Thu, 08/11/2011 - 14:21

Emerald Downs: Washington Oaks an intramural battle

AUBURN, Wash. – Jerry Hollendorfer took a look at the $65,000 Washington Oaks, nominated two fillies, and then decided to pass. One of the top fillies in British Columbia was nominated but isn’t coming. So one thing is certain heading into Emerald Downs’s marquee event for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday: The race will be won by a locally based horse for the fourth consecutive year.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 14:20

Canterbury Park: Derby wide-open, Oaks has heavy favorite

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Canterbury Park has carded a pair of Minnesota-bred stakes on Saturday, the $60,000 Minnesota Derby and $60,000 Minnesota Oaks. Both will be run at a mile and 70 yards over the main track.

The Derby has no clear cut favorite. In the six-furlong Victor S. Meyers Stakes, Victory Sled sat off the pace and was able to outfinish favored Samendra by a length and a quarter. A Victory Gallop gelding, Victory Sled should take to the added distance of the Derby. He will be seeking his third straight win.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 13:40

Arlington: Defending Beverly D. champ Eclair de Lune will be longshot

Few moments, if any, in Arlington history have been as touching as when Richard Duchossois descended the grandstand steps last year in the delirious moments after his Eclair de Lune captured the Beverly D., the race he named for his late wife. The year that has ensued hasn’t been nearly as kind to Eclair de Lune, as the California-based mare clearly has gone off peak form in finishing no better than fourth in her five races since that unforgettable triumph.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 13:35

Arlington: Pachattack hopes for clean break in Beverly D.

Months of careful planning often go into a major race such as the Beverly D., but a millisecond of misfortune can trash it all. Such was the case last year with Pachattack, who dwelt in the starting gate to lose all realistic chance before passing a few rivals in finishing a respectable sixth of nine.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 13:28

Fairplex purses getting raised

Overnight purses at the Los Angeles County Fair meeting at Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif., will rise by approximately 5 percent in some categories for the upcoming meeting from Sept. 9-25, according to racing secretary Tom Knust.

The percentage of increases vary in different categories. Purses for a maiden special weight race for statebred females will rise $2,000, to $29,000, while an optional claimer for sprinters will have an additional $1,000, to $34,000. Purses for 3-year-old sprinting fillies entered for $20,000 claiming prices will increase, $1,000 to $21,000.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 13:13

Arlington Park: Beverly D. the deepest in years

Four-Footed Fotos
River Jetez was second against males in the Dubai Duty Free.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – There may have been deeper fields for the Beverly D., but quick, can you name one? The lineup assembled Saturday for the Arlington Park fixture can boast top fillies and mares from both coasts and beyond, giving it a chance to be one of the best renewals in its proud history.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 13:13

Charles Town: Sadie Hawkins return spot for Aspenglow

Aspenglow is based at Laurel Park with trainer Gary Capuano, but the bulk of her 14 victories and $459,017 bankroll have been earned in West Virginia on Charles Town’s bullring.

The 5-year-old Aspenglow, on the sidelines since finishing second in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap in February, returns to Charles Town for Saturday night’s $50,000 Sadie Hawkins Stakes.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 13:07

Hastings: Riboletto trying to live up to pedigree

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Riboletto isn’t going to live up to the high expectations Aaron and Marie Jones had when they bred his $1.5 million multiple Grade 1-winning dam Riboletta to Unbridled’s Song. Nonetheless, the 5-year-old Kentucky-bred is starting to reap rewards for John Kim and Jesse Morrison, who claimed him for $12,500 out of his last start in 2009.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 12:52

Woodbine: Tu Endie Wei one to watch in Ontario Debutante

Michael Burns
Tu Endie Wei wins a maiden race and earns a Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Tu Endie Wei will make her much-anticipated second start Saturday at Woodbine in the $150,000 Ontario Debutante, and heads a promising six-horse field in the 6 1/2-furlong stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

Tu Endie Wei is a half-sister to the recently retired 2010 Canadian Horse of the Year Biofuel. Like Biofuel, she is trained by Reade Baker for owner Brereton Jones.

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 12:38

Northlands Park: Tracy has hold on Two Year Old Sales Stakes

Trainer Greg Tracy figures to have the favorites in both divisions of the Two Year Old Sales Stakes at Northlands Park Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprints are restricted to horses foaled in Canada that were sold or consigned and the full commission was paid at a Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Sale.

Golden Cup is coming off a 12 1/2-length romp in a maiden special weight race going 5 1/2 furlongs, and he figure to be a short price in the colts and geldings division, which goes as the eighth race.