ETOBICOKE, Ontario – It was just another weekend at the office for trainer Mark Casse.
On Saturday, Casse sent out his 90th winner in Saturday’s 10th and final race to establish a new record for a Woodbine meeting, breaking the late Frank Passero’s mark set in 1995.
On Sunday, Casse added another three wins, capped by Indian Pond’s score in the $150,800 Carotene. It was his meet-leading 10th stakes winner.
“It’s been a crazy year,” Casse said. “Things have just kind of come together.”
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Hastings closed the 2011 meet with a bang. The final day’s mutuel handle of $1,068,679 was more than double the 2010 final-day total of $501,248. The comparison is emblematic of how strong the final part of the season was. After being down by close to 17 percent after the first couple of months, Hastings closed out the meet with the average daily handle being up by 4 percent over last year.
Cape Blanco, who won Saturday’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and was a leading contender for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, has been retired from racing after veterinarians discovered a slab fracture in his knee after the race.
The 4-year-old Galileo colt’s stud plans haven’t been announced yet.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Bear It’s Time finished third as the favorite last time out in the 1 1/16-mile Eternal Search for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies. On Wednesday, Bear It’s Time will be looking to redeem herself when she comes back at the same distance and faces older rivals for the first time in the restricted Classy ’n Smart at Woodbine.
“I thought she ran well last time, but maybe she was a little close early,” said Reade Baker, who trains Bear It’s Time for the Bear Stable of Danny Dion. “She doesn’t have the same kick when she lies close.”
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Led by Jebrica, Emerald Downs-based horses swept the first three spots in the $100,000 Premier’s at Hastings on Sunday.
With Russell Baze aboard, Jebrica came from off the pace to edge Winning Machine by a half-length in the 1 3/8-mile feature for 3-year-olds and up. Assessment finished third in the 12-horse field. Jebrica was sent off as the favorite and paid $7.60.
ARCADIA, Calif.- The closer the calendar gets to November, the more the outlook on the season changes for the people surrounding the unbeaten 2-year-old filly Weemissfrankie.
After winning the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante in her stakes debut last month, Weemissfrankie made her first start around two turns, and first start on a dirt track in Sunday’s $250,000 Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita.
Hayley’s Halo won her fifth stakes race of the year on Sunday, when she darted to a three-quarter length win over Queen Greeley in the $60,000 Chaves County at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third to Working at Night.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Despite a pedestrian pace, Shkspeare Shaliyah rallied from last under Alex Solis to win Sunday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Pilgrim Stakes by one length at Belmont Park.
The win was the second consecutive victory for Shkspeare Shaliyah after he finished a late-running third in his debut at Saratoga. He gave trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal his first graded stakes victory. Shivmangal is also part owner of the horse along with members of his family.
ELMONT, N.Y. - A difficult week for trainer John Kimmel ended on a high note Sunday when Vexor outfought the pacesetting Trinniberg to win the Grade 2, $150,000 Nashua Stakes, likely punching his ticket to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint next month at Churchill Downs.
