SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After his top New York-bred filly Hessonite dropped three consecutive decisions to Gitchee Goomie earlier this season, trainer David Donk said it was important to get one back in Friday’s $150,000 Yadoo at Saratoga.
And that’s exactly what Hessonite did, rallying to a 1 1/2-length decision over longshot Mystic City with Gitchee Goomie finishing a disappointing fourth in the turf fixture for statebred fillies and mares.
AUBURN, Wash. − The definition of “big horse” is open to interpretation, and how could it not be? Frank Lucarelli figured he had a big horse, Ebony Spirit, back in 1979, but she was also his first horse and, for a time, his only horse. Lucarelli lived near Portland Meadows in a trailer that, according to a friend, was so comically small that Lucarelli and his black lab, Ebony, could barely fit inside.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.– Centre Court was overshadowed by the presence of the reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies turf winner Stephanie’s Kitten going into last month’s Grade 2 Lake George Stakes. And despite winning the Lake George, Centre Court may be slightly overlooked once again despite returning against virtually the same field in Sunday’s $200,000 Lake Placid at Saratoga.
[Complete coverage of racing at Saratoga: News, PPs, and video]
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Paco Lopez scored his 1,000th win on Friday, guiding Whitey’s Gold, the 3-5 favorite, to the victory in the second race at Monmouth Park.
Many members of the Monmouth’s riding colony gathered in the winner’s circle to congratulate Lopez, 26, who rode Quarter Horses in Mexico before moving to south Florida to ride Thoroughbreds five years ago.
“It is really exciting,” Lopez said. “I am so happy to have this accomplishment. I hope to keep winning races while getting to do what I love.”
ETOBICOKE, Ontario − Juanita, who was scratched from last Saturday’s Gardenia at one mile at Ellis Park, is shipping to Woodbine from Kentucky for Sunday’s Belle Mahone at 1 1/16 miles.
The Gardenia was a Grade 3 race, and the Belle Mahone is an overnight stakes. Both are $100,000 races for fillies and mares.
Juanita last raced May 28, when she finished last of five in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap over 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Park. One race before, she won the Grade 2 La Troienne at Churchill Downs over 1 1/16 miles May 4.
Anybody who might have jumped off the Trinniberg bandwagon after he was upset as the 1-5 favorite in the Grade 3 Carry Back last month at Calder may have second thoughts after the multiple graded sprint stakes winner blew out three furlongs in 35.42 seconds from the gate here at Saratoga on Friday in preparation for next Saturday’s King’s Bishop.
OCEANPORT, N.J. – Howe Great cruised to victory in the Jersey Derby as the 3-10 favorite.
Fire Alarm, the only horse to unleash a meaningful stretch rally behind Howe Great that afternoon, gets his chance to shine Sunday in the $60,000 Restoration Stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf at Monmouth Park.
Racing four wide into the stretch, Fire Alarm came on to get second, only 1 1/4 lengths behind Howe Great.
Van rides are an integral part of Little Bit of Baja’s season, and may continue to be.
Already this year, the 8-year-old gelding has raced at Sunland Park and Remington Park in divisions of the Bank of America Challenge Championship series, finishing sixth and fourth.
Groupie Doll, the leading candidate for a 2012 Eclipse Award in the filly-mare sprint decision, continues to progress toward a comeback from a minor hock injury. The 4-year-old filly had her third workout since returning to training when she breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Thursday morning at her home track, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Groupie Doll is doing so well that Buff Bradley, who trains Groupie Doll for himself and his father, Fred, is contemplating two prep races instead of one leading up to the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita.
DEL MAR, Calif. – So far, winning has come easily for Winding Way, the unbeaten 3-year-old filly who makes her stakes debut in Sunday’s $150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar.
She won her debut by 4 3/4 lengths in a maiden race over six furlongs at Betfair Hollywood Park on June 10 and followed with a victory in an optional claimer over 6 1/2 furlongs by 7 1/4 lengths here on July 21.
[Complete coverage of racing at Del Mar: News, PPs, and video]
