INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who has not ridden since November because of a rib injury and subsequent knee surgery, said he has started a physical therapy program for his knee that could lead to a comeback next month.
Valenzuela, 44, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday that he hopes to resume riding when the Del Mar meeting begins on July 18, if his is physically able.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After sending out eight winners in a three-day span at Churchill Downs last weekend, it would seem easy for Steve Asmussen to win 11 more over the next three weeks. That's the number Asmussen needs to break the record for most wins at a Churchill spring meet.
But Asmussen himself is doubtful it can happen.
"We've used a lot of bullets," he said between races Wednesday, "although I guess we could do it, if enough of our races go. We've got enough horses to run."
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Jiggs Coz and Include Us both worked four furlongs on the main track here Wednesday morning in preparation for Sunday's $1 million Queen's Plate, a 1 1/4-mile race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.
Jiggs Coz has followed the same workout routine that led up to his handy victory in the 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial here June 3, with his major work for the Queen's Plate also coming over six furlongs 10 days out followed by a four-furlong breeze four days out.
Trainer Marie Vaught saddled her first winner Saturday when turf specialist The Potters Hand won the Sydney Gendleman Memorial. Vaught is a longtime pony person and always has a few horses in her care. She is eyeing the Independence Day Handicap at Mountaineer Park on July 4 for The Potters Hand, who has won 7 of 14 turf races.
* The 2-year-old O'Riain won in his Sunday debut and is being pointed to the Hoover Stakes on July 15 by trainer Ivan Vasquez.
Lady Blue Sky just keeps rolling along. She made it eight in a row last Friday night at Prairie Meadows with an easy three-length win in a six-furlong starter allowance race in a sharp 1:10.44.
"I think we'll just keep doing what we're doing," said owner-trainer Don Roberson after the race. "I think we'll just keep doing what we're doing, and see what happens."
Lady Blue Sky's next start could be at Indiana Downs on July 2, in the $45,000 Florence Henderson Stakes for Indiana-bred fillies and mares at one mile on the turf.
The reigning Michigan horse of the year, Weatherstorm, returned to his winning ways Tuesday in the $50,000 Wolverine Stakes at Great Lakes Downs. The 4-year-old Weatherstorm, a Michigan champion at 2 and 3, got up by three-quarters of a length over Demagoguery, with favored Its His Time 2 1/2 lengths back. A past state horse of the year and Weatherstorm's stablemate, Rockem Sockem was a nose back in fourth after a furious rally outside
The Canterbury Park backstretch came together this past week to hold a fund-raiser for trainer Randy Pfeifer, who broke a leg in a training accident a few weeks ago. That injury required surgery, and the fund-raiser was held to defray the extensive costs of the procedure and resulting hospital stay.
Interest is running high for this year's Louisiana Legends Night, scheduled for Saturday, June 30. A total of 173 of the state's best have been pre-entered for the 12-race program devoted exclusively to Louisiana-breds. Some $935,000 in purse money will be offered.
The evening's races honor individuals and their families who have had a positive impact on Louisiana racing. In only its third year of existence, the Louisiana Legends Night has quickly established an identity as a showcase evening, not just for Evangeline Downs but for all of the state's racing.