SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – In the 26 meets from 1976-2001, only six jockeys have been leading rider at Saratoga. In each of the last four years, a different rider has won the title, capped by Ramon Dominguez’s first crown in 2009.
If Dominguez is to repeat – and win his 10th consecutive New York Racing Association meet title – he’s going to have to do it against the deepest riding colony assembled here in many years.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Lookin At Lucky worked six furlongs in 1:13.60 over the Polytrack at Del Mar on Wednesday, preparing for a start in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 1. Lookin At Lucky is expected to meet Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and impressive Long Branch winner Trappe Shot in the Haskell.
The exercise left trainer Bob Baffert partly satisfied, although he said he was not thrilled with the final time, which he said was the result of a deep track.
“The track is like quicksand,” he said. “It’s slow.”
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Wando has been repatriated and will be standing at stud at Gustav Schickedanz’s nearby Schonberg Farm.
Wando, a Schickedanz homebred by Langfuhr out of Kathie’s Colleen, was the Canadian triple crown winner and Canada’s Horse of the Year in 2003. He retired in 2005 with a record of 11-2-2 from 23 starts and earnings of $2,566,060.
His years as a stallion at Lane’s End in Kentucky were not nearly as successful, however, and Wando is returning in search of greener pastures.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Everywhere Linda Rice goes, everybody wants to know one thing – can she do it again?
In 2009, Rice became the first female to win a trainer’s title at Saratoga – or any other top-level racetrack for that matter – when she beat the Goliath that is Todd Pletcher, 20-19. With the 142nd Saratoga meet set to begin Friday, Rice tries to remain practical when asked by fans and media whether she can repeat the achievement.
An outstanding spring for Jose Gonzalez’s Balgo Racing Team earlier this year is continuing this summer at Los Alamitos.
In May, Balgo Racing won the Kindergarten Futurity with West Coast Hawk. Last Saturday, the stable’s Hot Hitter was the fastest qualifier in time trials for the $428,000 Governor’s Cup Futurity on July 31. In addition, Balgo is sending recent Los Alamitos winner Breanna Moon to Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico for the time trials for the All American Futurity in August.
BOSSIER CITY, La. – What a difference a day makes. Just ask owners Steve and Pat Roe.
Last Friday at Louisiana Downs, they were eagerly awaiting the afternoon’s second race. They had the 3-5 favorite and impressive winner of her last two races Carson’s Twinkle set to go postward in the mile and 70 yard affair for nonwinners of four races lifetime. That anticipation soon turned to anxiety when Carson’s Twinkle broke through the gate prior to the start and ran off a short distance before being apprehended by one of the outriders.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – While Todd Pletcher, Bill Mott, Rick Dutrow, and Linda Rice are likely to be near or at the top of the Saratoga trainer standings, there are a number of lesser-profile trainers who could enjoy success at the Spa this summer.
In alphabetical order, here’s a look at five horsemen to watch:
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The numbers jump off the past performance page: 19-7-4-1. That is the record compiled so far this Arlington meet by horses trained by Lisa Merritt. It is an excellent record by any measure, but even more so considering that Merritt has only eight horses stabled at Arlington, and that she won only four races during all of 2009.