LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Richie’slilcowgirl set the cell phones to ringing after running off the television screen in her career debut on a Friday afternoon in suburban Chicago. Richard Ravin ultimately agreed to sell her to one of her suitors, Ron Winchell, for a private sum, and now the Florida-bred filly will turn up Saturday in a graded stakes, the Debutante at Churchill Downs, in her second start.
Gone in a Flash showed a new dimension when he sat behind Tiny Giant in his win in a $40,000 optional claiming race June 9. His ability to rate should come in handy when he runs in the $50,000 Journal Handicap at Northlands Park Saturday. The six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew nine horses, and there is an abundance of speed in the field including a very sharp Minutesandtouches who has won both of his races at Northlands this year. Also in the field is Salt Flat Speed who won the last two renewals of the Journal.
Races are not won on Beyer Speed Figures alone, but the number Desert Ransom earned in his last start makes him look imposing Saturday in the $50,000 Minstrel at Louisiana Downs. He enters the race off a six-length maiden win for which he was assigned a Beyer Figure of 86. The number is tied for second-highest for a 2-year-old so far this year.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Stormy Canuck figures to get a perfect trip from just off what should be a lively and contested pace in a $35,000 optional claiming race Saturday that will serve as the feature at Hastings Park. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up goes as race seven on an eight-race card that begins at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The days of surprise wins from Willa B Awesome are over.
When she starts in Saturday’s $150,000 Hollywood Oaks at Betfair Hollywood Park, Willa B Awesome may be favored. The days of her winning stakes at double-digit prices, such as the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at 13-1 in January or the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks at 10-1 in March, are over.
When she won the Melair Stakes against California-breds here in late April, Willa B Awesome was even-money and won by a nose.[bc_video_id:255207:]
MIAMI – All the rain that fell at Calder last week was good for the grass. It also may be good for the chances of Where’s Sterling getting to run in Saturday’s $55,000 Mecke Stakes.
Where’s Sterling, who dominated the Memorial Day Handicap four weeks earlier, is clearly the leader of the local handicap division. He also is only likely to start if the Mecke, which is carded at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, is switched to the main track.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Excaper, a game runner-up in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, returns from a layoff Saturday at Woodbine in the $100,000 Charlie Barley, a one-mile turf stakes for 3-year-olds.
Excaper was second to Maritimer in the Sovereign Award voting for Canadian champion 2-year-old. His campaign included a second to Finale in the Grade 3 Summer Stakes, and a fourth in the Grade 3 Grey Stakes on Polytrack.
The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission at a meeting on Thursday upheld a decision by Parx Racing in Philadelphia to ban trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero for 10 years after he was accused of “inappropriately touching” a racing office employee, according to Guerrero’s attorney.
