INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The speed that Past Tender displayed in England last year is unlikely to be enough to take him to the lead in Friday's $65,000 Harry Henson Stakes at Hollywood Park. That could work to the colt's advantage.
Drawn on the outside in the Henson, a turf sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs, Past Tender should get a stalking trip Friday in his first U.S. start.
"I think there will be a lot of speed," trainer Tim Yakteen said.
CALGARY, Alberta - For those patrons clamoring for a little variety in their diet after watching half-milers for two weekends
followed by a steady parade of six-furlong sprints, then Friday's program here at Stampede Park adds a little spice to the racing menu.
AUBURN, Wash. - Trainer Manny Calvario was all smiles at his barn Monday morning. Calvario was still basking in the afterglow of Devons Smokin's sharp score in Sunday's U. S. Bank Stakes, for one thing. For another, he had just talked to Devons Smokin's California trainer, Jeff Bonde.
"Jeff said he wants me to keep the horse here and try to find another race for her," said Calvario. "I'm happy to do that. I think I can have some fun with her here."
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Form cycles play an important role in the handicapping process during the spring at Woodbine. Speculating as to which horses are ready to roll right off the bat and which are not can be a guessing game, but clues can be gleaned from the past performances and other reference materials.
Many runners need at least a race or two after a winter layoff to help build up their fitness level. Those that race forwardly before flattening out in the stretch of their comeback race are often sharper in their subsequent outings.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Reade Baker, who entered the week as the meet's leading trainer with eight victories, had been looking forward to saddling Cuba for the first time here Friday.
But Cuba's target, the 1 1/16-mile allowance prep for the May 22 Eclipse Stakes, failed to fill after attracting just five entrants and did not fare any better when carried over to Saturday's card.
Baker also had nominated Cuba to the Vigil, a seven-furlong race for 4-year-olds and up, which will be the feature here Saturday, but did not exercise that option.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - For Prospect Park, the future is more vital than the results of his American debut in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Inglewood Handicap on the turf at Hollywood Park.
Imported from France last winter, Prospect Park had the sort of form in Europe that could make him an important horse in American turf racing.
The problem facing him Saturday is that Prospect Park, who has never won at a distance shorter than 1 1/4 miles, may find the 1 1/16-mile distance of the Inglewood too short.
ALBANY, Calif. - The quickest sprinters at Golden Gate Fields ran last Saturday in the Golden Gate Fields Sprint.
The toughest sprinters, however, are in Friday's feature. Five runners were entered in the six-furlong event for a $32,000 tag.
, who has 4 wins, and Olympic Miler, who has 2 wins at age 4, round out the field.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Deputy Glitters will give Tom Albertrani his first Kentucky Derby starter, but don't be surprised if another horse turns out to be the best 3-year-old in his barn by year's end.
Limited to just two starts by injuries and ailments, Bernardini will make his stakes debut in Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. Bernardini completed preparations for the one-mile Withers on Wednesday by drilling five furlongs in 59.82 seconds over Belmont's main track. It was the fastest of 18 works at the distance.
