Thu, 11/24/2022 - 11:50

Fair Grounds puts turf racing on hold

There won’t be any turf racing at Fair Grounds until late December at the earliest, with plans to run a limited number of grass races on the outer portion of the turf course scrapped this week.

Wed, 11/23/2022 - 14:08

Stilleto Boy on schedule for San Antonio Stakes

Benoit photo
Stilleto Boy's victory in the Californian on Saturday ended a seven-race losing streak.

Multiple stakes winner Stilleto Boy is on target for the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita after a recent rest.

Trainer Ed Moger Jr. said Stilleto Boy was given a seven-week vacation at a farm after finishing last of six behind the now-retired superstar Flightline in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Sept. 3 at Del Mar.

“He was just tired, that’s all,” Moger said. 

Stilleto Boy has worked twice in recent weeks at Golden Gate Fields, going a half-mile in 37.60 seconds on Saturday in his most recent work.

Wed, 11/23/2022 - 12:16

Wind Ninety Nine gets chance to make up for loss as favorite

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Unsociable, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., has won three of his five starts this year.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A pair of starter optional-claiming races highlight Friday’s nine-race program, one on dirt, the second over the Tapeta course.

Wed, 11/23/2022 - 12:06

Angel Penna Jr., trainer of champions Christmas Past and Laugh and Be Merry, dies at 74

Barbara D. Livingston
Angel Penna Jr. won 586 races and purses of more than $24 million in his training career.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Angel Penna Jr., the son of Hall of Fame trainer Angel Penna Sr., died Tuesday in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 74.

Penna had been suffering from dementia, according to a report in Thoroughbred Daily News.

Penna, a native of Argentina, won 586 races with earnings in excess of $24 million during a training career that spanned more than four decades. Penna, who campaigned exclusively in south Florida over the past 10 years, sent out his final winner, Callmesenorita, on Feb. 11, 2021, at Gulfstream Park.

Wed, 11/23/2022 - 11:47

NYRA plans to race 202 days in 2023; Belmont at the Big A meet will return

Barbara D. Livingston
Among the tracks packaged in the new simulcast signal agreement is Saratoga Racetrack, the jewel of NYRA's three racetracks, which combined handled $2.37 billion in 2021..

The Belmont Park fall meet will again be held at Aqueduct next year, according to a 2023 racing schedule put out by the New York Racing Association on Wednesday.  

The 28-date meet will run from Sept. 14 to Oct. 29.  

NYRA conducted this year’s Belmont’s fall meet at Aqueduct due to construction of a tunnel to the infield at Belmont. There are still additional construction projects slated for Belmont, including a renovation of both turf courses and the main track, which are scheduled to begin next summer.

Tue, 11/22/2022 - 11:04

McGaughey suspended 15 days for acepromazine positive

Lauren King/Coglianese Photos
Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey will serve his suspension from Dec. 5 to Dec. 19.

Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey, a Hall of Fame trainer, has been suspended 15 days for a post-race positive for acepromazine, a regulated tranquilizer, in a horse that finished second in a stakes race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., this summer, according to a Kentucky stewards ruling.

Mon, 11/21/2022 - 15:38

Tyler Baze planning to ride at Oaklawn Park this winter

Barbara D. Livingston
Jockey Tyler Baze was unable to ride when a prescribed medication did not clear his system as soon as expected.

Jockey Tyler Baze plans to winter at the Oaklawn Park meet that opens Dec. 9, said Jay Fedor, the Midwest-based agent who will have his book at the Hot Springs, Ark., track. Fedor said Baze is scheduled to arrive in Arkansas on Nov. 29. 

Baze is currently riding at Del Mar in Southern California. 

“He loved it here when he was here a couple of years ago,” Fedor said. “He’s a top rider, a lot of background to him.” 

Mon, 11/21/2022 - 11:54

McCarthy will be out 8 to 10 weeks with collarbone, pelvic fractures

Justin N. Lane
A specialist confirmed Monday that Trevor McCarthy will not need surgery on either of his injuries.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Jockey Trevor McCarthy will be out of action 8 to 10 weeks after suffering a broken collarbone and pelvic fracture after being involved in a spill during the running of last Friday’s sixth race at Aqueduct.

The good news is that both fractures are non-displaced so McCarthy will not need surgery, “just time and rest to heal,” according to his agent Joey Migliore.

Mon, 11/21/2022 - 10:57

Cox pair work for clash with Rich Strike in Clark

Coady Photography
West Will Power wins the Fayette Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 29. Brad Cox plans to send him and Fulsome in the Clark on Friday at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The top challengers to Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike all squeezed in their final pre-race workouts over the weekend, preparing for their clash Friday at Churchill Downs in the $750,000 Clark, one of the final Grade 1 races of the year in North America.

Sun, 11/20/2022 - 18:17

Jockey Samuel suspended seven days following spill that injured McCarthy

Barbara D. Livingston
Trevor McCarthy is all smiles returning to the winner's circle aboard Weyburn, the 46-1 upset winner of last year's Gotham Stakes.

The New York stewards have suspended jockey Jalon Samuel for seven racing days for his ride aboard Rhombique in last Friday’s sixth race at Aqueduct, a race in which jockey Trevor McCarthy was unseated and suffered a broken collarbone and a pelvic injury that will sideline him indefinitely.

The exact days that Samuel will serve the penalty have not yet been solidified as the stewards were waiting to hear back from Samuel as to whether he planned to appeal. Samuel on Sunday told Daily Racing Form he doesn’t plan to appeal.