ARCADIA, Calif. - The New Year begins with a pick six carryover of $117,725 at Santa Anita on Sunday.
The pick six covers the fourth through ninth races on Sunday's program, which begins at 12:30 p.m. Because of wet weather on Saturday, bettors are advised to check the late changes before finalizing selections. There is a possibility that the two turf races could be transferred to the main track and that the main track could be listed other than fast.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Unbeaten in three races since being claimed for $62,500 in August, must overcome a wide post position to extend his winning streak to four in Monday's Grade 3, $100,000 El Conejo Handicap at Santa Anita.
It will not be easy. Jet West has drawn the outside post in a field of 12 loaded with speed. Since the El Conejo is run over 5 1/2 furlongs, Jet West will need to show ample speed to avoid being carried wide on the turn.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Nineteen days after wiring the field in the Randaroo Stakes, Oprah Winney meets basically the same group in Monday's $65,000 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.
Bettors are unlikely to get the same 4-1 odds they got on Oprah Winney in the Randaroo, which is one of several reasons to take a shot against her in the Ruthless.
MIAMI - Calder's Tropical Park meeting comes to a close on Monday with a 12-race program highlighted by the $40,000 Lola Bella Stakes, an overnight stakes carded at five furlongs on the turf. Racing on the south Florida circuit resumes Wednesday with the opening of the Gulfstream Park meeting, although for the first time in its 35-year history Calder will stay open this winter for simulcast wagering.
MIAMI - Jockey Rafael Bejarano was the star of Saturday's Grand Slam III program at Calder after guiding home Drum Major to win the $100,000 .
Drum Major rallied from near the rear of the pack to a 2 1/2-length victory over local division leader Dream On Dream On in the Axthelm, which was run at 7 1/2 furlongs over a firm turf course. Therecomesatiger finished third as the 8-5 favorite after making a premature five-wide run for the lead midway through the race.
OLDSMAR, Fla. - There's nothing more enjoyable than being able to say you saw a good horse win for the first time. The excitement of following a promising young horse isn't just confined to horseplayers and racing enthusiasts; the people who make a living in the business get just as excited when they see a young horse they feel has the potential to be something special.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Since arriving in this country in late summer, Stratham has won his only start, in the Pinjara Stakes in October, and has been sidelined since because of a lack of turf opportunities.
On Monday, owner Jerry Jamgotchian and trainer Tim Yakteen are hoping that Stratham can run on turf in the $75,000 Hill Rise Stakes at Santa Anita, but wet weather could force the race to be moved the main track.
If that occurs, Yakteen said, a decision will be made on race day whether Stratham runs on dirt or waits for another race.
The big question going into the $75,000 Maryland Juvenile Champion Stakes at Laurel was whether heavy favorite Travelin Leroy could get the one-mile distance.
He couldn't.
Travelin Leroy, sent off at 3-5, got the clear lead projected for him, but he couldn't handle Vegas Play or Creve Coeur in the stretch of the stakes for 2-year-old Maryland-breds and finished third. Vegas Play overcame a ridiculous amount of trouble to win the Maryland Juvenile by a half-length over Creve Coeur, who had 1 3/4 lengths on Travelin Leroy.
Ranging up along the outside turning into the stretch, Misty Rosette shook off favored Rgirldoesn'tbluff leaving the furlong marker and drew off to post a 3 3/4-length victory in the $60,000 Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Under a confident ride by Sebastian Madrid, Misty Rosette covered the six furlongs over a speed-favoring strip in 1:10.33 to score her second win from as many starts. She returned $12.20 as third choice in the field of 12 juvenile fillies.
Runaway in Love finished second at 41-1, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Running Lass.
