FORT ERIE, Ontario – Bent Attorney won last year’s Rainbow Connection when the race was switched to the main track, and he will be looking to double up in this year’s version at Fort Erie Monday.
The $125,000 Rainbow Connection, a five-furlong turf race for Ontario-sired fillies and mares, headlines an 11-race card, which also includes a pair of stakes races for Quarter Horses.
AUBURN, Wash. – Emerald Downs will present two stakes races for 2-year-olds Monday on a special Fourth of July holiday card, but with its juvenile program off to a tenuous start – the first race was less than five weeks ago – the two stakes came up light in the quantity department. As for the quality, that remains to be seen – four of the 11 horses scheduled to compete are first-time starters, and four others are maidens after making at least one start.
A millionaire has never competed at the Alameda County Fair, but that will change when Bold Chieftain and Delightfull Kiss line up against five others in the $50,000 Alamedan Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile race for older horses at the Pleasanton, Calif., track.
Bold Chieftain has earned $1,578,291 and Delightful Kiss has earned $1,093,593. The 8-year-old Bold Chieftain won this race in 2007 and ran second in it in 2009 before he surpassed the million-dollar mark in earnings. The 7-year-old Delightful Kiss makes his debut over the Pleasanton dirt track.
Ain’t No Other ($4) broke sharply from the rail and was never headed as he scored an easy victory in the inaugural Livermore Valley Wines Stakes at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., on Friday.
A Tommy Town Thoroughbreds homebred by Old Topper, Ain't No Other had won the Harry Henson on the turf at Hollywood Park and then ran third in the Grade 3 Laz Barrera.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Favored St Liams Halo, under a confident ride from Mario Gutierrez, never looked threatened winning the $50,000 Lieutenant Governors’ at Hastings on Friday.
SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Canterbury Park has canceled its Saturday card due to the ongoing shutdown of the Minnesota state government. This is the second consecutive race card that has been cancelled due to the budget impasse.
Although track representatives argued their case for continued operation through the shutdown in Ramsey County District Court on Friday, a decision has not yet been issued by Judge Kathleen Gearin.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Don Cavallo blew away a diverse field under Luis Contreras in the Grade 3, $201,600 Dominion Day Stakes, the feature on Canada Day at Woodbine on Friday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Like pretty much everyone else, Dale Romans took notice this week of the Team Valor International announcement regarding Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom having to be sidelined for the rest of the year because of a hock injury. Romans trains Shackleford, the Preakness winner who recently returned to his Churchill barn following a two-week break at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Amiable Grace, overlooked in the wagering at 8-1, stalked the pace and rallied strongly in midstretch for a half-length victory in Friday’s $112,400 Sweet Briar Too at Woodbine.
The field of seven for the Sweet Briar Too, an overnight stakes for fillies and mares, included 2010 Sovereign Award winners Biofuel, who was the Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly, and Indian Apple Is, champion female sprinter.
AUBURN, Wash. – A 10-race card, a fireworks spectacular, and an appearance by one of the most popular horses in track history highlight a festive Sunday at Emerald Downs. Racing begins at 4:30 p.m., a few hours later than usual, to accommodate the fireworks show, which is scheduled to launch at 10:15.
