Wed, 07/22/2009 - 00:00

Godolphin buys Atomic Rain

Atomic Rain, winner of the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park, has been purchased by Godolphin Racing.

Previously trained by Kelly Breen, Atomic Rain was on target for Monmouth's Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 2.

Now his status for the Haskell is uncertain.

"We have purchased Atomic Rain to race in Dubai this winter, but we will make a decision shortly with regard to his more immediate future," said Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager.

Tue, 07/21/2009 - 00:00

Indiana Downs has handle increase

Indiana Downs averaged $983,848 in daily handle on its live races at the meet that ended July 15, up 4.1 percent over the 2008 meet, when it averaged $945,023 a day.

The gross handle was up by a higher percentage, but Indiana Downs conducted a 62-day meet this year, up from 54 last year. There is a possibility that the number of days may be increased next season, according to the track's racing secretary, Butch Cook.

Tue, 07/21/2009 - 00:00

Monterey Jazz ready to go

Benoit & Associates
Trainer Craig Dollase originally intended to skip Saturday's Eddie Read with American Handicap winner Monterey Jazz, but a quick Monday workout helped change his mind.

DEL MAR, Calif. - The pace and the depth of the Grade 1, $350,000 Eddie Read Handicap on Saturday at Del Mar got a whole lot stronger Tuesday morning when trainer Craig Dollase said he had decided to go ahead and run the speedy Monterey Jazz just three weeks after his front-running win in the American Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Tue, 07/21/2009 - 00:00

Minshall confident on turf

Michael Burns
Dance for Us, winner of the Bison City, will get back on turf for Saturday's Wonder Where, the third leg of the triple tiara series for fillies.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine's two series for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds will be winding up over the next two weekends, with the Wonder Where scheduled for Saturday and the Breeders' on Aug. 2.

Trainer Barbara Minshall thinks she is in with a chance in both races. She plans to send out Dance for Us in the Wonder Where and Parabola in the Breeders'.

The Wonder Where, a 1 1/4-mile turf race, concludes the triple tiara for fillies, which began with the 1 1/8-mile Woodbine Oaks and continued with the 1 1/16-mile Bison City.

Tue, 07/21/2009 - 00:00

Stormin Maggy earns herself a stakes shot

Stormin Maggy and Vito Filitto emerged as 2-year-olds to follow in this region last week. Stormin Maggy won at Lone Star Park and Vito Filitto at Louisiana Downs.

Stormin Maggy, a half-sister to champion Afleet Alex, took a maiden special weight at Lone Star by 6 1/2 lengths. She raced with the pace early in the 5 1/2-furlong race last Friday night, dropped back, then came on again when seemingly beaten at the quarter pole. It was the second career start for Stormin Maggy, a daughter of Storm Cat.

Tue, 07/21/2009 - 00:00

Delaware trip a tough one for Wolfson

Adam Coglianese
con Project, here romping in the New York Stakes at Belmont - her first start on dirt - wound up second in the Delaware Handicap. Her trainer, Marty Wolfson, has the filly pointed for the Personal Ensign at Saratoga.

MIAMI - For a handicapper, there's nothing more frustrating than a race not playing out as expected. So can you imagine how a trainer feels when the same thing happens in a race worth $1 million, like Sunday's Delaware Handicap.

You could still hear the frustration in trainer Marty Wolfson's voice as he recounted the Delaware Handicap and the second-place finish of his steadily improving Icon Project, who was beaten a length by the somewhat unexpected front-running winner Swift Temper.

Tue, 07/21/2009 - 00:00

Ide Like a Double sharp in Oak Hall Stakes

OPELOUSAS, La. - Ide Like a Double ($7.60) unleashed a powerful run through the stretch Saturday night under regular rider Kerwin Clark to capture the featured $50,000 Oak Hall Stakes. State Power rallied in the drive to finish second, followed by Brooks 'n Down and Ide Ball.

Tue, 07/21/2009 - 00:00

Summertime has arrived

Mark Johnson
Del Mar's turf course will see only one race on opening day, when 40,000 fans are expected for the Oceanside and its supporting card.

DEL MAR, Calif. - The challenges that face California racing will not be settled over the next seven weeks.

A weak economy has led to fewer racing dates, unresolved synthetic-surface issues continue, and the future is vague for two Los Angeles-area tracks. Hollywood Park eventually will close for property development, and Santa Anita will be sold in bankruptcy proceedings.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Court won't hear Laurel slots case

Maryland's highest court ruled on Monday that it lacks the jurisdiction to hear arguments over whether the state erred in rejecting a bid by Magna Entertainment Corp. for slot machines at its Laurel Park in Anne Arundel County.

Instead, the Court of Appeals ruled that Magna could seek a judgment on the issue in court only after it has exhausted all of its appeals through Maryland's administrative agencies, including a review by the State Board of Contract Appeals of any decision by the Video Lottery Facility Location Commission.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Third Pleasanton week appears to be a big hit

Running a three-week fair meet at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., was more than just a summer-fairs experiment. It could be a precursor to a meet there during the spring.

With Bay Meadows closed and Golden Gate the only major track left running in Northern California, Pleasanton is looking to pick up race dates next year.

Rick Pickering, the CEO of the Alameda County Fair, was scheduled to meet with the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday and the California Horse Racing Board at its Thursday meeting at Del Mar to discuss possible dates for 2010.