Thu, 05/24/2007 - 00:00

Alberta Derby next stop for Ookashada

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - According to trainer Toni Cloutier, Ookashada came out of his win Monday in the $55,389 Jim Coleman Province Stakes at Hastings in excellent shape and will be pointed to the $125,000 Alberta Derby at Stampede Park on June 16.

Thu, 05/24/2007 - 00:00

Massachusetts Handicap to return this fall

The Massachusetts Handicap will be back on the schedule this fall at Suffolk Downs as the track's new majority owner, Richard Fields, continues the push to revive the flagging East Boston track.

Since taking over controlling interest on Suffolk's board in March through his Coastal Development LLC, Fields's focus has been on restoring optimism regarding the track's future. Business had been stagnant at Suffolk for years, and its signature race has had to be canceled three out of the last four years.

Thu, 05/24/2007 - 00:00

Alexander shifts horses to Reed

Elisabeth Alexander, the prominent owner-breeder, has turned some horses over to local trainer Eric Reed. According to Reed, Alexander "wanted to concentrate on local racing, and was impressed with our new training center." Reed and a partner recently opened the Mercury Training center in Lexington, Ky. Reed saddled his first winner at River Downs in 1982, at the age of 17. A total of 15 to 20 horses were moved to his care.

Wed, 05/23/2007 - 00:00

Santa Anita chooses Cushion Track

Santa Anita will install a Cushion Track synthetic surface this summer, track president Ron Charles said on Wednesday.

As a result of the track's long-awaited decision, the two major Los Angeles racetracks will have the same type of synthetic surface. Hollywood Park installed a Cushion Track in September 2006, the first California track to install a synthetic surface.

The Santa Anita synthetic track will be used for the first time at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting that begins on Sept. 26. The project has an estimated cost of $8 million.

Wed, 05/23/2007 - 00:00

Smitty's Sunshine to hit road again

Smitty's Sunshine, who picked up her fifth straight win last month in the $111,000 Mamzelle at Churchill Downs, has returned to her Louisiana Downs base and is now being pointed for the $100,000 Distaff Turf Sprint Handicap at Calder Race Course. The five-furlong turf race is part of the track's Summit of Speed program on July 7.

"That's her distance," said her trainer, Morris Nicks.

Wed, 05/23/2007 - 00:00

Divine Park out of Ohio Derby

ELMONT, N.Y. - Divine Park, undefeated winner of the Withers Stakes, will be forced to miss a scheduled start in the Grade 2 Ohio Derby on June 2 due to an injury in his left hind foot, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Wednesday.

McLaughlin said Divine Park was off in his left hind foot on Tuesday. X-rays did not reveal any fractures, but the horse was vanned on Wednesday to the Rood and Riddle Equine clinic in Lexington, Ky., to undergo a nuclear scintigraphy, which can often find injuries regular X-rays cannot.

Wed, 05/23/2007 - 00:00

Mauralakana preps on cruise control

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The connections of the horses who opposed Mauralakana in an allowance prep for the Mint Julep Handicap surely are relieved the filly won't be back for the main event.

Gliding to a highly impressive victory in the sixth race Wednesday at Churchill Downs, Mauralakana was tuning up for the Grade 2 Just a Game Breeders' Cup, part of the June 9 Belmont Stakes undercard at Belmont Park. Trainer Patrick Biancone described the four-length victory in the $54,470 allowance race as "a public gallop."

Wed, 05/23/2007 - 00:00

Repeat won't be easy for Gouldings Green

CHICAGO - Saturday's Hanshin Cup Handicap, the first graded stakes race of the Arlington season, turned out like much of the racing here this meet - surprisingly strong and deep.

Wed, 05/23/2007 - 00:00

Wolfson, Millers try to cope

MIAMI - Saturday was an afternoon of mixed emotions for trainer Marty Wolfson. He won three races at Calder, including the $50,000 Maryland My Maryland Stakes with the odds-on favorite, Tacit Agreement, but lost one of his top horses when Mending Fences broke down while on the lead in Pimlico's Dixie Handicap. Mending Fences was euthanized shortly after the incident.

Wed, 05/23/2007 - 00:00

Becrux seeks return to form

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - For trainer Neil Drysdale, the Grade 2 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields in April remains something of a puzzle. He had two starters - one ran too poorly to be true, the other better than expected.

Vega's Lord, a 10-1 outsider in a field of five, finished second, a nose behind Chinese Dragon. Drysdale's other runner, Becrux, the even-money favorite, finished last, beaten more than 22 lengths.