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.
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).
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.
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.
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.”
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.
[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.
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.
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.
