Defending champion Joey P. will have to deal with a pair of graded stakes sprinters coming off extended layoffs in his quest to become a millionaire this weekend.
The Monmouth Park-based Joey P. will be challenged by Florida shipper Ikigai and the Kentucky colt Eaton's Gift in Saturday night's $250,000 Charles Town Invitational Dash.
MIAMI - While many tracks around the country are still struggling to fill 2-year-old maiden races, Calder is already way ahead of the curve. So much so, in fact, that Friday's feature will bring together eight juvenile filly maiden winners, all of whom are using the race as a prep for the $100,000 J J'sdream Stakes on July 11.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Rapid Release and Mr. Foricos Two U both had their final tune-ups for the Queen's Plate here at Woodbine on Wednesday, turning in solid moves over the Polytrack surface.
The $1 million Queen's Plate, a 1 1/4-mile race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, will be run here Sunday. The draw was to be held Thursday and a field of 14 was expected.
Rapid Release, trained by Roger Attfield and with regular rider Jono Jones in the irons, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20, the fastest of 19 workouts at the distance.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance has given full accreditation to Delaware Park in Stanton, Del., the association announced Wednesday.
Delaware Park is the fourth racetrack to be fully accredited by the alliance, which was formed late in 2008 to address concerns about the public's perception of racing's commitment to safety measures following several high-profile breakdowns. To be fully accredited, tracks must meet a list of requirements involving rules, equipment, and participation in national data-gathering projects.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Rachel Alexandra will kick off the second half of her 3-year-old season by returning to face her own gender in the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes on June 27 at Belmont Park, her connections officially announced Wednesday.
Triumph turned to tragedy when the 4-year-old colt Sailor's Cap, the upset winner of Sunday's Grade 3 Poker Stakes at Belmont Park, died suddenly in his stall there early Wednesday morning.
Though Sailor's Cap spiked a temperature on Tuesday, the cause of death was not immediately known. The colt was sent to the New Bolton Equine Clinic in Kennett Square, Pa., for a necropsy.
Barry Irwin, head of the Team Valor International syndicate that owns Sailor's Cap, said he doesn't usually order necropsies on horses, but did so this time because "this one is a mystery."
The queen of Michigan-breds proved she's equally potent taking on open company out of state.
Valley Loot, a 5-year-old mare who has dominated restricted stakes at Pinnacle Race Course and Great Lakes Downs the past two seasons, delivered a gutsy performance to win Tuesday night's $75,000 Golden Sylvia Handicap at Mountaineer Racetrack.
Dr. Thomas J. Lurito, a veterinarian who practices at Philadelphia Park, has been ruled off the grounds of the track while the racing commission investigates an incident in which the vet allegedly shot an injured filly in order to euthanize her, according to officials of the track and the trainer of the horse.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Kelly Leak's comeback is on hold.
Winner of the $900,000 Sunland Derby in his last start March 29, Kelly Leak would have been the co-highweight Saturday in the Grade 3 Affirmed Handicap for 3-year-olds at Hollywood Park, but blood tests revealed Kelly Leak had elevated liver enzymes that will postpone his return.
"Something is bugging him internally, and I am not quite sure what," trainer Mike Machowsky said. "I don't think it's anything major."
MIAMI - Rick Dutrow can't wait to bring Benny the Bull back to Calder to defend his title in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap on July 11. And trainer Brian Prichard can't wait for them to get here after his How's Your Halo rallied to an impressive four-length victory in last Saturday's Ponche Handicap.
How's Your Halo finished second behind Benny the Bull in the 2008 Smile Sprint. A 6-year-old son of Halo's Image, How's Your Halo further enhanced his reputation by upsetting Ikigai last winter at Gulfstream Park in the Grade 2 Richter Scale.
