Thu, 11/29/2012 - 15:09

Woodbine: Bobcaygeon, Courtville set to take on champ in Sir Barton Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Sunday’s $125,000 Sir Barton Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up gained some unexpected firepower when Fifty Proof, Canada’s reigning champion older male, was supplemented at a cost of $3,000.

But Fifty Proof will be making his first start in 16 months, and he could get serious arguments from any of several rivals, including Bobcaygeon and Courtville, who both are coming into the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton in top form.

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 14:56

Zia Park: Alsvid tries to get the distance in derby

Shelly McShane/Coady Photography
Alsvid is the horse to beat in Saturday's $150,000 Zia Park Derby.

Alsvid will be seeking his fifth stakes win of the year on Saturday, when he makes a rare start around two turns in the $150,000 Zia Park Derby. The 1 1/16-mile race jumpstarts the final week of the Zia Park meet in Hobbs, N.M.

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 14:41

Gulfstream: Grade 2 winner Juanita brings class to Claiming Crown Tiara

Jenny Burgos
Juanita won the Grade 2 La Troienne at Churchill Downs in May.

One of the 13 horses that Mike Maker will start Saturday in the 14th annual Claiming Crown series at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., is a filly named Juanita in the Tiara.

All that Juanita has done is earn more than $500,000 and win the Grade 2 La Troienne at Churchill Downs in May.

[CLAIMING CROWN: Get PPs, watch Saturday's Gulfstream card live]

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 14:30

Golden Gate: Debutante favorite Ciao Bella Luna has look of a good one

Ciao Bella Luna will try to cement her reputation as Northern California’s top 2-year-old filly when she meets five rivals in Saturday’s $50,000-added Golden Gate Debutante on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. A six-furlong Tapeta race for 2-year-old fillies, the Debutante drew a field of six.

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 14:11

Hawthorne: Quarantine extended as euthanized horse tests positive for herpesvirus

STICKNEY, Ill. – A horse euthanized Monday at Hawthorne Race Course has tested positive for equine herpesvirus, becoming the fourth animal there killed by the disease and prolonging a quarantine that prohibits Hawthorne-based horses from shipping to other racing venues.

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 14:11

Gulfstream: Potential Claiming Crown starters stuck in Chicago

Barbara D. Livingston
Teaks North, a two-time Grade 1 winner in 2011, is prepping at Gulfstream Park for his first start since late January.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The restrictions put on horses stabled at Hawthorne Park due to the outbreak of the equine herpesvirus will also affect Saturday’s Claiming Crown program at Gulfstream Park.

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 13:53

Gulfstream: Maker has Parent's Honor, 12 others set for Claiming Crown

Hoofprints Inc.
Parent's Honor, winning a first-level optional claimer at Delaware Park in June with a 99 Beyer Speed Figure, will make his third start off a claim for trainer Tony Dutrow in the Claiming Crown Jewel.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. –Trainer Mike Maker has been one of the Claiming Crown’s biggest advocates over the years. So, too, have his principal owners, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey. On Saturday, the trio will team up to compete in all seven Claiming Crown races on Gulfstream Park’s opening-day program, including the afternoon’s main event, the $200,000 Jewel.

Saturday’s 10-race program will mark the earliest opening in Gulfstream history. The 2012-2013 meet will continue through April 5.

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 13:07

Woodbine: Casse-trained maiden winners step up for Display Stakes

Michael Burns
Gunderman won his maiden in his first try around two turns on Oct. 24.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Mark Casse entered maiden winners Gunderman and Sky Commander in Saturday’s $150,000 Display Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile test for 2-year-olds at Woodbine which was won by last year’s divisional champion, Maritimer.

Gunderman, a son of Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, won fourth time out in his initial venture around two turns Oct. 24.

“He split horses and showed a lot of guts,” Casse said. “He’s always trained better than he’s run. With his breeding, I think he’s going to get better.”

Thu, 11/29/2012 - 12:05

Charles Town: Flirting Song out to back up last in West Virginia Futurity

Mike Montgomery
Flirting Song wins the Tri-State Futurity at Charles Town on Nov. 10.

Flirting Song will try to show her upset in the Tri-State Futurity was not an aberration when she faces most of the opponents she beat three weeks ago in the second of two divisions of the West Virginia Futurity on Saturday night at Charles Town.

West Virginia-bred 2-year-old fillies will go seven furlongs in race 8. Two races earlier on the card, a wide-open field of West Virginia-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings will race seven furlongs in the first division. Both races are worth $50,000.

Wed, 11/28/2012 - 17:15

Hollywood Park notes: Power Broker, in need of a few more pounds, to sit out until 2013

Benoit & Associates
Power Broker, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, collects his first career stakes victory in the FrontRunner.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Power Broker, winner of the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes in October and fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 3, will not start again until 2013, trainer Bob Baffert said Wednesday.

A winner of 1 of 5 starts, all for owners Gary and Mary West, Power Broker is in need of a break to gain weight, the trainer said.

“He needs to fill out,” Baffert said. “He’s a very light horse.”

The decision not to start Power Broker for the rest of the year will keep the colt out of the $750,000 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park on Dec. 15.