HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Lewis Lakin, breeder of Pure Clan, said Monday night that he has bought back a majority interest in the millionaire filly from IEAH Stable and Pegasus Holding Group in a private deal that closed over the weekend, making him the sole owner. Lakin originally sold majority interest in Pure Clan to IEAH last February.
Lakin is very active in breeding, while IEAH has a strong focus on racing.
In a 10-day period, seven horses have suffered fatal injuries while training at Fair Grounds, a yet to be explained spike in the mortality rate.
The recent breakdowns began when two Tom Amoss-trained horses suffered fatal injuries on Jan. 17. Another Amoss-trained horse broke down the next morning, and since then, four more horses have sustained fatal injuries while training. The most recent injury came Monday, when a Mark Casse-trained filly broke a hind pastern galloping out after a work.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The best-known horse who's never raced is just about ready for his debut. Nicanor, a full brother to 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, could race at Gulfstream Park as soon as this weekend. Or he might wait one more week. Regardless, trainer Michael Matz said he's ready to run.
ARCADIA, Calif. - One year after a well-executed 3-year-old campaign led to victory in the Santa Anita Derby, Colonel John is having a hard time getting started as a 4-year-old.
Colonel John pulled a muscle finishing fourth in Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26, and the setback has knocked him out of the top races of the Santa Anita winter meet, including the Grade 2, $250,000 Strub on Feb. 7. Trainer Eoin Harty said Colonel John pulled a muscle "high on the right side of his hind end" in the Malibu.
"He's over it now, but it came at a bad time," Harty said.
ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Greg Gilchrist admits to having some bittersweet pangs in the winner's circle following last weekend's Sunshine Millions victories by Wild Promises in the Filly and Mare Turf and High Resolve in the Filly and Mare Sprint. Both horses are owned by the estate of the late Harry Aleo.
"There were a lot of emotions going through me," Gilchrist said. "I wish Harry could have been there, and I wish Indyanne was back in my barn. It did feel a little strange celebrating after High Resolve's win."
A public hearing on the Metropolitan Transit Authority's proposal to shut down Long Island Rail Road service to Belmont Park - except on Belmont Stakes Day - will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams St. in Brooklyn.
Attendees may sign up to speak by calling (212) 878-7483 or sign up when they arrive at the hearing. People may also send written testimony to Douglas Sussman, MTA's director of community affairs, at 347 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10017.
Comments may also be made at .
Despite an unsettled economy, business at Gulfstream Park has shown a marked increase through the first 15 days of the meeting compared with the corresponding period a year ago.
Buoyed by a big Sunshine Millions Day on Saturday, ontrack handle is up approximately 9 percent for the meet, with all-sources handle rising 6 percent through Saturday, according to track officials.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Seven 3-year-olds, several of whom are already on the Kentucky Derby trail, will square off here at Gulfstream Park on Friday in the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes.
Graded stakes winners Break Water Edison and Capt. Candyman Can will break from post positions 1 and 3, respectively, in a field that also lured Nashua runner-up Hello Broadway, Rocketing Returns, Z Day, Bee Cee Cee, and Salo Jak.
Capt. Candyman Can worked a half-mile in 49.75 seconds at Palm Meadows on Monday.
ARCADIA, Calif. - The career of seven-time stakes winner Leah's Secret is not quite over.
Following Leah's Secret win in Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff at Santa Anita, owner WinStar Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher have chosen to keep her in California for a possible start in the $300,000 Santa Maria Handicap, a Grade 1 race over 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 14. Prior to the Sunshine Millions, she had been scheduled to be sent to Kentucky to be bred after the race.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - A year ago, Gulfstream Park officials attempted to garner additional interest in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes by carding it several weeks after the Florida Derby in an effort to lure prospective Kentucky Derby contenders in need of some last-minute graded earnings.
