Old Fashioned, a leading candidate for the Kentucky Derby, skipped over Oaklawn's main track on Thursday morning, breezing a half-mile in a bullet 48.40 seconds and galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.80. The work was his first at Oaklawn after arriving there on Tuesday.
"Apparently, he's getting over the track very well," said Larry Jones, who trains Old Fashioned for Rick Porter. "This was good. He's dead fit. He's ready."
ARCADIA, Calif. - Making predictions for a reigning 2-year-old champion filly can be a dangerous trade. In recent years, some have gone on to brilliant campaigns at 3. Others have not figured in the national picture.
This does not scare trainer Christopher Paasch one bit.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Dunkirk, the $3.7 million yearling purchase who ran such a visually impressive race winning his debut here on Jan. 24, turned in his first workout since graduation day when he breezed four furlongs in 48.40 seconds at Palm Meadows on Thursday.
Dunkirk, a son of Unbridled's Song, rallied from the back of the pack following a slow start to a 6 3/4-length victory under jockey Edgar Prado. Despite the sensational manner in which he captured the seven-furlong dash, Dunkirk earned a relatively low 78 Beyer Speed Figure.
The Maryland Jockey Club has unveiled plans for Preakness Day infield activities, with a lineup that includes music by ZZ Top and Buckcherry, plus a women's pro beach volleyball doubles tournament
The track also has instituted a ban on outside drinks. No beverages of any kind will be allowed to be carried into the infield. Some coolers and backpacks containing food will be permitted.
General admission infield tickets will remain $50 in advance and $60 on Preakness Day. Top of the Stretch infield seats will remain $110.
ARCADIA, Calif. - A shin injury has put leading 3-year-old Square Eddie on the sidelines.
The runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last October, Square Eddie was taken out of training for at least two weeks on Thursday after he was diagnosed with sore shins Wednesday, trainer Doug O'Neill said. The injury will prevent Square Eddie from a scheduled start in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 16.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Though his last two workouts have been around two turns, Smokin Hero is likely to remain sprinting for his next start, which should come in the $65,000 Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes at six furlongs here on Feb. 16.
That's assuming the race fills. Smokin Hero was one of just nine nominated to the race restricted to 3-year-olds.
Smokin Hero would enter the Capossela off a scintillating 12 3/4-length victory in a New York-bred first-level allowance race on Jan. 7. He ran six furlongs in 1:10.10 and earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Though he demonstrated the ability to come from off the pace in winning the Count Fleet Stakes last out, Haynesfield may be better served reverting to his front-running tactics when he heads a six-horse field entered for Saturday's $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Dixie Chatter's best race at 2 was a win in the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes on a synthetic track at Santa Anita. His best performance at 3 was a victory in the Oceanside Stakes on turf.
When he makes his 4-year-old debut in Saturday's $250,000 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita, Dixie Chatter returns to a synthetic surface for the first time since last June.
His presence on a synthetic track is not a season-defining decision on surfaces, trainer Richard Mandella said. He admits to not knowing which surface is best for Dixie Chatter.
NEW ORLEANS - Each winter, 3-year-olds with obvious talent winter at Fair Grounds and emerge from the Louisiana Derby as contenders for the Triple Crown. If the massive colt with the rich chestnut coat that walked into Barn 26 on the Fair Grounds backstretch after a routine gallop Wednesday morning takes that path, it will be under unusual circumstances.
