Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Morey tops Hollendorfer for training title

The Golden Gate Fields meeting ended Sunday, and for the first time since 1986, Jerry Hollendorfer did not win the training title at a major Northern California track.

Billy Morey, who saddled four winners Saturday, ended Hollendorfer's reign. He won 25 races to 23 for Hollendorfer, who tied with Steve Miyadi for second in the standings. Hollendorfer had won 32 straight Golden Gate Fields training titles.

The 34-year-old Morey sent out 78 starters and won at a 32 percent clip at the meet, which began on May 14. Hollendorfer saddled 107 runners and Miyadi 80.

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Michael Baze out with injury

Jockey Michael Baze is expected to be sidelined for three weeks after sustaining a fractured bone in his neck in a spill on Friday night at Hollywood Park, according to his agent, Nick Cosato.

Baze was hurt when the horse, Charlotta, broke down on the turn of the second race, a six-furlong maiden claimer. Charlotta was euthanized because of her injuries, said track stewards.

Baze, 21, will wear a soft collar during his recovery, and could return in time for the start of the Del Mar meeting on July 16, Cosato said.

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Inuit Fisher looks better than ever

EDMONTON, Alberta - Inuit Fisher is good right now and getting better, as evidenced by his handy 3 3/4-length tally in last Saturday's Journal Handicap, his third victory in as many weeks for the red-hot trainer Dale Saunders.

Inuit Fisher, a bargain $4,500 yearling purchase owned by the president of Alberta's Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Jim McFadyen, paid $7.60 in the $50,000 handicap.

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Curlin has 'smooth' work; turf next

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Curlin had his first workout since the Stephen Foster Handicap when he breezed an easy five furlongs early Monday over a fast main track at Churchill Downs.

With regular exercise rider Carmen Rosas aboard, and without company, Curlin proceeded through fractions of 13.26, 26.22, 38.80, and 51.33 seconds before hitting the wire in 1:03.81. His six-furlong gallop-out time was 1:17.02.

"I was very pleased with how he went to the track today," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "He looked beautiful. Nice and smooth."

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Lynch lauds Ginger Brew's near-miss effort

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Ginger Brew's presence added an intriguing dimension to the Queen's Plate, as the filly from Stronach Stable swung back just two weeks after romping in the 1 1/8-mile Woodbine Oaks.

And while Ginger Brew's bid came up just short of catching the victorious Not Bourbon, her trainer, Brian Lynch, had nothing but praise for his filly on Monday morning.

"I thought she ran her eyeballs out," said Lynch. "We just got outrun. Give full credit to the winner."

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Things look much better than just fair

When Rick Pickering, CEO of the Alameda County Fair, talks about the racing season that opens Wednesday in Pleasanton, Calif., he makes two points: rich history, bright future.

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Training job and ride fit for a queen

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A great training job and a great ride.

Put the two together and the probable result is victory, as was the case with Not Bourbon here in Sunday's $1 million Queen's Plate.

Roger Attfield, the trainer, was registering his record-equaling eighth Queen's Plate win.

Jono Jones, the jockey, was winning his first Queen's Plate.

And each had high praise for the other - not to mention the horse himself - in the aftermath of the Queen's Plate here Monday morning.

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Assiniboia: Blueberry Blonde scores

Blueberry Blonde ($6.40) earned a mild upset in the Hazel Wright Sire Stakes, a six-furlong race for Manitoba-bred 3-year-old fillies, posting a 1 3/4-length win over Bella Mariella, the 6-5 favorite.- Bill Tallon

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Desert Party wins like he's special

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - It is not even July, making it important not to get ahead of oneself, and for every flashy maiden winner who pans out, there are several others who are only flashes in the pan. That said, the 2-year-old Desert Party looked like he could become any sort of horse this summer after making his career debut Sunday at Arlington.

Mon, 06/23/2008 - 00:00

Retama Park: Zoomin Doll hangs on

Zoomin Doll ($11.60) held off a surging Baja Jazz by a nose to win the Grade 1, $279,885 Retama Park Quarter Horse Futurity.

Jose Vega rode the winner for trainer Jesse Garcia.