Sat, 01/31/2009 - 00:00

Herpes suspected in Turfway horse death

A 38-horse barn at Turfway Park was placed under quarantine restrictions Friday after a 5-year-old horse named Rockhouse Rocket was euthanized after displaying signs suggesting he might have been infected with the equine herpesvirus (EHV-1), according to John Veitch, chief steward for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Fri, 01/30/2009 - 00:00

Jones weighs Old Fashioned spot

Larry Jones is contemplating changing his plans for leading 3-year-old Old Fashioned after the Oaklawn Park stewards scratched a horse of his from a Thursday maiden race.

Ms Good Cat was scratched from the ninth race Thursday after a backstretch monitor saw the horse having chiropractic work done on race day, said Gary Wilfert, the state steward at Oaklawn. Arkansas allows only Lasix and magnetic-therapy blankets to be used on race day in a treatment policy that has long been in place in Arkansas, said Wilfert.

Fri, 01/30/2009 - 00:00

Vitek set to get back in race

At his lowest point, Justin Vitek said he "would just lay there and look at the wall," overwhelmed and fatigued by the disease that had gripped his life.

But in the painful weeks and months that followed, with the help of friends and family, Vitek found the will and strength to fight the acute myelogenous leukemia that currently is in remission.

Fri, 01/30/2009 - 00:00

Alpha Kitten sidelined with a broken leg

ARCADIA, Calif. - Alpha Kitten, the winner of the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita last month, suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture to the cannon bone of her right foreleg while galloping at Santa Anita on Thursday, said trainer John Sadler.

A 3-year-old filly, Alpha Kitten was scheduled to undergo surgery this weekend to have stabilizing screws placed in the leg. Because the bone was not displaced, Sadler expects Alpha Kitten to return to training later this year, possibly within five or six months.

Fri, 01/30/2009 - 00:00

Thompson on the engine early in jockey race

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Jockey Terry Thompson took quick command of the Oaklawn Park standings over the track's opening weekend in mid-January and has padded the lead ever since, the same way Eddie Razo Jr. did a year ago en route to winning the title.

Thompson, who has won some of the most important stakes at Oaklawn through the years, is seeking his first local title. He had 11 wins through Thursday, five more than second-leading riders Razo and Quincy Hamilton.

Fri, 01/30/2009 - 00:00

Two-turn test Mr. Fantasy's best option

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The connections of Mr. Fantasy have resorted to Plan C for the promising 3-year-old's second start.

Mr. Fantasy will make his next start in a first-level allowance race for New York-breds going 1 1/16 miles Sunday at Aqueduct. It will be the seventh race on the card.

Fri, 01/30/2009 - 00:00

Capt. Candyman Can relaxes in win

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The one question trainer Ian Wilkes was hoping to answer in Friday's $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes was can Capt. Candyman Can relax? What Wilkes found out after his Kentucky Derby hopeful outlasted a game Hello Broadway by 1 1/2 lengths to win the Grade 2 dash was, yes he can.

Fri, 01/30/2009 - 00:00

Notonthesamepage readies for marquee matchup

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The Grade 2 Fountain of Youth is still four weeks away, but anticipation is already growing for the potential match between the two latest sensations in the 3-year-old division, Spectacular Bid winner Notonthesamepage and Sunshine Millions Dash hero This Ones for Phil.

Thu, 01/29/2009 - 00:00

Dutrow expresses ire over column

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Rick Dutrow responded angrily on Thursday to an article written by columnist Andrew Beyer that raised questions about Saturday's Sunshine Millions Dash, which Dutrow won with This Ones for Phil.

This Ones for Phil rallied to a two-length victory over favored You Luckie Mann, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 117 and paying $25.40. His previous best speed figure was an 81 in his maiden win at Calder.

Thu, 01/29/2009 - 00:00

Bahama Mama gets firm turf this time

ARCADIA, Calif. - For the second consecutive weekend, Bahama Mama is entered in a turf stakes at Santa Anita. This Saturday, in the $70,000 Wishing Well Handicap on the hillside turf course, Bahama Mama is expected to reach the gate.

Trainer Jim Cassidy scratched Bahama Mama from the Grade 3 Tuzla Stakes last Sunday because he feared that she would not handle a "good" turf course. Saturday's course will be firm.

"I thought the ground was too soft for her," Cassidy said. "I was glad I had the foresight to nominate her to both stakes."