Thu, 09/07/2006 - 00:00

More Than Regal back for more

ALTOONA, Iowa - More Than Regal, the Iowa Derby winner, returns to the scene of his biggest career score when he heads a field of nine in Saturday night's $75,000 Prairie Meadows Derby at 1 1/16 miles, the closing-night feature of the 36-day mixed meeting here.

More Than Regal scored his biggest win when he rallied for a half-length score in the $250,000 Iowa Derby going 1 1/16 miles here on June 30. Steve Asmussen trained More Than Regal when he recorded his Iowa Derby victory, but Scott Blasi has taken over while Asmussen serves a suspension.

Thu, 09/07/2006 - 00:00

Petalino's pair look tough in Princess

Trainer Joe Petalino's current crop of 2-year-olds has earned $259,570 so far this year, and that total can grow when he starts top contenders Ramblin Sally and Best Colors in Saturday's $50,000 Princess at Louisiana Downs.

The Princess, for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs, drew a field of eight, including Kristi's Add On and Joangel, a respective second and third locally in the $100,000 Laurel Lane for statebreds, and Stormin Quality, a sharp debut winner for leading trainer Cole Norman.

Thu, 09/07/2006 - 00:00

Three step up to stakes vets

MIAMI - Rehoboth moved to the top of the local 3-year-old handicap ranks after he beat older horses in Monday's Carterista Handicap. On Saturday, three more members of the 3-year-old division will try to emulate the new leader when they take on older rivals in the $45,000 Ambehaving Stakes at Calder. The overnight event will be decided at 1 1/16 miles.

Thu, 09/07/2006 - 00:00

German filly leads turf invasion

Horsephotos
Arravale, here winning the Del Mar Oaks, needs two more starts in Canada by Nov. 26 for a title bid.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine will be hoping for a strong influx of Europeans this fall, with the runnings of the $2 million Canadian International and $1 million E.P. Taylor on the not-so-distant horizon.

The first potential overseas candidate scheduled to arrive for one of those Grade 1 turf races on Oct. 22 is Almerita, a German-based 3-year-old filly who was expected to check in late Thursday with an eye toward the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor.

Thu, 09/07/2006 - 00:00

Excessively Sweet battles the boys

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Saturday evening's final day of racing at Marquis Downs features not only the prestigious $15,000 Saskatchewan Derby but also a very competitive running of the Matron Handicap for older fillies and mares.

The main question in the Saskatchewan Derby is whether Excessively Sweet can run her local winning streak to four by beating the boys. The 1 1/16-mile distance of the derby could also be a challenge.

Thu, 09/07/2006 - 00:00

'Lucky' looks good in sprint

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - He may only be his connections' second-best 3-year-old, but Good and Lucky will be well-supported Saturday at Assiniboia Downs in a first-level allowance going six furlongs.

Good and Lucky's owner, Robert Mitchell, and trainer, Bert Blake, also campaign The Max, who in three starts here this year has won two stakes and was narrowly beaten in Manitoba Derby.

Good and Lucky finished third against maiden special weight company at Woodbine in each of his two starts last year.

Thu, 09/07/2006 - 00:00

Del Mar figures slightly down

After setting records for all-sources handle for four consecutive years, business slumped by 4.3 percent at Del Mar this summer, but the all-sources handle of $582,604,451 was still the second-highest in track history.

The track released data on Wednesday after the conclusion of the 43-day meeting.

Last year's all-sources handle was a record $608 million. The 2004 meeting had total handle of $580 million.

Wed, 09/06/2006 - 00:00

Horse Greeley takes Del Mar Futurity

DEL MAR, Calif. - Horse Greeley capped an ideal summer at Del Mar for jockey Victor Espinoza by racing to victory in the Grade 2, $250,000 on Wednesday's closing-day card.

Horse Greeley ($8.40) outfinished favored Great Hunter by 1 3/4 lengths, with Stormello another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Prime Ruler, the second choice, finished last in the field of seven in a dull try. His rider, Jon Court, lost his left iron at the start, but got it back in the stirrup within 100 yards.

Wed, 09/06/2006 - 00:00

This fall could be a hot one

Horsephotos
Bernardini, here winning the Travers, is on course to meet Invasor in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

ELMONT, N.Y. - It may lack the pomp and circumstance of Saratoga, but Belmont Park's 33-day fall meet that begins on Friday will surely not lack for drama and intrigue.

Of the 36 stakes races scheduled here over the next 6 1/2 weeks, 12 of them will be Grade 1 events that will help determine the top East Coast contenders for the 23rd Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships to be held Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

Wed, 09/06/2006 - 00:00

Bushfire back after 10-week break

Horsephotos
Bushfire, the leader of the 3-year-old filly division, will return from a 10-week freshener to run in Saturday's Gazelle.

ELMONT, N.Y. - The last time Bushfire raced at Belmont Park, her trainer, Eddie Kenneally, expressed concern about running her back too quickly following a hard-fought victory in a Grade 1 race.

That certainly won't be an issue for Kenneally when he brings Bushfire back from a 10-week layoff in the $250,000 Gazelle Stakes, one of three Grade 1 races scheduled for Saturday at Belmont Park.