Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Delaware River tops Willy Wank Stakes

Delaware River heads a field of six Pennsylvania-breds in the $75,000 Willy Wank at Presque Isle Downs on Friday night. Trained by Bill Campbell, the 7-year-old son of Quiet American may have needed his last race at Pimlico, a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming race in which he finished fourth while making his first start of the season.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

My Hobby picks right time to end slump

My Hobby ended a three-year win drought at the most opportune of times on Saturday when she went wire to wire to take the $20,950 Matchmaker Stakes by one length under a hand ride by jockey Larren Delorme.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Amonte chasing another record at 72

Frank Amonte Sr. will try once again on Friday to win his way into the record books when the 72-year-old jockey rides I'm Outspoken at Suffolk Downs in his quest to become the first person in his 70s to ride a winner at a Thoroughbred track.

It's been nearly three years since Amonte became the oldest jockey to win a race when he rode Eva's Boy to victory in August 2005 at Suffolk. He passed Charles Town regular Willie Clark, who was 69 when he retired in 1991.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Cart and Simington off to fast starts

BOSSIER CITY, La. - A couple of familiar but somewhat surprising names are atop the rider and trainer standings at Louisiana Downs after the first five weeks of the meeting.

While trainer Jerry Cart and jockey Don Simington are perennial members of the top-10 club here, neither has ever won a local title. And while Cart and Simington aren't penciling themselves in to win their divisions this season, both are pleased with their hot starts. Cart has won with seven of his 21 starters thus far and Simington is 17-for-109.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Gulfstream racing secretary resigns

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Bill Couch, who served as racing secretary during the 2008 Gulfstream Park meet, has resigned the post, citing the high pressure of the job and being away from his family as the reasons for the decision. No successor has been named.

Couch, who serves in a similar capacity at Thistledown in Ohio, first came to Gulfstream as a horsemen’s liason at the Palm Meadows training center in 2007 before being elevated to the post of racing secretary last winter.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Adhrhythm successfully stretches out

Adhrhythm ($6.80) repelled a challenge from 2-5 favorite Unforgotten to capture Tuesday night’s $75,000 Golden Sylvia Handicap at Mountaineer Racetrack.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Keeneland to broadcast races in HD

Keeneland Race Course announced Wednesday that its live television coverage and limited simulcasts will be provided in high definition at the fall meet in October.

Keeneland will become the first track in North America to go high-def to such an expansive degree. Races will be broadcast in HD on the infield's LED tote board, ontrack monitors, and certain HD-compatible network telecasts, such as those produced by ESPN.

Tue, 06/17/2008 - 00:00

Rivera keeps picking spots with keen eye

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Trainer Juan Rivera put an exclamation point on his high-percentage Lone Star Park meet last week with $44 winner Knights Last Cast. Thursday night, he hopes to keep his momentum rolling with In Your Eyes, who is the probable favorite in the third race.

Rivera has gone 6 for 22 with his starters at Lone Star. It is the best season he has had at the track since he saddled his first winner as a trainer in September 2004.

Tue, 06/17/2008 - 00:00

Esporte Dos Reis figures live

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A first-level allowance Thursday at 1 1/4 miles on turf offers one of the most attractive wagering opportunities on the Hollywood Park card. Esporte Dos Reis makes his second start in North America after arriving from Brazil, and his trainer, Paulo Lobo, expects significant improvement over his fifth-place U.S. debut.

"He needed that race," Lobo said, adding that Esporte Dos Reis "is a big, heavy horse coming from a long layoff. I like him."

Tue, 06/17/2008 - 00:00

Attfield targets Plate record

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - You might not think that a horseman such as Roger Attfield, who already has recorded 311 career stakes wins, been the recipient of six Sovereign Awards as Canada's outstanding trainer, trained three Canadian Triple Crown winners, and been in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for 10 years, could have much more to accomplish.

But Attfield, 68, will be looking to reach another milestone when he sends out Not Bourbon for Sunday's $1 million Queen's Plate.