Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Straight Faced has sweep in his sights

MIAMI - Six weeks ago, Straight Faced overcame a bruised foot to register a hard-fought victory in the Affirmed division of the Florida Stallion Stakes. On Saturday the undefeated 2-year-old will face perhaps a more imposing obstacle, an additional 1 1/2 furlongs, when he seeks to become the sixth horse to sweep the open division of the 25-year-old Stallion Stakes series with a victory in the $400,000 In Reality Stakes.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Classic winners from 2005 out in force

Five returning winners from last year's series, led by Classic winner Speed Whiz, will vie for the record $1.45 million up for grabs in the 20th annual West Virginia Breeders Classics program Saturday night at Charles Town. The program features eight races, all of which are stakes.

Speed Whiz, a 5-year-old based in Maryland with owner-trainer William Campbell, is among 10 male horses, plus two also-eligibles, in the program's biggest race, the 1 1/8-mile Classic, worth $500,000.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Youngsters figure tough in Ballerina

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - If recent history is any indication, then the first three finishers in the British Columbia Breeders' Cup Oaks, Real Candy, Hurry an Notis, and Langara Lass, are the ones to focus on in the Grade 3, $150,000-added Breeders' Cup Ballerina at Hastings Saturday. The last three renewals of the 1 1/8-mile Ballerina have been won by 3-year-old fillies, and there's a very good chance that could happen again when a full field of 12 square off in the premier race for fillies and mares in the Pacific Northwest.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

She's Italian up for next challenge

EDMONTON, Alberta - Despite her overwhelming performance last month in the Alberta Oaks, She's Italian failed to scare off the competition and faces eight challengers in Saturday's $50,000 Chariot Chaser for 3-year-old fillies at Northlands Park.

The Oaks was restricted to Alberta-breds and marked She's Italian's first stakes victory of the season, but she accomplished the task with such authority that there is little doubt she will be the favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong Chariot Chaser.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Jockey's buzzer hearing postponed

ARCADIA, Calif. - A hearing regarding allegations that Quarter Horse jockey Carlos Bautista was in possession of an electrical device during a stakes at the Los Angeles County Fair last month was postponed by Santa Anita stewards on Thursday after Bautista's lawyer asked for a continuance to investigate whether the rider could face criminal charges.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Wilson, 86, scores first hat trick

Trainer Jack Wilson won three races at Fort Erie last Saturday.

Wilson, 86, saddled Draven's Cross ($11.10) to win the first race and Two Face Flyer ($36.20) to win the second, and the two made up the $90.10 daily double. In the fifth, Elegant River ($6.40) won her maiden.

"It was the first time I ran three horses and won with them all," said Wilson. "I've won lots of doubles but never three."

The three scores raised Wilson's win total at the meeting to eight. That's half the total he had here last year.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Gouldings Green ships back for more

Gouldings Green, who shipped in to win the 1 1/16-mile Seagram Cup over the inner track here July 30, returns from Kentucky on Sunday and will be a solid choice in the Durham Cup at 1 1/8 miles.

Like the Seagram Cup, the Durham Cup offers Grade 3 status and a purse of $150,000. Gouldings Green will be the 121-pound co-highweight in a field of six.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Maiden winners try to steal spotlight

ELMONT, N.Y. - Impressive maiden winners Nobiz Like Shobiz and Liquidity take on stakes winners Scat Daddy and Got the Last Laugh on Saturday in an intriguing renewal of the Champagne Stakes, one that should fill in the missing pieces for next month's $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Adhrhythm heads trio for Plesa

MIAMI - Whether quality or quantity, trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has all the bases covered when it comes to Saturday's $400,000 My Dear Girl Stakes at Calder.

Thu, 10/12/2006 - 00:00

Brilliant heads solid derby field

CHICAGO - For one day in early September, at least, the 3-year-old colt Brilliant really was brilliant. Racing on soft turf in the Kent Breeders' Cup Handicap, a race that had unbeaten After Market as the favorite, Brilliant skipped over the ground, opening up a clear lead coming off the final turn and drawing still farther ahead through the stretch, winning the $500,000 race by more than six lengths.

The performance was a treat to the eye, and speed-figure makers liked it, too: Brilliant received a Beyer Speed Figure of 108, among the best on turf in the country this year.