INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Saturday’s $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup added a veteran Wednesday when defending champion Awesome Gem joined the field on the day entries were taken.
In the year since his biggest career win, Awesome Gem has been a mainstay in a handicap division that has undergone significant changes. In the 2010 Gold Cup, Awesome Gem closed from last in a field of six to beat favored Rail Trip, who is now based in New York. Richard’s Kid, who finished third, was sent to Dubai last fall.
Princess Gone Wild, sent off at 32-1, upset a field of 3-year-old Indiana-bred fillies Tuesday in the $84,000 Indiana First Lady at Indiana Downs. Princess Gone Wild paid $64.40 for the head victory in a four-horse blanket finish under Rodney Prescott.
Trained by Wayne Mogge, Princess Gone Wild chased the early leaders before rallying in the stretch to edge Dreamin Big, who was second, a head in front of longshot Down on Copperline in third. Favorite What About Ruby was another neck back in fourth.
Embur's Song led every step of the way and prevailed over Zaphyra in a thrilling stretch duel to win the $100,000 Windward at Presque Isle Downs Tuesday evening.
Patrick Husbands rode Embur's Song to the nose victory over Zaphyra, ridden by Francisco Torres. Regina Twain was 3 1/2 back in third.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Embur's Song ran the one mile over the Presque Isle Tapeta surface in 1:39.15 and returned $2.80 to win in the field of six fillies and mares. Six horses were scratched.
R Betty Graybull, who fell after the finish line when fifth in last week’s Sky Beauty Stakes here, has been retired from racing, her connection announced.
R Betty Graybull came out of that spill with inflammation in her right hind ankle, according to Bob Hutt, managing partner of Fantasy Lane Stable, which co-owns the New York-bred mare with Frank Stronach. R Betty Graybull will be sent to Stronach’s Adena Springs Farm in Kentucky and will be bred next year.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The three graded turf stakes on Saturday’s Million Preview Day program all should come up with at least decent-sized fields when the races are drawn Wednesday. Arlington racing officials expect at least 10 entrants in the Grade 2, $300,000 American Derby, and are hopeful of getting nearly as many in the other two Grade 3, $150,000 stakes, the Modesty and the Arlington Handicap.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Power Series drops in class from a sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 San Juan Capistrano Handicap at Santa Anita in April to an optional claimer at Hollywood Park on Thursday, but it may only be a temporary break from stakes.
Trainer Mike Mitchell is hoping that Power Series, racing as a gelding for the first time, will show enough in Thursday’s race over 1 1/4 miles on turf to merit a quick return to graded stakes for turf marathoners this summer.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Familiar names were atop the leader boards when Churchill Downs ended a very eventful spring meet Monday, with Steve Asmussen earning his 10th training title and Julien Leparoux leading all jockeys for the eighth time.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Acclamation will stay on turf and not start in Saturday’s $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, trainer Don Warren said Tuesday, leaving the top race for older horses at the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting without a confirmed pacesetter.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Credit Don Dizney and Bob Baffert for giving First Dude a career makeover this year.
A colt who had finished second or third by racing on or near the lead in six consecutive major stakes for 3-year-olds in the spring and summer of 2010 has become a two-race winner this year in races for older horses as a threat from off the pace.
The new style may give First Dude a more significant role in the nation’s older male division.
