Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., on Friday will lift its ban on shippers from Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, and Evangeline Downs that was established last month in response to a Fair Grounds-based horse testing positive for equine herpesvirus on Dec. 24.
There will, however, be special conditions in place for horses shipping into the stable area from south Louisiana, said David Longinotti, assistant general manager for racing at Oaklawn.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Ontrack attendance is up, but handle is down through the first nine days of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, track officials said Sunday.
Through Sunday, ontrack attendance was up 4 percent compared to the 2007-08 meeting, track president Ron Charles said. All-sources handle figures, including satellite and account-wagering sources, showed a decline of 8 or 9 percent, Charles said. Detailing the figures, Charles said that out-of-state handle was down 12 to 13 percent, and account wagering, through Internet and telephone sources, was down 7 percent.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Less than 24 hours after Notonthesamepage dominated the Spectacular Bid Stakes on Saturday's opening-day program, a decision has already been reached on where the speedy 3-year-old will start next. And, under the circumstances, the choice was really a no-brainer.
"He'll run in the Fountain of Youth," trainer Wesley Ward said Sunday morning.
STICKNEY, Ill. - Typically, it becomes more and more difficult for an allowance horse to win races as they rise through their conditions. That has not been the case with Hurta, who continues to come on strong - just as the Chicago racing season is coming to an end.
Teams from Portland Meadows and Golden Gate Fields face off at Portland on Wednesday in the inaugural XpressBet Jockey Challenge.
The event matches the top four riders from Portland Meadows and Golden Gate Fields and will consist of four races (4-7) on the Portland Meadows card.
The Portland Meadows team consists of Debbie Hoonan-Trujillo, David Lopez, Mark Anderson, and Javier Matias. The Golden Gate contingent is topped by Russell Baze, Thoroughbred racings all-time winningest rider, and he will be joined by Kyle Kaenel, Francisco Duran, and Leslie Mawing.
Some Ghost won the $100,000 Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap for the fourth consecutive year on Sunday, when he drew clear by a 1 3/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile race for older New Mexico-breds at Sunland Park.
Captain Cooper finished second, while it was another 1 1/4 lengths back to ZZ Dome in third. Cattleman Prospect, the favorite, finished fourth, a head behind ZZ Dome.
ARCADIA, Calif. - In many ways, Tizfiz is turning out to be a steal.
Claimed for $50,000 here in October, she won her graded stakes debut in the $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap at Santa Anita on Sunday, setting a slow pace and leading throughout.
The race strategy that trainer Rafael DeLeon told jockey Agapito Delgadillo was simple.
"He said to go to the front and go as slow as you can," Delgadillo recalled.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Gemswick Park survived a stretch-long battle with 4-5 favorite Elusive Heat and the undefeated Frolic's Dream to post a well deserved nose decision in Sunday's Grade 3, $100,000 Old Hat Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Justwhistledixie lived up to her 2-5 favoritism, taking command just inside the three-sixteenths pole under Rajiv Maragh and drawing clear to a 3 1/2-length victory in Sunday's $70,795 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.
Gnome's Delight rallied to be second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Ocarson. Unveil the Mask, Indian Rush, and Could Be Us completed the order of finish. J.J. Cuvee scratched.
