Sat, 06/11/2011 - 16:06

Hollywood Park: Acclamation makes Whittingham repeat look easy

Benoit & Associates
Acclamation, under Joel Rosario, takes the Charles Whittingham Handicap for the second year in a row.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – For the second consecutive year, Acclamation has swept two of Hollywood Park’s leading turf stakes, successfully defending his title in Saturday’s Grade 1 Charles Whittingham Handicap.

Last month, Acclamation won the Grade 2 Jim Murray Handicap by seven lengths, a race he won in 2010, too.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 15:46

Calder: Giant Ryan wins Ponche, Smile Sprint will be next

Jim Lisa Photos
Giant Ryan scores his first win outside of New York in Saturday's Ponche Handicap at Calder.

MIAMI - Giant Ryan, who had never won a race outside his native New York, erased that blemish from his record when cruising to an easy 4 3/4-length decision over longshot Royal Tricon and six others in the $75,000 Ponche Handicap, the highlight of Saturday’s Summit of Speed Preview card at Calder.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 15:31

True North: Trappe Shot finds another gear to leave rivals far behind

Barbara D. Livingston
Trappe Shot coasts to the finish of the True North under jockey John Velazquez.

In a powerhouse performance, Trappe Shot slipped through on the rail turning for home and drew away to notch his first graded stakes victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 True North Handicap. It was the second stakes win on the card for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who won the Acorn with It’s Tricky a race earlier.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 14:47

Acorn: 10-1 It's Tricky repulses bid from odds-on Turbulent Descent

Emily Shields
It's Tricky (right) leads in the upper stretch as favored Turbulent Descent (left) tries to chase her down.

ELMONT, N.Y. – It’s Tricky is an inclement weather kind of horse.

After two dominant wins at Aqueduct during the winter – including an allowance victory in the snow – It’s Tricky earned a trip to south Florida, where she wilted in the heat in the Gulfstream Oaks. Back in New York, It’s Tricky relished the rainy and muddy conditions at Belmont Park, upsetting the heavily favored Turbulent Descent by 3 3/4 lengths in Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 13:28

Penn National: Prominent trainers Guerrero, Sheppard have contenders in stakes doubleheader

Bill Denver/Equiphotos
Golddigger's Boy, ridden by Stewart Elliott, wins the first of two stakes for trainer Ramon Preciado, owner Bill Hartwell, and his wife, Frances, the breeder of the colt.

Golddigger’s Boy and Luckifee, both riding three-race winning streaks, and Royal Clash, who romped by more than eight lengths against similar competition the last time he visited Penn National Race Course, meet for the first time in the Docent, one of two $75,000, 1 1/16-mile stakes restricted to Pennsylvania-breds on Tuesday night’s card.

The Docent is the fifth race on the card and has a field of eight horses.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 12:59

Belmont Stakes: Off track is a distinct possibility

ELMONT, N.Y. - There is a real possibility Saturday’s 143rd Belmont Stakes will be run over a wet track.

Overnight rains left Belmont’s track muddy for the first few races and with temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s and no sunshine, it isn’t ideal for drying out.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 12:09

Delaware Park: Concealed Identity, J W Blue meet again in Floor Show Stakes

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Concealed Identity is one of the likely favorites in Monday's Floor Show Stakes at Delaware Park.

Concealed Identity, far back as a 25-1 outsider in the Preakness, and J W Blue, who finished in the midpack of both the Grade 2 Rebel and Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at astronomical odds, renew their rivalry in Monday’s $50,000 Floor Show Stakes at Delaware Park.

Five weeks ago, Concealed Identity defeated J W Blue by 2 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Federico Tesio at Pimlico. Their rematch comes at the same distance as the Tesio.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 11:48

Belmont makes pitch to host 2012 Breeders' Cup

ELMONT, N.Y. – Officials of Belmont Park made a presentation on Thursday to the Breeders’ Cup board of directors to be the host site of the organization’s year-end event as early as 2012, according to the New York Racing Association’s chief executive, Charles Hayward.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 11:35

Indiana Downs: Facey’s Spirit wires Ellen’s Lucky Star

Facey’s Spirit led from start to finish to win the $84,000 Ellen’s Lucky Star at Indiana Downs on Friday evening.

Trained by Chris Dorris, Facey’s Spirit is a perfect 2 for 2 against Indiana-bred company after being moved from Chicago in April.

Jockey Orlando Mojica hustled the 3-year-old filly away from the gate and set quick early fractions of 21.77 seconds and 44.51 in the six-furlong event. Facey’s Spirit responded when asked, and the final margin was 1 1/2 lengths.

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 10:51

Belmont Stakes odds updates

Belmont Stakes odds (as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern)

1. Master of Hounds, 9-2
2. Stay Thirsty, 15-1
3. Ruler On Ice, 28-1
4. Santiva, 13-1
5. Brilliant Speed, 9-1
6. Nehro, 4-1
7. Monzon, 25-1
8. Prime Cut, 20-1
9. Animal Kingdom, 3-1
10. Mucho Macho Man, 7-1
11. Isn’t He Perfect, 29-1
12. Shackleford, 8-1