Thu, 01/06/2011 - 15:17

Busanda's distance may be ideal for Moonlit Malibu

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though Moonlit Malibu is facing winners and trying two turns for the first time in Saturday’s $65,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct, she has shown enough promise where she just may be the right one in the seemingly wide-open race for 3-year-old fillies.

Five of the seven horses entered for the Busanda are coming off wins in their most recent starts, including Queen’s Harbor, who won the East View for New York-bred fillies over the inner track on Dec. 5.

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 15:02

Turfway Prevue may be too short for Bluegrass Dreamer

Bluegrass Dreamer has the qualifications to win Saturday’s $50,000 Turfway Prevue for 3-year-olds at Turfway Park, having won a maiden race at Woodbine and having been sixth there in the $152,000 Display Stakes in his last start Nov. 28. He has the pedigree, too, being a son of Grade 1 Haskell winner Bluegrass Cat and a half-brother to a pair of European group winners, including Dr. Fong, winner of the prestigious Group 1 St. James’s Palace at Ascot.

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 14:31

Quarter Horse meet opens; 50-cent pick fours, trifectas added to wagering menu

Louisiana Downs will open its Quarter Horse meet Saturday with some new wagering options. The track will offer 50-cent trifectas and pick fours for the first time during the 46-date season.

“We’ve been trying some new initiatives here, and that’s one of them,” said Trent McIntosh, director of racing operations for Louisiana Downs. “Similar to a penny slot machine on the casino floor, the 50-cent bets provide the customer with greater value. It gives them more combinations, more chances to win.”

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 14:01

Morning Line tries to get Zito off to good year in Hal's Hope

Barbara D. Livingston
Morning Line comes into Saturday's Hal's Hope following back-to-back strong efforts late in his 3-year-old season.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It has been well documented that 2010 was a successful but frustrating year for trainer Nick Zito, a season of near- misses in major stakes that culminated with Morning Line’s heart-breaking defeat at the hands of Dakota Phone in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 13:43

Ward expects big performance from Gangsterontherun in Spectacular Bid

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Wesley Ward will saddle Gangsterontherun in Saturday's Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Opening day at the 2011 Gulfstream Park meet couldn’t have gone a whole lot better for Wesley Ward. Not only did the 42-year-old trainer take the Grade 3 Old Hat Stakes with the rapid filly Final Mesa, but he also sent out a first-time starter named Gazillion Kisses to win in a field full of highly touted maiden fillies.

But that was Wednesday, and this is Saturday, when Ward is looking for further success when he saddles Gangsterontherun for the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream.

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 13:34

Beulah meet to begin with herpes quarantine in place

Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio, will begin a 66-day meet Saturday with its backstretch quarantined following the December deaths of several horses who later tested positive for the equine herpesvirus.

Two horses in Barn 24 died on Dec. 24, and they later tested positive for equine herpesvirus, a contagious disease that primarily affects a horse’s respiratory system. Another horse eventually died from the disease in the same barn.

Horses are not currently allowed to leave the grounds at Beulah and any horses that ship in must stay until after the quarantine is lifted.

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 13:24

Aggie Engineer will have company up front in San Pasqual

BENOIT PHOTO
Aggie Engineer stole the Native Diver setting slow fractions, but may have to rate in Saturday's San Pasqual.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Aggie Engineer was able to control a slow pace when leading from start to finish in last month’s Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park, but his trainer, Paddy Gallagher, knows the chances are remote of a similar scenario unfolding on Saturday in the Grade 2, $150,000 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita.

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 13:07

Thursday card canceled due to satellite problems

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Friday’s nine race program at Tampa Bay Downs was cancelled after an internal broadcast issue prevented Tampa Bay Downs from sending its sumulcast signal to outlets throughout North America.

Post time for the first race, originally slated for 12:25 p.m., was pushed back to 1 p.m. as members of Sportview T.V., the communications provider for Tampa, worked to fix the problem, but those efforts failed and the decision to cancel the program was made shortly before 1 p.m.

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 12:42

It's all in the start for Stylish Jess Br in Charger Bar

Through her four-year racing career, Stylish Jess Br has won six stakes and earned one championship, as the outstanding Quarter Horse aged mare of 2009.

Her record would have more depth with better gate manners, trainer Paul Jones says. In recent weeks, Jones has schooled the 6-year-old mare at the gate several timess to avoid a poor start in Saturday’s $100,000 Charger Bar Handicap at Los Alamitos.

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 12:36

Spirit Seeker rounding into form for Kachina

PHOENIX – Spirit Seeker had everything going her way in the summer and fall of 2009, winning three of four starts on Calder dirt, including a win that registered a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. She went to Southern California and was a strong second in Hollywood Park’s Starine in December of 2009 and seemed on her way. Alas, 2010 was, for the most part, a lost year.