Mon, 02/12/2007 - 00:00

Iffy turf a headache for handicappers

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - With a pick six carryover of nearly $138,000 up for grabs at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday, handicappers will likely want to get an early jump and start poring over the past performances for the last six races on the card. But there could be one problem.

Mon, 02/12/2007 - 00:00

Sooner or later, Gomez is going east

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Garrett Gomez has won 11 stakes in the first seven weeks of the Santa Anita meeting and is only nine shy of breaking the record for most stakes wins in a winter-spring meet.

But it is unclear whether Gomez will stick around long enough to establish a new mark.

Mon, 02/12/2007 - 00:00

Two weekday cards become matinees

In an attempt to lessen the possibility of having to cancel because of extreme cold, Turfway Park will run its Wednesday and Thursday programs this week during the day instead of starting at the customary 5:30 p.m. Eastern.

Mon, 02/12/2007 - 00:00

Gulfstream cancels due to track conditions

Racing was canceled at Gulfstream Park by the track stewards following the first race on Monday after the jockeys unanimously agreed the racetrack was unsafe. Heavy rain fell over the area Sunday night and the track condition was listed as sloppy for Monday's opener.

Mon, 02/12/2007 - 00:00

Dutrow slapped with 14-day suspension

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. was slapped with a 14-day suspension and a $25,000 fine by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for violating the terms of a suspension he served back in 2005.

The current suspension begins Thursday and runs through Feb. 28.

According to Carmine Donofrio, the NYSRWB steward, Dutrow was found to have had contact with his barn help during the time he was serving a 60-day suspension in the spring and summer of 2005. Trainers on suspension are forbidden from contacting their assistants.

Mon, 02/12/2007 - 00:00

Notional's trip clinches Risen Star

Lou Hodges Jr.
Notional (right) wins the Risen Star by 2 1/4 lengths under jockey Robby Albarado.

NEW ORLEANS - Two California-based horses shipped into New Orleans for the Risen Star Stakes. One had much luck, the other had none.

Notional came through a crack of light at the top of the stretch and won the Risen Star by 2 1/4 lengths under Robby Albarado, while heavily favored Circular Quay and rider John Velazquez ran head-on into a traffic jam just past the quarter pole, losing all chance in the race and finishing fifth. Imawildandcrazyguy rallied late for second, edging Zanjero, who moved to the lead in upper stretch, but couldn't sustain his rally.

Sun, 02/11/2007 - 00:00

Balance victorious in La Canada

ARCADIA, Calif. - Balance won her third graded stakes at Santa Anita in Sunday’s $200,000 La Canada Stakes, a victory that puts her on course for a try for a fourth in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Handicap on March 10.

Making her first start of 2007 and second start since returning from ankle surgery, Balance ($4.40) won the Grade 2 La Canada Stakes by 4 1/4 lengths, pulling away from Bai and Bai in the final furlong. Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Balance ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.41.

Sun, 02/11/2007 - 00:00

Noble Court captures San Vicente

ARCADIA, Calif. - Absent one shoe, and struggling to get a good grip over a slick surface, Noble Court showed some fancy footwork to hold off Law Breaker to capture the Grade 2, $150,000 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Noble Court ($3.60) knifed between horses on the turn and grabbed the lead entering the stretch, but was fully extended to hold off Law Breaker and win by a neck in 1:23.12 for seven furlongs over a track labeled wet-fast. Half Famous was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third in the five-horse field.

Sun, 02/11/2007 - 00:00

Norman's horses transferred to assistant

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The majority of horses in the care of trainer Cole Norman are being transferred to his longtime assistant, Jorge Lara, less than a week after Norman was involved in a head-on car collision in Hot Springs, Ark., that resulted in the death of an 86-year-old woman.

Norman's training license remains intact, said Gary Wilfert, state steward at Oaklawn.

Sat, 02/10/2007 - 00:00

Sugar Shake steals Santa Maria

ARCADIA, Calif. - A slow pace helped Sugar Shake extend her winning streak to three in Saturday’s $250,000 Santa Maria Handicap for older fillies and mares.

Allowed to set an uncontested lead through early fractions of 24.10 and 48.57 seconds, Sugar Shake won the Grade 1 Santa Maria by 1 3/4 lengths over Ermine, the 2-1 favorite. Ridden by David Flores, Sugar Shake ($8.20) ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.89.

Flores had Sugar Shake in front by 1 1/2 lengths on the backstretch. The margin was a length in early stretch when Sugar Shake began extending her lead.