VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Iscar and Bearrock N Roll look like the main players in a $15,000 claiming race that goes as the first race at Hastings on Friday. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and will share top billing with the sixth race, a $15,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles that drew eight horses.
Post time for the first of seven races is 7:15 p.m. Pacific.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – All horses entered for the $1 million Travers Stakes here Aug. 25 will be subject to increased security protocols, including round-the-clock monitoring, out-of-competition testing, and public disclosure of veterinarian’s records, according to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.
Under protocols announced by the board Wednesday, Travers horses will be required to be on the grounds by Aug. 22, which is the day of entry and three days before the race. Horses will have out-of-competition blood testing taken Aug. 22.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Mega Dream’s sharp recent form caused her current owners to buy her back from a paddock sale at Del Mar a couple of weeks ago, and they are looking to increase her value on Friday, when she looms the one to beat in the $85,000 Daisycutter Handicap for older female turf sprinters at Del Mar.
[Complete coverage of racing at Del Mar: News, PPs, and video]
OCEANPORT, N.J. – Glass Art was set to make his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Oceanport at Monmouth Park until Mother Nature intervened.
“We had every intention of running him in that spot,” trainer Greg Sacco said of the race on the Haskell undercard. “We had that race picked out for a while. He jumped on himself when a big storm came through the night before. He cut his leg, and it blew up. It was superficial, but we couldn’t run him like that.”
Remington Park has repositioned its Oklahoma Derby Day program of rich stakes, installed a 68-foot long bar overlooking the winner’s circle, and brought on a new racing secretary as key changes for the track’s 67-date meet that opens Friday night. The season continues through Dec. 9.
The end of an incredible era in Louisiana racing could be nearing.
Retirement is being discussed for Star Guitar, the all-time richest Louisiana-bred who will miss Saturday night’s Evangeline Downs Mile because of a quarter crack. The location of the hoof injury, as well as its timing, has prompted the talks between Brittlyn Stable and trainer Al Stall Jr.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Monday’s $125,000 Shepperton Stakes had bittersweet consequences for Paul Buttigieg, the owner, trainer, and breeder of both Royal Egbert and Gypsy Ring.
Royal Egbert, a 4-year-old gelding who was seeking his third consecutive win and making his stakes debut, went coast to coast under regular rider Richard Dos Ramos for a convincing four-length victory at odds of 9-2.
But the multiple stakes-winning 6-year-old gelding Gypsy Ring was struggling home fourth as the odds-on favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong Shepperton for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up.
OPELOUSAS, La. – As backup plans go, Al Stall Jr. seems to have come up with a pretty good one for Saturday night’s $125,000 Evangeline Mile. With his three-time defending Mile champ Star Guitar sidelined with a quarter crack, Stall is going to pinch hit with the graded winner Apart.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Rick Pitino, the University of Louisville basketball coach, was on a scouting trip Wednesday, and it had nothing to do with hoops. Pitino has four horses with trainer Doug O’Neill, including three 2-year-old colts, giving Pitino his first presence as an owner on the West Coast after having horses in Kentucky and on the East Coast for years.
Lotta Lovin Looks primed and ready to win the $75,000 Malvern Rose for 3-year-old Pennsylvania-bred fillies at Presque Isle Downs on Wednesday evening.
Trained by Mike Maker, Lotta Lovin finished second in her last out locally against older open company in a optional claiming race July 19. Maker was pleased with that effort.
“She ran a good race. She just chased a pretty good filly who had everything her own way the entire trip.” Maker said.
