FORT ERIE, Ontario - As an active member of the Fort Erie backstretch for more than 50 years, trainer Norman Bowles, 68, has a unique perspective on the track's past and future.
This year's lower purses and reduced number of racing days have cast a cloud over the track, he says.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - It was just last month that trainer Doug Matthews sent a crusty old claimer named Gravano permanently out to pasture after the gelding had won a low-level claimer at age 10. Major Rhythm, age 9 and also a member of the Matthews stable, does not quite seem ready for life after racing.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Doug O'Neill, the leading trainer at the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting, has refused to have his starters placed in a detention barn for having a horse test in excess of the permitted level of bicarbonate, or total carbon dioxide.
The Thoroughbred Owners of California and the state's racetracks agreed in 2005 that trainers with carbon dioxide overages must have their horses placed in a detention barn for 24 hours before a race.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Rider Larry Melancon was all smiles leaving Churchill Downs on Thursday, surrounded by friends, and carrying a placard honoring his 900th Churchill Downs victory, a feat accomplished by winning a third-level allowance aboard A. P. Xcellent.
He had reason to feel proud, knowing that only two riders, Pat Day (2,481) and Don Brumfield (925), have won 900 races at Churchill.
Melancon, 52, a native of Breaux Bridge, La., hopes to continue to add to that total, with no plans to retire in the immediate future.
Shawn David has studied health and exercise science, equine dentistry, been a personal trainer, and worked as a model in New York and Taiwan. But this spring, he decided he wanted to go into the family business. David, 28, launched his training career in April, and has gone 6 for 18 with his starters. He is a third-generation horseman, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, the late Sam David, and his father, Sam David Jr., who is based at Louisiana Downs.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Georgie Boy, one of the top 3-year-olds in California, has resumed training after a two-month break caused by a pulled muscle in his hind end.
Unraced since winning the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita in March, Georgie Boy jogged once around Hollywood Park's main track on Friday, his first day of racetrack training since the end of March. Owner-breeder George Schwary and trainer Kathy Walsh are hoping to have Georgie Boy back to the races later this year.
AUBURN, Wash. - Trainer Craig Roberts was keen to run Westsideclyde in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile for the past couple of seasons, but it didn't happen.
Two years ago it was a case of owner James Riedinger feeling that such a tough assignment was premature for the then 4-year-old Westsideclyde, who had not yet run in a stakes. Last year, Westsideclyde ranked as the leading local contender for the Mile after winning both the FSN Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs and the Budweiser-Emerald Handicap at a mile, but his campaign was ended by a knee chip.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Starflight Lad, Woodbine's favorite maiden, will have to find a new claim to fame after coming home in front in his 32nd career start here Thursday.
Rallying from last place in the field of 11 under Chantal Sutherland, Starflight Lad was up in the last jump to score by a nose and finally end the suspense for his trainer, Danny O'Callaghan.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Going Ballistic, winner of last year's Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby and $300,000 Oklahoma Derby, is getting some time off, according to trainer Donnie Von Hemel. The horse last raced May 26 and finished fourth by 1 1/4 lengths in the Grade 3, $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup at Lone Star Park.
"We did a bone scan and found a few hot spots," Von Hemel said. "Sixty to 90 days should help him.
"I'm very optimistic he's going to have a good 5-year-old season."
VANCOUVER, British Columbia Alpine Garden, who has never lost going around three turns, looks like the clear choice in the 1 1/16-mile Strawberry Morn Handicap at Hastings on Sunday. The $55,000 feature drew nine fillies and mares and goes as the ninth race on the 11-race card.