Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

One-year move to Ellis Park

For just the second time in nine runnings, the Claiming Crown will be held somewhere other than Canterbury Park. Officials at Ellis Park and the Claiming Crown have announced that the Henderson, Ky., track will play host to the event on either the third or fourth weekend of July 2007.

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

Casse-trained 2-year-olds not done yet

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Mark Casse pulled off a one-two shocker here in last Sunday's $163,200 Natalma for 2-year-old fillies, with Sprung springing the upset at 48-1 and Quiet Action completing the $707.20 exactor at 8-1.

On Sunday, Casse will send out another pair of 2-year-olds, this time males, for the $200,000 Summer - which partners with the $1 million Woodbine Mile and the $300,000 Canadian on a powerhouse program.

The Summer and the Natalma are both Grade 3, one-mile turf races, and Casse's candidates for the Summer are Approval Rating and Seaside Links.

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

Arlington signal cut

Churchill Downs Inc., the owner of Arlington Park, denied two on-line wagering companies, Youbet and AmericaTAB and its affiliates, which include Brisbet, the track's simulcast signal on Tuesday. The move deepened the ongoing dispute between the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemens' Association, Hawthorne Race Course, Television Games Network (aka TVG), and Youbet.

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

Diamond Green joins Mile field

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Sunday's Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile gained another probable entrant Tuesday, when trainer Bobby Frankel said Diamond Green would make the trip north from his base at Belmont Park.

The addition of Diamond Green brings the prospective field for the Woodbine Mile to 14. The lineup will be announced at a special post position draw here Thursday, beginning at noon in the trackside tent.

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

Little City ready following meltdown

POMONA, Calif. - Little City got creamed two weeks ago in her comeback at Del Mar. She pressed a wickedly fast pace, surrendered, and finished next to last.

No problem.

With a prep race under her belt and a slower pace expected Thursday in the $65,000 Bustles and Bows Stakes at Fairplex Park, Little City should redeem herself by leading wire to wire in the 6 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies.

"I'm hoping she gets a softer pace," trainer Mike Harrington said. "Plus, she'll be fitter coming out of the other race. She'd been off a long time."

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

A tighter team than most

E.J. Perrodin and Patrick Mouton have emerged in the last few years as one of the highest win-percentage jockey-trainer teams in Louisiana. They went 2 for 3 on Sunday at Louisiana Downs, and with those victories surpassed their earnings together from the corresponding meet in 2005. The success is sweet, and even more so because they are family.

"Pat's my brother-in-law," said Perrodin. "We married sisters. We've got a good relationship. We work well together."

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

Two have given fans a ride

AUBURN, Wash. - A case could be made that Westsideclyde and See Ya Later Slew are the two most exciting horses on the grounds at Emerald Downs, if only because neither horse has fixed a limit to his ability.

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

Stretch-out awakens B. B. best's form

MIAMI - Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has won 34 races during the current session, but none was more satisfying to him than B. B. Best's wire-to-wire triumph in Saturday's Ambehaving Stakes.

The Ambehaving was B. B. Best's first victory since he captured the In Reality division of the Florida Stallion Stakes nearly two years earlier. A son of Yes It's True,

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

Solid angles in favor of 'Chestnut'

ALBANY, Calif. - Thursday's Golden Gate Fields feature presents handicappers with a situation that requires more intuition than science.

The one-mile turf race for $16,000 claimers offers proven runners such as Julies Flying Now, who is 18-4-5-5 on the turf; Zim's Blur, who is 10-3-2-1 on turf; and Thermostatic, who is 33-9-3-5 on turf.

Tue, 09/12/2006 - 00:00

Derby day handle helps boost meet average

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - A very strong closing card on Saturday, highlighted by the Saskatchewan Derby, helped cap off a strong Thoroughbred season at Marquis Downs, one that showed a slight increase in live handle over the 2005 meet.

The average daily handle on races at Marquis Downs was $28,671 for the 29-day 2006 meeting, an increase of 1.8 percent from the $28,107 daily average at the 28-day meeting in 2005. Marquis Downs does not export its races, which can be bet only ontrack.