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
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Even as he was stretching him out in distance, trainer Steve Asmussen knew Great Mills was at his best as a turf sprinter.
That fact was reinforced Thursday afternoon at Saratoga when Great Mills corralled the pacesetting Fudgesicle in the final yards to win the $78,000 Quick Call Stakes by a head. It was 1 3/4 lengths back to Bug Juice in third.
The $2 pick six was hit for $1,109,920 at Del Mar on Wednesday, the fourth-highest payout in track history.
Horse owner Scott McKeever told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he purchased the winning ticket. Track officials said the ticket cost $3,094, was bought ontrack, and had 20 of the 85 winning consolation combinations, each worth $4,386.
Trainer Leon Bard might not have the fastest qualifier for Saturday night’s $400,000 Texas Quarter Horse Association Sale Futurity at Retama Park near San Antonio, but he will send out two of the field’s most accomplished runners in Hiclass Heat and Twilight B.
The comebacking stakes winners Humble Destin and Pantara Phantom will both have to catch Ranger Danger to make successful returns Saturday in the featured eighth race at Louisiana Downs.
The three horses will meet in a $25,000 optional claimer for 3-year-olds and up that has second-level allowance conditions. The race will be run over six furlongs, and it drew a field of 10.
