OZONE PARK, N.Y. - As much talent as Bluegrass Cat has shown in a pair of victories around one turn, trainer Todd Pletcher believes the 2-year-old colt could be even better when he runs around two turns.
will get that opportunity Saturday, heading an eight-horse field entered in the Grade 2, $200,000 Remsen at Aqueduct. The Remsen is run at 1 1/8 miles around two turns on the main track.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
