Wed, 06/20/2012 - 14:33

Woodbine: Colleen's Sailor breezes for Queen's Plate

Michael Burns
Colleen's Sailor breezes Wednesday at Woodbine with Alex Solis riding.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Colleen’s Sailor, who will be looking to give trainer Roger Attfield a record ninth Queen’s Plate win, breezed four furlongs in 48 seconds on the main track at Woodbine on Wednesday morning.

Sunday’s $1 million Queen’s Plate, which will be the highlight of six stakes races on the program, seemed set to attract a field of 14 when entries closed on Thursday morning.

Alex Solis breezed Colleen’s Sailor for the second straight week as a favor to Attfield, who has recruited Corey Nakatani for the Queen’s Plate.

Wed, 06/20/2012 - 14:31

Churchill Downs: Lopresti makes plans for Successful Dan, Wise Dan

Audrey C. Crosby
Successful Dan, winner of the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill, is being pointed to the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap on June 30.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Charlie Lopresti said Wise Dan came out of his runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap “like he didn’t even run” while revealing that another of his stable stars, Successful Dan, most likely will run next Saturday, June 30, in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap.

Lopresti, speaking from his Lexington base, said Wise Dan returned to training Wednesday at Keeneland for the first time since being defeated a head by Ron the Greek on Saturday night at Churchill Downs.

Wed, 06/20/2012 - 13:50

Woodbine: Casse mounts another three-pronged attack on Queen's Plate

Michael Burns
Dixie Strike will be one of three Mark Casse-trained runners in Sunday's Queen's Plate.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Mark Casse started three horses in the Queen’s Plate last year, with his best result a second-place finish for Hippolytus.

Casse also started three fillies in this year’s Woodbine Oaks, with his best result a second-place finish by Northern Passion.

On Sunday, Casse is coming into the $1 million Queen’s Plate with another triple-threat as Dixie Strike, Making Amends, and Golden Ridge all are set for the 1 1/4-mile race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.

Wed, 06/20/2012 - 13:39

Monmouth: Stoopendous Diva takes big jump following big win

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Mike Farro is looking to get a line on just how good Stoopendous Diva might be. The feature on Friday at Monmouth Park will help answer that question.

Stoopendous Diva has the rail in a second-level optional $32,000 claimer for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles.

Farro, who trains the Monmouth division for wife Patricia, claimed Stoopendous Diva for $12,500 last time out for owners Alma and Roy Lomas.

It was a good time to reach in. Stoopendous Diva drew off to a 12 1/4 length victory while posting a career-best 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

Wed, 06/20/2012 - 13:33

Churchill Downs: Formal Plan carries stable

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For a much wider audience, the story line is a familiar one: Horse has Sunland Park on its past performances. Arrives to zero fanfare at Churchill Downs. Wins at huge odds on a weekend in May. Gets people buzzing.

Wed, 06/20/2012 - 13:15

Hollywood Park: Chips All In using Tsunami Slew as springboard to richer turf stakes

Benoit & Associates
Chips All In is being considered for Saturday's Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – For the rest of the year, a majority of the stakes for 3-year-olds in Southern California are on turf, a series that begins with the $68,000 Tsunami Slew Stakes on Friday evening at Betfair Hollywood Park.

The Tsunami Slew, run over a mile, may have a minor prize, but it builds toward three six-figure turf stakes around two turns at Del Mar later this summer.

Wed, 06/20/2012 - 12:16

Northlands: Juan Might, Famous Bear Trip clash in sprint feature

The winning streaks of Juan Might and Bear Famous Trip will be on the line when they meet in a $15,000 claiming race at Northlands Park on Friday evening. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew six horses and headlines a nine-race card that begins at 6 p.m. Mountain.

Bear Famous Trip won his first two races at the current meet and Juan Might, who will be making his first start this year, closed out 2011 with three straight wins.

Wed, 06/20/2012 - 12:06

Assiniboia Downs: She’s Copacetic targets first stakes win in Chantilly

She’s Copacetic, claimed for $32,000 at Tampa Bay Downs this April, has run well in two starts at Assiniboia Downs and has a shot at becoming a stakes winner in Friday’s $30,000 Chantilly.

The Chantilly, a six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, attracted a field of seven that also includes the speedy Northlands shipper My Daddy’s Girl.

She’s Copacetic was coming off a second-place finish at the $30,000 claiming level over one mile of turf at Gulfstream when she journeyed to Tampa to compete under similar terms April 11.

Wed, 06/20/2012 - 11:32

Live Video: Queen's Plate Draw

The draw for the 2014 Queen's Plate at Woodbine will take place on Thursday, July 3 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. Watch it live:


Live streaming video by Ustream

Tue, 06/19/2012 - 19:54

Presque Isle Downs: It's Me Mom uncatchable in Satin and Lace

Renee Torbit / Coady Photography
It's Me Mom overcame a bobble at the start to win the Satin and Lace under Willie Martinez.

It's Me Mom led from start to finish to win the $100,000 Satin and Lace at Presque Isle Downs Tuesday evening.

Trained by Lynne Scace, the 4-year-old filly bobbled and bore out at the start and then dueled early. Jockey Willie Martinez hustled her along and she drew clear by two lengths at the half-mile pole in the 5 1/2- furlong event. Martinez asked It's Me Mom for her best in upper stretch and she responded, drawing off to win by 3 1/2 lengths.