Mon, 04/09/2012 - 15:29

No decision on Kentucky Oaks yet for Broadway’s Alibi

Barbara D. Livingston
Broadway's Alibi wins the Grade 3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct.

Broadway’s Alibi, the 3 1/2-length winner of Saturday’s Grade 3 Comely Stakes, was flown back to south Florida on Sunday where she will train at the Palm Meadows training center while her connections ponder her next start.

Broadway’s Alibi went gate to wire in the Comely, her first start at one mile. She earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. Trainer Todd Pletcher said Broadway’s Alibi has gradually handled the stretch out in distance, but he wants to see her train before deciding whether to stretch her out around two turns and 1 1/8 miles in the Kentucky Oaks on May 4.

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 15:25

Jackson Bend, Caleb's Posse set for rematch in Met Mile

Barbara D. Livingston
Jackson Bend (right) holds off Caleb's Posse to win the Grade 1 Carter Handicap.

If you liked the finish of Saturday’s Grade 1 Carter, then you’ll want to be at Belmont Park on May 28 when Jackson Bend and Caleb’s Posse renew what could be a budding rivalry in the Grade 1 $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap.

Jackson Bend, ridden by Corey Nakatani, held off Caleb’s Posse, ridden by Rajiv Maragh, by a nose in the Carter. Both horses earned Beyer Speed Figures of 109.

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 15:16

Gulfstream meet sees record handle

Barbara D. Livingston
Take Charge Indy wins the Florida Derby on a day that saw more than $26 million in all-sources handle.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream Park closed the doors on a record-setting season Sunday with new marks set for ontrack and all-sources handle since the new facility opened in 2006.

The 2011-2012 Gulfstream meet began one month earlier than usual, on Dec. 3, and closed two weeks earlier than normal, on April 8, as a result of an agreement reached with Calder Race Course to realign racing dates on the south Florida circuit. As a result, Gulfstream ran 87 days this past season, as opposed to just 79 programs during the 2011 meet.

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 15:05

Aqueduct: It's Tricky staying home for Distaff Handicap

Tom Keyser
It's Tricky will carry top weight of 123 pounds in Saturday's Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After giving serious consideration to running in Friday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park, the connections of It’s Tricky on Monday confirmed that the dual Grade 1-winning filly will start in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct.

“We’re going to run in the Distaff, and Eddie Castro will get back on her,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Monday, noting that Ramon Dominguez will be at Keeneland to ride Hansen in the Blue Grass.

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 14:57

Keeneland notes: Dullahan has barn's confidence

Tom Keyser
Dullahan had a best-of-the-day five-furlong workout on Sunday over the Polytrack.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Compared to Paddy O’Prado, Dullahan already has quite a head start on the Triple Crown trail. While Paddy O’Prado was a late-blooming type who needed to get into the Kentucky Derby through the back door two years ago, Dullahan already has sufficient graded earnings to make the Derby field after winning the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity last fall at Keeneland.

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 13:24

Tampa Bay Downs: It's Me Mom answers the questions in Sprint victory

John Duca/Tom Cooley
It's Me Mom wins the Sprint in 1:08.67, a track record for six furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The 10th Florida Cup is now history, and it’s no surprise that the most anticipated race of the day produced the most spectacular result.

It’s Me Mom and the Sprint were the main topics of discussion among fans and bettors Saturday afternoon as several questions hung over that six-furlong race.

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 13:15

Aqueduct: Justin Phillip takes a drop

Barbara D. Livingston
Justin Phillip, with Ramon Dominguez riding, wins the Woody Stephens.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After competing in 10 consecutive graded stakes, Justin Phillip seeks some class relief in a $66,000 third-level allowance race Wednesday at Aqueduct.

The question handicappers must grapple with is whether Justin Phillip can return to the form that made him a graded stakes winner 10 months ago.

Justin Phillip will face only four rivals in the 6 1/2-furlong race, which also carries an optional claiming option of $75,000, for which Rock Yard and Peter’s Creek are being offered.

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 12:05

Keeneland: Queen's Plate winner Inglorious returns in tough spot Wednesday

Tom Keyser
Inglorious, winner of last year’s Queen’s Plate, makes her 2012 debut Wednesday.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – It’s been maybe three or four decades since Keeneland did what it’s doing Wednesday. Eight races, and that’s it. Nobody will be wearing throwback uniforms, but it sure does harken to a time when the early daily double was considered exotic and “Racing as it was meant to be” and “All roads lead to Keeneland” were prominent company slogans. Still, modernity rules, and there will be dime superfectas and 50-cent pick fives to be had at the drive-through betting windows Wednesday.

Mon, 04/09/2012 - 11:22

Yavapai Downs sale bid rejected by USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture on Friday rejected a $3.25 million bid for Yavapai Downs in Prescott, Ariz., from the former chairman of Arizona’s horsemen’s group and said it would attempt to negotiate a better deal from the underbidder, according to the Prescott Daily Courier.

Sun, 04/08/2012 - 18:39

Gulfstream: Race to Urga extends winning streak in closing-day Wait a While

Bob Coglianese
Race to Urga, ridden by Jose Lezcano, scores her fourth straight victory in the closing-day Wait a While at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.-  Race to Urga capped off an undefeated meeting with an impressive three- length victory over Frontside in Sunday’s closing-day feature at Gulfstream Park, the $70,000 Wait a While Stakes.

Race to Urga entered the Wait a While riding a three-race win streak that included a pair of optional claiming  victories here earlier in the meet. A daughter of Bernstein, Race to Urga  benefitted from a perfect trip under jockey Jose Lezcano, stalking the pace of Frontside while saving ground before easing out and readily drawing clear through the final furlong.