BALTIMORE - Rarely, if ever, have so many losing jockeys returned with such big smiles. But when seven of them returned safely and enthralled after riding in the Lady Legends for the Cure race Friday at Pimlico, none could hide her glee.
Mary Wiley Wagner, who led to the top of the stretch in the six-furlong race aboard Mass Destruction before fading to fourth in the field of eight, said after dismounting, "Whew, that was fun! I want to do it again. And again. And again."
SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Canterbury Park will begin a 62-day meet Friday evening with the hope of attracting more fans, more often.
On June 26, Canterbury will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its opening day in 1985. To mark the occasion, the track has decided to offer free general admission all season.
"With the change, we hope our loyal fans will get to enjoy our race cards more often," said marketing manager John Groen. "For those who haven't been to Canterbury Park in recent years, we hope free admission will encourage them to come out."
A racing-industry group that awards accreditation to racetracks for compliance with a voluntary safety program has given Sunland Park in New Mexico "provisional accreditation" after finding that the track did not comply with all of the requirements of the program.
The Safety and Integrity Alliance, which administers the accreditation program, said that Sunland could receive full accreditation in the future if the track and the New Mexico Racing Commission addressed a number of issues that left the track short of the program's requirements.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - With division leader Bourbon Bay, a three-time stakes winner at Santa Anita earlier this year, getting a deserved springtime break, Saturday's $150,000 Jim Murray Handicap at Hollywood Park is a wide-open race.
For bettors, that is where things get a little messy. The Grade 2 Murray, run over 1 1/2 miles on turf, has drawn a field of 11.
Rockin Rockstar needed every inch of the Presque Isle stretch to get up and win the $100,000 Tom Ridge.
Rockin Rockstar was last by many going down the backstretch. Willie Martinez let the Congaree gelding roll on the turn and he circled the field, vieing for the lead late before getting up to win the six furlong event by a neck. Flamin Hot led under Dale Beckner in late stretch before finishing second, two lengths in front of Black Belt in third.
Trained by Mike Lauer, Rockin Rockstar returned $42.20 to win and ran the six furlongs in 1.08.42 over the Tapeta surface.
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.
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.
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.
