Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

Fair Grounds restores some offtrack betting

Fair Grounds's Phone Bet and FGNetBet.com account wagering systems are back in operation for the first time since Hurricane Katrina hit the New Orleans area on Aug. 29. Phone Bet operators are accepting wagers at (877) 629-9540, but the automated system is not yet working.

Additionally, Fair Grounds's Elmwood OTB facility, located on Citrus Blvd. in New Orleans, is open on a limited-use basis. The Elmwood facility is not yet equipped to accept wagers, but customers can cash winning parimutuel tickets issued before Aug. 27, 2005, and make deposits or withdrawals to their accounts.

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

Off first win, Prop Me Up in turf debut

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The development of young horses such as Prop Me Up helped Kelly Breen capture his first Monmouth Park training title this year.

Prop Me Up won her maiden by three lengths in commanding fashion Sept. 9 under Joe Bravo. She steps up Tuesday afternoon at The Meadowlands to face winners for the first time in the $36,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at one mile on the turf.

Prop Me Up, a 3-year-old, has made three starts for Breen this year, with two seconds to accompany the win.

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

'Stately' fits, and possibly at a price

AUBURN, Wash. - Stately Jack Flash seems nicely spotted to score in Monday's Emerald Downs feature, a 5 1/2-furlong test for $7,500 claimers that has drawn a field of eight older runners.

A 5-year-old trained by Ben Root, Stately Jack Flash might go off at something of a price. He is coming off a fifth-place finish when racing six furlongs for the same claiming price Sept. 25, and finished behind two of his Monday rivals. In addition, his two wins at the meeting came against $3,500 and $5,000 company.

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

Langara Lass vs. the boys

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Ever since the 2-year-old filly Langara Lass scored an impressive 5 1/4-length win in the Lassie Stakes on Aug. 28, trainer Dave Forster has been pointing her towards the $75,000 Fantasy Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 22.

With no open stakes between the Lassie and the Fantasy, Forster has been trying to find a prep race for his double stakes winner. He has elected to run her against a tough field of colts and geldings in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race Monday at Hastings.

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

Stakes-quality field from top to bottom

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Although the scheduled Governor's Handicap did not fill, Bay Meadows will have a stakes-quality feature for its Monday holiday card.

Five fillies and mares will compete in an $80,000 optional claimer at six furlongs. Three of the runners are stakes winners, and the other two have each run second in stakes.

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

Surf Cat faces pair of Jackpot winners

ARCADIA, Calif. - Surf Cat, the winner of the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park in July, will be a strong favorite in a $54,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on Monday that features two winners of the Delta Jackpot Stakes.

The field of five includes Outta Here, who won the Delta Jackpot in 2002 and Texcess, who won the race when it was worth $1 million last December.

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

Just three foes for 'Kissed'

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Kissed by a Prince, who just missed upsetting the formidable One for Rose in her last start, appears to have found a good spot Monday in the $125,000 Classy 'n Smart Stakes at Woodbine.

The Classy n' Smart, a 1 1/16-mile race for Ontario-sired fillies and mares on the Grey Breeders' Cup undercard, attracted a field of just four.

"We would love to win this stakes," said Mike DePaulo, who trains the 5-year-old Kissed by a Prince for Heather Landymore. "It's the race we've been pointing for. It's the only Ontario-sired two-turn race for her all year."

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

Bell N' Gone battles rival Teagues Fight

EDMONTON, Alberta - Monday's $75,000 Canadian Juvenile has drawn just four starters, but should determine this year's Alberta 2-year-old male champion.

A 1 1/16-mile race, the Canadian Juvenile will go as the first race of the Thanksgiving Day program here at Northlands Park and brings together the main challengers, Bell N' Gone and Teagues Fight.

Sat, 10/08/2005 - 00:00

Tap Day takes Cup by three lengths

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Tap Day may head to the Breeders' Cup Classic after winning the Grade 2, $500,000 Meadowlands Breeders' Cup Stakes in convincing fashion on Friday night.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Tap Day could wind up in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic following a strong stretch rally that carried him to a convincing victory in Friday night's Grade 2, $500,000 .

"We will certainly take a look at it," said trainer Mark Hennig. "We will look at the numbers and see if it warrants putting him in there. If he fits, and has a shot, it's certainly a big payday."

Tap Day ($9) presented a compelling argument in the richest stakes of the Big M's Thoroughbred meet.

Fri, 10/07/2005 - 00:00

Pletcher ship-in alert

Four-Footed Fotos
Isola Piu Bella was off the board in her last start, but trainer Todd Pletcher expects her to run well Sunday.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Although based primarily in New York, the Todd Pletcher stable has packed quite a wallop on the Kentucky circuit this year.

Pletcher, the nation's leading trainer with more than $14 million in earnings, already has invaded the Bluegrass state to win the Lane's End with Flower Alley, the Blue Grass with Bandini, the Lexington with Coin Silver, the Doubledogdare with Colony Band, the Three Chimneys Juvenile with Half Ours, and the Kentucky Cup Classic with Shaniko.