Thu, 09/29/2005 - 00:00

Finger Lakes: 'Marian' vulnerable

Based on Beyer Figures, Canadian shipper Blushing Marian is by far the fastest filly in the $50,000 Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies.

Although Blushing Marian won her last start by 11 1/2 lengths and her 69 Beyer is more than 20 points better than the next-best figure among her nine rivals, there is reason to be cautious about taking a short price. Blushing Marian's big figure came over a wet, sealed track in maiden claiming company. She earned only a 15 Beyer in her career debut against straight maidens.

Thu, 09/29/2005 - 00:00

Sharp debut win for Tothemoonandback

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - It didn't take long for Tothemoonandback to serve notice that he is the latest rocket in trainer Reade Baker's program.

Debuting at 5 1/2 furlongs here at Woodbine on Wednesday evening, Tothemoonandback quickly established command and led through fractions of 22.10, 44.81, and 57.20 seconds en route to a six-length victory under Jim McAleney.

Tothemoonandback's final time of 1:03.89 yielded a Beyer Speed Figure of 77.

Thu, 09/29/2005 - 00:00

Phenom on turf in dirt debut

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Arravale, who has established herself as the best 2-year-old grass filly at Woodbine, will try the dirt for the first time Saturday in the Grade 3, $281,500 Mazarine Breeders' Cup Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

Thu, 09/29/2005 - 00:00

Cause of track washout unknown

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Track management is puzzled about what caused a problem with the racing surface that led to the cancellation of racing here on Monday and Tuesday.

After training hours on Monday, while the floats and tractors were preparing the surface for the afternoon program, it was discovered that a small portion of the track, near the three-eighths pole and close to the rail, had washed away.

The problem wasn't detected earlier because dogs were up to protect the inner 15 feet of the track. Heavy rain on Sunday night rendered the surface sloppy.

Thu, 09/29/2005 - 00:00

Woodbine cancels due to winds

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine cancelled its nine-race live card on Thursday because of high winds and severe wind gusts.

Winds in the Toronto area were blowing from the northwest at around 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour.

Live racing was scheduled to resume Friday at 12:55 p.m.

Wed, 09/28/2005 - 00:00

Zito seeks defense of Pegasus title

Trainer Nick Zito and owner Robert LaPenta are hoping the opening night lights at the Meadowlands shine brightly on them once again.

Zito and LaPenta captured the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes on opening night last year with Pies Prospect, and they will try to duplicate that on Friday with Andromeda's Hero. Second to Afleet Alex in the Belmont Stakes, Andromeda's Hero faces seven other 3-year-olds in the Pegasus Stakes, which will be run at 1 1/8 miles and has a purse of $250,000.

Wed, 09/28/2005 - 00:00

Flying Glitter on the lead in Oaks

ANDERSON, Ind. - Flying Glitter will attempt to extend her three-race win streak when she heads a wide-open field of eight in Friday night's Grade 3, $400,000-added Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks at Hoosier Park.

The card also features the the City of Anderson for Indiana-bred 2-year-old fillies and the Richmond Stakes for older statebred fillies and mares. All three stakes will be included in a special pick 4 wager. The weekend is anchored by the meet's marquee event, Saturday's Grade 2, $500,000-added Indiana Derby.

Wed, 09/28/2005 - 00:00

Carano yet to tap his full potential

ARCADIA, Calif. - Carano enhanced his family's reputation when he scored an electrifying two-length win in an allowance race on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 20. As the younger half-brother to the millionaire Valentine Dancer, Carano has been looked upon as a potential stakes horse since his career began.

In the coming weeks at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita, Carano could finally jump to that level. Friday, the 4-year-old Carano starts in a $45,000 allowance race over 1 1/16 miles, trying for his third career victory.

Wed, 09/28/2005 - 00:00

'Donovan' returning to action

EDMONTON, Alberta - Dignified Donovan, making his first start since winning twice in three outings early this year at Fair Grounds, will return to action at Northlands in Friday's feature, a $40,000 optional claimer at a mile.

A Kentucky-bred 6-year-old, Dignified Donovan was bought as a weanling in 1999 by Donver Stable. He raced at Gulfstream and Woodbine last year and won his first start at Fair Grounds this January in $40,000 company.

Wed, 09/28/2005 - 00:00

Familiar foes meet at one mile

AUBURN, Wash. - Mister Doeny and West Seattle Boy will be rematched in Friday's Emerald Downs feature, a one-mile race for $15,000 claimers that has drawn a field of eight older horses.