Back in 2003, four groups were bidding to open a racetrack in rural southeastern New Mexico. On Friday, that track will become a reality when Zia Park in Hobbs opens its inaugural 44-date meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.
Zia, a racino built at a cost of $45 million to $50 million, has been operating a slots parlor since November. The track is the fifth to open in the state, joining Ruidoso Downs, Sunland Park, Sun Ray Park, and The Downs at Albuquerque.
STICKNEY, Ill. - Saturday's should provide a perfect prep for Perfect Drift, who will go on to the Oct. 29 Breeders' Cup Classic if plans hold. The timing of the Gold Cup, four weeks out from the big one, is ideal, and Perfect Drift shouldn't have to produce a gut-wrenching effort to win or at least run creditably on Saturday.
Eight older horses, including two-time race winner Rochester, have been entered to square off Saturday in the $200,000 , the annual showcase race at Kentucky Downs.
The KC Turf, a Grade 3 race at 1 1/2 miles, shapes up as a competitive race with no apparent standout. Habaneros and Pellegrino, both in from Southern California, and the locally based Silverfoot all could vie for favoritism.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Five talented older runners will meet in Friday's feature at Bay Meadows, a $40,000 claimer at one mile.
The race marks the return of 9-year-old stakes winner . Although both he and his 7-year-old stablemate, Cappucino Kid, have won nearly $700,000 between them, they have their work cut out for them.
, who won two straight at this distance at Del Mar, seems the one to beat as he moves into the barn of trainer John Martin. He can set sprinter-style fractions and appears able to carry his speed the distance.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Friday's optional claiming feature at Louisiana Downs is loaded with options for bettors. There are several entrants sporting near-misses in their last starts, as well as some maiden winners and veteran claiming performers. As a result, the public will likely have a difficult time determining a favorite in the six-furlong race.
Once, $100,000 represented a significant percentage of an entire season's stakes budget at Evangeline Downs, but in these heady times of slot machines, that much is being offered up in a pair of allowance events and a high-level claiming race on Friday night alone. A total of $290,000 in purses will be available heading into the final weekend of Evangeline's inaugural season at its new slots and racing facility.
Both average attendance and handle declined at the 2005 Fairmount Park meeting that ended Sept. 17, according to figures released by the track's auditor.
For 102 racing programs, the total daily average handle on Fairmount Park races was $279,697, down 4.2 percent from 101 days the previous year. Attendance fell 4.4 percent to 2,439 daily.
The decline in handle can be partially attributed to gambling dollars being diverted into the area's increasingly popular riverboat casinos, as well as consistently short fields and the elimination of superfecta wagering.
Michael Davila, the fifth-leading jockey at Finger Lakes with 59 victories, is listed to ride two mounts on Friday's card after being out since Sept. 5 with two fractured ribs.
Davila was injured at Saratoga when his mount, Trumpster, fell during the running of the second race on closing day.
* Jockey Jennifer Schmidt, riding for the first time since sustaining a concussion on Aug. 1, scored with her first mount when she rode Coo Cold Bird ($49.60) to victory in last Friday's third race, for $4,000 claimers.
Since there are no lights on the turf course and the sun now sets before the first race, grass racing appeared done for the year at Penn National Race Course.
Not necessarily, however.
The track has asked the State Horse Racing Commission for permission to run a special afternoon card on Breeders' Cup Day, Oct. 29, that could include several turf races, weather permitting.
Penn National's program would begin at 12:55 p.m. Eastern and races would be offered in between simulcasts of the Breeders' Cup from Belmont Park.
Owner Spencer Childers and trainer Dan Francisco will be represented by world champion Be a Bono in the Grade 1, $100,000 Go Man Go Invitational Handicap and Grade 1 winner Diller a Dollar in the Grade 3, $30,000 Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap this weekend at Los Alamitos.
The 400-yard Go Man Go is on Saturday night, and the 350-yard Sgt Pepper Feature for 3-year-olds is on Friday night.
