Fri, 10/26/2012 - 13:21

Fort Erie needs needs new funding to survive

Jim Thibert
Fort Erie celebrated its 115th anniversary this year. The question is will there be a 116th season?

FORT ERIE, Ontario – Fort Erie Racetrack, which celebrated its 115th anniversary this year, will close the books on its 2012 meeting here Tuesday.

But, will Tuesday also mark the final day of Thoroughbred racing at Fort Erie?

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 13:14

Fort Erie: Thibert trying to save track a second time

FORT ERIE, Ontario – Jim Thibert, chief executive officer of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium, has faced many challenges during his career in business and economic development. For the last 11 years, he used his skills to benefit the town of Fort Erie.

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 20:08

Belmont Park: Single winning pick-six ticket takes down $305K

ELMONT, N.Y. - One bettor - presumably a fan of trainer Christophe Clement - hit Thursday’s pick six at Belmont Park for $305,335.  The wager was placed at a hub known as Bettor Racing.

There was a two-day carryover of $102,854 entering the day and an additional $355,305 was wagered into the pool on Thursday.

The winning sequence of 5-1-5-5-3-9 included Villanella ($10.20), Future Generation ($3.90), Avenging Spirit ($16.60), Mia Poppy ($18.60), Clear Pasaj ($8.10), and Normandy ($8.80).

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 17:44

Belmont Park notes: No luck for Manuka Honey

ELMONT, N.Y. - All dressed up with no place to run.

When Manuka Honey wound up three-deep on the preference list for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, trainer John Terranova thought he had a good back-up plan in Sunday’s $85,000 Chelsea Flower Stakes at Belmont.

Unfortunately, Manuka Honey ended up second on the also-eligible list for that race as well.

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 17:16

Woodbine: All Star Heart drops from graded stakes for River Memories

Shigeki Kikkawa
All Star Heart will try to bounce back in Saturday's $100,000 River Memories Stakes at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Horses dropping out of graded stakes company could make some noise in Saturday’s $100,000 River Memories Stakes, including All Star Heart, who makes her third local start in the one-mile turf route.

Post time for the first of nine events Saturday will be earlier than usual at 12:30 p.m., because the Breeders Crown races will be run Saturday night at Woodbine.

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 17:15

Prairie Meadows: $1.1 million in purses on the line in Challenge Championships

Dustin Orona Photography
Fredaville is in from California for the Grade 1 Distaff on Challenge Championships Night.

Quarter Horses from throughout North America and as far away as Brazil have descended on Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, on Saturday night to be part of the $1.1 million Challenge Championships. The program is one of the sport’s biggest, and it features 11 divisional stakes led by three Grade 1’s.

“I think it has a very similar feel to the Breeders’ Cup,” said trainer Cody Joiner, who will send out two starters on the card, including the top-class mare Fredaville. “It’s the same type of venue. You get horses from all over.”

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 17:10

Belmont Park: Regalo Mia looking for turnaround in Banner Gala

Tom Keyser
Regalo Mia (left) gets edged by Better Lucky in the Sands Point Stakes.

ELMONT, N.Y. – As if losing three stakes by a nose, neck, and a neck during the winter and spring wasn’t frustrating enough, Regalo Mia missed her entire summer because of illness.

With a change of seasons, hopefully comes a change of fortune as Regalo Mia begins her fall campaign in Saturday’s $85,000 Banner Gala Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles over Belmont’s inner turf.

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 17:10

Santa Anita: Much improved Lady Ten looks good in Autumn Miss

[bc_video_id:266573:]ARCADIA, Calif. – Lady Ten fooled Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert at the start of her career in January.

“We weren’t that excited about her,” he said.

Lady Ten made her first start in a $50,000 claimer for maidens, finishing second. She needed five more starts to beat maidens, doing so on turf in May. Since then, Lady Ten has thrived, including a win in the Sandy Blue Handicap on turf at Del Mar in August.

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 16:59

Breeders' Cup clocker report: Richard's Kid has maintenance move

Benoit & Associates
Richard’s Kid was among the runners trained by Doug O’Neill who made the work tab at Santa Anita on Thursday.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Doug O’Neill planned to spend Thursday evening in San Francisco watching his beloved Detroit Tigers take on the Giants in the second game of the World Series. He spent Thursday morning at Santa Anita, where he worked six potential Breeders’ Cup starters, including Classic contenders Richard’s Kid and Handsome Mike.

Thu, 10/25/2012 - 16:58

Santa Anita: Eswan Flores completes suspension for cocaine positive

Michael Amoruso
Fans who show up early at Santa Anita on Saturday will get to see Shackleford up close in his barn.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Eswan Flores resumed working horses at Santa Anita on Thursday, days after completing a 60-day suspension for a cocaine positive at Del Mar.

Flores said that he hopes to return to riding during the first week of the Betfair Hollywood Park autumn meeting, which begins on Nov. 8.