DEL MAR, Calif. – Considering his lofty status in the California handicap division, Richard’s Kid seems to have Friday’s $150,000 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar at his mercy.
There’s one little problem. He has lost the race twice.
“He’s never been able to win the Cougar II,” trainer Bob Baffert said.
In 2010, the last year that Richard’s Kid started in the race, he finished third as the even-money favorite. In 2009, he finished second in the race.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Pete Gregory said High End Man’s convincing win in a first-level allowance race last Saturday earned him a spot in the $50,000 Stellar’s Jay for B.C.-bred 3-year-olds on B.C. Cup Day, Aug. 6.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hessonite has dropped close decisions to her fellow New York-bred Gitchee Goomie in her last two starts, but she will finally duck that nemesis and appears well spotted to pick up her elusive first win of the year when facing a full field of statebred fillies and mares going a mile on the grass in Friday’s $100,000 Irish Linnet Stakes.
The California Horse Racing Board has revoked the license of Quarter Horse trainer Adan Farias for two years and fined him $25,000 after six of his horses tested positive at Los Alamitos last fall for the banned medication zilpaterol.
Zilpaterol, listed as a class 1 violation, is designed to increase muscle mass in livestock. The medication has properties that resemble anabolic steroids. The six horses that tested positive combined to earn $173,900.
BOSSIER CITY, La. – Trainer Al Stall Jr. has a problem many Louisiana horsemen would love to have – where to race a 3-year-old statebred who can run. Run a lot.
The 3-year-old in question is Tensas Cold Front, and Stall’s enviable dilemma is whether to start him in the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Derby against fellow Louisiana-breds on Aug. 18 or think bigger and try open company in the $100,000 Prelude Stakes on Aug. 4. In addition to the larger purse, the Prelude offers the winner an all-fees-paid berth to the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby on Sept. 8.
Candy and Nuts will appreciate the easier company she will be facing in a $20,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies that will serve as Friday’s feature at Northlands Park. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew five horses and goes as the first race.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Dino Condilenios is hoping his success with horses previously owned by Darley Stable will continue when he runs McKinley Square in a $23,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds at Hastings on Friday night. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew seven horses and goes as race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 7:15 p.m. Pacific.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The complexion of this weekend’s major stakes for 3-year-olds changed Wednesday when the connections of Wood Memorial winner Gemologist decided to run in Sunday’s Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park as opposed to Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
The Haskell and Jim Dandy are stepping-stones to the $1 million Travers run Aug. 25 at Saratoga.
Gemologist, who likely would have been favored in the Jim Dandy, will now likely be the second choice behind Belmont Stakes runner-up Paynter in the Haskell.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Tom Joy will get some class relief for his second start outside the maiden ranks in the featured eighth on a 10-race card at Woodbine Friday. The seven-furlong turf sprint is an unusual allowance for nonwinners-of-two, which excludes winners of $33,540 in their last two outings.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Mark Casse calls it “a crazy weekend.”
On Saturday, Casse will be at Saratoga to saddle Prospective in the Grade 2, $750,000 Jim Dandy, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds. On Sunday Casse will be at Monmouth to send out Stealcase for the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational, also at 1 1/8 miles for the same age group.
Meanwhile, over in Minnesota at Canterbury Park, Delegation will represent the stable in Saturday’s $150,000 Mystic Lake Derby, a one-mile turf race for 3-year-olds.
