Wed, 04/02/2008 - 00:00

Sierra Sunset getting therapy and a breather

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Sierra Sunset, who came out of his victory in the March 15 Rebel at Oaklawn with a small ankle fracture, will undergo treatment in a hyperbaric chamber to aid healing, said his trainer, Jeff Bonde. Sierra Sunset flew back to California from Arkansas on Tuesday.

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 00:00

Golden Balls goes straight to stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Maybe the need for a prep race is overrated.

Earlier this year, trainer Jim Cassidy was looking for an allowance race for his European import Diamond Diva. When he failed to find a suitable race, Cassidy started Diamond Diva in the American Beauty Handicap last Sunday. She won convincingly and will make her next start in a graded stakes.

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 00:00

Wolfson softens stance, ships Golden Spikes

STICKNEY, Ill. - The oft-covered pop song "I Fought the Law" first came out in 1959, its chorus famously stating, "I fought the law, and the law won." Well, such was not the case with trainer Marty Wolfson.

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 00:00

Bsharpsonata brings Salzman back

LEXINGTON, Ky. - John Salzman long ago made his peace with Kentucky. A quarter-century after being soured by a bizarre series of events that went against him, the Maryland horseman is looking to notch another graded stakes victory at Keeneland.

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 00:00

Draper loaded for West Texas Futurity

The Grade 1 futurity season in New Mexico starts on Friday afternoon at Sunland Park when 11 trials are held for the Grade 1, $300,000 West Texas Futurity, headed by an interesting matchup in the second trial.

Meeting in the second trial are LS Separatist and Jesstifiable, each coming off a maiden win. The Carl Draper-trained LS Separatist won his maiden at first asking by a length, while the Blane Wood-trained Jesstifiable prevailed by a neck in his career debut.

"LS Separatist is a nice colt who could qualify," said Draper.

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 00:00

Sassy Sarah should like distance

CALGARY, Alberta – On a program liberally dotted with races for maidens, Sassy Sarah’s eight wins stand out here at Stampede Park on Friday. A 5-year-old Lake Austin mare, Sassy Sarah heads a field of 10 in the featured seventh race, an optional $40,000 claimer which is by far the most appealing sprint on the eight-race card.

Sassy Sarah will appreciate the stretch-out to six furlongs following a solid second-place effort at four furlongs here on opening weekend. She drew post 3.

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 00:00

Georgie Boy off Derby trail with pulled muscle

ARCADIA, Calif. – Georgie Boy is out of the Santa Anita Derby and off the Kentucky Derby trail with a pulled muscle in his back.

Trainer Kathy Walsh announced Monday afternoon that Georgie Boy would be sidelined indefinitely. Walsh and owner George Schwary were scheduled to meet Tuesday at Hollywood Park to discuss Georgie Boy’s recovery process.

Walsh told the Santa Anita publicity department that Georgie Boy came out of a six-furlong workout Saturday at Hollywood Park with a pulled muscle.

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 00:00

Georgie Boy out, Gayego may be in

ARCADIA, Calif. - A pulled muscle in his left hind end does not end Georgie Boy's career, but the injury will prevent California's leading 3-year-old from running Saturday in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and it has knocked him off the Kentucky Derby trail.

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 00:00

Top 3-year-olds target Keeneland stakes

Keeneland Race Course will open its 16-day spring meet Friday with a 10-race program highlighted by the $150,000 Transylvania Stakes and the first race of the year in Kentucky for 2-year-olds.

Tue, 04/01/2008 - 00:00

In fourth start, Zenyatta meets champ

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The undefeated Zenyatta put away a pair of Grade 1 winners in her third start last out. Saturday, she has her sights set on a champion.

Zenyatta figures to start as second choice to Ginger Punch, the champion older filly or mare of 2007, when she makes her Grade 1 debut in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park.