Sun, 03/24/2013 - 16:33

Florida Derby contender Shanghai Bobby works with Louisiana Derby prospect Palace Malice

Barbara D. Livingston
Shanghai Bobby (left) and Palace Malice work in company on Sunday. Both 3-year-olds trained by Todd Pletcher will run in major Kentucky Derby preps this weekend.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -  Juvenile champion Shanghai Bobby breezed five furlongs in 1:00.77 Sunday morning at Palm Meadows, his final work in preparation for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby.

Sun, 03/24/2013 - 16:01

Fonner Park cancels Sunday card after two races

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Jockeys at Fonner Park voted not to continue Sunday’s card following two races, citing poor track conditions a day after a winter storm hit the region,.

Temperature at post time was 25 degrees with a strong north wind. The track, listed as good, was reported to have slick and frozen spots.

This was third cancelation of racing at Fonner Park this year due to weather or track conditions.

Sun, 03/24/2013 - 14:26

Santa Anita: Amazombie will launch season in Tiznow Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Bill Spawr said that Amazombie’s first objective for 2013 is likely to be the $250,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 13.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 2011 champion sprinter Amazombie will make his first start of 2013 in the $125,000 Tiznow Stakes on April 27 at Betfair Hollywood Park, owner-trainer Bill Spawr said Sunday after the gelding worked five furlongs at Santa Anita.

Amazombie has not started since Nov. 3, when his frustrating 2012 campaign ended with an eighth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. Amazombie was 2 for 6 in 2012. During his championship campaign in 2011, he won 5 of 9, including the BC Sprint.

Sun, 03/24/2013 - 14:19

Santa Anita: No Kentucky Oaks for Executiveprivilege

Barbara D. Livingston
An impressive performance in Saturday's Hollywood Starlet could tilt the race for champion 2-year-old filly toward Executiveprivilege.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 2013 campaign of top 3-year-old filly Executiveprivilege continues to be postponed, and Sunday morning trainer Bob Baffert ruled out the first major objective of spring.

“I don’t see her making the Kentucky Oaks,” Baffert said. “I’ve just been training her lightly, with her feet.”

Sun, 03/24/2013 - 12:17

Kentucky Derby next stop for Spiral winner Black Onyx

Pat Lang Photography
Black Onyx, with Joe Bravo aboard, received a Beyer Speed Figure of 90 for winning the Spiral Stakes.

FLORENCE, Ky. – Black Onyx, the 15-1 winner of the Grade 3, $550,000 Spiral Stakes on Saturday at Turfway Park, exited the race in fine shape and was scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Tuesday or Wednesday to settle in for his next start in the May 4 Kentucky Derby, trainer Kelly Breen said early Sunday.

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 21:32

Turf Paradise: L.A. Weekend solidifies status as meet's top sprinter in Coyote

Coady Photography
L.A. Weekend, under Geovanni Franco, dominates the Coyote Handicap.

PHOENIX  – L.A. Weekend left no doubt he’s the best sprinter at Turf Paradise, and also that he may also be horse of the meet as the 5-year-old gelding dominated Saturday’s $35,000 Coyote Handicap.

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 19:24

Fair Grounds: Divine Loretta capitalizes on fast pace in Red Camelia

Hodges Photography/ Lynn Roberts
Divine Loretta, making her first start of the season, takes the Red Camelia under James Graham.

NEW ORLEANS – Taking advantage of a fast, contested pace, late-running Divine Loretta stormed to the lead in the stretch en route to a one-length victory in the Red Camelia on Saturday on the Fair Grounds turf course.

Jockey James Graham let Divine Loretta settle several lengths off the early pace as Ladyzarbridge and Little Polka Dot battled for the lead.

“I liked the two on the front end fighting it out,’’ said Sweet Hodges, who trains Divine Loretta for Randy Davis and Associates. “James rode a real good race, and she is a nice mare.’’

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 19:11

Santa Anita: Sky Kingdom takes to marathon distance in Tokyo City Cup

Benoit & Associates
Sky Kingdom draws clear under Martin Garcia in the 1 1/2-mile Tokyo City Cup.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Sky Kingdom had never run beyond 1 1/16 miles before Saturday’s $100,750 Tokyo City Cup over 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Santa Anita.

Such marathons races will definitely figure in future plans for Sky Kingdom.

Racing near the lead throughout, Sky Kingdom took the lead after a mile and pulled clear of seven rivals in the final furlong to win the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup by 3 3/4 lengths for his first career stakes win.

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 19:03

Oaklawn Park: Laurie's Rocket keeps owner's big meet rolling

Coady Photography
Laurie's Rocket, ridden by Victor Lebron, captures the Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Laurie’s Rocket on Saturday added to the outstanding Oaklawn meet his owner, Willis D. Horton, is having by giving the Arkansas resident his third stakes win of the season in the $75,000 Hot Springs. Horton also owns Will Take Charge, winner of the Grade 2, $600,000 Rebel and $150,000 Smarty Jones this meet at Oaklawn.

Laurie’s Rocket on Saturday picked off his third win at the meet after darting home by a length over Flashpoint. It was another two lengths back in third to Shrill, who was followed by Picko’s Pride and Apprehender.

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 18:38

Gulfstream Park: Twilight Eclipse delivers world-record performance in Pan American

Barbara D. Livingston
Javier Castellano guides Twilight Eclipse to a world-record time of 2:22.63 for 1 1/2 miles on turf.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -  Twilight Eclipse got the firm ground he needed and added distance he loves, that combination resulting in not only a four-length victory over Ioya Bigtime in Saturday’s $150,000 Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park but a world record in the process.