Fri, 08/29/2008 - 00:00

Noblety the Trial's mystery horse

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Krazy Koffee and Forest Prince have secured their spots in the starting gate for the $250,000 B.C. Derby. The other four 3-year-olds entered in the $50,000 Richmond Derby Trial at Hastings on Sunday will need a win in order to get into the Grade 3 derby, which goes on Sept. 21.

Fri, 08/29/2008 - 00:00

Questions surround Oaks duo

Study Abroad, a dominant winner in a similar restricted stakes at Belmont Park three races ago, and Doodlin, who delivered by far the fastest performance of her 15-race career in her first start locally, are the most logical contenders in Sunday’s $75,000 New York Oaks at Finger Lakes.

But can either 3-year-old filly be trusted to run back to their best in the 1 1/16-mile Oaks? That’s the question handicappers must answer.

Fri, 08/29/2008 - 00:00

Rock'n U S A enters Spears on a roll

Unbeaten at Assiniboia in five allowance starts this year, Rock’n U S A steps up to face stakes foes for the first time in Sunday’s $30,000 R.J. Speers over 1 1/16 miles.

Rock’n U S A won all five races using his early speed, either going wire to wire or, as he did two starts ago, sitting just off the early pace in second. Those five victories ranged in distance from five to 7 1/2 furlongs and it will be interesting to see how Rock’n U S A handles the extra distance and the tougher company.

Fri, 08/29/2008 - 00:00

Calder trims 11 days from meet

MIAMI – Calder Race Course has received permission from the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to eliminate 11 days of racing through mid-November.

Calder will conduct a four-day per week live schedule, mostly Thursdays through Sundays, through the week of Nov. 9. Among the dates eliminated is Monday, Oct. 20, which will push the opening of the 2008-09 Tropical at Calder session back until Oct. 23.

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:00

Garcia in dispute over Philly mount

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Being leading rider at a race meet is always nice, though nothing comes with it except bragging rights. To Alan Garcia and his agent, however, being leading rider at Saratoga is important enough to give up a mount in a $1 million race, face a possible fine, and lose a potential client.

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:00

Stardom Bound needs only better luck

DEL MAR, Calif. - Few maidens have a reputation as solid as Stardom Bound, the 2-year-old filly who starts in Monday's $250,000 Del Mar Debutante.

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:00

Jockey dies from spill injuries

Jockey Juan Campos died Saturday in a New Mexico hospital of injuries sustained in a one-horse spill at the Downs at Albuquerque on Aug. 16. He was 39.

Campos sustained head and chest injuries when Kant Talk, his mount in a 2-year-old maiden race for Quarter Horses, stumbled in the stretch and fell on him, said Rick Thedford, who was Campos's valet. The rider had been hospitalized since the spill. Campos, who had long galloped horses, decided to launch a race riding career just this year, said Thedford.

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:00

Peppers Pride gets post 2 for record attempt

Peppers Pride will break from post 2 in a field of eight on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs in the $67,500 Lincoln Handicap, a race in which she will attempt to set a North American Thoroughbred record of 17 consecutive wins. The undefeated Peppers Pride shares the modern mark of 16 straight wins with Cigar, Citation, Hallowed Dreams and Mister Frisky.

The Lincoln, a six-furlong race restricted to fillies and mares bred in New Mexico, had to be rescheduled for Sunday after Ruidoso was hit by seven inches of rain on the race's original date of July 27.

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:00

Turnaround time for Carroll

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Christmas appears to have come early this year for trainer Josie Carroll.

With Authenicat's win in the Eternal Search on Wednesday night, Carroll had scored with 8 of her last 21 starters at home here at Woodbine.

Carroll also won on the road with Matt's Broken Vow in last Saturday's $300,000 Canadian Derby at North-lands Park. Matt's Broken Vow also took the $100,000 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs in his first trip west on Aug. 4.

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:00

Authenicat grabs easy victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Authenicat asserted her superiority over her Ontario-sired 3-year-old filly peers here Wednesday evening, cruising to a geared-down 3 1/4-length victory in the $125,000 Eternal Search Stakes.

Regular rider Robert Landry had brought Authenicat from off the pace to score a 5 1/2-length victory in the restricted seven-furlong Passing Mood here July 23, and followed a similar blueprint in the 1 1/16-mile Eternal Search for the same set.