Some of the best Louisiana-breds in training will help open the Louisiana Downs meet on Saturday. The track has carded six statebred stakes worth a cumulative $300,000 for its opening-day program.
The 10-race card was drawn on Wednesday, and among horses entered were the stakes winners Tortuga Flats, Desert Wheat, Raspberry Wine, Tensas Yucatan, Brother Bean, St. Zarb, and Hisse.
The signal from Louisiana Downs is facing a blackout on all national account-wagering companies because of a dispute centering on the amount of money horsemen receive from bets made via those wagering companies, officials for the track and the local horsemen's group said Wednesday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In a meeting Tuesday night to discuss the ongoing dispute with Churchill Downs regarding revenue splits from Internet and phone wagering, a coalition of Kentucky horsemen's groups encouraged owners and trainers to remain committed to obtaining a greater share of the revenue.
The urging came the day before Churchill Downs dropped purses 20 percent, citing an anticipated downturn in handle as a result of horsemen blocking the Churchill signal and wagering from several national account-wagering services and Calder Race Course.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The $150,000 Marine, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds that will be renewed here Saturday, serves a dual purpose in the grand scheme of things here at Woodbine.
For American-breds, the Marine presents a rare local opportunity to run in a Grade 3 stakes here.
For Canadian-breds, the Marine can serve as an important stepping-stone to the $1 million Queen's Plate, a restricted 1 1/4-mile race here June 22.
Trainer Norm DeSouza be among those taking advantage of the Marine's open status when he sends out Mighty Vow.
Maryland-based mare La Chica Rica ($3.80) continued her success shipping to West Virginia when she won her third straight race on the road in Tuesday night's $75,000 Hancock County Handicap at Mountaineer Racetrack.
The 5-year-old La Chica Rica, trained by Crystal Pickett, led throughout the five-furlong sprint for fillies and mares and was hand-ridden to the wire by jockey Deshawn Parker while finishing three-quarters of a length in front of 5-2 second choice Pola's Place. The winner covered the distance on a fast track in 58.14 seconds.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - At age 5, Brother Derek was a fresh horse poised to play a key role in the handicap division this summer at Hollywood Park. But after one promising race, the 2006 Santa Anita Derby winner is sidelined again.
Brother Derek has not returned to the track since a runner-up comeback April 20 at Santa Anita, where he is stabled.
"His quarter crack opened up again, and I totally backed off," trainer Dan Hendricks said Tuesday.
It is not the first time the foot has given Brother Derek trouble.
NGLEWOOD, Calif. - Want the winner of the first leg of the pick six Thursday at Hollywood Park? Race 3 is a 4 1/2-furlong sprint for 2-year-old maiden fillies, and how tough could it be?
True, all eight entrants are first-time starters. But relevant clues are in all the obvious places. Just look for a filly with quick workouts, a precocious pedigree, from a stable that wins first out. Then either press the "all" button or single a potential standout.
MIAMI - With the Triple Crown now in the rear-view mirror, Smooth Air is ready to begin the rest of his 3-year-old campaign, a second season that may begin May 31 in Thistledown's Grade 2 Ohio Derby.
Smooth Air returned from Churchill Downs none the worse for wear from his 11th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. He had his chances compromised right off the bat when he broke into the air and then checked a couple of times during the long run to the clubhouse turn.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - El Gato Malo opened some new doors for himself last Saturday at Lone Star Park, when he rallied for a half-length win over Leonides in the Grade 3, $400,000 Lone Star Derby. The race was his first on dirt after running exclusively on synthetic tracks in California. It was also the first time he shipped out of state, his first start in blinkers, and he caught temperatures in the 90s in Texas.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Ten-pound apprentice rider Brandon Meier made his career debut in the fourth race last Sunday at Arlington Park. Meier was giving up mountains of experience to the other jockeys in the race, and he even wound up - through no fault of his own - getting into a seriously tough spot about a half-mile from the finish line. But those impediments were no match for the force of nature in young Meier's corner - trainer Wayne Catalano.