OLDSMAR, Fla. – Sunday marks the end of the 2011-2012 live racing season at Tampa Bay Downs and this year’s meeting produced record-breaking training numbers to go along with some sparkling individual efforts.
The remarkable figures put up by Jamie Ness and his owner, Midwest Thoroughbreds, en route to the training title are unprecedented at a major race meet the length of the Tampa meet.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Reneesgotzip stayed home Friday to start over.
A former Kentucky Oaks prospect and runner-up twice in Grade 1 routes at Santa Anita, Reneesgotzip shortens up to 6 1/2 furlongs Friday at Hollywood Park for a second-level allowance sprint with implications far greater than the $57,000 purse.
“The long-range goal is the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita,” trainer Peter Miller said early this week.
It is an ambitious plan for an ambitious filly.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The imposing Hoof Ain’t It competes on short rest in Friday’s Woodbine feature, an Ontario-sired allowance for 3-year-old fillies.
Hoof Ain’t It, a daughter of leading Ontario sire Old Forester, went off at 13-1 when she debuted in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special April 22. After dueling for the lead with favored Love in Egbert, she edged away late to prevail by in 1:04.26, a time that translated into a solid 70 Beyer Speed Figure.
The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protetcive Association on Tuesday announced it has reached an agreement to sell Atokad Downs and also announced its plans to develop a new racetrack in southwest Lincoln to replace the Lincoln Race Course, which will close following this year’s meet.
Field for the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Click horse names to access contender profiles including race record, replays, and handicapping analysis video by Dan Illman and Mike Beer. MORE: Get Kentucky Derby PPs, watch video previews, read latest updates »
Arlington Park’s opening-meet card on May 4 was not drawn as scheduled Tuesday due to an ongoing contractual dispute between Arlington and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. Meanwhile, the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, in support of the ITHA, began withholding the Churchill Downs simulcast signal from Illinois tracks Tuesday, jeopardizing Arlington’s presentation of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Four hours before they run this year’s Kentucky Oaks, fans at Churchill Downs will be treated to a rematch of last year’s Oaks when Plum Pretty and St. John’s River renew acquaintances in Friday’s Grade 2, $300,000 La Troienne Stakes.
The La Troienne, run at 1 1/16 miles, is one of five stakes on the undercard of the 12-race Oaks Day program that begins at 10:30 a.m.
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A little bribe never hurts
Purse: $1,000,000; 1 1/8 miles
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Bettors looking for a slam dunk Thursday at Betfair Hollywood Park may appreciate the optimism from A.C. Avila, trainer of race 7 favorite Gem of Soul.
“I think she’s a cinch,” Avila said.
Eight fillies and mares entered the feature race at 1 1/16 miles on turf. The second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claimer represents a drop in class for Gem of Soul, listed as the 5-2 favorite by Hollywood linemaker Russ Hudak.
