Fri, 01/21/2011 - 13:43

Notable names add spice to Gulfstream undercard

Barbara D. Livingston
Mission Impazible, winner of the 2010 Louisiana Derby, has not started since finishing ninth in the Kentucky Derby.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Although the $60,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Handicap is officially the feature race on Sunday’s program, it is the undercard that should draw the most attention, with a pair of attractive allowance races featuring a number of once-prominent horses on the docket.

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 13:22

Great Attack seeks third straight win in Gulfstream Turf Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. − Trainer Wesley Ward is hoping to get an invitation to the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup day for his turf sprint specialist Great Attack. Sunday’s $60,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint could be a means to that end.

Great Attack and Stradivinsky are the two major players among a field of seven entered in the Turf Sprint, a five-furlong race, but only six are expected to start.

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 08:31

Aqueduct cancels Friday card

Live racing was canceled at Aqueduct Friday because track officials feared the effects of an overnight storm might cause damage to the inner track. It was the third weather-related cancellation of the winter meet.

Aqueduct and Belmont Park will be open for simulcasting.

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 18:55

Brad Free's Santa Anita Derby rankings - Jan. 20

Tapizar demolished four rivals Jan. 15 in the Sham, earning a 97 Beyer while propelled by the bias. Making his first start since Nov. 27, the Steve Asmussen trainee confirmed his status as one of the elite 3-year-olds in California even while racing greenly off the turn. Tapizar will remain at Santa Anita and aim for the Santa Anita Derby on April 9.

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 17:52

Comma to the Top on target for El Camino Real

Comma to the Top, the winner of the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity on Dec. 18 and two other stakes at the Hollywood Park fall meeting, worked six furlongs in 1:13.60 on Wednesday at Hollywood Park.

Miller said Comma to the Top remains on schedule for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 12.

“We’re leaning toward that race,” Miller said. “We’ll start to tighten the screws a little bit next week.”

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 16:55

Calibrachoa faces some stiff challenges in Toboggan

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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The stakes races run here this winter have been a bit on the boring side. Short fields have been dominated by heavy favorites or second choices. On paper, at least, Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Toboggan Stakes scheduled for six furlongs over Aqueduct’s inner track has some appeal.

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 16:46

She's All In faces major class test in Pippin

Dustin Orona Photography
She's All In, after winning three straight against Oklahoma-breds, faces tougher open competition in Sataurday's Pippin.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – She’s All In will have to outrun Grade 1-placed runners Tidal Pool and Satans Quick Chick to win her fourth straight race in the $75,000 Pippin at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

In all, a field of seven fillies and mares were entered in the 1 1/16-mile stakes. The race is one of three local preps for the Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn on April 15.

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 16:45

Newcomers pose threat in Colonel Bradley

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Thu, 01/20/2011 - 16:38

Silverbulletday Stakes lacks a clear choice at Fair Grounds

Coady Photography
Bouquet Booth, with Shaun Bridgmohan up, wins the Grade 3 Delta Downs Princess in her last start.

NEW ORLEANS – The Beyer Speed Figures tell the tale of the Silverbulletday Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. There are eight fillies in the race, and six have earned a top Beyer between 73 and 77. Want to talk class handicapping? Two entrants have beaten only maidens, but three of the Silverbulletday octet are entry-level allowance winners. Seans Silverdancer won a stakes, but it was an Illinois-bred futurity. Bouquet Booth won a Grade 3 but beat moderate opposition at Delta Downs. Neither holds a clear advantage.

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 16:24

Kathmanblu starts campaign on turf in Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream

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Kathmanblu will be the heavy favorite to win the Sweetest Chant, even though her best race to date has come on dirt, her 8 1/2-length victory in Churchill Downs’ Golden Rod on Nov. 27. And even though she may be better on dirt than turf, McPeek said it is unlikely that Kathmanblu will start if the weather forces management to move the Sweetest Chant to the main track.