Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Major step for French Park

Four-Footed Fotos
French Park wins the Pocahontas for her second victory in two starts. She is out to take a step toward the Kentucky Oaks in the Golden Rod Saturday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - When Helen Pitts returns next spring to Louisville after wintering in Florida, she hopes to have viable candidates for some of the major races at her adopted home track, Churchill Downs. One of those long-range possibilities is French Park, a filly who could take a big step toward the Kentucky Oaks when she puts her unbeaten record on the line Saturday in the $200,000 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill.

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Pletcher has his foes outnumbered

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The depth of Todd Pletcher's 2-year-old filly division will be on display Saturday when he sends out three of the five runners in the Grade 2, $200,000 Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct.

The trio of all come in on winning streaks, and each won a stakes race in her last start. The field for the nine-furlong, two-turn race is completed by Tempted winner Better Now and beaten Tempted favorite Wonder Lady Anne L.

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Indian Vale romps in Falls City 'Cap

Four-Footed Fotos
Indian Vale, with John Velazquez riding, wins the Falls City by 6 1/2 lengths. Pampered Princess ran second.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three-year-old Indian Vale whipped her elders and gave her trainer, Todd Pletcher, yet another major stakes triumph on the Kentucky circuit when the filly pulled away under John Velazquez in the 90th running of the Grade 2 on Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Morales fills in nicely aboard Attila's Storm in Fall Highweight

Horsephotos
Attila's Storm wins the Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct on Thanksgiving Day.

There were several things that Richard Schosberg, the trainer of Attila's Storm, didn't like entering Thursday's at Aqueduct. He was unhappy with the 126-pound weight assignment from racing secretary P.J. Campo and the rail post position.

Then a few hours before post time, Schosberg received a phone call from his jockey, Ramon Dominguez, who was standing outside his car stuck in traffic on the Goethals Bridge, saying he was unable to make it to Aqueduct to ride.

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Fair Grounds: Zarb's Dahar dominates

Lou Hodges Jr.
Zarb's Dahar, Gerard Melancon up, wins the $75,000 Thanksgiving Breeders' Cup Handicap Thursday at the Fair Grounds meet at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

Zarb's Dahar ran his local record to a remarkable 10 for 11 by easily beating four rivals in the .

Rodeo's Castle finished second followed by Premier Performer in the traditional Fair Grounds holiday feature, this year held at Louisiana Downs. Morning-line favorite Orphan Brigade and starting highweight The Niner Account were scratched.

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Giacomo works toward return

Horsephotos
Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo is gearing up for a start in January.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo is getting closer to a comeback.

Wednesday at Hollywood Park, Giacomo breezed a half-mile in 49.20 seconds, his first recorded workout since returning to training in late summer following surgery in June to remove bone chips from an ankle and knee.

Last week, Giacomo breezed three furlongs, but the workout - in approximately 41 seconds - was not given an official time.

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Enduring Will seeks reversal

The rematch is on.

More Than Promised and Enduring Will meet Saturday in the $75,000 Pago Hop at the Fair Grounds meet at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. The last time they raced over the Louisiana Downs turf course, a nose separated the pair in the $75,000 DeBartolo Oaks on Oct. 1.

"It was unfortunate one of the fillies got beat," said Steve Asmussen, who trains More Than Promised. "Both ran great races."

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Two tracks call off cards

Woodbine and Hoosier Park both had racing halted Thursday because of inclement weather.

Woodbine canceled its entire scheduled nine-race card after a major storm hit the Toronto area, leaving up to six inches of snow and pushing the temperature below zero.

Jockeys at Hoosier Park opted not to ride after the day's third race. Horses faced a 30 mph headwind on the backstretch, with higher gusts, and horses were strung out from 35 to 70 lengths during the three races that were conducted.

Both tracks planned to resume racing Friday, Hoosier's closing day.

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Familiar names top Suffolk

Jockey Winston Thompson and trainer John Rigattieri successfully defended their titles at Suffolk Downs, which ended its 117-day meet Wednesday.

Thompson amassed 158 wins, finishing ahead of Dyn Panell, who had 133. Rigattieri dominated the trainer standings just as he did in 2004, saddling 93 winners for the second straight year. Burton Sipp was second with 56. Michael Gill took home leading owner honors for the first time since 2001 with 54 wins.

Thu, 11/24/2005 - 00:00

Caraballo gets win 2,000 on longshot

Jockey Jose Caraballo came into Wednesday's program at Laurel Park with 1,999 career victories. He reached the 2,000 milestone with the most unlikely of his four mounts.

Caraballo, 39, coaxed first-time starter Yankee Gal to make up an eight-length deficit in the stretch to win a sprint for $25,000 maiden claiming 2-year-old fillies. Caraballo's 2,000th winner paid $51.40.