Sun, 08/07/2011 - 21:20

Del Mar: Creative Cause shows he's boss in Best Pal

Benoit & Associates
Creative Cause, Rafael Bejarano aboard, remains unbeaten with a victory in the Best Pal.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Creative Cause won his stakes debut in Sunday’s $150,000 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar to remain perfect in two starts, and the colt’s performance was as flawless as his record.

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 20:31

Saratoga Spa Babies for August 8, Race 4

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.

 

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 20:25

Saratoga Spa Babies for August 8, Race 2

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.

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Sun, 08/07/2011 - 19:34

Arlington: Secretariat principals get in turf works

Four-Footed Fotos
Willcox Inn, with Robby Albarado riding, wins the American Derby.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Banned and Willcox Inn, two prime contenders in a blockbuster edition of the Secretariat Stakes, turned in turf workouts on Sunday morning at Arlington, but other intended grass workers were rained onto the main track by a mid-morning downpour. The Secretariat, Beverly D. and Arlington Million make up a Grade 1 triple on Saturday at Arlington.

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 19:22

Del Mar: Smith outduels Sutherland in match race

Benoit & Associates
Mike Smith and Joker Face (right) outbroke Parable and Chantal Sutherland in Sunday's match race at Del Mar.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Experience prevailed in Sunday’s “Battle of the Exes at Del Mar between former fiancées Mike Smith and Chantal Sutherland.

Smith, who grew up riding match races in his native New Mexico, rode the maiden claimer Joker Face to a relatively easy win by 2 1/4 lengths over Sutherland’s mount, Parable, in the one-mile race. For Sutherland, 35, it was her first appearance in a match race.

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 19:00

Woodbine: Pender Harbour takes Breeders' under red-hot Contreras

Michael Burns
Pender Harbour (left) edges Celtic Conviction to win the Breeders' Stakes. His jockey, Luis Contreras, won six races on Sunday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Pender Harbour barely held off Celtic Conviction to capture the 120th running of the $503,200 Breeders’ Stakes, the final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, at Woodbine Sunday.

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 18:49

Monmouth Park: Say a Novena right at home in Colleen victory

David Owens/Equi-Photo
Say a Novena wins the Colleen and will run in the Sorority next.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Say a Novena held off Greatful Heir by a neck to win the $71,500 Colleen Stakes on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

The Colleen is the prep for the Sept. 5 Sorority Stakes, the meet’s top event for 2-year-old fillies. That is likely the next destination for Say a Novena.

“We’d love to run in it,” said owner Rick Shanley. “This is a home track for us. We’d love to just keep running here.”

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 18:23

Saratoga: Sean Avery outlasts Trappe Shot in Vanderbilt Handicap

Barbara D. Livingston
Sean Avery (right) holds off Trappe Shot to upset the Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Seven years ago, desperately ill with hepatitis, trainer Allen Iwinski announced he was retiring to disband his stable. But he responded to a second round of treatment, got back to training, and on Sunday won the first Grade 1 race of his career when the longshot Sean Avery held off heavily favored Trappe Shot to take the Grade 1, $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on a steamy afternoon at Saratoga.

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 18:10

Saratoga: Tar Heel Mom runs Honorable Miss opponents off their feet

Barbara D. Livingston
Tar Heel Mom shows her love of Saratoga and six furlongs in the Honorable Miss.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Tar Heel Mom’s initial visits to Parx Racing and Delaware Park ended in disappointment. It took a trip back to arguably her favorite track - Saratoga - to get the 6-year-old mare back to the winner’s circle.

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 16:25

Saratoga: Appeal filed in non-disqualification

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The connections of Wee Freudian, the runner-up in Saturday’s 11th race at Saratoga, have appealed the decision by the stewards not to disqualify Bound by Humor from first place.

Michael Sternklar, the owner of Wee Freudian, filed the appeal with the New York State Racing and Wagering Board Sunday morning after reviewing the films of the race with the three Saratoga stewards.