Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Trombetta, Kenneally well-stocked for Summit of Speed

MIAMI – Trainers Michael Trombetta and Eddie Kenneally have already tasted success at Calder’s Summit of Speed. So both are returning again this year, each with a pair of horses for Saturday’s event.

All four of the Trombetta and Kenneally runners should be considered major players.

Trombetta won the Grade 2 Carry Back a year ago with Not for Silver and will bring him back as a 4-year-old to try his luck against older horses in Saturday’s Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Schvaneveldt got best from his horses

For decades, Quarter Horse handicappers at Los Alamitos did not get far into their selections before checking on what Blane was starting. Blane was the man who owners from his native Idaho to Southern California and back in Texas and Oklahoma wanted to train their horses at Los Alamitos.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Star Guitar headed to Evangeline Mile

Star Guitar emerged from his victory in the $100,000 Louisiana Showcase Classic last Saturday night better than ever, according to trainer Al Stall Jr. The reigning Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year is on track to start in the Evangeline Mile against open company on Aug. 14. Last year he won the Evangeline Mile in addition to the meet’s top race for statebred runners.

“We are in a little different situation this year versus last,” Stall said while negotiating the Atlanta airport on his way back to his Kentucky base from Evangeline.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Apprentice Pacheco tries luck at Hastings

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Apprentice jockey Ryan Pacheco is hoping that moving his tack to Hastings will help land him a lot more live mounts than he was getting at Woodbine. Pacheco was one of 15 apprentices at Woodbine. At Hastings, Taletha Wyatt and Geovanni Franco are the only bug riders currently plying their trade, and unless Franco gets an extension, he will lose his apprentice status soon. At Woodbine this year, Pacheco won three races from 76 mounts.

Pacheco, 27, was born and raised in Toronto, but he had never been to the track until he was 18.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Female riders roaring at Louisiana Downs

BOSSIER CIYY, La. – There appears to be a definite women’s movement going on this summer at Louisiana Downs.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Migrated article

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – With two of the region’s top older horses in his barn, trainer Gary Thomas has a lot to look forward to in the coming months. Golden Yank, who was third last out in the Grade 2 Cornhusker, and Greeley’s Conquest, who is to make his first start of the year Friday night at Lone Star Park, both have rich races on the immediate horizon.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Blind Luck back to dirt for Delaware Oaks

Blind Luck, the nation’s most accomplished 3-year-old filly, will attempt to follow in the footsteps of fellow Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell when she travels from her California base to Delaware Park for Saturday’s Delaware Oaks.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Trappe Shot brings win streak to stakes debut

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trappe Shot tops a field of six for the $175,000 Long Branch Stakes for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Monmouth Park.

The Long Branch offers berths in the biggest race of the meet as the first two finishers are traditionally extended invitations to the $1 million Haskell on Aug. 1.

Trappe Shot, an impressive allowance winner on the Belmont Stakes undercard, figures to be favored in his stakes debut, following three straight dominant wins.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Dollase hoping for hot Gold Cup pace

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – At 7, Awesome Gem is the senior member of Saturday’s $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup. He has made more starts, 35, and earned more prize money, $1,974,682, than the other six projected starters.

He also may be the outsider capable of an upset.

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and trained by Craig Dollase, Awesome Gem is making his 12th start in a Grade 1, seeking his first win at that level. In 2007, he was second in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar and third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park.

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 18:23

Expansion earns his way into Man o' War

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Chad Brown was very confident that Expansion was going to run a big race in last month’s Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap. His suspicions were proven correct when Expansion ran a bang-up third behind Winchester and Gio Ponti, beaten a total of 1 1/2 lengths.