HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Custom for Carlos ran some big races last year, earning some big speed figures, opening some eyes, getting some ink.
But that was as a 3-year-old, when he didn't necessarily have to run against top competition. Eddie Kenneally, who trains Custom for Carlos for Homewrecker Racing and Avalon Farm, withheld the colt from more demanding assignments, sensing greater things were possible in 2010.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Making his debut against winners, Kettle River rallied from fifth to win an allowance race for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on Wednesday.
Leaving the winner's circle, trainer Eoin Harty said Kettle River has earned a start in the $150,000 Robert Lewis Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 6.
Buddy's Saint and Homeboykris, two of the top 3-year-old prospects on the grounds at Gulfstream Park, worked on a very cold and windy morning here Wednesday.
Buddy's Saint went an easy half-mile in 49.71 seconds according to Daily Racing Form shortly before 8 a.m, cruising along through fractions of of 25.11 and 37.51 seconds while never asked to extend himself. He galloped out five-eighths in 1:02.83. The work was his second since his arrival in south Florida last month.
Quarter Horse trainer Paul Jones had a record-breaking year in 2009, with stable earnings of $7,425,512. It was the first time the stable cracked the $7 million mark after earnings at least $6 million from 2005-08.
Jones, 44, celebrated by taking his wife and two young daughters on a Caribbean cruise this week. Even while he was away, Jones was trying to keep pace with his 2009 success. He won the year's first Grade 1 race last Saturday, the $100,000 Charger Bar Handicap at Los Alamitos with Stylish Jess Br.
It took Steve Margolis about 15 years to climb the ladder from groom to head trainer, and it has been 10 years since Margolis left his job as trainer Stanley Hough's assistant to become a head trainer. So, 25 years after first putting down roots in the racing game, Margolis's career is blooming.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is hoping to get his meet off to a fast start on Saturday when he sends out Past the Point in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector and brings back world traveler Elusive Warning from an 18-month vacation in the $75,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint.
Awesome Ashley, runner-up to Distorted Passion in the Interborough Stakes on New Year's Day, has been retired from racing, trainer Todd Pletcher said Wednesday.
Awesome Ashley, a daughter of Unbridled's Song, won 6 of 27 starts and banked $303,260 for owner Alex Campbell. She won three stakes - all over Aqueduct's inner track - including the Garland of Roses last month.
Distorted Passion, who finished third in the Garland of Roses before winning the Interborough, will be sold at the January horses of all ages sale on Jan. 11.
Trainer John Parisella had planned to run She'll Be Doggone in the Busanda, but the debut-winning filly suffered an injury to her left foreleg in a stall accident.
According to Parisella, She'll Be Doggone was spooked by something and she kicked, and broke, her water bucket.
"I can't X-ray it till the swelling comes down,'' Parisella said. "I'm disappointed. I just want to make sure she's okay.''
She'll Be Doggone, a daughter of Gone West, won her debut by a neck over Aqueduct's main track in November.
