ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Ad Valorem made his first trip to North America last fall, finishing sixth in Keeneland's Shadwell Turf Mile and then ninth in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont.
Now Ad Valorem, who checked in late Wednesday morning, will try his luck north of the border in the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile.
"He shipped in well," said Pat Keating, traveling head lad for Ad Valorem's trainer, Aidan O'Brien. "He's in good form."
Remarkable News, a remarkably consistent colt trained by Angel Penna Jr., will open up as a lukewarm 5-2 choice in the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile on Sunday.
A field of 13 was announced for the Woodbine Mile, a turf race for 3-year-olds and upward, at the draw for post positions Thursday.
Remarkable News drew post 7 and will be ridden by Javier Castellano, who has been aboard for all nine of his starts. A 4-year-old, Remarkable News has six wins, two seconds, and a third.
The spectacle of European-style racing returns to Kentucky Downs when the turf-only track opens for its annual six-day meet Saturday in Franklin, Ky.
The unique flavor of Kentucky Downs, where an asymmetrical and undulating layout lends itself to a brand of racing quite unlike what is conducted on a daily basis elsewhere in the United States, is the obvious allure of the abbreviated stand. Horsemen frequently say the change of pace is a refreshing one, and their collective attitude toward Kentucky Downs is reflected in the track's reputation for offering sizable fields.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Having gotten little out of his race in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga and with nothing seemingly amiss physically, Funny Cide will wheel back on short notice in Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Brooklyn Breeders' Cup Handicap at Belmont Park.
Cornelio Velasquez worked Funny Cide five furlongs on Tuesday and though the final time of 1:02.36 was slower than the gelding normally works, Velasquez told trainer Barclay Tagg that everything went well.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Martin Ciresa has trained New York-bred stakes winners Presidential Affair and Little Matth Man. As talented as those two horses were, Ciresa said he believes he may have something truly special in Starcastic.
Following a 10 1/2-length debut win at Saratoga last month, the 3-year-old Starcastic will skip an allowance condition in his second career start Friday at Belmont Park. Starcastic will stretch out from 5 1/2 furlongs to one-mile in a second-level allowance race for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up.
POMONA, Calif. - The 4-year-old filly Adance is living proof that rags sometimes do become riches.
In just six months, Adance has gone from slow to fast - her Beyer Speed Figures in the high 50's are now Beyer Figures in the mid-90's. Gloomy winter losses in low-level claiming races have given gave way to sharp summer victories in allowance-caliber races.
STICKNEY, Ill. - Hawthorne Race Course's fall-winter season features races with plenty of horses, but Chicago's gritty urban racing venue would like to have crowd size to match field size, and thus starts its 2006 season Friday boasting of revamped, fan-friendly facilities.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Ad Valorem, winner of the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot this June, checked in late Wednesday morning for his engagement in Sunday's Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile.
A field of 13 was expected for the Woodbine Mile when the post positions were to be announced Thursday, and Ad Valorem is likely to be among the favorites.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Ad Valorem is coming into the Woodbine Mile off a fifth-place finish, beaten 4 1/4 lengths, in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at one mile on soft going at Deauville on Aug. 13.
EDMONTON, Alberta - Trainer Ron Grieves would have preferred to see Bell n' Gone competing for a larger purse than the $22,500 offered in Friday's featured fifth race here at Northlands Park.
The $50,000 Beaufort, one of seven Alberta-bred stakes slated for Alberta Fall Classic Day here Sept. 23, would have looked appealing, but Bell n' Gone is Ontario-bred and shows up in the only spot available to him.