Fri, 10/29/2010 - 14:41

Zenyatta impresses with gallop as final drill nears

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Zenyatta galloped approximately 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Hollywood Park on Friday, continuing a week-long theme of exercising with enthusiasm under rider Steve Willard.

Unbeaten in 19 starts and the favorite for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6, Zenyatta was scheduled to have her final workout at Hollywood Park on Saturday. She will be flown to Churchill Downs on Tuesday.

As Zenyatta walked off the track following Friday’s gallop, Willard emphasized how impressed he has been with her recent activity.

Fri, 10/29/2010 - 14:39

Labeeb distance a better fit for Woodbourne

ETOBICOKE, Ontario − Woodbourne will take another shot at becoming a stakes winner when he returns in Sunday’s $100,000 Labeeb at a mile on turf at Woodbine.

Since being claimed for $50,000 in July, Woodbourne has started in three stakes races, placing twice, including a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile. He also was second to Rahy’s Attorney in the With Approval at 1 1/8 miles.

But Woodbourne flopped last time out in the Grade 1 Nearctic on Oct. 16, finishing 11th of 12, beaten 10 3/4 lengths, after stalking the pace over six furlongs of “good” turf.

Fri, 10/29/2010 - 14:27

Dubai Dancer tries two turns in Witches Brew

The lightly raced Dubai Dancer, an impressive winner of her last two starts, and the frequently raced filly C C’s Pal, who has picked up second or third money in four stakes during her 14-race career, look like the prime contenders in Sunday’s $70,000 Witches Brew Stakes at Monmouth Park.

The mile-and-70-yard stakes, restricted to 3-year-old fillies, drew a field of six and goes as race 9 on a 10-race card.

Fri, 10/29/2010 - 13:51

La Rocca, Indian Apple Is to face off after layoffs in Ontario Fashion

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Indian Apple Is and La Rocca will both return from a layoff Sunday at Woodbine in the six-furlong, $150,000 Ontario Fashion Stakes, with the longer Bessarabian Stakes in mind.

Indian Apple Is has won 2 of 5 outings this year, including the seven-furlong Sweet Briar Too Stakes July 1.

Indian Apple Is was entered in the restricted Belle Geste Stakes Oct. 2, but trainer Bob Tiller said owner Frank DiGiulio Jr. wasn’t comfortable with running her over a turf course labeled good that day, so he scratched her.

Fri, 10/29/2010 - 10:17

Local materials to be used in new Santa Anita track

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Santa Anita will use sand from a Southern California quarry on its new conventional main track surface that is being installed this fall, track president George Haines said on Thursday.

The surface is scheduled to be installed in November, and the project will be completed in time for horses to begin training on the surface on Dec. 6, he said. The track’s winter-spring meeting begins on Dec. 26.

Thu, 10/28/2010 - 21:27

Zenyatta gallops 12 furlongs at Hollywood

Zenyatta galloped 1 1/2 miles on Hollywood Park’s main track on Thursday, two days before her final workout in preparation for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6.

Zenyatta began her gallop near the head of the stretch and did a complete circuit before pulling up on the backstretch. Ridden by exercise rider Steve Willard, the unbeaten 6-year-old Zenyatta showed enthusiasm throughout the exercise.

“She’s in the bridle,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “I’d have to say she’s stepped it up a notch. She’s a little more intense.”

Thu, 10/28/2010 - 17:57

Stolis Winner eyes earnings record

Stolis Winner will attempt to become Quarter Horse racing's all-time leading earner when he runs in Saturday night's $25,000 B.F. Phillips Jr. Handicap at Lone Star Park. He is the 126-pound highweight in the 400-yard race, which is restricted to horses bred in Texas.

Stolis Winner will have to win the first-place check of $13,750 to surpass Refrigerator's all-time earnings mark of $2,126,309. Stolis Winner, a past World Champion, has earned $2,114,731.

 

Thu, 10/28/2010 - 17:55

Fort Hood, Category Killer head Jackpot prep

Delta has a one-mile allowance for 2-year-olds on its card Saturday night, which could produce starters for the Grade 3, $1 million Jackpot on Nov. 20. The field of 10 includes Fort Hood, winner of the $50,000 Stardust at Louisiana Downs in July, and Category Killer, a 15-length maiden winner last out at Hoosier Park for trainer Tom Amoss.

Thu, 10/28/2010 - 17:52

Bella Diamante looking good for her return

Kentucky Oaks alumna Bella Diamante will make her first start since that Grade 1 classic on April 30 in Saturday night's featured eighth race at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.

The $35,000 optional claiming sprint has second-level allowance conditions, and with the right kind of effort Bella Diamante will return to stakes action next month at Delta Downs, said her trainer, Allen Milligan.

Thu, 10/28/2010 - 17:51

Hamazing Destiny works, Quality Road and Uncle Mo gallop at Churchill