ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Angel Penna is hoping a drop in class and a return to Belmont Park helps reverse the fortunes of his graded stakes winning Baletti in Friday’s featured optional claiming race at 1 1/16 miles over the inner turf course.
Baletti, who won the Grade 3 Fort Marcy here in May, has struggled in his last two starts, finishing sixth in the Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes in June and fifth in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga on Aug. 27.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Convocation received an invitation to next Saturday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup, but trainer Jimmy Jerkens said the horse would most likely be pointed to the Grade 2, $250,000 Kelso Breeders’ Cup at a mile on Oct. 3. The Kelso will be run on the dirt this year, after having been previously run on the turf.
Pleasant Storm could be headed to the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby after winning last weekend’s allowance prep for the race to improve his Remington Park record to 3 for 3. Pleasant Storm was up for a half-length win in what was his first start since March.
“I liked his race,” said Joe Petalino, who trains Pleasant Storm for Vickie Fixley. “I think he had a little something left.”
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – There is a big contrast between the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby at Hastings on Sunday and Saturday’s $75,000 B.C. Oaks.
The 1 1/8-mile derby has a field of 11 3-year-olds who have combined to win a total of three stakes, and none of the entrants has won more than a single added-money event. Compare that to the Oaks, where Dearest Princess and Notoriously have been the leaders at their respective tracks, with three stakes wins apiece
It is closing weekend at Presque Isle Downs, and while most outfits are getting ready to head south, with many heading to Tampa, on-air personality and handicapper Katie Mikolay will be heading north to visit Woodbine. In years past, the 30-year-old Elk Grove, Ill., native would be headed back to Chicago for the Hawthorne meet, the place where she got her start.
“It was a really tough decision not to go back “ Mikolay said. “I have come to the point where I just need to see what is out there, to see what options are out there and to take a look at every one of them.”
The perfect conclusion to trainer Tony Richey’s dream season at Louisiana Downs this year would be a victory in the meeting’s biggest race, the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby on Saturday. That scenario remains a possibility, although a remote one, as the Richey-trained Arctic Comet is the longest shot in the six-horse Super Derby field at 20-1.
An alternate ending, however, may still read like a storybook.
Four trainers could face penalties from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board after they were found to have given their horses herbal medications on the day they were to race, in violation of state rules.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Dutamis and Hampton Wick look like the main players in a $17,500 claiming race that will serve as Friday’s feature at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds drew six horses and goes as race 3 on the seven-race card that begins at 7 p.m. Pacific. This is the last Friday card at the Hastings meet that ends on Oct. 11.
POMONA, Calif. – Front-runner Saint Isabelle stretches from one turn to three turns Friday on the five-eighth-mile dirt track at Fairplex Park, where she will be favored to lead gate to wire in the $50,000 Palomares Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
The 1 1/16-mile race drew a modest field of six. Saint Isabelle’s rivals include Fashion Trend, Sweet Hanni, Not Here, Tapit So Lightly, and the maiden Tiz Smoke Tiz Fire.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The last two Woodbine Mile winners, Court Vision and Ventura, both prevailed after a summer break that was spent at Saratoga. Much Rejoicing fits that bill in Friday’s Woodbine headliner and should be favored in the second-level allowance with a $62,500 claiming option.