Sat, 08/11/2012 - 16:43

Saratoga: McLaughlin duo get in workouts despite weather

Barbara D. Livingston
Questing worked four furlongs Saturday in preparation for the Alabama.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – With no workouts whatsoever over a soggy main track and limited activity on the Oklahoma training strip, the focus of attention here Saturday morning was at the Greentree training center, where it was business as usual despite all the rain that inundated the local area on Friday.

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Sat, 08/11/2012 - 16:04

Del Mar: Stewards set hearing on disputed claim of euthanized horse

DEL MAR, Calif. – The disputed claim of Elivette, who was euthanized after suffering catastrophic injuries following a race at Del Mar on Aug. 3, will be the subject of a hearing by Del Mar’s stewards, representing the California Horse Racing Board, on Aug. 22, a board spokesman confirmed Saturday.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 14:51

Del Mar: Nechez Dawn provides quick return on investment

Benoit & Associates
Nechez Dawn wins the Daisycutter Stakes on Friday at Del Mar.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Nechez Dawn was purchased out of a paddock sale here the night of July 22 and began paying dividends Friday night by winning her first start for new connections in the $97,670 Daisycutter Handicap for female turf sprinters.

Nechez Dawn was purchased out of the paddock sale by Dave Mowatt, who races as Ten Broeck Farm, and she was turned over to trainer Jeff Bonde.

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Sat, 08/11/2012 - 14:20

Hoosier Park: Grand Traverse going strong at age 9

Grand Traverse is getting a little long in the tooth at age 9, but his trainer, Tim Glyshaw, says he is racing like a younger horse. On Tuesday evening, Grand Traverse, an earner of $440,000, faces five rivals in a $50,000 optional claiming race at Hoosier Park.

“He doesn’t seem to lose anything,” Glyshaw said. “He’s had a couple of bang-up races lately. I couldn’t be happier about how he came back off his layoff.”

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 13:59

Saratoga: Sensible Lady brings impressive record at smaller tracks to Coronation Cup

Barbara D. Livingston
Sensible Lady has improved dramatically since being tried in turf sprints.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After winning turf sprint stakes at Pimlico, Colonial Downs, and Penn National, Sensible Lady will try to shine under the bright lights of Saratoga when she competes in Monday’s $100,000 Coronation Cup at 5 1/2 furlongs over the Mellon turf course.

Trainer Tim Salzman was just looking to get a race into Sensible Lady when he entered her in a second-level turf race at Pimlico in April. It was her first start of the year, and her previous turf try resulted in a fifth-place finish in the Selima Stakes at Laurel.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 11:44

Delaware Park: Racing official Alice Marcacci dies

Alice Marcacci, the stakes coordinator at Delaware Park, died Friday at South Jersey Regional Medical Center after suffering a stroke. She had recently been at home recuperating from foot surgery. Marcacci was 67.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 08:37

Presque Isle Downs: Favored Lotta Lovin takes Malvern Rose

Lotta Lovin came from just off the pace to win the $75,000 Malvern Rose at Presque Isle Downs Friday evening.

Jockey Pablo Morales bided his time in fourth for the first half-mile before rallying to the lead midway around the far turn in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old filled bred in Pennsylvnia. Morales urged Lotta Lovin to a one-length lead in upper stretch and then held on for a three-quarter-length victory at the wire.

Fri, 08/10/2012 - 23:01

Del Mar: Nechez Dawn holds off longshot to win Daisycutter turf sprint

Benoit & Associates
Nechez Dawn drifts wide in the stretch under Edwin Maldonado on Friday night but holds off longshot Missdealornodeal to win the Daisycutter at Del Mar.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Nechez Dawn, making her first start on this circuit and for new connections after a recent sales purchase, sped to the front and never looked back when winning the five-furlong, $97,670 Daisycutter Handicap for female turf sprinters on Friday night at Del Mar.

Fri, 08/10/2012 - 18:48

Saratoga: Quick Wit by a nose in Hall of Fame Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Quick Wit (left) perseveres to defeat Csaba in the Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - On paper, it looked like a sloppy track was the last thing trainer Dale Romans wanted to see for his 3-year-old Quick Wit.

On the track, it turned out to be just perfect for the son of Sharp Humor.

After hooking up with Csaba at the five-sixteenths pole, Quick Wit, a 10-1 shot under substitute jockey Rajiv Maragh, prevailed by a nose over the favored Csaba, under Julien Leparoux, to win the $200,000 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes Friday at saturated Saratoga. It was 4 3/4 lengths back to Daddy Nose Best in third.

Fri, 08/10/2012 - 18:05

Del Mar notes: Baffert's Pacific Classic crew shrinks by one

Benoit & Associates
Take Control is out of training for the time being.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Trainer Bob Baffert has a juggernaut heading to the Pacific Classic in Game On Dude, Jaycito, and Richard’s Kid, but a fourth possible runner for the race, Take Control, has been taken out of training and will miss the Pacific Classic.

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