Mon, 08/29/2011 - 13:26

Hoosier Park jockey remains in critical condition

Jockey Richard Gilliard remained in critical condition Monday in a medically induced coma at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis after sustaining severe head trauma and multiple limb fractures in a spill after the last race at Hoosier Park last Tuesday. Gilliard is “progressing,” according to his sister, Regina Gilliard.

The 27 year-old Gilliard was aboard MCM He Be a Zoomin when that 2-year-old Quarter Horse veered into the rail at the paddock gap, throwing Gilliard into the rail as well.

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 13:02

Havelock makes connections' first trip to Woodbine a winning one

Michael Burns
Havelock (far right), with Jermaine Bridgmohan up, rallies to his second stakes victory in Sunday’s Grade 2 Play the King at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Owners Tom and Bonnie Hamilton, trainer Darrin Miller, and jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan all visited Woodbine for the first time last Sunday. And all concerned left the better for the experience after Havelock captured the Grade 2, $204,400 Play the King over seven furlongs of turf.

Havelock, a homebred Maryland-bred 4-year-old, races for the Hamiltons under their Silverton Hill colors.

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 12:34

Woodbine: Old Blue Eyes looks sharp in Ontario-sired sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The steady Old Blue Eyes deserves top billing in Wednesday’s Woodbine opener, an Ontario-sired allowance for nonwinners of three. The six-furlong sprint was originally scheduled for last Wednesday, but it was on the portion of the card that was canceled due to a spectacular lightning storm.

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 12:20

Northlands Park: Seeyouonbroadway looks strong in claimer

Seeyouonbroadway held her own when she tried the top older fillies and mares at Northlands Park in the $50,000 Madamoiselle on Aug. 1. She could be tough to handle when she runs in a $30,000 claiming race for fillies and mares that headlines Wednesday’s nine-race card. The one-mile feature drew seven horses and goes as the eighth race.

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 11:15

Saratoga: Spa Babies for Aug. 29, Race 6

Welcome to Spa Babies! I'll break down the statistics for every juvenile contest at the meet and hope for a tidy profit.

In past years, I would list the stats for each horse before writing up my analysis, selections and wagering strategy. In order to streamline the content, this year's Spa Babies will showcase written analyses of each juvenile race. Each analysis will include relevant statistical information. Following the analysis, top three selections and wagering strategy will be provided.

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 11:12

Saratoga: Spa Babies for Aug. 29, Race 5

Welcome to Spa Babies! I'll break down the statistics for every juvenile contest at the meet and hope for a tidy profit.

In past years, I would list the stats for each horse before writing up my analysis, selections and wagering strategy. In order to streamline the content, this year's Spa Babies will showcase written analyses of each juvenile race. Each analysis will include relevant statistical information. Following the analysis, top three selections and wagering strategy will be provided.

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 08:55

Suffolk Downs cancels Monday due to power outage

Suffolk Downs has canceled its live racing card on Monday because of a power outage caused by Sunday’s storm.  The track is also closed for simulcasting.  Live racing and simulcasting are scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

Sun, 08/28/2011 - 20:40

Replay: Acclamation proves just as good on Polytrack as turf in Pacific Classic

BENOIT PHOTO
Acclamation, under Patrick Valenzuela, holds off Twirling Candy by a head in the $1 million Pacific Classic.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Acclamation, who in recent months had emerged as the top turf horse in California, can now be regarded as the best horse, period, on the West Coast following his gutsy victory over favored Twirling Candy in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic before 29,267 on Sunday at Del Mar.

Sun, 08/28/2011 - 18:55

Replay: The Factor looks sensational in comeback, winning Del Mar's Pat O'Brien

BENOIT PHOTO
The Factor, making his first start since finishing off the board in the Arkansas Derby, cruises to victory against older horses in the Pat O'Brien.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Trainer Bob Baffert spent most of August admiring The Factor as the colt prepared for a comeback after a four-month break.

“I’d forgotten how good he was until the last few times I worked him from the gate,” Baffert said.

Sun, 08/28/2011 - 17:54

Woodbine: Four-horse Play the King photo shows Havelock's head in front

Michael Burns
Havelock (far right) gets up by a head in a photo finish with (from left) Gypsy Ring, Riding the River, and Fatal Bullet.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Havelock prevailed in a four-horse win photo of longshots in Sunday’s Grade 2, $204,400 Play the King Stakes, a prep for next month’s Grade 1 Woodbine Mile.