Sat, 09/12/2009 - 00:00

Masters attracts Breeders' Cup hopefuls

Barbara D. Livingston
Informed Decision, shown in a Saratoga workout, is the likely favorite for the Grade 3 Masters.

When Presque Isle Downs opened in 2007, management positioned its premier event, the $400,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters, in September to serve a stepping-stone to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Miss Macy Sue won the inaugural Masters and went on to finish third in the Filly and Mare Sprint in the Monmouth Park slop.

Sat, 09/12/2009 - 00:00

Grand Couturier looking to rebound

Adam Coglianese
Grand Couturier is going in Sunday's Grade 2 Bowling Green as a confidence booster.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Though Grand Couturier has failed to finish in the money in three starts this year, trainer Robert Ribaudo has not lost faith in his multiple Grade 1-winning 6-year-old. In hopes of boosting Grand Couturier's confidence, Ribaudo plans to run him in Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap at Belmont.

Racing officials here decided to postpone the Bowling Green from Friday to Sunday due to the potential of an inch or more of rain forecasted to fall in the tri-state area Friday. The Bowling Green is scheduled for 1 3/8 miles.

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:00

Evangeline handle drops

In keeping with industry-wide trends, Evangeline Downs concluded its 2009 meeting last Monday with declines in both total handle and average daily handle.

According to figures from the Audit Division of the Louisiana State Racing Commission, total all-sources handle for the 89-day meeting was $136,840,512, a decrease of just over 6 percent from last year's 84 days of racing.

Daily handle for this year's meeting averaged $1.54 million per night, a decline of 11.3 percent from 2008. Racing was canceled after just two races on April 18 this year because of inclement weather.

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:00

Girolamo taking on his elders

Barbara D. Livingston
Girolamo, an impressive winner off a 10-month layoff, is back Sunday.

ELMONT, N.Y. - As many graded stakes as Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Stable won at Saratoga, arguably the most impressive horse the outfit ran during the meet was Girolamo, who came off a 10-month layoff to win an allowance race by four lengths.

Sunday, Girolamo returns in another allowance race, facing mostly older horses in a one-mile race that could be a stepping-stone for him to the Grade 2 Jerome on Oct. 11. This $48,000 allowance race became an alternative for Girolamo when the $65,000 Prenup Stakes, a race restricted to 3-year-olds, didn't have enough entries to fill.

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:00

Bradley heads for richer land

River Downs
Gleam of Hope wins the Cradle at River Downs. His next start is not set.

Buff Bradley has been a staunch supporter of Kentucky racing ever since he resigned as the late Clarence Picou's assistant to open his own public stable in 1993. In the years to follow, not only have the vast majority of Bradley's starters come at Kentucky tracks, but he has served on various horsemen's boards and given generously of his time in supporting industry causes.

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:00

Next stop Oklahoma for Duke of Mischief

Jack Coady/Coady Photography
Trainer David Fawkes says Duke of Mischief will be pointed to the Oklahoma Derby at Remington on Oct. 11.

MIAMI - Duke of Mischief has returned to his Calder base none the worse for wear from his unlucky trip in Monday's $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, according to trainer David Fawkes.

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:00

Olmos has knack for spotting good yearlings

Four-Footed Fotos
El Sinaloense, purchased by Juan Olmos at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society sale in 2007, went on to become British Columbia's 2-year-old champion.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Leif Nordahl, president of the British Columbia division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, is hopeful but realistic about what to expect at the 2009 yearling and mixed sale that will be held at the Thunderbird Show Park in Langley on Tuesday.

A total of 156 yearlings have been cataloged, down from 173 last year. In 2008, the average price for a yearling was $11,148. The top-priced yearling, a colt by Black Minnaloushe out of Sinibion, was purchased by Glen Todd for $57,000 out of last year's sale.

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:00

Carignan making best of her opportunities

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Jockey Krista Carignan has been around horses ever since she can remember, from riding bareback as a youngster to walking and grooming Thoroughbreds as a 13-year-old. By age 16, she was galloping horses and readying for her current role.

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:00

Super Derby field coming together

The field for next Saturday's Grade 2, $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs is just starting to take shape, with seven horses considered probable as of Friday morning. Those track officials expect are Regal Ransom, Massone, Blame, Uno Mas, Electric Alphabet, and Red Lead, while trainer Graham Motion said Sumo is likely to join the fray.

Fri, 09/11/2009 - 00:00

'Yummy' seeks stakes breakthrough

Michael Burns
Stuck in Traffic figures to have a pace advantage in Sunday's $125,000 Overskate for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Yummy With Butter will be looking to shake a stakes jinx in Sunday's $125,000 Overskate, a seven-furlong race for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up.

A 5-year-old gelding owned by Bruno Schickedanz and trained by Mark Fournier, Yummy With Butter has started in stakes races eight times, recording a pair of seconds and five thirds.