Tue, 01/08/2013 - 14:12

Golden Gate: Martin a trainer on a major roll

Since Wetherbee Lake ran fifth in an $8,000 claimer on New Year’s Day, trainer John Martin has been unbeatable in 2013.

He’s won the last six races he’s entered, beginning with wins by Beau Diablo and Last Sting last Friday. Martin won with Lucky to Stay Home, Elizabeth A, and Incisive on Saturday, and Besame Suances on Sunday. Martin also finished third with Along for the Ride in the race that Elizabeth A won.

Prior to Wetherbee Lake’s defeat, Martin had won with Gatheratthealter and Chin’n Tonic on Dec. 30 to give him eight winners from his past 10 starters.

Tue, 01/08/2013 - 14:03

Santa Anita: Key Decision, Akkadian figure prominently despite turf 'bias'

Shigeki Kikkawa
Hoorayforhollywood has the the highest recent speed figures in Thursday's feature.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Santa Anita turf course gets narrow Thursday, when the temporary rails are moved to the outermost 30-foot setting for the first time at the meet.

Many bettors will consider the rail position a key factor in the race-7 feature, a one-mile allowance with seven good horses, including four with a come-from-behind style – 2012 Grade 1 winner Willyconker, Akkadian, Make Music for Me and Clubhouse Ride.

Tue, 01/08/2013 - 13:48

Gulfstream Park: Father and son square off in Thursday turf sprint

Barbara D. Livingston
Strike the Tiger is entered for a $25,000 claiming tag Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It will be father versus son when trainer Dennis Ward’s Tiz in Court takes on his son Wesley Ward’s Strike the Tiger in Thursday’s $54,500 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park. The Ward family feud will be decided at five furlongs on the turf under first-level optional claiming conditions.

Tue, 01/08/2013 - 12:24

Golden Gate: California Derby Plan B for Condiment

Trainer Joe Brook didn’t originally plan to run Condiment in Saturday’s $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields, but the best-laid plans of mice, men, and trainers often go awry.

Although he has three times finished second in stakes, Condiment has never crossed the finish line first. His lone victory came in a Sept. 27 maiden race at Sacramento when Wildcat Moon edged him by a nose and was disqualified.

Tue, 01/08/2013 - 10:53

Hightail retired after fracturing a sesamoid at Oaklawn Park

Tom Keyser
D. Wayne Lukas will stretch Hightail out to 1 1/16 miles in the Delta Downs Jackpot off his win in the six-furlong Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Hightail has been retired after sustaining an injury during a recent training session at Oaklawn Park, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Tuesday.

Lukas said Hightail fractured a sesamoid and is to rehab at the Calumet Farm operation of his owner, Brad Kelley. Stud plans for the horse are pending.  

“He’s retired,” Lukas said. “It was training, just a bad step. He’s going to be okay as a stud.”

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 16:25

Aqueduct: Princess of Sylmar eyes Busher

Tom Keyser
Princess of Sylmar wins the Busanda by 7 1/2 lengths on Saturday. She could run next in the Busher on Feb. 2.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Having recorded her second straight victory over Aqueduct’s inner track, Princess of Sylmar may stick around New York for her next start, which could come in the $100,000 Busher Stakes here on Feb. 2.

Princess of Sylmar won Saturday’s $100,000 Busanda Stakes by 7 1/2 lengths, her third straight open-lengths victory and her second in a row over the inner track.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said he spoke briefly with the owners of Princess of Sylmar after the race and the first inclination is to leave her in New York.

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 16:20

Aqueduct: Two more fatal injuries bring meet total to three

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Following the fatal injuries suffered Sunday by Wildcat’s Smile and Bomber Boy, there have been three racing-related fatalities in the first 14 cards of racing over the inner track since the meet began on Dec. 12.

Last winter, when there were 21 fatalities during the inner-track season, the third fatality occurred on Jan. 8, 2012, the 25th day of the meet.

Wildcat’s Smile suffered a condylar fracture and a sesamoid fracture in her right foreleg while racing on the lead of Sunday’s Cat Cay Stakes. She had to be euthanized on track.

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 16:16

Aqueduct: Benzel to winter in Dubai

Michael Burns
Maritimer finished 11th in the UAE Derby last year and will try to earn a spot in the Dubai World Cup this year.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Seth Benzel was scheduled to leave New York on Tuesday for Dubai, where he will prepare a handful of horses for the Dubai Racing Carnival, culminating in what he hopes will be several runners on the rich Dubai World Cup card on March 30.

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 16:06

Aqueduct: McLaughlin has two possible for Withers

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said that Jerome fourth-place finisher Long River and recent maiden winner Valid are both possible for the Withers.

In his first start against winners, Long River raced inside of horses for a good part of the trip, but only showed modest acceleration when he got in the clear in the stretch.

“He ran well for just breaking his maiden,” McLaughlin said. “His best race he was out in the clear; this race he was opposite.”

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 14:58

Gulfstream Park: Dullahan set to rejoin Romans stable at track

Emily Shields
Dullahan was delayed in his return to the track by a cut that needed three stitches.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Dale Romans said Dullahan is now scheduled to rejoin his stable here later this week. The Blue Grass and Pacific Classic winner had originally been scheduled to return to training just after the first of the year.

“He was coming last week but got a little cut on his leg while out in the field that we had to put three stitches in,” Romans said. “He’ll be down in a few days. It set him back a week maybe.”