Wed, 05/28/2008 - 00:00

Options open for big-fig Storm Mesa

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Storm Mesa put up the year's highest Beyer Speed Figure for a 3-year-old filly on Monday, when she earned a 108 for her win in the $100,000 Cinemine Stakes at Lone Star Park. She dominated by 13 1/2 lengths in her stakes debut, and covered the seven furlongs in a sharp 1:21.56.

"It was an extremely impressive race," said Bret Calhoun, who trains Storm Mesa for Richard L. Davis.

Wed, 05/28/2008 - 00:00

Arravale looks to get back on track

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Arravale, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred trained by Mac Benson, was Canada's Horse of the Year and champion turf female when she won 3 of 5 starts and more than $1 million in 2006.

Last year, Arravale made the same number of appearances but registered just a third-place finish in a campaign plagued by untimely setbacks and bad racing luck.

On Saturday, Arravale will be looking to regain some of her lost luster when she goes postward here in the Grade 2, $300,000 Nassau, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares.

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 00:00

Ziegler gets 2,000th win

Jockey Michael Ziegler won the 2,000th race of his career Sunday at Arapahoe Park, in the eighth race aboard John Three Sixteen ($5.60).

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 00:00

Meal Penalty to stay put for American Derby try

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - With the exception of Meal Penalty, who won the Arlington Classic on Saturday afternoon, there are no entirely fixed plans for any of the successful stakes runners to have competed over Memorial Day weekend at Arlington Park.

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 00:00

Wasserman works hard to get his job done

AUBURN, Wash. - Howard Belvoir describes Wasserman as a ditch-digger. "He just comes to work every day and digs," said the trainer and owner.

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 00:00

Curlin drills for Foster

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With easily his most serious workout since returning from Dubai, Curlin took a major step toward returning to action in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap when he drilled six furlongs Monday in 1:12.20 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Steve Asmussen, who was on hand before leaving for Texas, said he was very satisfied with the work.

"He wasn't as smooth as he is when he's perfect, but he went really well," said Asmussen.

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 00:00

Little horse with big heart

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Church Service is a $50,000 claim who is going places. He indicated it two starts ago, when he finished second by a nose in the Grade 3 Tokyo City Handicap at Santa Anita. He reiterated it on Monday, when he got up for a nose win in the Grade 3, $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup at Lone Star Park.

"This was a big race for him," said Mike Mitchell, who trains Church Service for Robert Tjosvold. "The pace was so slow, I didn't know if he could do it."

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 00:00

Tiago and Zenyatta dual stable stars

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Before they became multiple graded stakes winners, Tiago and Zenyatta were sparring partners.

In early 2007, when Tiago was on his way to winning the Santa Anita Derby and long before Zenyatta made her first start, the pair worked in company at Hollywood Park.

“There wasn’t much separating them,” trainer John Shirreffs said.

That was about all that Shirreffs was willing to divulge about the year-old workout. Was the filly just a wee bit quicker than her male counterpart?

“I won’t say which one was in front,” Shirreffs said, laughing.

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 00:00

Finallymadeit in holiday romp

MIAMI - Finallymadeit is unquestionably better going one turn than around two. But under the right circumstances, like Monday's Memorial Day Handicap, this hard-knocking son of Concerto can carry his abundant speed a distance of ground.

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 00:00

Stud career for late-bloomer

ALBANY, Calif. - The millionaire McCann's Mojave is heading to the breeding shed in 2009, trainer Steve Specht said after the 8-year-old son of Memo's dominating victory in the Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate Fields on Monday.

McCann's Mojave turned in an outstanding effort and couldn't have gotten a better trip in the 1o1/16-mile race as he defeated favored Desert Code by 3 1/2 lengths.

"We plan to run in a few more spots," Specht said after the race. "I'm not sure where his next start will be."