ARCADIA, Calif. - Until last month, trainer Ruben Cardenas was unsure how he was going to make ends meet. He was down to just a few horses and was seeking a part-time job to support his wife and four children. He said he was thinking of taking a job driving a horse van.
Not much came of that, which for Cardenas turned out to be a stroke of good luck. About the same time, he met Michael Gonzalez, a horse owner from Puerto Rico.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The connections of the Grade 1-winning sprinter Fabulous Strike are still debating whether to run their gelding in the $2 million Golden Shaheen in Dubai next month or stay in the United States for a campaign that would include a start in the $150,000 General George Handicap at Laurel Park on Feb. 16.
Trainer Todd Beattie had previously said he would go to Dubai provided he received an invitation. Fabulous Strike did receive an invitation last week, but Beattie said he and owner Walter Downey are still discussing what to do.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Tale of Ekati is the marquee name pointing for next Saturday's Grade 2 Richter Scale Handicap here. But the two-time Grade 1 winner could have his hands full in his 2009 debut with Ikigai, runaway winner of the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Handicap earlier in the Gulfstream Park meet.
Trainer Marty Wolfson confirmed that Ikigai would return in the seven-furlong Richter Scale shortly after the horse breezed a half-mile in 49.80 seconds over his home base at Calder on Friday morning.
If you Google the name Leandro Goncalves, you will find a 35-year-old Brazilian actor with a single film credit from a 2002 movie called "Cidade de Deus."
No telling whether that Goncalves is an up-and-comer in his line of work, or just a one-time bit player who wouldn't even make the D-List, but another Leandro Goncalves from Brazil is doing a great job of working his way into the pop culture at Turfway Park.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine will be shuffling its major turf stakes this year, with an eye toward the Nov. 6-7 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita. In 2008, the Cup was held Oct. 24-25 at Santa Anita.
The major changes involve Canadian International Day, which will be held two weeks later than last year on Oct. 17, and Woodbine Mile Day, which has also been moved back two weeks to Sept. 20.
Woodbine's 2009 schedule includes 103 stakes worth a total of $22.7 million for the 167-day meeting, which runs from April 4 through Dec. 6.
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.
