Tue, 05/31/2022 - 09:03

Belmont Stakes: Creative Minister, Ethereal Road get back to work

Emily Shields
Creative Minister, third in the Preakness, worked a half-mile in 48.37 seconds on Tuesday at Belmont Park.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Creative Minister, third in the Preakness on May 21, and Ethereal Road, winner of the Sir Barton Stakes on the same day, returned to the work tab Tuesday morning as they prepare for a start in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes here June 11.

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 21:54

Santa Anita mandatory pick six pays $889

ARCADIA, Calif. - The 20-cent Rainbow pick six paid $889 to 4,595 ticketholders at Santa Anita on Monday, a day with massive interest caused by a mandatory payout.

The bet began with a carryover of $588,484. Bettors added $4,584,692 on Monday.

The pick six covered the fifth through 10th races. The winners were Count Again ($7), Warren’s Queen Bee ($4.80), Isola Mia ($4), Recall and Reload ($6.40), Mubtadaa ($6.20) and Ocean Road ($12.20).

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 17:53

Aint He Tempting sets fastest qualifying time for Ed Burke Futurity

Aint He Tempting was a feisty colt before and during the last of 10 divisions of the Ed Burke Million Futurity trials at Los Alamitos on Sunday.

Aint He Tempting reared in the gate, settled down, and then proceeded to spend more of his energy in a positive way, winning the 350-yard race by two lengths in 17.641 seconds. Aint He Tempting set the fastest qualifying time for the $1 million final on June 19.

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 16:33

Rich Strike turns in strong work between races; leaves for Belmont on Tuesday

Coady Photography
Rich Strike worked five furlongs in 59 seconds between races at Churchill on Memorial Day and then galloped out strongly. He was timed going six furlongs in 1:12.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rich Strike had his second and final workout between the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes when breezing five furlongs in 59 seconds between races Monday at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Eric Reed watched the work from atop the five-furlong clocker’s stand on the Churchill backside. Rich Strike was ridden by regular exercise Gabriel Lagunes over a freshly harrowed track rated fast.

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 14:51

Clement mulls options for two impressive turf-sprint winners

Susie Rashier/NYRA
Big Invasion draws away to a 3 1/4-length victory in the Paradise Creek, earning a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

ELMONT, N.Y. -- In a span of an hour Sunday at Belmont Park, trainer Christophe Clement had two turf sprinters turn in exceptionally strong performances.

The 3-year-old Big Invasion successfully stretched out to seven furlongs by winning the $100,000 Paradise Creek Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths over Asymmetric. He ran seven furlongs in a quick 1:20.34 over a firm turf and earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 14:38

Emmanuel changes up, will try turf in Pennine Ridge

SV Photography
Emmanuel rolls by 4 1/2 lengths going a mile and 40 yards on Sunday. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89 and is now 2 for 2 for Todd Pletcher.

ELMONT, N.Y. -- The 3-year-old Emmanuel, who failed to successfully stretch out in distance on the Triple Crown trail this spring, will try to do it on turf instead when he runs in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes going 1 1/8 miles at Belmont Park.

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 13:26

Speaker's Corner, Flightline work for Met Mile showdown

Barbara Livingston
Speaker’s Corner is 3 for 3 this year, including a 4 1/2-length win in the Grade 1 Carter (above).

ELMONT, N.Y. – Speaker’s Corner worked at Belmont Park on Sunday. Flightline worked at Santa Anita on Monday. Provided those two horses do it again next weekend and come out if it well, the stage will be set for arguably the most compelling match-up on the June 11 Belmont Stakes Day card in the Grade 1, $1 Metropolitan Handicap.

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 13:10

Prat works Flightline, Hot Rod Charlie

Dubai Racing Club
Hot Rod Charlie, here in Dubai before running second in the Dubai World Cup, might run next in the Stephen Foster at Churchill on July 2, trainer Doug O'Neill said.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Slightly more than 12 hours after he left Belmont Park late Sunday afternoon, jockey Flavien Prat was aboard the undefeated 4-year-old Flightline for an important workout at Santa Anita early Monday.

Flightline, unraced since an easy win in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds in preparation for the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on June 11.

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 13:06

Rainbow 6 guaranteed for $650,000 on Thursday

Emily Shields
Willy Boi won the Big Drama Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Rainbow 6 went unsolved for a 19th consecutive day on Sunday and will offer a $650,000-guaranteed jackpot when racing resumes with an eight race program on Thursday. The jackpot was last hit to the tune of a $182,098 payoff on April 28.

Mon, 05/30/2022 - 12:40

Foyt's Burninhunkoflove gets checkered flag at Churchill on Indy 500 Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The legendary racecar driver A.J. Foyt Jr. won four runnings of the Indianapolis 500, but never by this tight a margin. A 3-year-old colt named Burninhunkoflove won the eighth race Sunday at Churchill Downs by a nose when carrying Foyt’s silks with a checkered-flag design, quite a serendipitous occurrence given the 106th Indianapolis 500 was run the same afternoon with Foyt still heavily involved as a car owner at age 87.