Thu, 06/19/2008 - 00:00

Extra Sexy Psychic wires Cozy Lace

Extra Sexy Psychic led throughout in the $71,250 Cozy Lace at Presque Isle Downs on Wednesday evening and drew off to win by 6 1/2 lengths. Sent off as the 6-5 second choice in the field of four, Extra Sexy Psychic dueled early with favorite Reata’s Quick Punch before drawing clear on the turn.

Thu, 06/19/2008 - 00:00

Zaftig sidelined with a bruised foot

ELMONT, N.Y. - Zaftig, the impressive winner of the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes here June 7, will be forced to miss the Grade 1 Mother Goose on June 28 due to a bruised foot, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Wednesday.

Zaftig's defection eliminates what would have been an intriguing matchup between her and the Kentucky Oaks winner, Proud Spell.

Jerkens said Zaftig has just walked the shed row since last weekend after the bruise was diagnosed.

"We pulled the shoe and soaked the foot and it looks like now it's just subsiding," Jerkens said.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Keeneland to broadcast 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.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Theriot rides six winners on one card

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Trainer Bret Calhoun felt the pressure before sending out his stable star, Mr. Nightlinger, in the featured eighth race Wednesday at Churchill Downs - but not just because the colt was an odds-on favorite.

Calhoun had given a leg up to jockey Jamie Theriot, who already had won with five of six mounts. So after Mr. Nightlinger ran off to a 2 1/4-length victory in the $50,400 turf sprint, Calhoun smiled and feigned a gesture to suggest the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Wheels Up at Noon wins Eight Thirty

Wheels Up at Noon ($21), capitalizing on a turf course that favored speed, scored a front-running 1 3/4-length victory in Tuesday's $60,700 Eight Thirty Stakes at Delaware Park. Stay Close finished fourth as the even-money favorite in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Ez Dreamer lands in much better spot

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - After Two Step Salsa roared down the stretch to win last Sunday's Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park, trainer Dan McFarlane was delighted that he had left Ez Dreamer in the barn.

"I don't think we would have beaten the winner," he said.

Instead of starting in the Grade 3 Affirmed, Ez Dreamer is part of a five-horse field in Saturday's $150,000 Cinema Breeders' Cup Handicap, a race for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Jones barn set for major weekend

It's another weekend at Los Alamitos when it is good to be Paul Jones.

The six-time defending national champion trainer has two horses, including fastest qualifier Frankie Shoots, in Friday's Grade 1, $150,000 Vessels Maturity - and he could have a financial bonanza in Saturday's Grade 1, $1,155,000 Ed Burke Million Futurity.

In the 350-yard futurity, Jones has five qualifiers, and four of them could end up the four shortest-priced horses on the tote board, with the Jones-trained fastest qualifier Fantastic Corona Jr and Foose vying for favoritism.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Hall of Famer Jimmy Croll is remembered

OCEANPORT. N.J. - The man always respectfully addressed as "Mister Croll" was remembered fondly at a memorial service Wednesday morning in the Monmouth Park clubhouse.

About 200 family members, friends, and colleagues of the Monmouth racing community turned out to honor Warren A. "Jimmy" Croll.

The Hall of Fame trainer, who developed four champions, died Juneo6 of an infection at age 88. He moved to New Jersey in 1946 for the opening of Monmouth and remained a beloved part of the scene until his passing.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Smooth Air, Recapturetheglory both regrouping

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - The recent sailing has not been smooth for the two leading 3-year-olds based at Arlington Park. Recapturetheglory traveled to Churchill Downs and finished a disappointing fourth in the Northern Dancer Stakes on Saturday, just one spot higher than his fifth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Recapturetheglory is now back at Arlington, where Smooth Air, 11th in the Kentucky Derby but a sharp winner last month of the Ohio Derby, has resumed regular training after having his regular exercise pattern interrupted by tender feet.

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 00:00

Gold Coyote impresses in sprint

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Gold Coyote, in the absence of a sidelined Mystery Classic, established himself as the top Texas-bred sprinter in training last Saturday with his authoritative win over older horses in the $50,000 Carter McGregor Jr. Memorial at Lone Star Park.

He won the Texas-bred sprint by 4 1/2 lengths and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96. With the win, Gold Coyote also kicked off what is an important week for trainer Bret Calhoun's arsenal of sprinters.