LEXINGTON, Ky. – As if Dale Romans doesn’t have enough good horses in his barn right now – think Dullahan, Shackleford, Little Mike, Silver Max, and a few more – the veteran trainer is looking to have some of his 2-year-olds start crashing those elite ranks.
One of his top hopes in that category is Craving Carats, a Street Sense colt who figures as one of the middling wagering choices in a wide-open 22nd running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Bourbon Stakes on Sunday at Keeneland.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Juddmonte Spinster will sport extraordinary depth Sunday, but will that scare off Tiz Miz Sue? Hardly. The 5-year-old mare has taken on all comers in the last couple of seasons, from Havre de Grace to Plum Pretty to Royal Delta, all the while representing herself and her connections proudly.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Last year, a total of 20 European horses competed at Woodbine in the three Grade 1 turf stakes on Canadian International Day.
This year, European representation could run up to as many as 16 horses among the Canadian International, E.P. Taylor, and Nearctic Stakes.
The German import Scalo, eyeing the Canadian International, and Kapitale, an E.P. Taylor candidate, already are on the grounds along with England’s E.P. Taylor-bound Barefoot Lady.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The fourth and final leg of the Endurance Series at Hastings on Sunday drew five horses, and it appears to be a toss-up between Yvett’s Pride, Texas Buccaneer, and Diablo Pass. The 1 1/2-mile starter handicap for 3-year-olds and up goes as race 2 on a seven-race card that starts at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.
FORT ERIE, Ontario – Time Sharing, a winner of two recent sprints here including the $60,000 Ernie Samuel Memorial, looks like the one to catch here in Sunday’s Queen of Fort Erie Cup.
The 6 1/2-furlong Queen of Fort Erie is for fillies and mares, Ontario-sired, who have started at the Fort at least three times in 2012.
The $30,000 Queen of Fort Erie Cup has drawn a field of seven, and many of them are known for their speed.
The $100,000 Premiers and the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina at Hastings this Monday will take on a lot more significance than usual. As unlikely as it may seem, both races could end up being preps for Breeders’ Cup races.
Commander will take a shot in the Grade 2, $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon if he wins the Premiers. The connections of Class Included are looking at the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic if she runs well in the Ballerina.
Jockey Tyler Baze, who has not ridden since August 2011 because of substance abuse problems, returns to racing on Friday at Santa Anita, less than a month after being reinstated from suspension.
Baze began working horses in late September after being reinstated by the Los Alamitos stewards. Baze was suspended for circumstances stemming from a missed Breathalyzer test at Del Mar in September 2011.
Friday, Baze is booked to ride Roulette It Roll in the first race and Warren’s Sugarbuzz in the sixth race. He has four mounts on Saturday, and two mounts on Sunday.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The brilliant 2-year-old Uncaptured will extend to 1 1/16 miles Sunday at Woodbine in the $200,000 Grey, a Grade 3 stakes that has been a springboard to good things for many top horses over the years.
Uncaptured is unbeaten in four starts, all for owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse. Since winning his debut in May, the Ontario-bred has won three sprint stakes, including the seven-furlong Swynford. His average Beyer Speed Figure for those three scores is a huge 91.
