AUBURN, Wash. − Praise a Native and Rainier Missile headline the feature race Saturday at Emerald Downs, a $15,000 claimer for 3-year-olds who have never won twice. It will go as race 9 on an 11-race card that begins at 2 p.m. Also on tap is a simulcast of the Belmont Stakes shortly after 3:30.
Four of the five horses in the Emerald feature have won at the current meeting, and the fifth horse, Rainier Missile, won at Turf Paradise in April.
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ELMONT, N.Y. – When the connections of the California-based 3-year-old filly Turbulent Descent opted to concentrate on one-turn races, Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn at Belmont Park was one of their primary objectives.
One filly with a perfect record in four starts over Delaware Park’s main track and another who projects as the lone speed in a small field pose potential problems for odds-on favorite Havre de Grace in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Obeah Stakes.
ELMONT, N. Y. – The similarities between Proviso, the high-class Grade 1 grass mare of 2010, and Aviate are striking. This is great news for Aviate, and less-than-great news for the eight lining up against her in the Grade 1, $400,000 Foxwoods Just a Game Stakes at a mile on the Widener turf course on the Belmont Stakes undercard.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Michelle Nihei believes Prince Will I Am loves performing on the big stage in New York. As far as turf races go on this circuit, few races, if any, are bigger than Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park.
Prince Will I Am figures to be the second choice behind the multiple Eclipse Award champion and 2009 Manhattan winner Gio Ponti in the Manhattan, one of five undercard events on the 13-race Belmont Stakes Day program.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Belmont Park canceled Thursday’s nine-race program due to extreme heat. The track was open for simulcasting in the air-conditioned Belmont Cafe.
Thursday’s forecast called for high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s with a heat index over 100, according to P.J. Campo, vice-president/director of racing for the New York Racing Association. Campo said the decision to cancel was made after consultation with upper management as well as track superintendent Glen Kozak and track veterinarian Dr. Anthony Verderosa. The safety of the horses was a concern.
Salt Flat Speed will attempt to extend his Northlands Park winning streak to five when he tackles a solid group of older horses in the $50,000 Journal Handicap Saturday. The six-furlong Journal attracted six horses, but Salt Flat Speed is clearly the one to beat.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Senor Rojo should appreciate the chance to stretch out for the first time this year when he runs in a $50,000 optional claiming race for 3-year-olds and up at Hastings Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile feature attracted a quality field of six horses that includes four Grade 3 winners.
