Hastings Racecourse has announced the appointment of Dawn Lupul as manager of racing and communications effective Aug. 28.
“We are thrilled to have Dawn join the team,” said Matthew Ruhlman, Chief Operating Officer of BC Racebook. “She is a highly respected professional in the industry, uniquely talented with both breeds and we are excited to bring her fresh perspective to B.C. as we continue to grow the business.”
If a fit racehorse like Free Like a Girl is having trouble handling the sweltering temperatures that have gripped the Southwest, what hope is there for the rest of us?
Free Like a Girl, the reigning Louisiana-bred of the year who is closing in on earnings of $1 million, is getting some downtime after finishing an uncharacteristic eighth in the Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Aug. 5 at Louisiana Downs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Reincarnate, mentioned as likely starter for the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes here Aug. 26, will skip that race and instead point for the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Sept. 23, trainer Bob Baffert said Friday.
Baffert said he still intends to run Preakness winner National Treasure in the Travers.
“I’m going to split them up,” Baffert said. “They sort of have the same style. Reincarnate, he’s getting better, and better, but it’s a tough race.”
Race caller Trevor Denman and retired Hall of Fame jockey Fernando Toro will be honored in ceremonies between races at Del Mar on Saturday for their accomplishments in racing.
Denman, 70, is the 2023 recipient of the Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award presented to people or organizations who have served racing with integrity, dedication and distinction.
The award has been presented to jockeys, trainers, owners, breeders, track officials, and horsemen’s organizations. The 2022 award was given to Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally.
Geaux Rocket Ride, winner of the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational for 3-year-olds at Monmouth Park on July 22, continued major preparation for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Sept. 2 with a seven-furlong workout in 1:25.40 on Friday.
Geaux Rocket Ride will be among the favorites in the $1 million Pacific Classic, which will be the colt’s first start against older horses and first start at 1 1/4 miles.
Trained by Richard Mandella, Geaux Rocket Ride worked alone under jockey Mike Smith, who has the mount in the Pacific Classic.
The Chosen Vron, winner of his last eight starts since September including the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar July 29, will not race again until the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, trainer and co-owner Eric Kruljac said Friday.
After the Bing Crosby Stakes, Kruljac mentioned the possibility of starting The Chosen Vron in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at six furlongs Sept. 30, but said on Friday that is no longer the plan.
“We’ll plan on going in fresh for the Breeders’ Cup,” he said. “We’ve made that decision.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Art Collector, a two-time Grade 1 winner and earner of more than $4.2 million, was euthanized Thursday after developing laminitis in all four feet, trainer Bill Mott said. He was 6 years old.
The news was first reported by Horse Racing Nation.
Mott said Art Collector first showed signs of an issue a couple of days after he worked five furlongs over Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track on Aug. 5. What first appeared to be a foot abscess quickly developed into laminitis.
Hurricane Hilary, currently in the eastern Pacific off the coast of Mexico, could produce wet conditions that will affect Sunday’s racing program at Del Mar.
Weather forecasters are predicting the storm will advance north through Baja California and could bring widespread rain to the southwest of the United States, including Southern California.
It has been quite a month for the broodmare, and former champion, Beholder.
On Aug. 8, Beholder’s yearling by Curlin sold for $4 million to Amr Zedan at the Fasig-Tipton yearling sale in Saratoga, the most expensive hip of the prominent sale. The colt will be trained by Bob Baffert in 2024.
Attention will turn to the racetrack on Saturday when Beholder’s 2-year-old, the filly Tamara, has her career debut in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar.
Tamara was bred by Spendthrift Farm, who owns the Bolt d'Oro filly and consigned the Curlin yearling.
