Mon, 01/30/2006 - 00:00

Coronado's Vision steps up

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - A few days before First Samurai launches his 2006 debut, trainer Frank Brothers and owner Bruce Lunsford will try to pick up a little spending money with Coronado's Vision, who heads a first-level allowance race that serves as the feature race Wednesday at Gulfstream Park.

The feature, a one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, is the day's ninth race.

Mon, 01/30/2006 - 00:00

Some consider Holy Bull unappealing

Bill Denver/Equi-Photos
Jerry Bailey waves to the crowd after finishing second in the Sunshine Millions Turf.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Saturday's Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park is the first major two-turn race for 3-year-olds on the road to the meet's marquee event, the $1 million Florida Derby on April 1. Unfortunately, several of the most notable members of the division training in south Florida this winter will be conspicuous by their absence when the race is drawn on Thursday.

Mon, 01/30/2006 - 00:00

Fantastic Spain in off layoff

ARCADIA, Calif. - Fantastic Spain has had more trainers than wins in his four-season career.

A 6-year-old, won his debut in his lone start for trainer Richard Mandella in June 2003 and had one victory in six starts for trainer Kristin Mulhall in 2004 and 2005.

Wednesday at Santa Anita, Fantastic Spain returns from a nine-month layoff and makes his first start for trainer Neil Drysdale.

Mon, 01/30/2006 - 00:00

Big Cap might be next up for Lava Man

Horsephotos
Da Stoops wins by 7 1/2 lengths in Saturday's Sunshine Millions Dash.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Lava Man's convincing win in the $1 million at Santa Anita was seen by trainer Doug O'Neill as a revival of Lava Man's tumultuous career.

Mon, 01/30/2006 - 00:00

Nelson out following back surgery

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Acey Deucey, winning the Prioress under Diane Nelson, will run in Saturday's Correction.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - For the first half of 2005, Diane Nelson and Acey Deucey had perfect chemistry and timing. Nelson guided her to four victories from seven starts as a 3-year-old, including a Grade 1 score in the Prioress in July.

Since then, things have gone awry for both horse and rider, albeit at different times. Last summer, Acey Deucey hurt herself in the Grade 1 Test and was unable to make it back to the races until December, and even then she wasn't quite herself.

Mon, 01/30/2006 - 00:00

Hollendorfer may have another Derby shot

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Although he has had only one runner in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer knows what it takes to get there. He is considering a Derby run with Cause to Believe, who won Sunday's $250,000 .

Mon, 01/30/2006 - 00:00

Field has familiar place as early public choice

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - This is the eighth year that Churchill Downs has offered parimutuel futures on the Kentucky Derby, and at least one thing has remained constant: The mutuel field is always the favorite in the first of three pools.

Once again, the field, or the "all others" alternative to the 23 separately listed wagering options, was a decisive favorite when Pool 1 of the 2006 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening. The field closed as the 3-1 choice and would return $8 for a $2 wager.

Mon, 01/30/2006 - 00:00

Jockey Ouzts hurt, out 6 to 8 weeks

Jockey Perry Ouzts is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks after suffering a compound fracture in his right forearm in a spill in the second race Sunday at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Sun, 01/29/2006 - 00:00

Kentucky Derby and Oaks Futures final odds

2006 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 Final Odds

Program #HorseMorning LineFinal OddsWin Pool $ Final $ Odds$2 Payoff
1A.P. Warrior20-131-114,39531.2064.40
Sun, 01/29/2006 - 00:00

Cause to Believe wins El Camino Real Derby

Vassar Photography
Cause to Believe wins the $250,000 Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby on Sunday at Bay Meadows.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Multiple stakes-winning Cause to Believe ($7.40) won the biggest race of his career and may have taken his first step along the Derby trail with a solid victory in the $250,000 Grade 3 on Sunday at Bay Meadows.

Cause to Believe won the fourth stakes of his career, making a strong rail move into the stretch and going past pacesetting Objective. He opened and won by three-quarters of a length as Objective re-rallied late. The winning time for the 1 1/16-mile race was 1:41.81.