Sat, 02/28/2009 - 00:00

Chiropractic work approved for race day

The Arkansas Racing Commission on Saturday unanimously adopted a handful of amendments that clear the way for external, non-invasive treatments on race day, including chiropractic work. The changes go into effect immediately.

The issue of chiropractic work on race day was first raised in late January, when Ms. Good Cat, a horse trained by Larry Jones, was scratched after a backstretch monitor came upon the filly receiving such a treatment on race day. Prior to Saturday, only Lasix and magnetic therapy blankets were permissible race-day treatments in Arkansas.

Sat, 02/28/2009 - 00:00

Gord Cowie, trainer, dies

A funeral service will be held Monday for Gord Cowie, who owned and trained horses at Fort Erie and Woodbine.

Cowie died in the hospital on Thursday at age 43 after collapsing while working at Woodbine. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Fort Erie. Visitation was to be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Benner Funeral Services in Fort Erie.

Cowie's training resume includes Sir Ebony Knight, Berry Moonolow and D'Or Ruckus, all stakes winners at Woodbine in the 1990s. Last year, he won the Game Cup at Fort Erie with Lone Endeavor.

Sat, 02/28/2009 - 00:00

New sponsor for Cradle Stakes

Budweiser is now the sponsor for the $200,000 Cradle Stakes at River Downs, the track announced Friday. The Miller Brewing Company had sponsored the Cradle since 1977.

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 00:00

Injury won't hold Giant Oak back

Highly regarded 3-year-old Giant Oak missed three days of exercise this week, but his trainer, Chris Block, said the colt's apparently minor setback should not affect plans to start in the March 14 Louisiana Derby.

Giant Oak, a vastly troubled fifth in the Risen Star Stakes, his 3-year-old debut, suffered some sort of mouth injury last Sunday, the day after he worked five furlongs.

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 00:00

Company updates Big A casino plan

Delaware North Cos., the racetrack and casino operator, is updating its plans for a casino at Aqueduct racetrack in New York City but has still not finalized an agreement with the state on the casino's operation, officials for the company and Aqueduct said on Friday.

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 00:00

Pair gets to work for Gotham

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - With inclement weather on the horizon for the weekend, the Kiaran McLaughlin stable moved up by one day key workouts for several of its horses with upcoming stakes engagements.

Among the workers on a relatively warm winter morning at Belmont Park were a pair of 3-year-olds for next Saturday's $250,000 Gotham Stakes, Mr. Fantasy and Axel Foley, the latter being a recent addition to the stable.

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 00:00

Monday card scrapped due to lack of entries

Turfway Park officials had to reverse their recently announced decision to conduct live racing on Monday because of an insufficient number of entries for a scheduled nine-race card.

Turfway, located in Florence, Ky., normally is dark on Mondays and Tuesdays but announced earlier this week that racing would be conducted March 2, 9, and 16 as a way to make up for six weather-related cancellations of full or partial programs since the 2009 winter-spring meet began Jan. 1.

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 00:00

Sky Diva impresses in half-mile drill

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Training hours proved rather uneventful here Friday morning. At least until a good-looking chestnut with a blaze face sizzled through a half-mile workout in 46.43 seconds shortly after 8 a.m. The work of the day belonged to Grade 1 winner Sky Diva, who shipped locally from Fair Grounds with a half-dozen other horses belonging to trainer Steve Klesaris earlier this month.

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 00:00

Ambitious plans for Bon Jovi Girl

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Trainer Tim Ritchey would like to see Bon Jovi Girl develop into a candidate for the Kentucky Oaks. She won her 3-year-old debut Thursday at Oaklawn in impressive fashion, and is headed to the Grade 3, $100,000 Honeybee here March 15.

"I would think that would be her next start, and then hopefully the Fantasy," Ritchey said of the Grade 2, $250,000 race to be run at Oaklawn on April 5.

"We gave her a little freshener with the eye to come in here and try to run in the big 3-year-old stakes and go on, hopefully, to the Kentucky Oaks."

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 00:00

Magnum doesn't act his age

ARCADIA, Calif. - When Magnum ended an eight-race losing streak in the Grade 2 San Antonio Handicap on Feb. 8, the victory capped a remarkable and lengthy comeback.

The San Antonio was Magnum's first stakes win since the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap in May 2006. Between the two wins, Magnum's racing career, and life, changed significantly. He was off for 17 months from October 2006 to March 2008 because of minor injuries, and was gelded last year because of oversized testicles that made it uncomfortable for him to race.