Sun, 06/19/2011 - 18:18

Belmont Park: Smokin Hero shrugs off potential bad omens before Noble Nashua

ELMONT, N.Y. - In his first 26 career starts, Smokin Hero had never raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs and never won beyond six furlongs. Just minutes prior to his first start at a mile in Sunday’s $60,000 Noble Nashua Stakes at Belmont Park, Smokin Hero reared up several times while needing to be re-saddled at the starting gate.

Sun, 06/19/2011 - 18:11

Charles Town legend Webb Snyder dies at 98

Webb Snyder, in the winner's circle with Scotch Age on Aug. 1, 1936

Webb Snyder, who rode during Charles Town’s inaugural meet in 1933 and remained a presence at the West Virginia track for more than 60 years, died Thursday at age 98.

Sun, 06/19/2011 - 17:45

Woodbine: Sand Cove barely manages to hang on for repeat in Steady Growth

Michael Burns
Sand Cove's clear lead in deep stretch evaporated to a neck in the Steady Growth.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario— Sand Cove won the $125,000 Steady Growth Stakes for the second year in a row in unspectacular fashion at Woodbine on Sunday.

Sun, 06/19/2011 - 13:13

Stephen Foster winner Pool Play may target more rich races on dirt

Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
If he remains on dirt, the versatile Pool Play could race next in the Aug. 6 Whitney at Saratoga.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The day after winning Saturday’s Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap with 36-1 longshot Pool Play, trainer Mark Casse was awake but dreaming.

Dreaming of what the future might hold for Pool Play, and whether the Foster might prove a race that leads his horse to campaign that culminates with a return appearance at Churchill Downs in the Grade 1, $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5.

Last year, Blame won both races and became the North America’s champion older horse.

Sun, 06/19/2011 - 08:03

Lincoln: Nayborhood Affair repeats in Matchmaker

Nayborhood Affair got her second stakes victory of the year and impressively defended her title in the $20,700 Matchmaker Stakes for older Nebraska-bred fillies and mares at Lincoln Race Course on Saturday afternoon.

Sun, 06/19/2011 - 07:59

Colonial Turf Cup goes to former claimer Rahystrada

Coady Photography
Sheldon Russell collects one of his four wins on the card aboard Rahystrada in the featured Colonial Turf Cup.

Rahystrada rode the rails under Sheldon Russell to a 1 1/2-length victory over favored Smart Bid in the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup on Saturday at Colonial Downs.

A 7-year-old former claimer, Rahystrada won for the 11th time in 31 starts. The $291,000 winner’s share of the purse was a boon to the bankroll of Rahystrada, who is owned by Robert Courtney and trained by Byron Hughes, boosting his career earnings to $773,824.

Sat, 06/18/2011 - 23:22

Charles Town: J P's Gusto relishes cut back in distance for Red Legend

Mike Montgomery Photo
J P's Gusto, ridden for the first time by J.D. Acosta, finishes far in front in the Red Legend.

J P’s Gusto, cutting back to seven furlongs for the first time since taking the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last September, demonstrated his fondness for the distance when he dominated Saturday night’s $400,000 Red Legend Stakes for 3-year-olds at Charles Town.

Sat, 06/18/2011 - 22:22

Stockton: Special Holiday runs down favorite in Pink Ribbon

STOCKTON, Calif. – Special Holiday rallied through the lane, pulling away from favored Dawnie Macho even after her rider dropped his whip as she scored an emphatic victory in the $56,690 Pink Ribbon Stakes at the San Joaquin Fair on Saturday.

Sat, 06/18/2011 - 21:31

Arapahoe Park: E F Five much the best in Aspen

Coady Photography
E F Five, under Travis Wales, captures the Aspen by 4 1/4 lengths.

E F Five asserted himself as a Colorado-bred sprinter of note on Saturday, when he drew clear by 4 1/4 lengths in the $40,000 Aspen for statebreds at Arapahoe Park. He covered the six furlongs in 1:09.15.

The race was one of two stakes on the card, with Baby I Like It ($6) taking the $75,000 Cherry Creek Futurity for Quarter Horses.

Sat, 06/18/2011 - 20:40

Hollywood Park: Blind Luck rallies wide, late to win Vanity Handicap

Benoit & Associates
Blind Luck wins the Grade 1 Vanity Handicap by a half-length over Switch.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Midway through Saturday’s $250,000 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park, jockey Garrett Gomez glanced in front of him to check the margins between his mount, Blind Luck, and Switch, the 3-2 favorite.

With Switch only two lengths in front, a slow pace mattered less to Gomez, who knew Blind Luck would give a response in the stretch.

“I thought I’d still be okay,” he said.