ARCADIA, Calif. - European imports Chinese Dragon and Balavista are in the same barn, but different leagues. That could change, according to trainer Bob Hess.
While Chinese Dragon is Grade 1-placed, Hess predicts Balavista "is a horse you are going to hear from down the line." He already has been heard from down the hill, and if he improves off a second-place sprint finish in his U.S. debut on Feb. 9, then Balavista can upset Macduff in the featured seventh race Thursday at Santa Anita.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Hot Space, White Socks, and Ultimate were all stakes placed by the middle of their 3-year-old campaigns in 2005. Unfortunately, none of the three has been able to fulfill his early promise and, as a result, the three come together still seeking to win their entry-level allowance condition in Thursday's $35,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park.
and White Socks both were graded-stakes placed in the second start of their careers, with both finishing behind eventual sprint champion Lost in the Fog.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Twice a Deelite is at her best on the front end, and it appears she could control the pace Thursday in the featured ninth race at Oaklawn Park.
The six-furlong optional claimer for fillies and mares drew a field of eight, including useful sprinters .
has shown more early speed in her races than most of her rivals, and figures to be prominent from gate 4.
"It's very easy to tell, looking at her past performance, that she likes to be out there on the front end," said Patrick Mouton, who trains Twice a Deelite.
No Sleep and Forgotten Promise, who have been in sharp form this winter, drew favorable posts for their showdown in Thursday's featured eighth race at Aqueduct.
The one-mile race for fillies and mares has third-level allowance conditions and an optional claiming price of $75,000. It drew a field of seven, headed by the Gary Contessa-trained entry of No Sleep and Game Card, and the Bob Klesaris-trained Forgotten Promise.
ALBANY, Calif. - You can't blame trainer Greg James for hoping that lightning will strike twice with the 3-year-old filly Cascade Rain.
Cascade Rain is a legitimate contender in Thursday's Golden Gate Fields feature, an $80,000 optional claimer for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. The race drew five entrants, and any of the five could win.
In an attempt to ensure full fields and lure shippers from Miami for the undercard races on the biggest day of its meet, Tampa Bay Downs will increase purses for all overnight races by 35 percent on Festival Day, March 18.
The purse increase translates to approximately $5,000 per race, and the expense will be split evenly by the track and the horsemen's purse account, as approved by the Tampa Bay Downs Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, according to track publicist Margo Flynn.
ARCADIA, Calif. - A victory in the Santa Catalina Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, combined with the unsatisfying conclusion of the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream, further solidified Brother Derek's position as the current favorite for the May 6 Kentucky Derby.
Both Brother Derek and First Samurai, who was placed first in the Fountain of Youth after Corinthian was disqualified, were said by their trainers to have come out of their races well and will have one more prep before the Kentucky Derby.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Owner Steve Kenly and trainer Doug O'Neill walked into the Santa Anita press box after Lava Man's win in Saturday's $1 million and seemed comfortable in the surroundings.
They had last been in the press box for a similar press conference after Lava Man's win in the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic on Jan. 28 and were back under more prestigious circumstances.
"I could get used to this," Kenly said to O'Neill.
"Yeah," O'Neill said. "We could do something like this at home. Get a bunch of TV's and a coke machine. It would be great."
ARCADIA, Calif. - The weather will dictate the makeup of a $48,000 allowance race at Santa Anita on Wednesday.
Rain was forecast for Monday and could result in the race being switched from about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf to 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track.
That decision will determine whether Da Svedonya races on the main track or stays in trainer Gary Stute's stable.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin originally considered scratching Flashy Bull after his colt drew post 10 for Saturday's Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. Instead he opted to let Flashy Bull compete, and as a result now finds himself with one of the leading contenders for the $1 million Florida Derby on April 1.
