Fri, 02/17/2012 - 12:31

Claiming Series profiles for Leg 2---Second Division

Leg 2---Second Division

Turntable Bay

Owner: Charles Allen

Trainer: Chris Sutton

Jockey: EliskaKubinova

Was claimed out of the first leg and was a very disappointing sixth place finisher as the favorite.  Gets a new rider and saves five pounds with the apprentice on board, also goes for new barn.  Do take note that this runner ran one time at today’s mile and one eighth distance before, and that was a win.

Little Mordi

Owner: De Jesus Racing Stable

Fri, 02/17/2012 - 12:28

Claiming Series profiles for Leg 2---First Division

Leg 2---First Division

Meshuguna

Owner: Patti Harris

Trainer: John Harris

Jockey: Luis Torres

Comes off a very disappointing effort in the first leg of the Route Claiming Series when finishing seventh as the 4/5 favorite.  Was however out wide in a race with a slow pace and a day when it was good to be inside, so certainly improvement is possible for new connections that claimed this one out of that heat.  Luis Torres takes over the mount and has been enjoying a fine season.

Fri, 02/17/2012 - 12:23

Route Claiming Series carries on with its second leg

On Portland Meadows's biggest day of racing, a 10-race card that includes the $20,000 Oregon Thoroughbred Breeders Derby and other stakes, the track's popular Route Claiming Series carries on with its second leg.

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 20:01

Leparoux to switch base of operations to New York this spring

Keeneland/Coady Photography
Julien Leparoux after winning the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland last fall aboard Never Retreat.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Jockey Julien Leparoux confirmed Thursday that he plans to move his tack to New York on a regular basis sometime in early May.

Leparoux said he will ride out the current Gulfstream Park meet, which concludes on April 8, before heading to Keeneland where he was the leading rider at each of the last three meets dating back to the fall of 2010.

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 16:45

Santa Anita: Smoking G takes shot at San Vicente

Smoking G is entered in a one-mile allowance race on turf for 3-year-olds on Saturday, but will start in Sunday’s $150,000 San Vicente Stakes over seven furlongs on the main track, trainer Peter Miller said.

The Grade 2 San Vicente is led by Creative Cause, the winner of the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes here in October. Trained by Mike Harrington, Creative Cause has not started since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs in November.

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 16:36

Sunland: Rose's Desert seeks fifth straight in Valentini Handicap

Rose’s Desert will be out to build on a perfect 2011 season Saturday, when she makes her first start of the year in the $110,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap at Sunland Park. She will be chasing her fifth straight win after a year in which she won two stakes while going 4 for 4.

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 16:33

Tampa Bay: Gibson getting his biggest test in Turf Dash

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Gibson, undefeated in two Tampa Bay turf sprints, faces the stiffest turf test of his career Saturday when he faces nine turf rivals in the $75,000 Tampa Turf Dash at five furlongs on the grass.

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 16:28

Sam Houston: Sword Trick has learned how to rate for Jim's Orbit

Sword Trick has a new attitude – at least toward rating. And that newfound maturity should serve him well Saturday night when he attempts to win at two turns in the $100,000 Jim’s Orbit division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

The Jim’s Orbit will share a card with the $100,000 Two Altazano division of the Stallion Stakes for fillies. Both one-mile races are for 3-year-olds.

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 16:20

Laurel: Toby's Corner returns in General George

Barbara D. Livingston
Toby's Corner has been Animal Kingdom's workmate but breezed alone Monday.

About 48 hours after he brings his Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom back to the races, trainer Graham Motion will do the same with his other Grade 1-winning 3-year-old colt from last year, Toby’s Corner.

Toby’s Corner, unraced since upsetting Uncle Mo in the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct last April, will make his return to the races in Monday’s Grade 2, $200,000 General George Handicap at Laurel Park.

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 16:03

Oaklawn Park: Tiz Miz Sue gets rematch with Absinthe Minded in Bayakoa

Absinthe Minded (left) surges past Tiz Miz Sue to win the Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Tiz Miz Sue will be out for revenge Saturday in the $100,000 Bayakoa at Oaklawn Park. She was part of a vicious stretch battle with Absinthe Minded in last month’s $75,000 Pippin and ended up second when her front-running rival surged again late. The rematch is on in the Bayakoa, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for fillies and mares that serves as a stepping-stone to the Apple Blossom Handicap.