Sat, 07/14/2007 - 00:00

Familiar foes duel to wire in jockey event

Friday night's Cajun Jockey Challenge at Evangeline Downs could not have been better scripted if it had been the product of a roomful of Hollywood movie writers.

Twelve jockeys, all with strong ties to southern Louisiana, aboard mounts chosen at random, assembled in a four-race competition to celebrate the region's rich riding heritage. The event's major subplot was the friendly rivalry between Calvin Borel and Robby Albarado that was cultivated by the media during this year's Triple Crown, when Borel rode Street Sense and Albarado piloted Curlin.

Sat, 07/14/2007 - 00:00

Early move helps Rosinka pull an upset

The Robert G. Dick Memorial Handicap is a 1 3/8-mile grass race, and in it the horses pass the finish line twice. In Saturday's edition of the race, the decision jockey Jeremy Rose made the first time under the wire got him home by a neck the second time around.

Sat, 07/14/2007 - 00:00

Moon Catcher wires Delaware Oaks

Moon Catcher's first stakes try was a flop, her second a success, and on Saturday, in the Grade 2 Delaware Oaks, she hit pay dirt, leading all the way under Carlos Marquez Jr. to win the $505,600 race.

Moon Catcher ($20.60) had beaten the filly Winning Point by two lengths in the June 16 Susan's Girl, the local Oaks prep, but Saturday the margin was just a head, with Winning Point finishing fast once she came off the fence in mid-stretch. It was another 6 3/4 lengths back to 6-5 favorite Cotton Blossom, who tracked the speed but had no spark in the stretch run.

Fri, 07/13/2007 - 00:00

Woodbine asks for three extra days

Woodbine has applied to the Ontario Racing Commission to conduct racing on three Thursdays in August that were not part of its original dates request for 2007.

The Thursdays are Aug. 9, 16, and 23. The other Thursdays during the month fall in the weeks preceding holiday Monday cards at Woodbine and will remain dark.

Steve Mitchell, senior vice president and chief financial officer for the Woodbine Entertainment Group, said the application has the full support of both track management and the local division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Fri, 07/13/2007 - 00:00

Local standouts hitting road to Spa

Curlin was among the first group of horses to ship out from Churchill Downs for the Saratoga meet when he made the trip Thursday with many of the other top horses that had been based in Kentucky since early April with Steve Asmussen's powerhouse stable.

Curlin, winner of the Preakness and most recently a close second to Rags to Riches in the June 9 Belmont Stakes, has been in steady training at Churchill. He is expected to continue virtually interrupted at Saratoga while being pointed to the Aug. 5 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. Saratoga starts July 25.

Fri, 07/13/2007 - 00:00

Smitty's Sunshine back to Calder?

Smitty's Sunshine will be shooting for her seventh consecutive win in her next start, and it could come at Calder Race Course, said her trainer, Morris Nicks.

Based at Louisiana Downs, the filly was flown to Miami earlier this month and won the $100,000 Distaff Turf Sprint July 7 during the Summit of Speed at Calder. The next option for her is the $250,000 Distaff Turf Sprint Championship at five furlongs at Calder on Aug. 11.

Fri, 07/13/2007 - 00:00

Euroglide's composure is key

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - By the time Euroglide reaches the starting gate for Wednesday's $100,000 Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar, trainer Peter Eurton and the partnership that owns the 3-year-old gelding will know whether they have a chance.

If Euroglide keeps his composure in the post parade and warm-up prior to the one-mile turf race, Eurton feels the gelding can be competitive. If Euroglide is nervous before the start, Eurton is pessimistic about his chances.

Fri, 07/13/2007 - 00:00

Smarty Deb may surpass talented half-sister

AUBURN, Wash. - Smarty Deb, who will contest Sunday's six-furlong Angie C. Stakes for juvenile fillies, doesn't have to look far for a role model. Just down the shed row in trainer Doris Harwood's barn stands her 3-year-old half-sister, Shampoo.

Fri, 07/13/2007 - 00:00

Possetothemax targets Middleground

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Trainer Steve Asmussen has a pack of Posses in training, and said on Friday that one of the freshman stallion's stakes winners is heading to Lone Star Park. Possetothemax, who in his last start captured the $50,000 Prairie Meadows Gold Juvenile, is being pointed for the $70,000 Middleground Breeders' Cup here July 29.

Fri, 07/13/2007 - 00:00

Yonagucci starts strong

MIAMI - Trainer Manny Azpurua said he always had high hopes for his 2-year-old filly Yonagucci.

But even he admits she's exceeded his expectations after posting a pair of one-sided victories to open her career, including a convincing triumph in last Saturday's J J'sdream Stakes.

Yonagucci is owned by Roger Urbina, who purchased the daughter of Yonaguska for a bargain $15,000 at the Ocala Breeders' August 2006 sale.