ARCADIA, Calif. - The problem with Three Degrees is that she never quite gets there.
The deep-closing Three Degrees will try to end an eight-race losing streak Sunday as the favorite in the Grade 2 San Gorgonio Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita turf. Her only prerace excuse is pace.
When jockey Julien Leparoux decided to ride at Turfway Park through the winter, rather than at a higher-profile track like Santa Anita, he was largely expected to dominate the rider standings, as he had in the previous two meets there. But West Coast riding engagements, a suspension for a riding infraction, and vacation to his native France have resulted in Leparoux riding sparingly at Turfway.
ARCADIA, Calif. - This is the time of year when trainers of promising 3-year-olds find out who will turn into Kentucky Derby material. For trainer Carla Gaines, the time has arrived to leap into the deep end of the pool with Kolo, who heretofore has raced exclusively on turf, and who won last weekend's Eddie Logan Stakes.
The Logan was his fourth start, and second race in 16 days. Gaines said she wants to give Kolo a brief respite, then aim for the Grade 3, $100,000 Sham Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on dirt on Feb. 3 at Santa Anita.
Rocky Gulch and El Minuto get a rematch around two turns on Sunday in the $100,000 Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap at Sunland Park. The 1 1/16-mile race for New Mexico-breds drew a field of 11.
Rocky Gulch and El Minuto will break side-by-side in the Dominguez, and are both returning to two turns after finishing a respective sixth and seventh last out in the $125,000 Johnie Jamison at 6 1/2 furlongs at Sunland on Dec. 16.
The 2006-07 Tropical at Calder meeting concluded Tuesday with declines in both average ontrack wagering and attendance and the emergence of a promising new star, apprentice jockey Jermaine Bridgmohan. The 60-day meeting began on Oct. 16.
Ontrack handle was off nearly 10 percent from the previous year, averaging $362,211 compared with $400,886 in 2005-06. Ontrack attendance dropped almost 7 percent, from 4,122 to 3,843 daily.
NEW ORLEANS - They'll have to catch Brother Bean in Sunday's feature race at Fair Grounds, a $50,000 third-level optional claimer on the main track at six furlongs. The fleet Louisiana-bred 4-year-old led at every call in his first three career starts leading up to the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint. He battled on the lead that day and gave way grudgingly to Meteor Impact, finishing second by a length.
NEW ORLEANS - Fair Grounds starts its series for 3-year-olds Saturday with the Grade 3, $100,000 Lecomte Stakes for males and the $100,000 Tiffany Lass for fillies, both at a mile. Trainers will have a good opportunity to find out if their horses will be able to handle two turns, with the more important stakes to come later this spring.
Rocky Gulch and El Minuto get a rematch around two turns on Sunday in the $100,000 Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap at Sunland Park. The 1 1/16-mile race for New Mexico-breds drew a field of 11.
Rocky Gulch and El Minuto will break side-by-side in the Dominguez, and are both returning to two turns after finishing a respective sixth and seventh last out in the $125,000 Johnie Jamison at 6 1/2 furlongs at Sunland on Dec. 16.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Last winter, the Jimmy Jerkens stable won the Dearly Precious Stakes for 3-year-old fillies with a horse that had won her only start. Sunday, the Jerkens stable will try something similar when it sends out debut winner Dorm Fever in the $65,000 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.
Dorm Fever, a daughter of Stormin Fever, will face five rivals in the six-furlong Ruthless, with three-time winner Golden Dreamer the horse to beat.
