Thu, 05/13/2010 - 00:00

Penn surface deemed safe

Penn National racetrack is scheduled to resume racing Thursday night following the cancellation of Wednesday's card because of concerns by horsemen that the track's surface had become unsafe, representatives of the track and horsemen said on Thursday morning.

Todd Mostoller, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said the track's surface appeared to be in much better shape on Thursday morning after drying out following heavy rains on Tuesday night.

Thu, 05/13/2010 - 00:00

Barbaro's brother Nicanor on Preakness card

BALTIMORE - Besides the 135th Preakness here Saturday, Pimlico also will run five other stakes on its 13-race card. Foremost among those undercard races is the $200,000 Dixie Stakes, a Grade 2 turf race at 1 1/8 miles.

Thirteen older horses are entered in the Dixie, including Nicanor, the full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, and Just as Well, the millionaire turf specialist trained by Jonathan Sheppard. Other logical contenders in a well-matched Dixie include Grassy, Picou, and Rahystrada.

Thu, 05/13/2010 - 00:00

First jewel for Lukas was one for the books

BALTIMORE - It is remembered mostly as the race in which the filly was mugged, but the Preakness of 30 years ago also is known as the race that produced arguably the most iconic figure of racing's modern era.

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 00:00

Teide may be too strong to stick around

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Teide, trained by Dino Condilenios, made a strong statement that he is in a different league than the rest of the horses in the older handicap division at Hastings with his emphatic win in the 6 1/2-furlong George Royal last Saturday. He showed more speed than usual, and when he was sitting second behind Woombroom Express going into the first turn under a stranglehold by Chad Hoverson, the only question was by how many. It turned out to be 4 1/2 lengths.

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 00:00

Much riding on one horse in trainer's reprise

AUBURN, Wash. - As a little fish in a small pond, Greg Moore has learned to manage expectations. Good thing, too, because the 50-year-old trainer has only one race-ready horse at Emerald Downs. But that horse, Moore says with guarded optimism, has a chance, a chance, to be exceptional.

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 00:00

Fatal Bullet will give two-turn Eclipse a shot

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - No match for Hollywood Hit in last Sunday's seven-furlong Vigil, Fatal Bullet will be taking his game into a new arena.

Trainer Reade Baker said he plans to send Fatal Bullet around two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile Eclipse here June 5.

"It's something we've wanted to try for a long time, and here's our chance," he said.

Fatal Bullet, who was Canada's champion sprinter and older horse in 2008, has recorded his nine wins on synthetic surfaces at distances ranging from five to seven furlongs.

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 00:00

Slew's Tizzy training for a comeback

MIAMI - Among the intriguing names on the Calder workout tab over the last couple of weeks was Slew's Tizzy, a multiple graded stakes winner at 3 whose resume included starts in the Breeders' Cup and Belmont Stakes.

Now 6, Slew's Tizzy is in training locally with Terry Oliver, who said Slew's Tizzy was sent here from California by owner-breeder Joseph LaCombe in early April. Slew's Tizzy has not started since winning Hollywood Park's Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap on Dec. 6, 2008.

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 00:00

Campbell looks to bolster Southern ties

BOSSIER CITY, La. - When jockey Jesse Campbell began searching for a new place to call home during the summer, he did so with an eye on the future. A longtime regular on the Chicago circuit, Campbell eventually settled on Louisiana Downs.

"I just felt it was time to make a change," Campbell said. "Things had gotten a little stale at Arlington and there are some issues with the racing surface, but the primary reason I'm here is to develop relationships with some Louisiana outfits. That should really help when we make the transition to Fair Grounds in the fall."

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 00:00

Mythical Power shipping back for handicap

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Mythical Power will be looking to complete a sweep of Lone Star Park's three most prestigious dirt races later this month, when he ships in from Southern California to headline the Lone Star Million Day program of stakes on May 31.

"He's going back for the Lone Star Park Handicap," said Bob Baffert, who trains Mythical Power.

Tue, 05/11/2010 - 00:00

Douglas files suit over injuries

A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of injured jockey Rene Douglas and his wife, Natalia, seeking damages from Arlington Park, Arlington's parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., as well as two entities associated with the Polytrack racing surface used at Arlington - the Keeneland Association and Martin Collins Surfaces and Footings.

The suit was filed Tuesday in the Circuit Court of Cook County by the Chicago firm Power, Rogers, and Smith P.C. The defendants have 30 days to file an answer to the suit with the court.