Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Storm Mesa shifts focus to Iowa

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Plans for Storm Mesa are reset. After being considered probable for the Delaware Oaks, she is instead headed to Prairie Meadows for her next start in a decision reached Thursday, said her trainer, Bret Calhoun.

"We changed gears and we're going to the Iowa Oaks," he said.

Calhoun said travel arrangements factored into the decision. He said a flight could be secured to Prairie Meadows, but not to Delaware Park. Calhoun said he also believes Storm Mesa will handle the Prairie Meadows surface better than she would the main track at Delaware.

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Casse takes two shots at coveted but elusive prize

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mark Casse has taken home back-to-back Sovereign Awards as Canada's outstanding trainer while sending out a slew of stakes winners and a 2007 Horse of the Year in Sealy Hill.

But one prize that is high on Casse's wish list is the Queen's Plate, and he will send out Took the Time and Palmers in pursuit of that goal here at Woodbine on Sunday.

"We've been pretty fortunate so far, to win some big races in Canada, but this one's eluded us," said Casse. "It's a top priority, definitely."

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Baja Jazz could upset

Baja Jazz draws a post that could give her an edge over probable favorite Zoomin Doll in the Grade 1, $279,855 Retama Park Quarter Horse Futurity. The 350-yard race is the richest stakes of the meet and closes out the Quarter Horse season at the San Antonio-area track.

Baja Jazz will break from gate 8 in the Retama Futurity, while Zoomin Doll drew gate 4. The two met in trials for the race June 8, with Zoomin Doll setting the fastest qualifying time for the series from post 7, and Baja Jazz finishing second to her by a half-length from post 4.

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Goodbye Norma Jean finds a new home

Goodbye Norma Jean, claimed for $40,000 at Santa Anita five months ago, looks for her second straight stakes win in the $50,000 Dr. O.G. Fischer Memorial Handicap at SunRay Park. The seven-furlong Fischer is slotted as the ninth race and is one of two stakes on a card that begins at 2:15 p.m. Mountain. The eighth race is the $50,000 Marathon Handicap, an 870-yard race for Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Cimply Done could go wire to wire

Cimply Done will be out to turn the tables on Flomont in the $110,000 Ruidoso Thoroughbred Sale Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday. The five-furlong race drew a field of 10 New Mexico-breds.

Flomont could go favored after using stalk-and-pounce tactics to win his trial for the race June 9. He defeated a field that included Cimply Done, the 3-5 favorite that afternoon, who finished third after setting a quick pace.

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Heros Reward in sharp form for Highlander

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Maryland-based Heros Reward always gives a good account of himself when he ships north of the border, and he should be a force to be reckoned with in Sunday’s $200,000 Highlander Stakes. The six-furlong turf dash is one of two Grade 3 stakes on Woodbine’s Queen’s Plate card, along with the Singspiel.

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Management investigating error on TV tote board

FORT ERIE, Ontario – An error on the grandstand television odds screen occurred in the final minutes preceding the running of the eighth race on Tuesday.

With less than four minutes to post time, the No. 6 horse, Golden Quill – one of the race favorites – was suddenly listed as scratched. However, the infield tote board indicated that the horse was still in the race.

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Tracy has pair in first Alberta 2-year-old race

EDMONTON, Alberta - Trainer Greg Tracy has dominated the juvenile division at this meet the past two seasons and is aiming for further success by saddling two starters in the first 2-year-old race of the Alberta season on Sunday afternoon.

For the first time, there were no "baby" races at this year's spring meet at Stampede Park, because of poor weather. The late start of 2-year-old racing is a concern, as the July 9 Edmonton Juvenile and July 11 Princess Margaret are just over the horizon.

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Tellin on You should get right trip

LINCOLN, Neb. - Tellin on You and Paradise Pete should vie for favoritism when eight 3-year-olds meet in the $17,500 State Fair Derby going one mile at Lincoln.

Tellin on You comes into the derby off a one-length win in the State Fair Breeders' Stakes against Nebraska-breds in his last start. He rallied from just off the pace to claim the win and has the style to take advantage of what should be a contested pace. Trainer David Anderson will have leading rider Yuri Yaranga aboard from post 7.

Fri, 06/20/2008 - 00:00

Fabulous Babe represents the home team

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Fabulous Babe will try to defend her home turf when she faces eight invaders and a stablemate in the $50,000 Northbound Pride Stakes at Canterbury Park. The inner rail on the grass course is scheduled to be at the 20-foot setting, which will make the Northbound Pride an about-one-mile contest.