Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

My Guy has tough task in Hoofprint

CALGARY, Alberta - My Guy, Teagues Fight, and Bell n' Gone, the one-two-three finishers in the President's here May 6, renew their rivalry in the $50,000 Hoofprint on My Heart at Stampede Park on Saturday. The one-mile Hoofprint on My Heart is the final stakes prep for the June 17 Alberta Derby and drew a strong field of nine 3-year-olds.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

Salt Grinder in for a tag for first time

AUBURN, Wash. - Salt Grinder drops out of the stakes ranks to take on eight rivals in Saturday's Emerald Downs feature, a 6 1/2-furlong test for older horses to be contested under $32,000 optional claiming conditions.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

'Gouldings' liable to pounce

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Had he run a half-length faster last May 28, Gouldings Green would be coming to Chicago this weekend to defend his title in the Hanshin Handicap. But the horse that finished second to Lord of the Game in the 2005 Hanshin is still the horse to beat in Saturday's edition of the Grade 3, $100,000 race.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

Big Apple Daddy heads LeVine

Big Apple Daddy, freshened since finishing third in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap seven weeks ago, and locally based Pocomoonshine, a winner in three of his last four starts, head a solid group of older sprinters in Saturday's $100,000 Donald LeVine Memorial Handicap at Philadelphia Park.

The seven-furlong LeVine is expected to lose 120-pound highweight and probable favorite Park Avenue Ball, a multiple graded stakes winner. Trainer James Ryerson said he intends to run Park Avenue Ball in the $65,000 Frisk Me Now at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

Sequoia King gets a second chance

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Since he made his debut at Keeneland last month, Sequoia King has been a 2-year-old that has demanded attention. Unfortunately for him, good fortune has not always been on his side.

After winning his debut by 4 1/2 lengths, Sequoia King was favored in the Grade 3 Kentucky Breeders' Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 4. He wheeled at the start, was away last of 12, and still managed to finish sixth.

Sequoia King has been sent to Hollywood Park, where he will start in Saturday's $65,000 Willard Proctor Memorial Stakes.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

Film Maker to miss Gamely

Horsephotos
Brother Derek will undergo some tests before plans are made for him.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Film Maker, a five-time graded-stakes winner, will miss Monday's $300,000 Gamely Breeders' Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park because of a quarter crack, trainer Graham Motion said on Thursday.

The injury will postpone Film Maker's 2006 debut. She has not started since winning the Grade 2 La Prevoyante Handicap at Calder last December.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

Joey P. returns with new trainer

Ryan McAlinden / EquiPhotos
Joey P., unbeaten in six starts at six furlongs, will make his 2006 debut in Saturday's John J. Reilly Handicap.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Joey P., an underdog hero here last year, makes a dual debut in the $60,000 John J. Reilly Handicap for New Jersey-breds on Saturday at Monmouth Park.

The race will be Joey P.'s first start of the season, and also his first for trainer Benny Perkins Jr.

Owner John Petrini transferred the horse from Frank Costa to Perkins over the winter with the goal of shipping to tracks beyond New Jersey and New York.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

'Writer' goes for 3 in a row

SAN MATEO, Calif. - It is not an unkind assessment to state that the eight runners in Saturday's $60,000-added San Matean Handicap at Bay Meadows are a cut or two below the best in the game.

Each of the eight runners signed up for the 1 1/16-mile turf test is a six-figure earner, ranging from the $130,370 bankroll of Sharp Writer to the $398,438 earned by Capitano.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

Biancone's visit an in-and-out affair

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Stream Cat and Man of Illusion, each a graded-stakes winner on Kentucky Oaks Day, bring their show to Texas on Monday.

They are two of six horses trainer Patrick Biancone is bringing here for Lone Star Million Day. He has starters in each of the six stakes that make up what is the richest program at Lone Star Park.

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 00:00

Diamond Spirit tries dirt again

Diamond Spirit, graded stakes-placed on turf two starts ago but able to finish ahead of only two horses last time out on dirt, may nevertheless be favored when she stays on the main track for Saturday's $100,000 Go for Wand at Delaware Park.

The 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies is the first of two local preps for the Grade 2, $500,000 Delaware Oaks on July 15.

Based in New York with trainer Allen Jerkens, Diamond Spirit had her best race on dirt when she finished second in the Grade 3 Valley Stream, a six-furlong sprint at Aqueduct, last November.