Tue, 01/23/2007 - 00:00

Turf Paradise cancels Tuesday

Turf Paradise canceled its Tuesday program, marking the third consecutive day live racing at the Phoenix track has been scrapped. Recent rains pummeled the Phoenix area, and concerns over the racing surface prompted the cancellations. Live racing is expected to return Friday.

Mon, 01/22/2007 - 00:00

O'Neill barn looks to Lava Man for a jump start

ARCADIA, Calif. - The 2007 debut of stable star Lava Man in Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at Santa Anita could provide the spark that trainer Doug O'Neill's stable badly needs.

In the first month of the winter-spring meeting here, O'Neill's massive stable has won with only 7 of 93 starters through Sunday, or just over 7 percent. In 2006, O'Neill won with 17 percent of his starters.

"We definitely aren't having a good meeting," O'Neill said. "We're very optimistic that we can turn it around."

Mon, 01/22/2007 - 00:00

Stakes secondary to $723K jackpot

ARCADIA, Calif. - A pick six carryover of $723,744 will largely overshadow an intriguing running of the $75,000 Tuzla Handicap at Santa Anita on Wednesday. But finding the winner of that wide-open turf stakes for fillies and mares is vital for bettors seeking pick six glory.

Mon, 01/22/2007 - 00:00

Liquor Cabinet headed to New Orleans

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The Saints are out, but the fastest horse in the East is in. Liquor Cabinet's nine-length win in last Saturday's Grade 3 Aqueduct Handicap earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 112, the top figure in the nation early in 2007.

Shortly after the breakthrough performance, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. mentioned the Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park handicaps as possible next starts. But upon further reflection, the New Orleans Handicap at the Fair Grounds on March 10 has been chosen as the next scheduled start for Liquor Cabinet, a late-blooming son of Hennessy.

Mon, 01/22/2007 - 00:00

Tough draw for Sweetnorthernsaint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The complexion of the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic changed in the short time it took Gulfstream Park's racing secretary, Dave Bailey, to pull post position 12 out of the box for 9-5 morning-line favorite Sweetnorthernsaint when entries for the eight Sunshine Millions races were drawn on Sunday. The Sunshine Millions, which is restricted to Florida- and California-breds, will be run at both Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park on Saturday.

Mon, 01/22/2007 - 00:00

Titan Time appears capable of firing fresh

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Turf sprints have become all the rage at Gulfstream Park this winter. For the third time in the last four racing days, the feature on Wednesday will be decided at five furlongs on the grass.

As is the case in most turf sprints, there is no standout in Wednesday's $48,000 second-level allowance for fillies and mares. The Bill Mott-trained Titan Time is likely to go favored on the strength of a couple of second-place finishes under similar conditions in 2006.

Mon, 01/22/2007 - 00:00

Street Sense gets down to business

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - After getting some time off to grow, mature, and recover from a 2-year-old campaign that made him a finalist for the Eclipse Award as top male juvenile, Street Sense is back in serious training and preparing to embark on a Kentucky Derby trail that could begin in a somewhat surprising manner.

Nafzger said the morning after the Breeders' Cup that if all went well Street Sense would have his final Derby prep in the Blue Grass at Keeneland. But Nafzger's choice for Street Sense's first start back might seem a bit unconventional.

Sun, 01/21/2007 - 00:00

One Off rallies from last to win San Marcos

ARCADIA, Calif. - Proving it is never too late to reach a career milestone, the 7-year-old gelding One Off won his first stakes in Sunday’s $150,000 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Brice Blanc, One Off rallied from last of eight in the final quarter-mile to finish three-quarters of a length in front of Notable Guest. One Off ($24.80) ran 1 1-4 miles on turf in 2:01.48.

Sun, 01/21/2007 - 00:00

Santa Anita carryover $723,774

ARCADIA, Calif.-The pick six at Santa Anita was untouched for the second consecutive day on Sunday, leaving a massive carryover of $723,774 for Wednesay's eight-race program.

The pick six on Wednesday covers the third through eighth races, most of which have large fields.

Typical of a weekday program in Southern California, three of the races are maiden claimers - the third race, run over 5 1-2 furlongs for fillies and mares; the fifth race, for 3-year-olds over 6 1-2 furlongs; and the eighth race over 6 1-2 furlongs. All drew 12 or more entrants.

Sun, 01/21/2007 - 00:00

Terry Thompson wins No. 2,000

Jockey Terry Thompson won the 2,000th race of his career Sunday at Oaklawn Park, when he guided Peace Pledge to a three-length victory in the fifth race. Thompson rode the mare, who paid $6, for trainer David Vance.

"A milestone like this is a step at a time, so my next objective is 2,500," said Thompson.