Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

Haynesfield tests road to the Derby

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The dominant victory Haynesfield recorded in the Damon Runyon Stakes here Dec. 7 had many excited to see him run again. That chance will come Saturday in the $65,000 Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct, where Haynesfield will step out of New York-bred company for the first time and try to step onto the Kentucky Derby trail.

Haynesfield won the Damon Runyon by 5 1/4 lengths in front-running fashion. He ran a mile and 70 yards in 1:42.95 and earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest two-turn figure recorded by a 2-year-old in 2008.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

Haynesfield drills for Count Fleet

ELMONT, N.Y. - Haynesfield, one of the few potential Kentucky Derby prospects still stabled in New York, worked five furlongs in 1:03.07 on Monday morning at Belmont Park in preparation for a start in Saturday's $65,000 Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct.

The Count Fleet will be the first stakes for 3-year-olds to be run in New York in 2009.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

No surgery for Indyanne

ARCADIA, Calif. - Indyanne who was pulled up in the stretch of Saturday's Grade 1 Santa Monica Handicap with a sesamoid injury, will not require surgery and could be sent to Kentucky in early January to be bred, trainer Greg Gilchrist said on Sunday.

Indyanne was fighting for the lead when she broke down. Gilchrist said the 3-year-old filly did not suffer injuries as severe as originally thought, which negated the need for surgery. Indyanne will be confined to stall rest until her condition improves, Gilchrist said.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

Injuries can't keep Gomez down

ARCADIA, Calif. - Garrett Gomez, who leads the nation's jockeys in purse earnings this year, is expected to return to riding on Monday or Wednesday after he was involved in a spill at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Gomez was thrown from Back at You when that 2-year-old attempted to jump the rail in the stretch of the Eddie Logan Stakes. Gomez suffered broken teeth, a gash on his knee and a swollen hand. He was briefly hospitalized, but was released that evening.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

R Clear Victory switches up in Robb win

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Though most of his success had come when on the lead, R Clear Victory demonstrated Sunday that he could win from off the pace as well, overtaking pace-setting South Fourth St. in midstretch en route to a 1 1/2-length victory in the $81,500 Alex M. Robb Handicap for New York-breds at Aqueduct.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

Hidden Bounty, Carlsbad romp

Hidden Bounty and Carlsbad were thoroughly dominant, while Czechers was thoroughly professional as those three captured the three stakes at Turf Paradise Saturday.

Hidden Bounty, owned by Wire to Wire LLC and trained by Ken Brown, was far too much for his fellow 2-year-olds in the $50,000 Lost in the Fog. He pressed the early pace under Wilson Dieguez, took over on the far turn and drew off to win easily by seven lengths. Just Jebicah was second, a neck ahead of Spectaculartop in the field of seven. Rockin Zola, the 7-10 favorite, set the pace but gave way badly to finish last.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

Goodbye Norma Jean upsets Bold Ego

Goodbye Norma Jean ($21.20), rated just one pound behind 6-5 favorite and 123 pound highweight Stealth Cat, edged away from that foe in the late going to win Sunday's $50,000 Bold Ego Stakes at Sunland Park. Catera, who along with the runner-up is trained by Steve Asmussen, finished third, followed by Magdalena's Chase.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

Louisiana Lace wins maiden in stakes

VINTON, La. - Louisiana Lace ($50.60), winless in three previous starts, broke her maiden in surprising fashion Saturday night at Delta Downs in the $60,000 Creme de la Creme Stakes. Fellow longshot Scarlet Rain finished second in the event for 2-year Louisiana-bred fillies to complete a lucrative $1,667.20 exacta, followed by Reckon. Even-money favorite Steam That Kettle gave way in the drive after setting the early pace. La Vie and Rocket Reese were late scratches.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

Herpes precautions result in many scratches

A revised shipping policy instituted at Fair Grounds this weekend after a horse there tested positive for the equine herpesvirus last week resulted in a mass of scratches Sunday, with more of the same likely for Monday's races, too.

Mon, 12/29/2008 - 00:00

Indian Blessing wins; Indyanne injured

ARCADIA, Calif. - Indian Blessing may be a on a championship-per-year pace.

Indian Blessing's win in Saturday's $250,000 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita was her third Grade 1 win victory of 2008 in a sprint for fillies and mares and sixth stakes win of the year. It may be enough to earn the title of champion female sprinter of 2008. In 2007, she was champion 2-year-old filly.