Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Le Grand Cru sold, now with Pletcher

ELMONT, N.Y. - Le Grand Cru, who won the Grade 3 Westchester at Aqueduct in April before finishing fifth to Quality Road in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, has been sold privately and transferred to Pletcher. Mike Stinson bought the horse from owner Judson Streicher, who had the horse with Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens.

Pletcher said he has not yet figured out a plan for Le Grand Cru, who has excelled in one-turn, one-mile races at Belmont Park. Pletcher is considering running Le Grand Cru in the $250,000 Salvator Mile, a two-turn race at Monmouth Park on July 3.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Life At Ten likely for Delaware Cap

ELMONT, N.Y. - While the racing world awaits with great anticipation the pronouncements from the connections of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra about their next starts, plans appear a bit more firm for one of the less-heralded members of the distaff division.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Blind Luck targets Delaware Oaks

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Kentucky Oaks winner Blind Luck is likely to make her next start in the $250,000 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park on July 10, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Sunday.

Hollendorfer said the timing of the Delaware Oaks is favorable as a prep for the $500,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 21.

"We want to point for that if we can," Hollendorfer said. "Nothing is set in stone."

Second in the Grade 2 Hollywood Oaks on June 6, her first start since the Kentucky Oaks, Blind Luck worked a half-mile in 47.60 seconds Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Rail Trip solidifies his status

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - There was little pressure when Rail Trip started as a 9-1 outsider in the 2009 Hollywood Gold Cup last July. At the time, he was coming off two losses in major stakes, leaving doubts about whether he could rise to the highest level.

The opposite scenario will be in place for this year's running on July 10. Rail Trip will be the heavy favorite in the Gold Cup while on a two-race winning streak, following a comprehensive win in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes last Saturday.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Mobilizer will move on to Queen's Plate

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mobilizer, who was beaten a head by Big Red Mike as the runner-up in Sunday's Plate Trial, is definitely heading to the Queen's Plate.

But the move is not as cut and dried for Moment of Majesty, who ended just a head behind Roan Inish as the second filly to finish the Woodbine Oaks.

"I wouldn't say 'no' right now, but I'm not that excited about the idea of going to the Queen's Plate," said Sue Leslie, who trains Moment of Majesty and owns the filly in partnership with Curtis Joseph and Don Meehan.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Big Red Mike displays bad manners

Eurico Rosa Da Silva, aboard Big Red Mike for the first time, also delivered a strong ride to get home first by a half-length in Sunday's 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial.

Big Red Mike was making his stakes debut in the Plate Trial and was a front-running winner, surrendering the lead only when headed briefly by eventual runner-up Mobilizer about a furlong out.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Road Ready will now await Del Mar

When Road Ready dumped jockey Russell Baze in the post parade before Saturday's $50,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate Fields, trainer Jeff Bonde wasn't as concerned as might be expected.

"Some do that," he said of the talented 2-year-old. "Smoking Tiger did the same thing the year before.

"What happened is someone came up behind him and startled him. That's the first time I saw him do anything wrong."

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Shorter stint than usual at Stockton

Northern California racing returns to its roots Wednesday when the San Joaquin County Fair opens the racing season in Stockton with a revised schedule.

Date switches have taken place, and racing at the Solano County Fair in Vallejo, once referred to the Biggest Little Fair in California, will not be offered.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

Roan Inish may face males in Queen's Plate

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Carolyn Costigan has always had the highest regard for Roan Inish. The filly's owner/breeder Bob Costigan had faith in his daughter's judgment.

And, Roan Inish justified those good opinions with a game head victory under jockey David Moran in Sunday's 1 1/8-mile Woodbine Oaks for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.

"I was very confident in her competitiveness and in her ability to go the distance," said Carolyn Costigan. "I thought the race would shape up the way I needed it to, and I thought I had a fit horse."

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 00:00

American Runaway takes Ruidoso Futurity

American Runaway became the lone horse eligible for a $4 million bonus tied to Ruidoso Downs's three major futurities for Quarter Horses after he rolled to a 1 1/4-length win in the Grade 1, $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity on Sunday.

To collect the bonus, American Runaway will now have to win both the Rainbow Futurity on July 25 and the All American Futurity on Sept. 6.