STANTON, Del. - During the summer, when she is based at Woodbine, trainer Josie Carroll rarely ventures to Delaware Park. But when she does, she means business.
Shipping to Delaware for the first time since she won the 1999 Delaware Oaks with Brushed Halory, Carroll took a shot at Saturday's with Careless Jewel ($22.80), a lightly raced filly who had just cleared her first allowance condition and had raced exclusively on Polytrack.
Alcomo was unable to stay with Eldaafer and Nite Light six weeks ago in the slop in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park, but he had no trouble with those rivals Saturday in the $200,000 Greenwood Cup at Philadelphia Park.
The victory in the 1 1/2-mile Greenwood Cup, a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In race, assured Alcomo a spot in the Nov. 7 BC Marathon at Santa Anita.
Livin Lovin, the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the Grade 2, $250,000 Delaware Oaks, was scratched Saturday morning. But that doesn't mean she will run in Sunday's $1 million Delaware Handicap where she also was entered.
Instead, it is likely that trainer Steve Klesaris will send the 3-year-old Livin Lovin to Belmont Park for next Saturday's Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks. Livin Lovin, winner of the Grade 3 Tempted in New York last fall, would have to face older horses for the first time if she goes in the 1 1/4-mile Del Cap.
OMAHA, Neb. - Senorita Conchita registered her first career stakes win as she held off defending champion Jane of Arcadia by 1 1/2 lengths in the $28,800 Falls Amiss Handicap for older Nebraska-bred fillies and mares on Friday evening at Horsemen's Park.
Senorita Conchita, ridden by Luis Ranilla for trainer Herb Riecken, took over the lead after a half-mile of the one-mile race, then withstood a challenge from Jackie Bea Star nearing the stretch to kick clear again. Ranilla kept the 4-year-old filly clear as Janes of Arcadia made a run through the stretch.
Golden Stripe, the 9-2 third choice, took command early and never looked back en route to a 5 3/4-length score in the $50,000 R.C. Anderson at Assiniboia Downs on Friday evening.
Bound to Thrill stalked the winner but had to settle for second money, seven lengths before third-place Glory Command in the field of 10 contesting the one-mile feature.
Adventcia, an even fourth as the 2-1 second choice, and Premier Star, who tired badly to finish last as the slight favorite at 9-5, were major disappointments. Golden Stripe paid $11.50 and was timed in 1:39.80.
HorseRacing Television began televising action from Ellis Park on Friday after failing to show any races from the Henderson, Ky., track for the first three days of the meet that began July 11.
Aaron Vercruysse, an on-air personality who assists with programming content for the California-based network, said a simple oversight had led to Ellis being omitted from HRTV broadcasts on July 11, 12, and 16.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - For a sum of $5,200 this past January, owner-trainer Jerry Todd came up with two of the more promising 2-year-olds at the Lone Star Park meet. Rich Pearl, who dominated maidens at two turns on turf, and Rich Elm, who was beaten just a half-length following a tumultuous trip in another turf route, both seem like horses who could develop into stakes performers.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Smart Surprise had raced 10 times and was a maiden when she came to trainer Josie Carroll's barn here last summer.
But, starting with a win in her local debut last Aug. 24, Smart Surprise has turned into a winning machine, with a 6-for-9 mark heading into Sunday's $150,000 Ontario Matron.
"What can you say about her?" said Carroll, who has sent out Smart Surprise to win three stakes here on Polytrack and another over sloppy going at the Fair Grounds.
"She's just an incredibly honest horse."
Dandy Dora, Lemon Pepper, and Tricky Temper are the main players in the $50,000 Northlands Oaks on Sunday. The 1 1/16-mile feature drew a field of nine.
If any of the four Alberta-breds in the field win, they would receive an extra $32,520 from the Alberta-bred bonus fund.
Dandy Dora, the highweight at 122 pounds, is the class of the field with three stakes wins, including a decisive five-length romp over Tricky Temper in the 6 1/2-furlong Chariot Chaser Handicap on June 27. Trained by Greg Tracy, it is expected her usual rider, Rickey Walcott, will put her on the lead.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - E.T. Baird's hands never have been in question. It's his head that sometimes has gotten in the way.
Baird won for the 2,000th time in his career Friday at Arlington Park, guiding favored Bond Street to victory in the second race, a $10,000 claimer.
"I should be closer to 4,000 if I hadn't taken so much time off," Baird said last Saturday evening.
