ELMONT, N.Y. - Despite a transformer fire that forced the temporary evacuation of all Belmont Park employees Saturday morning, racing went on as planned at Belmont Park Saturday afternoon.
The fire created some power failures in the grandstand, thus that part of the building was closed to patrons on Saturday. The New York Racing Association offered free admission to the clubhouse and free parking for Saturday's 10-race card which featured the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks.
DEL MAR, Calif. - The upset win by Lucky Mite ($101.20) in Fridays third race has led to a pick six carryover of $135,143 for Saturdays 10-race program at Del Mar.
The pick six covers the fifth through 10th races on a program that begins at 2 p.m.
Heavily favored Sugar Swirl did just enough to get the job done in the $100,400 Scotzanna Stakes at Woodbine Friday.
Sugar Swirl stalked on the outside in third in the six-furlong dash, as Shot Gun Ela led through fractions of 22.79 and 45.32 seconds. Sugar Swirl hit the front at eighth pole, and won by length over a closing Lucas Street. Executive Flight finished third in the six-horse field of fillies and mares.
Sugar Swirl covered the six furlongs in 1:09.79, and earned $60,000 for Stronach Stable.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia The first move in the annual game of trying to purchase the winner of the upcoming British Columbia Derby has been made by Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella.
The leading owners at Hastings, they recently purchased Grade 3 Gotham Stakes runner-up Texas Wildcatter. A 3-year-old colt by Monarchos, Texas Wildcatter was part of a three-horse package that also includes Forest Prince, a Kentucky-bred 3-year-old by Mineshaft, and Summer Song, a maiden 3-year-old filly that has started just once.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Sligo Joe, no worse than second in his three-race career while rapidly ascending the class ladder, will put his rising-star status on the line in Sunday's second-level optional claiming feature.
The Jerry Cart trainee will be making his second start on grass after winning a first-level optional claimer in his turf debut June 27. Prior to that effort, Sligo Joe finished second in an allowance sprint and defeated $10,000 maiden claimers, both races coming on the Louisiana Downs main track.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Hystericalady, who won her third stakes of 2008 in the $1 million Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park last Sunday, has returned to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's base at Golden Gate Fields. She'll be heading back across the country soon, though.
Hollendorfer said on Friday that he is strongly considering shipping Hystericalady to Saratoga for the $400,000 Personal Ensign Stakes on Aug. 22. The Grade 1 Personal Ensign is one of the top races of the year for fillies and mares.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Churchill Downs will hold a memorial service for Luke Kruytbosch at 1 p.m. on Monday, one week after the veteran race caller died unexpectedly at age 47.
Churchill vice president John Asher has been instrumental in coordinating the service and will serve as emcee. Kruytbosch's father and sister, his lone immediate survivors, will be in attendance.
MIAMI - Leading trainer Kirk Ziadie will gang up on the likely favorite, Asgoodasshelooks, when he sends out three of the 11 horses in Sunday's $55,000 Gene's Big Sky Stakes. The overnight test is carded for 3-year-old fillies going five furlongs on the turf.
ELMONT, N.Y. - With two weeks and two major workouts to go, Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown "is right on schedule" for a start in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 3, trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said Friday.
The Haskell, run at 1 1/8 miles, would be Big Brown's first start since he was pulled up by jockey Kent Desormeaux in the Belmont Stakes on June 7.