Fair Grounds on Saturday announced a second round of purse increases for the 2010-11 meet, with both overnight races and three stakes on Louisiana Derby Day given a bump.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, which already figures to attract a stellar field, may have picked up at least one and possibly two more starters after Shackleford defeated a much-troubled Casper’s Touch in Saturday’s third race at Gulfstream Park, a 1 1/8-mile, entry-level allowance test for 3-year-olds.
Shackleford, making just his third career start and first since winning his maiden in game fashion at Churchill Downs 10 weeks earlier, forced all the pace before edging away to a 2 1/4-length victory for jockey Jesus Castanon and trainer Dale Romans.
Sweet August Moon, a four-time stakes winner in a 21-race career, was scheduled to leave Santa Anita on Saturday afternoon for retirement at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky.
Sweet August Moon is expected to be bred to Smart Strike this year.
Owned by Pete Parrella and Shirley MacPherson and trained by Brian Koriner, Sweet August Moon, 6, made her final start in the Grade 1 Santa Monica Stakes on Jan. 30, finishing third behind Switch.
ARCADIA, Calif. – With four wins from 19 starters, trainer Steve Asmussen’s California division moved into a tie for 10th in the trainer’s standings at Santa Anita through Friday, even though the stable had considerably fewer runners than many other leading barns.
In coming weeks, Asmussen may creep higher on the list. Next Saturday, Tapizar will be favored to win the $250,000 Robert Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/8 miles. Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Tapizar won the Grade 3 Sham Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 15 in his stakes debut.
If the 4-year-old filly Financial Crisis can duplicate her most recent race, in which she romped by 10 lengths while earning a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, the rest of the field will be chasing her home in Tuesday night’s seven-furlong, $35,000 Snowflake Handicap at Charles Town.
Unfortunately for handicappers, it’s a guessing game whether Financial Crisis is ready to match that superb performace, which came more than five months ago, or run more like she did in her other three starts last season, which produced a string of Beyers in the narrow range of 71 to 78.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Doctor Peach led throughout to register an apparent victory in Thursday’s $55,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park. Unfortunately for trainer Nick Zito, owner Joseph Moss, and the majority of fans who backed the red-hot son of Tiznow to 6-5, the stewards ultimately disqualified Doctor Peach for ducking out suddenly and impeding the unplaced Reservoir as the field passed the finish line for the first time in the 1 3/8-mile optional claiming race.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While Aqueduct enjoyed a significant spike in on-track business in January, daily average total handle on its races was down nearly 10 percent in the first full month of business since the closing of New York City Off-Track Betting Corp.
OLDSMAR, Fla. – It might have been the proudest moment of his career. There was Richard Kohnhorst, one-time struggling trainer, beaming in the Indiana Downs winner’s circle when being honored for winning the first training title of his career.
His wife, Linda, was there on that unforgettable Wednesday night last summer, just like she always was when Richard needed her. So, too, was their only child, their daughter Kristine, as well as a handful of other friends and supporters.
Sam Houston Race Park in Houston has canceled Friday night’s program due to the winter blast that has overtaken much of the South. The weather has created dangerous racetrack conditions as well as slick conditions for drivers, according to a release issued by the track Friday.
Sam Houston plans to remain open for simulcasting, unless otherwise posted. The track is scheduled to resume live racing on Saturday night. There is also racing scheduled for Monday.
Clubhouse Ride, third in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes and CashCall Futurity in the fall, will make his next start in March and will skip the $250,000 Robert Lewis Stakes next Saturday at Santa Anita, trainer Craig Lewis said.
Lewis said he is considering the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on March 12 or the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico on March 27.
“It gives us a little more time,” he said. “We’re not in a big hurry. We’ve got options.”