint at SA Nove 4 2023

Debra A. Roma

Irad Ortiz Jr. received a three-day suspension for causing interference in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, though the horse rode, the winning Goodnight Olive (above), was not disqualified.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., the nation’s clear leader in wins and earnings this year, has been suspended three days for causing interference in his winning ride on Goodnight Olive in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita.

In a ruling published by stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer on Sunday, Ortiz was cited for failing to maintain a straight course and causing interference in the stretch of the seven-furlong race. Goodnight Olive was not disqualified from the victory.

Mon, 11/06/2023 - 14:20

California horses came up short in Breeders' Cup

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Gold Phoenix, who was fourth in the Turf, was Phil D'Amato's best Breeders' Cup finisher.

ARCADIA, Calif. –It was a long Breeders’ Cup weekend for California-based stables. Very long.

On Friday and Saturday, 33 horses based in the state started in Breeders’ Cup races, with Muth (Juvenile) and National Treasure (Dirt Mile) as the only top three finishers.

Muth and National Treasure are trained by Bob Baffert, who had nine runners in Breeders’ Cup races.

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