VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Phil Hall is hoping to win his second straight B.C. Cup Day race with Jump Up and Kissme in the 1 1/16-mile Stellar’s Jay for 3-year-olds.
The Stellar’s Jay is one of seven $50,000 stakes races restricted to British Columbia-breds that will make up the bulk of the 10-race B.C. Cup card this Monday.
OCEANPORT, N.J. – Get Serious, under intense pressure from starting gate to finish line, held off Violon Sacre’s stretch challenge by a neck in the thrilling conclusion of last year’s Grade 3, Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park.
They return for this year’s renewal on Sunday, one of the main attractions on the Haskell Day undercard. The two rivals both appear vulnerable in the rematch, however.
Although his top turf runner, Antares World, is being freshened, trainer Steve Specht is feeling good about his chances in Sunday’s $50,000-added Luther Burbank at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif. He will sadle Lady Railrider, who will break from the outside post among 10 fillies and mares set to contest the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes.
Audzeezee should appreciate the easier company she will be facing in a first-level allowance race for fillies and mares that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race drew a mixed lot and it appears any of the six horses entered could win it.
Hastings-based Overvalued and Castinette Dancer could have their hands full when they take on Embellished in the $50,000 Northlands Oaks at Northlands Park Sunday. The one-mile feature for 3-year-fillies attracted 10 horses and it features a matchup between the top two fillies at Hastings versus the local star Embellished.
Despite missing some training due a bruised foot, Embellished was able to get up in time to edge Maegans Princesses in the $50,000 Chariot Chaser July 9.
“She got there with her will,” said her trainer, Rick Hedge.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Perception of the crack sprinter Smiling Tiger seems to evolve.
Trainer Jeff Bonde thought at one time that “shorter is better” for Smiling Tiger. Over time, the opinion has shifted.
“As he’s gotten older, he’s learned to relax,” Bonde said. “He’s learned to extend his distance.”
Smiling Tiger’s ability to adapt at either key distance has made him the leading sprinter in California in the last year.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Safraction, who finished a troubled second behind Banner Bill in the Victoria Stakes here at Woodbine on June 18, is facing Ontario-foaled company in Sunday’s $150,000 Vandal.
But while the move from an open to restricted stakes generally would be significant, the Vandal has come up with a very tough field of 10.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Reade Baker swept the final two legs of the 2010 Canadian triple tiara with Free Fee Lady. He will try to duplicate that feat Sunday at Woodbine with Bear It’s Time in the $250,000 Wonder Where, a 1 1/4-mile turf stakes for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.
Woodbine Oaks winner Inglorious bypassed the rest of the tiara series, and Bear It’s Time was a wide-closing winner of the second leg, the Bison City Stakes, after finishing sixth in the Oaks.
Ruby’s Big Band, back on target with a front-running win in the one-mile Canada Day at Assiniboia Downs, will be looking to double up when she races just four rivals in Sunday’s Winnipeg Sun.
The $25,000 Winnipeg Sun, a 1 1/16 mile race for fillies and mares, will go as the seventh of eight races on a special Sunday card that provides a prelude to Monday’s Manitoba Derby program.
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.
Thursday's result:
Race 5: Crazy Party finished first
