Thu, 08/04/2011 - 12:50

Suffolk: Sultan's Prince looks strong in Last Dance Stakes

After poaching the Rise Jim Stakes three weeks ago, Sultan’s Prince appears poised to live up to the lofty standards of his blue-blooded Massachusetts-bred family in Saturday’s $50,000 Last Dance Stakes at Suffolk Downs.

The statebred stakes program was supposed to be more competitive this year thanks to key retirements, but when Sultan’s Prince rushed past Same Day Pleasure in the middle of the track last month, it had to leave many connections wondering what just hit them.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 12:09

Saratoga: Team Tizway built on patience and trust

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer James Bond (left) and owner William Clifton Jr., here with Met Mile winner Tizway and jockey Rajiv Maragh, first teamed up in 1991. The Met Mile was Bond’s first Grade 1 win since 2002.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − For a good five-year stretch beginning in 1996, there weren’t many important races run in New York − or most anyplace else − that didn’t include a James Bond-trained horse. Most of the time, the horse was owned in a partnership that included owner William Clifton Jr.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 12:07

Arlington Park: Flights set to bring International Festival of Racing runners to Chicago

The first of three scheduled flights from Europe carrying hopefuls for the International Festival of Racing at Arlington Park was scheduled to arrive Saturday evening at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Wigmore Hall and Zack Hall, both set to run in the 29th Arlington Million next Saturday, Aug. 13, were among the horses booked for the Saturday flight. The Million is the biggest of the three Grade 1 turf races that comprise the Festival.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 11:56

Santa Rosa: Ain't No Other has edge in Jess Jackson Owners Handicap

Ain’t No Other could have an advantage as eight sprinters compete in the $50,000-added Jess Jackson Owners Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa on Saturday.

The five-furlong turf stakes, run as the 10th race, is different than most stakes because owners and trainers name their horses’s weight for the race – which is the lowest weight their rider could make.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 11:43

Woodbine: Court of the Realm goes for sixth straight in Seagram Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Court of the Realm takes a five-race win streak into Saturday’s $150,000 Seagram Cup Stakes at Woodbine, and will run on Lasix for the first time in the competitive 1 1/16-mile route.

Court of the Realm, a late-developing 4-year-old trained by Peter Berringer, hasn’t looked back since he graduated on the Polytrack last September. He cleared the first two allowance conditions easily in the fall, going 1 1/16 miles and seven furlongs, before getting the winter off.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 11:36

Northlands: Professor Pollard on edge for Westerner

Trainer Jim Meyaard isn’t sure if he is going to run Salt Flat Speed in the $50,000 Westerner at Northlands Park Saturday or leave him in the $40,000 optional claiming race he is entered on Friday night. Meyaard is positive, however, that his other Westerner entrant, Professor Pollard, is ready to run a big race in the 1 1/16-mile stakes, and he should be favored in the six-horse field.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 11:32

Hastings: Rallying Cry has much going for him

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Rallying Cry looks like the one to beat in a $7,500 claiming race that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as race 6 on the seven-race card that starts at 1:50 p.m. Pacific.

Rallying Cry comes out of the very hot Elizabeth Stolzenberg’s barn. From 46 starters at Hastings Stolzenberg has compiled a 20-7-8 record, which equates to a 43 percent win rate. In her only start away from Hastings, Stolzenberg won the $50,000 Wild Rose at Northlands Park with Classic Alley Kat.

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 08:22

Del Mar: Ruler of Dubai wins Graduation, gives trainer first stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - Less than a week after finishing fourth in a starter allowance, Ruler of Dubai took a steep jump in class and pulled a 14-1 upset in Wednesday’s $100,000 Graduation Stakes for statebred 2-year-olds at Del Mar.

The win gave trainer George Papaprodromou, 35, the first stakes win of his career.

Ruler of Dubai ($31.80) ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.48, outfinishing the 10-1 first time starter Three Vases by a head. Rousing Sermon finished third in the field of nine.

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 20:05

Spa Babies for August 4, 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.

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 19:59

Spa Babies for August 4, 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.