FORT ERIE, Ontario - Chad Beckon, last year's leading rider by a good margin, has moved his tack to Woodbine, leaving the door wide open for the 2008 runner-up in the Fort Erie jockey colony, Rui Pimentel, to take command.
Pimentel won three races opening weekend last Saturday and Sunday and joined Sunny Singh and apprentice Mike Mehak at the top of the win column as those two riders also notched the hat trick.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Mr. Hot Stuff has emerged from his 15th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby last weekend in good condition and is being considered for races on both coasts, trainer Eoin Harty said Thursday.
Owned by WinStar Stable, Mr. Hot Stuff is with Harty's stable at Keeneland. He could be sent to California for an allowance race or New York for the Belmont Stakes on June 6. Harty said he will assess the colt's condition before finalizing plans.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Paco Lopez, the 2008 Eclipse Award winner as the outstanding apprentice rider, will try his hand at Monmouth Park this summer.
It won't be an easy lineup to crack, with a solid group of returning veterans that includes young guns Jose Lezcano and Eddie Castro, both 24, who finished one-two in standings last year, to go along with Stewart Elliott, Chuckie Lopez, and Daniel Centeno.
And let's not forget Joe Bravo, 13-time leading rider at Monmouth.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Dancer's Bajan has been a model of consistency through his career, with eight wins including seven in Ontario-sired stakes company.
On Saturday, Dancer's Bajan will be looking to add to his impressive portfolio when he makes his seasonal bow in the restricted New Providence for 3-year-olds and up.
"He's going into the race a happy horse," trainer Robert Tiller said.
Dancer's Bajan, a 5-year-old gelding, also opened up his 2008 campaign in the New Providence. He finished sixth, beaten just 4 1/4 lengths.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Hard work is beginning to pay off for 23-year-old jockey Ismael Mosqueira. He began his career in Mexico City before he arrived at Hastings in 2007. Until recently, Mosqueira has had a hard time finding quality mounts.
Mosqueira opened up a few eyes with his patient ride in the $50,000 George Royal Stakes aboard Seminole Brave last Saturday. It was the first stakes win locally for Mosqueira.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Signs of spring are sprouting everywhere for racing fans in the Mid-Atlantic region. The forsythia are in bloom, the Triple Crown is under way, and Monmouth Park is about to awake from its winter slumber.
Monmouth, the queen of New Jersey racetracks, kicks off its 64th season Saturday with an 11-race card. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern for the first of 94 dates through Sept. 27.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Having proven himself once again as a top-class turf runner by successfully defending his title in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard last Saturday at Churchill Downs, Einstein will be trying to complete a hat trick of sorts in his next race.
"We're going next in the Stephen Foster," said trainer Helen Pitts.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Tale of Ekati, a multiple Grade 1 winner, has been retired from racing after three consecutive dull performances this year, trainer Barclay Tagg said Thursday.
Tagg said he can't find a physical issue with Tale of Ekati, but he believes the horse has simply lost his competitive edge.
"Seems that way," Tagg said. "He seems to be all right physically."
Friesan Fire, who finished 18th as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, is on target to return in the Preakness, his connections said Thursday morning.
Coming back to be unsaddled following the Derby, Friesan Fire had blood coming from his left front foot after getting stepped on, or grabbing a quarter as it's called. However, using a paste that is prescribed for use by diabetics who have wounds that won't heal, the area has toughened up, according to trainer Larry Jones.
"It is healing extremely fast," Jones said. "We feel like there's a really good shot we can make it."
