Jockey Jackie Davis has a bruised sternum as a result of the spill she was involved in last Sunday at Aqueduct and will miss one week of action.
From Thursday to Saturday, Davis was only listed to ride seven mounts – one of those scratched Thursday – and her agent, Roger Sutton, elected not to take calls for Sunday.
Sutton said Davis hopes to return to the saddle Wednesday.
“In fairness to her customers, she wants to be 100 percent when she rides,” Sutton said.
Summer Sunset, the horse that mistakenly was given Lasix prior to winning the second race here Dec. 29, has been disqualified and ruled unplaced in the order of finish by New York State Racing and Wagering Board. Runner-up Money in Motion has been declared the winner of that race.
Any further action is still pending, including a possible fine/or suspension of trainer Karl Grusmark.
NEW ORLEANS – The Grade 3, $175,000 Lecomte Stakes anchors Road to the Derby Kickoff Day on Saturday at Fair Grounds, but do not expect any of the 13 three-year-olds entered in the Lecomte to return the opening kick for a touchdown. The idea here is not to fumble. Next month brings the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes, and the $1 million Louisiana Derby is on April 1.
“It’s still just January,” said trainer Al Stall, who will send Seven Lively Sins out for his 3-year-old debut in the Lecomte, a one mile and 70-yard dirt race.
NEW ORLEANS – So far, Applauding has heard nothing but cheers. She won her career debut last fall at Keeneland by eight lengths, setting a six-furlong Polytrack record in the process. On Dec. 2 at Fair Grounds, five overmatched foes were left floundering in her wake, with Applauding home by six lengths without being asked to run.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – I Want Revenge looks well spotted to rekindle his past glory while continuing his trainer’s incredible hot streak in Saturday’s $75,000 Evening Attire Stakes at Aqueduct.
Winless since his victory in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial here in April 2009, I Want Revenge returns from an eight-month layoff to face five modest opponents in the Evening Attire, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles over the inner track.
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Hot Summer, whose two wins last season both came against Grade 3 competition, makes her first start as a 4-year-old Saturday when she tops a field of nine fillies and mares in the $50,000 Manatee Stakes at seven furlongs.
Hot Summer, trained by David Fawkes, made six starts last season, all in stakes. After finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park, Hot Summer moved to Aqueductm where she closed from just off the pace to win the Grade 3 Comely at a mile and 70 yards by 2 1/2 lengths.
Nathan’s H Q, runner-up in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight in his 2011 finale, has a new home, after he was transferred from trainer Clyde Martin to Patricia Farro’s barn over the weekend. Martin not only trained but had also ridden Nathan’s H Q almost exclusively until the Fall Highweight, when he was replaced by Rajiv Maragh and finished second following an eventful trip. He is coming off a seventh-place finish behind Apriority in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – She’s All In will have to defeat a deep field to nail down her fifth straight win Saturday in the $75,000 Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The 1 1/16-mile race drew nine fillies and mares, including Tiz Miz Sue, who placed in a Grade 1 race this past summer at Saratoga, and Absinthe Minded, who was third in last meet’s Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – School was in session Thursday morning for New York’s top Kentucky Derby prospect and for one day at least Alpha was a model student.
Alpha put himself on the Kentucky Derby trail by winning the $150,000 Count Fleet Stakes here Jan. 7. The 3-year-old son of 2006 Preakness winner Bernardini won, despite displaying some bad habits in the gate that included nibbling at the assistant starter, rearing up right before the doors opened, and bobbling when they did open.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Union Rags got closer to Hansen in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, missing by a head despite a somewhat eventful trip, than he did in the Eclipse Award voting for last year’s 2-year-old champion. The result surprised many, including Michael Matz, the trainer of Union Rags.
