Fri, 09/28/2012 - 15:59

Woodbine: Moonlit Beauty and Reconnect meet again in Classy 'n Smart

Michael Burns
Moonlit Beauty (right) defeated Reconnect in the Victoriana Stake in August.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Moonlit Beauty and Reconnect, the one-two finishers in the restricted Victoriana Stakes over 1 1/16 miles of turf here Aug. 18, will be renewing their rivalry Sunday in the 1 1/16-mile Classy ‘n Smart on the main track. The $125,000 Classy ‘n Smart, for Ontario-sired fillies and mares, attracted a field of eight.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 15:50

Belmont: Violette moves on with Carried Interest in Futurity

[bc_video_id:263986:]ELMONT, N.Y. − What had been a great summer for trainer Rick Violette and owners Seth Klarman and Bill Lawrence turned sour Sept. 17, when their top 2-year-old, Spurious Precision, suffered a fatal knee injury while training at Aqueduct for a start in the Grade 1 Champagne next weekend at Belmont Park.

“When something like that happens, no question it kicks the living daylights out of you,” Violette said. “We have 45 to 50 horses we have a responsibility to care of, that doesn’t change, and 45 to 50 people working for me and I’m responsible to them.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 15:50

Santa Anita: John Henry an important race for Slim Shadey, Turbo Compressor

Benoit & Associates
Slim Shadey, whose last win was in the San Marcos, needs to run well to remain a Breeders' Cup Turf contender.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Off-the-board finishes last out will not prevent Slim Shadey and Turbo Compressor from entering the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship as key contenders Sunday at Santa Anita.

It will be a different story Nov. 3 in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The field will be stronger, the distance longer, and Bourbon Bay and Casino Host will be fully cranked after using the $150,000 John Henry as their tune-up prep.

The urgency Sunday is greater for Slim Shadey and Turbo Compressor.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 15:46

Los Alamitos: Vessels Handicap offers Champion of Champions berth

The $150,000 Mildred Vessels Handicap at Los Alamitos offers more than a lucrative prize befitting a Grade 1 race for Quarter Horse fillies and mares.

The winner of the 400-yard race receives an automatic berth to the $750,000 Champion of Champions on Dec. 15, a race that plays a pivotal role in year-end championships.

The field for the Vessels Handicap includes several runners who would fit in the Champions of Champions.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 15:44

Belmont: Matron should see Kauai Katie up front

Barbara D. Livingston
Kauai Katie followed up her debut victory by winning the Grade 2 Adirondack.

ELMONT, N.Y. – With the luxury of having a true route horse like Dreaming of Julia in the barn, it gives the connections of Kauai Katie the opportunity to let her doing what she does best.

Thus, for at least the time being, Kauai Katie will be kept sprinting and she is strictly the one to beat in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Matron Stakes at Belmont Park. The Matron, run at six furlongs, shares billing with the Grade 2, $200,000 Futurity for 2-year-old males on the 10-race card.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 15:26

Remington Park: Willy Beamin has best credentials in Oklahoma Derby field

Barbara D. Livingston
King's Bishop winner Willy Beamin will be seeking his seventh straight victory when he runs in the Oklahoma Derby.

When owner Jim Riccio claimed Willy Beamin for $25,000 in March, he was hoping to land a solid runner that would work in the New York-bred program. Fast forward six months, and Willy Beamin has given Riccio his first Grade 1 win in 30 years in racing.

“He was a surprise,” said Riccio. “I thought he was worth the $25,000. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he was as good as he’s gotten. He’s going so well it’s unbelievable.”

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 15:22

Assinboia average daily handle down 8 percent

Assiniboia Downs has reported an all-sources daily average handle of $138,962 on its live product, a decrease of 8.7 percent from last year’s $151,097, for the 59-day meeting that ended last Sunday.

Total all-sources handle was $8,198,785, down by 7.8 percent from last year’s $8,896,330.

The average field size was 6.9, down from 7.5 last year.

◗ The jockeys’ race came right down to the wire this year with Paul Nolan emerging victorious by a 76-75 count over Jennifer Reid. Rohan Singh was three wins back in third.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 14:14

Woodbine: Atlantic Hurricane should benefit from return to turf in Avowal

Michael Burns
Atlantic Hurricane is expected to make her next start in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters on Sept. 8.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Atlantic Hurricane found the going tough when travelling 6 1/2 furlongs over the Tapeta surface in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters on Sept . 8. Now Atlantic Hurricane will be looking to regroup here at Woodbine in Sunday’s $100,000 Avowal, a seven-furlong turf overnight stakes which attracted a field of 10 fillies and mares.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 14:13

Calder to charge for off-season stabling

MIAMI – Calder said on Friday that it will begin charging a $10 per day stabling fee for all stalls occupied during its off season, which runs from Dec. 1, 2012, until April 5, 2013. The fees will be used to help keep the stable area in operation during that period.

The 2012 Calder meeting ends on Nov. 30, with the 2013 session scheduled to open on April 5.

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 14:03

Zia Park: Chaves County packed with winners

Tommie Morelos/Coady Photography
Cali Baby has won six stakes, including stakes for New Mexico-breds in her last two starts.

The six fillies and mares who make up the field for the $60,000 Chaves County at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., on Sunday all have a nose for the wire. Between them, they have won 44 races.

Veillit’ leads the field with 12 wins, while Cali Baby boasts 11. Others set to start in the one-mile race include Someplace Else, a six-time winner who invades from Remington Park.