Margie’s Intention, winner of the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on May 16, will most likely make her next start in the Grade 3, $300,000 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park on June 14, Elliott Walden, president and CEO of racing operations for WinStar Farm said. 

Walden said he favored the Delaware Oaks over a race like the Grade 1 Acorn in part because it gives Margie’s Intention one more week and the field won’t include undefeated Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer, who is pointing to the Acorn at Saratoga on June 6. 

Handle at all racetracks in California showed a 5 percent decline through April compared to the first four months of 2024, according to figures announced by the California Horse Racing Board last week. 

All-sources handle, including ontrack, satellite, and account wagering sources, was more than $816.3 million compared to more than $863.3 million in 2024. Compared to the first four months of 2023, when all-sources handle was $932.9 million, the amount wagered has declined 12.5 percent over the past two years. 

The $23,450 purse of a starter allowance at Santa Anita on March 8 has been ordered redistributed after race winner Cee’s the Image tested positive for the banned muscle relaxant methocarbamol. 

Cee’s the Image won the six-furlong race by 2 1/4 lengths at 15-1 and earned $14,040 of the purse. The prize was ordered forfeited by owners Laurie and Steven Hill, trainer Felix Rondan, and jockey Alfredo Bautista. 

Last month, Rondan was fined $1,000 and suspended seven days for the infraction. The suspension was served in April. 

Fort Washington was one of the few New York-based horses to win at Pimlico last weekend, taking the Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes by a length.

It was the second straight stakes win for Fort Washington, who in March won the Grade 3 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park.

Phileas Fogg, second to Awesome Aaron in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special on May 16, will be pointed toward the Grade 2, $400,000 Suburban at Saratoga on July 4, trainer Gustavo Rodriguez said Wednesday.

Rodriguez noted that Phileas Fogg won last summer at Saratoga in an optional $62,500 claimer at 1 1/8 miles in his first start off the Rodriguez claim.

Though disappointed Phileas Fogg couldn’t win the Pimlico Special, Rodriguez overall was pleased with the performance.