Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Etc. . . .

Employees of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation had picket lines at several entrances to Woodbine for the second straight day on Monday. The picketers - security personnel in the Woodbine slot-machine area - had declared a strike effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday over employment status, wages, and benefits.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Quarter Horse sets world mark

Sea Ola Go, in her first official start in two years, established a world record of 16.946 seconds for 350 yards at SunRay Park on Sunday. A 4-year-old California-bred filly, Sea Ola Go is owned and trained by Alonso Orozco, who leads the Quarter Horse standings at SunRay with 14 wins from 35 starts.

Esgar Ramirez was aboard Sea Ola Go, who was a 2 1/4-length winner while ridden out with no wind behind her.

Explaining how the filly spent her two years away from recognized racing, Orozco said, "She won six or seven match races in Mexico against some tough horses."

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

New track delayed until 2010

CALGARY, Alberta - Horse Racing Alberta has announced that the scheduled 2009 opening of the new racing facility at Balzac, just north of Calgary, has been delayed until 2010.

The Balzac project includes a one-mile Thoroughbred racetrack, a seven-furlong Standardbred oval, a gaming center, and top-drawer frontside and backstretch facilities.

David Reid, the chairman and CEO of Horse Racing Alberta, said that several factors had contributed to yet another delay to the project, originally scheduled to begin operations in 2007.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Zenyatta headed to Vanity

NGLEWOOD, Calif. - Aside from being the trainer of Zenyatta, John Shirreffs may be the undefeated filly's biggest fan.

"She just amazes me like she does everyone else," Shirreffs said.

Saturday, Zenyatta stretched her unbeaten streak to five with a convincing victory in the $183,300 Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park. Zenyatta was bounced around at the start, and lagged at the back of the field of five until the final turn, when she unleashed a rally that quickly carried her to the front. Zenyatta won by 2 1/2 lengths, virtually unchallenged.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Lincoln: Hot Jelly Jam all the way

Hot Jelly Jam took control at the start and cruised home to a 5 1/4 length win in the $15,720 Bluegrass Stakes for fillies and mares at the Lincoln State Fair.

Hot Jelly Jam, an 8-year-old mare ridden by Luis Ranilla for trainer Dan Coughlin, covered the six furlongs in 1:13.20 over a fast track and returned $8.60.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Assiniboia Downs: Its Launch Time takes stakes

Its Launch Time ($8.70) took over on the turn and went on to score by 1 1/4 lengths over favored Mikayla's Baby in the $50,000 Golden Boy at Assiniboia Downs. Desmond Bryan rode Its Launch Time, who became a stakes winner for trainer Monica Russell.

Its Launch Time ran the six furlongs in 1:12.00. Mr Exspeedient was third.- Bill Tallon

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Canterbury Downs: Pro Pink in a squeaker

Pro Pink just held off Sole of the City by a nose in the $50,000 Hoist Her Flag Stakes at Canterbury Park. Awsugahnow finished third, another three-quarters of a length behind.

Pro Pink ($6.80), ridden by Derek Bell for trainer Mac Robertson, completed the six furlongs in 1:11.34.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Emerald: Startjumpin Marnie wins battle

Startjumpin Marnie engaged Enumclaw Girl at the top of the stretch, then prevailed after a prolonged drive to win the $60,000 Federal Way Handicap for 3-year-old fillies by a neck in 1:14.60 for 6 1/2 furlongs at Emerald Downs. It was 8 1/2 lengths back to third-place Rain Shadow.

Startjumpin Marnie, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Leslie Mawing, paid $5.20.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Presque Isle Downs: Bucky's Pride rallies

Bucky's Pride rallied in late stretch to prevail by a neck in the $100,000 Cozy and Lace at Presque Isle Downs. Dhanyata led at the top of the stretch but could not hold off the winner late and was second by a neck.

The 3-2 favorite, Just for Keeps, was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Bucky's Pride ($25.60), ridden by Luis Gonzalez for trainer Gerald Bennett, ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1.03.22.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Golden Gate: Sudan wires turf route

Favored Sudan ($4.60) led every step of the way and was never challenged in the Grade 3, $100,000 Golden Gate Fields Turf Stakes.

Sudan, going 1 3/8 miles on turf under David Flores, registered a four-length victory over Fitz Flag in 2:16.86. Uffizi was third, one length behind the late-closing Fitz Flag.

An Irish-bred now trained by Bobby Frankel, Sudan had won the Group 1 Gran Premio di Milano last June in Italy.