INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The feature race at Hollywood Park on Thursday was an optional claimer for fillies on turf. Jockey Alex Solis rode Charming N Lovable to victory, closing with a wide rally in the final furlong.
For Solis, it was the last of two mounts on a quiet weekday. But it was a winner and it came at an ideal time, on the first day of June.
Solis, 42, is trying hard to forget the events of May, a month that started with so much promise.
The purse of the Oklahoma Derby has been increased from $150,000 to $250,000 for this year's running on Oct. 20, largely because of the success of a gaming casino that opened last fall at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Derby is one of 29 stakes worth a sum of more than $2 million scheduled for the Thoroughbred meet that runs Aug. 4 through Nov. 28.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Sweet Talker's return to Grade 1 competition could come this summer in the $500,000 Diana at Saratoga. But before that July 29 race, she will be pointed for one of two stakes following her victory Monday in the Grade 3, $200,000 WinStar Distaff at Lone Star Park.
Trainer Graham Motion said Sweet Talker is under consideration for the Grade 3, $200,000 All Along Breeders' Cup at Colonial Downs on June 24, and the Grade 3, $750,000 CashCall Mile at Hollywood Park on July 1.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Sunday's second-level allowance feature at Louisiana Downs is bound to have some stakes repercussions later in the summer, particularly for those 3-year-olds among the eight Louisiana-bred fillies and mares in the field.
The ultimate goal for several 3-year-old fillies in Sunday's mile and 70-yard race is the Louisiana Breeders' Oaks, part of a 12-race card for statebreds on Aug. 19.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Through the years, standout handicap horses have journeyed from all over the map to compete in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.
But unless Buzzards Bay ships from Southern California - and trainer Ron Ellis said Friday that he is "60-40 against" coming - then arguably the top two contenders for the Grade 1 Foster will ship from a destination that could hardly be termed exotic: the Trackside training center, located just a few miles from Churchill.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - In a strong vote of confidence, Deja Entendu jumps from a maiden victory into the $60,000 Little Silver Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Sunday at Monmouth Park.
"Do you run against older horses in a first-level allowance or do you take on 3-year-old fillies in the stakes?" said trainer Kelly Breen.
Gulfstream Park has ceased its simulcast operations and closed its card room until further notice, the track announced Friday. Tickets, Gulfstream's new sports bar and show room, will also be closed after the NBA's Eastern Conference championship round ends on Friday or Sunday.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine has introduced a new stakes race surveillance program, which will first be applied to the $1 million Queen's Plate on June 25.
Woodbine also plans to use the program for the July 23 Northern Dancer, Sept. 17 Woodbine Mile, and the Oct. 22 Canadian International and E.P. Taylor.
MIAMI - Trainer Marty Wolfson entered two horses, Broadway View and Mister Fotis, in last Monday's Grade 3 Memorial Day Handicap but ran neither. Wolfson scratched Broadway View early in the day and Mister Fotis several hours before post time.
Don't be surprised if Cat Criminal blossoms into a stakes-caliber 3-year-old in the near future.
Making only his second career start and racing for the first time since recovering from a fractured hind ankle, Cat Criminal crushed his competition by 10 3/4 lengths in a two-turn maiden race on Memorial Day at Delaware Park. His impressive performance going 1 1/16 miles was worth a Beyer Speed Figure of 98.
