OLDSMAR, Fla. - There's an empty spot on the rail by the Tampa Bay Downs paddock these days. The space was occupied most live racing days over the past two decades by a rugged-looking fellow dressed in a work shirt and blue jeans, for this was trainer Don Rice's afternoon office. He was fond of this spot because he could keep a close eye on the horses, and as anyone who knew Rice here could tell you, horses and
family were what mattered most to him.
The horse Bonus Size was disqualified from five races in November and December at Aqueduct after it was learned that he was ineligible for races in which he was running.
The owners, Paraneck Stable, had to return $24,745 in purse money earned in those races by Bonus Size, who won a claiming race on at Aqueduct on Dec. 14. That race was for nonwinners of two races lifetime, but Bonus Size was actually eligible for nonwinners of three.
Steve Asmussen did it again. Three weeks after sweeping four stakes races on one Fair Grounds card, Asmussen won half of the six stakes on Saturday in New Orleans, including a sweep of the 3-year-old races, and a definitive victory in the Grade 3, $100,000 Lecomte with Z Fortune.
Z Fortune stamped himself as an apparently serious contender for the Louisiana Derby, if not points beyond, scoring a sharp 2 3/4-length victory over stretch-running Blackberry Road.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Much as her connections persevered with her, Stage Luck persevered through the Aqueduct inner-track stretch to get up in time and win Saturday's $82,200 Affectionately Handicap by a neck.
Aliysa, who set all the pace under Ramon Dominguez, held second by a neck over Baby Bird. Homerette finished fourth and was followed by Lucky Revival, Runway Rosie, Victory Pool, and Dinner Break.
NEW ORLEANS - Curlin and Pyro worked Saturday morning at Fair Grounds, each taking steps forward in Steve Asmussen's training regimen.
Curlin went four furlongs in 51.20 seconds, breezing, more than two seconds better than his last work, which came at the same distance.
His last work, on Jan. 6, was timed in 53.40 seconds and was his first official workout of the year, coming after a series of two-minute licks.
"He looked like Curlin," said Asmussen. "We're just adding to where he's at."
OLDSMAR, Fla. - There's an empty spot on the rail by the Tampa Bay Downs paddock these days. The space was occupied most live racing days over the past two decades by a rugged-looking fellow dressed in a work shirt and blue jeans, for this was trainer Don Rice's afternoon office. He was fond of this spot because he could keep a close eye on the horses, and as anyone who knew Rice here could tell you, horses and
family were what mattered most to him.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Only a mare such as Wait a While can win two stakes, earn more than $400,000, and leave observers with the impression that she had a bad year in 2007.
Of course, since her 2006 season included 5 wins in 9 starts, earnings of $1.2 million, and the title of champion 3-year-old filly, the standard is pretty high.
ARCADIA, Calif. - El Gato Malo is making a career of getting his own way.
In Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 San Rafael Stakes, El Gato Malo ($6.80) had a perfect trip in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds, winning by 6 1/4 lengths over the Cushion Track and setting a track record of 1:33.37.
Ridden by David Flores, El Gato Malo was fourth early behind a remarkably quick pace of 22.25 and 44.34 seconds before sweeping past Massive Drama, Talk of a Cat, and Sierra Sunset to take a commanding lead in the final furlong.
For lack of a better spot, Steve Asmussen decided to start Silver Lord in the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds on Saturday, though the horse had raced only three times, with a last-out entry-level allowance victory his greatest achievement.
Good call.
Silver Lord and jockey Corey Lanerie pressed a fast pace, took over the lead at the quarter pole, and scored a surprisingly easy two-length upset in the $100,000 Louisiana Handicap, the 5-year-old horse's stakes debut.
Lady Belsara got a much better trip than she did last time and won the $50,000 Wishing Well Stakes at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., on Saturday
Narrowly beaten following a tough journey in the Dec. 1 Holiday Inaugural at Turfway, Lady Belsara had smooth sailing under Bill Troilo throughout the six-furlong Wishing Well. She tracked from several lengths off the pace before surging to command with a steady outside run. She finished three lengths ahead of Just for Keeps, while Initforthekandy rallied to finish third in the field of 10 fillies and mares.
