SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - If Whitney one-two finishers Commentator and Saint Liam meet again in next month's Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park, Richard Dutrow Jr., the trainer of Saint Liam, promises to have something waiting for Commentator: a rabbit.
"I should have nominated a speed horse [to the Whitney]," Dutrow said. "I'll do it the next time. I'll just put something in there to make the pace honest."
DEL MAR, Calif. - Ticker Tape can salvage her sullied reputation with a win in Wednesday's $75,000 Osunitas Handicap at Del Mar.
A finalist for outstanding turf female of 2004, is winless in three starts this year. Her most recent start was an eighth in the Grade 1 John Mabee Handicap here July 23.
"I will be crushed if she doesn't show up on Wednesday," said trainer Jim Cassidy.
Cassidy blamed the loss in the Mabee on an infection, which was found in a post-race blood test. Ticker Tape had a high white blood cell count, Cassidy said.
DEL MAR, Calif. - A series of controversial decisions at Del Mar this summer has left the board of stewards under increased scrutiny, jockeys confused about what to expect when races are reviewed, and the chairman of the California Horse Racing Board defending the stewards.
The stewards' decisions have been widely discussed since the meeting began on July 20. Sunday, stewards Dennis Nevin, Kim Sawyer, and George Slender reviewed three objections from jockeys, but did not change the order of finish in any of those races.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Roman Ruler was on his way to Saratoga on Monday morning, the day after his victory in the Grade 1, $1 million at Monmouth Park.
Trainer Bob Baffert, still basking in the glow of his third Haskell victory in the last five years, said Roman Ruler "came out of the race just fine."
Saratoga is home to the next $1 million 3-year-old stakes, the Grade 1 Travers on Aug. 27, but Baffert said he was not sure what Roman Ruler's next race would be.
There will be a new look at the Bay Meadows Fair, which opens Wednesday in San Mateo, Calif., with an eight-race card.
With the decision by Sacramento to run harness races instead of Thoroughbreds during its state fair dates, the Bay Meadows Fair has shifted its schedule. Instead of running 12 days in a 13-day span as in past years, the track will have two five-day race weeks, Wednesdays through Sundays, then will run on Aug. 24 and 25, days which in the past had gone to Sacramento.
The Bay Meadows fall meeting will start on Aug. 26.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - The conclusion of the Sonoma County Fair on Monday gives trainer Bill Morey mixed feelings. Morey won with his first seven starters at the meet, and with one horse left to run at the meet, on Monday, had nine wins and a second from 11 starters. Among his winning horses was Penny Ante in the Luther Burbank Handicap.
Yet, Morey will be relieved not to have to make the drive from his Bay Meadows base to Santa Rosa. The Bay Meadows Fair meet begins Wednesday, with the Bay Meadows fall meet to follow.
Ellis Park announced a 15-percent purse cut late Friday, citing lower-than-anticipated business levels.
Ellis Park's general manager, Paul Kuerzi, said substantial decreases in wagering handle are partly attributable to poor weather and lower field size during the first 20 of 41 days at the Henderson, Ky., track.
Heavy rain and inordinately hot weather plagued the first four weeks of the Ellis meet, which runs through Sept. 5. Moreover, despite having moved from a six-day race week to five days, field size has averaged 8.4 horses, only a marginal increase over last year.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - The $400,000 Secretariat Stakes lost a top horse in Rush Bay over the weekend, but gained another prospective starter, with the California-based Legal Precedent now being considered for Saturday's race. And on Sunday, Purim, who would be among the Secretariat favorites if he runs, breezed an easy five furlongs on turf, though trainer Tom Proctor is still unwilling to commit to the race.
Chasin the Wind hooked up with S C King as expected, dueled that one into defeat, and drew off for a three-length win under R.D. Williams in Saturday's $10,350 Hall of Fame Handicap for 3-year-olds going six furlongs at Columbus.
Trained by Chuck Wiley, Chasin the Wind ($6.20) covered the six furlongs in 1:13.80.
