Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Sadler poised for hot summer

Benoit & Associates
Trainer John Sadler comes into the Del Mar meet loaded with stakes horses like Black Mamba and Whatsthescript.

DEL MAR, Calif. - "Seinfeld" had the "Summer of George." Del Mar might just have the summer of John.

John Sadler is going to hit the ground running at Del Mar. With Whatsthescript in the Grade 1, $350,000 Eddie Read Handicap on Saturday, Dawn Before Dawn and Royal Taat in the $85,000 Osunitas Handicap on Sunday, and horses like Black Mamba, Noble Court, Oil Man, and the exciting 2-year-old colt Hurricane Ike ready for upcoming stakes either here or at Arlington Park, Sadler looks primed to continue solidifying his position as one of the pre-eminent trainers on the West Coast.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Papa Clem back to work, next stop uncertain

Jessica Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Presious Passion, winning the United Nations, needs a firm turf course.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Papa Clem got back to work Monday, breezing for the first time since finishing third in the July 11 Long Branch Stakes. He was clocked in 1:12.60 for six furlongs at Monmouth Park.

"I wanted a good work in him," trainer Gary Stute said from Del Mar. "It was just exactly what I wanted."

In the Long Branch, Papa Clem stumbled at the break and came back with minor nicks and cuts in his first start since finishing sixth in the Preakness.

After the Long Branch, Stute left Papa Clem at Monmouth, even though the colt's next start could be elsewhere.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Artiste Royal likely staying home

Benoit & Associates
Artiste Royal (left) will probably run in the Eddie Read, rather than the Arlington Million.

DEL MAR, Calif. - The choice for trainer Neil Drysdale was to take Artiste Royal to the Arlington Million on Aug. 8 or stay here at Del Mar for the Grade 1, $350,000 Eddie Read Handicap on Saturday. The Million is worth a lot more money. It's also shaping up as a far deeper race. So after Artiste Royal worked a sharp six furlongs on the Del Mar turf on Monday morning, Drysdale pretty much got the answer he needed.

"The chances are pretty good we'll stay here," Drysdale said. "The race in Chicago looks like it's coming up pretty tough. I thought his breeze was very good."

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Baffert well-stocked with juveniles

DEL MAR, Calif. - From 1996-2002, if you weren't named Bob Baffert, you did not train the winner of the Del Mar Futurity. Baffert had a hammerlock on the race, winning it a record seven straight times with the likes of Silver Charm and Forest Camp. After a mild drought, he won it again last year with Midshipman, who went on to become the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old colt of 2008. Based on the quality of 2-year-olds Baffert has this summer at Del Mar, eight Del Mar Futurities might not be enough.

Baffert is loaded.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Fatal Bullet impresses in Bold Venture return

Michael Burns
Fatal Bullet scores by 2 1/4 lengths in Sunday's Bold Venture at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Fatal Bullet, Canada's Horse of the Year and top sprinter in 2008, returned with a vengeance here in Sunday's $151,350 Bold Venture.

Making his first start since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, Fatal Bullet was off a touch slowly but quickly established command and led throughout the 6 1/2-furlong Bold Venture.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Handle declines at shortened Hollywood meet

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Hollywood Park finished its spring-summer meeting on Sunday with declines in ontrack and all-sources handle and a slight gain in ontrack attendance, the track reported.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Del Mar 2008 winner's book

Results of each race from the 2008 Del Mar meet.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Del Mar stats

Trainers, jockeys, post positions, and much more. Click the link below to download the 2009 Del Mar Players' Guide comprehensive stats.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Rachel drills six furlongs at Saratoga

Rachel Alexandra, who was relocated to Saratoga after winning the Mother Goose in stakes-record time June 27, worked for the third consecutive Monday over the Oklahoma training track, going six furlongs in 1:13.88 under regular exercise rider Dominic Terry at 6 a.m.

It was the fastest of six workouts at the distance by 0.45 second, and termed "breezing."

The bay 3-year-old filly went in fractions of 13.20 seconds, 25.40, 37.40, and 49.60, and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27.40.

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Orientate Express takes Omaha to close festival

OMAHA, Neb. - Orientate Express put an exclamation point on the final day of Horsemen's Park Festival of Racing with a strong 3 3/4-length in the $51,000 Omaha Stakes on Sunday afternoon.

Making just his second start of the year, Orientate Express followed a hard duel between The Big Wave and Social Climber, moved to challenge into the far turn, and drew off for the win in 1:37.80 for the one mile over a fast track.