Wed, 03/29/2023 - 10:55

Modern Games being pointed to Maker's Mark Mile

Barbara D. Livingston

Modern Games has a perfect record in North America, including a victory in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland (above).

Breeders' Cup Mile winner Modern Games will return to Keeneland to begin his 4-year-old campaign in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile, owner-breeder Godolphin said Wednesday.

Godolphin posted the update on its official Twitter channel from its Moulton Paddocks training facility in Newmarket, home to trainer Charlie Appleby. The international outfit noted Appleby’s string is "advancing nicely" in training, with Modern Games heading straight to the U.S. for his season debut.

The Maker’s Mile is set for Friday, April 14, on the second weekend of Keeneland’s spring meeting.

Wed, 03/29/2023 - 10:50

Kentucky Derby: Pletcher pointing three to Wood Memorial

By David Grening

Adam Coglianese/NYRA

Classic Catch wins his maiden in November at Aqueduct.

When Mo Donegal won last year’s Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial, it was trainer Todd Pletcher’s seventh victory in the race, equaling the record of Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons.

On April 8, Pletcher is likely to send out three runners in search of a record eighth Wood trophy – and perhaps another Kentucky Derby starter.

Pletcher is planning to start recent allowance winner Classic Catch and maidens Dreamlike and Crupi in the 1 1/8-mile Wood, which awards 200 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to its first five finishers (100-40-30-20-10).

Wed, 03/29/2023 - 09:06

Torres will ride at Churchill Downs after Oaklawn meet

By Mary Rampellini

Coady Photography

Cristian Torres had won 72 races from 334 starts at the Oaklawn meet through Wednesday.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park leading jockey Cristian Torres will be based at Churchill Downs for the first time following the close of the local season, agent Cody Autrey said Tuesday.

Oaklawn wraps up its meet May 6.

Autrey said Tuesday that Torres, 25, is scheduled to ride at Churchill on May 2-3, which are dark days at Oaklawn. If things go well for the rider on Saturday, he also could be riding at Churchill on May 5-6.

Tue, 03/28/2023 - 14:01

Winter meet all-sources handle declines despite racing two more dates than a year ago

By David Grening

Jim Sewastynowicz

Total all-sources handle at the Aqueduct winter meet was down 4.4 percent. Average daily handle declined 8.9 percent.

All-sources handle for Aqueduct’s recently concluded winter meet was $268,592,551, down 4.4 percent from the $280,829,357 handled over the comparable period a year ago, according to figures provided by the New York Racing Association.

There were 370 races run over 42 race programs from Jan. 1 through March 26, 2023 compared to 353 races run over 40 races cards from Jan. 1 through March 27, 2022. Average daily handle in 2023 was $6,395,061, down 8.9 percent from the average daily handle of $7,020,734 in 2022.

Mon, 03/27/2023 - 15:47

2023 Kentucky Derby: Sunland Derby winner Wild On Ice made eligible to Triple Crown

By Mary Rampellini

Wild On Ice wins Sunland Derby at SUN March 26 2023

Coady Photography

Wild On Ice takes the Sunland Derby under jockey Ken Tohill. Wild On Ice, a son of Tapizar, was bred in Texas by his owner, Frank Sumpter.

Sunland Park Derby winner Wild On Ice has been made eligible for the Triple Crown, but his status for the Kentucky Derby is to be determined, trainer Joel Marr said Monday.

Wild On Ice won the Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Derby at 35-1 on Sunday and picked up 50 qualifyinh points for the Kentucky Derby. Late nominations for the Triple Crown closed Monday at a cost of $6,000.

“The money was paid today,” Marr said Monday. “He’s on the list.”

Mon, 03/27/2023 - 14:10

Dubyuhnell, Fort Bragg committed to Florida Derby despite outside posts

By Mike Welsch

Barbara Livingston

Dubyuhnell drew post 12 for the Florida Derby - a very tough spot to win from.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Like just about everyone else, trainers Danny Gargan and Tim Yakteen were caught off guard when a full field of 12 3-year-olds was drawn for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby. And neither was pleased when his horse drew an outside post position for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby prep. Dubyuhnell, trained by Gargan, and Fort Bragg, trained by Yakteen, drew posts 12 and 10, respectively.

Mon, 03/27/2023 - 13:15

Prat, Dettori will be departing California in coming weeks

By Steve Andersen

Barbara Livingston

Flavien Prat will spend the majority of April riding at Keeneland.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The jockey standings at Santa Anita will evolve in coming weeks, at least among the names chasing runaway leader Juan Hernandez.

Through Sunday, Hernandez led all riders with 49 wins, well clear of Flavien Prat (25), Tiago Pereira and Frankie Dettori (21), and Hector Berrios (19).

Prat and Dettori will not remain among the first five for very long. They are scheduled to leave for Kentucky and Britain in the near future, following plans laid out at the beginning of the year.

Mon, 03/27/2023 - 13:10

Knapp keeps remarkable run going with three-win day

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Bus Buzz is being pointed to the Echo Eddie Stakes by trainer Steve Knapp.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The first time trainer Steve Knapp won three races on a single day the milestone helped him clinch his first training title at the 2005 Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting.

Knapp finished with 16 wins, one ahead of Jeff Mullins and two clear of Bob Baffert. At the time, Knapp, then 50, was in his sixth year of training and en route to a career-best 65-win season.

The yearslong statistic is in jeopardy this year.

Mon, 03/27/2023 - 11:55

Landeros hits for stakes triple on Saturday

By Nicole Russo

Cody Photography

Botanical, ridden by Chris Landeros, wins the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway on Saturday.

Chris Landeros rode three of the six stakes winners on Saturday’s biggest card of the Turfway meet.

Landeros’s day was highlighted by a pair of talented fillies from the Brad Cox barn, as Botanical won the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks and Idiomatic won the $250,000 Latonia. Botanical is streaking toward the Kentucky Oaks off four straight wins at Turfway, with Landeros aboard for all of them.

“She’s shown so much talent this meet at Turfway,” Landeros said.

Mon, 03/27/2023 - 11:35

Munnys Gold set for graded stakes after 106-Beyer romp

By Marty McGee

Tom Keyser

Munnys Gold wins the Sophomore Fillies Stakes by 17 1/4 lengths in track-record time Sunday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Munnys Gold will run next in a graded stakes for the first time after crushing the track record for seven furlongs Sunday at Tampa Bay Downs.

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