Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

Norman has two shots that can fire

Leading trainer Cole Norman can pull a Louisiana-California sprint stakes double this weekend. His bid begins Saturday at Louisiana Downs, when he sends out That Tat and Grand Bank against Rodeo's Castle in the $50,000 Island Whirl Handicap.

Sunday, the Norman action shifts to Del Mar, where he will start Top Commander in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup.

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

'You Again' faces eight in Oaks

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Can she bring it home for mama?

That's the question trainer David Van Winkle and co-owner Connie Phillips will ask of probable favorite Oh You Again when she faces eight other Minnesota-bred 3-year-old fillies in the $60,000 Minnesota Oaks, one of two Saturday stakes at Canterbury Park.

A winner in all three of her career appearances, Oh You Again seeks to emulate her dam, Sweet Sum, who captured the Minnesota Oaks in 1993. The event was held at Ak-Sar-Ben that season as a result of Canterbury Downs being closed.

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

$310M complex planned

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine Entertainment Group and The Cordish Company, a Baltimore-based developer, have unveiled plans for a $310 million entertainment district on the Woodbine property.

David Willmot, Woodbine's chairman and chief executive officer, and David Cordish of The Cordish Company jointly announced the project at a news conference Thursday.

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

Penn National posts income drop

Penn National Gaming Inc., the racing and casino company that owns Penn National Race Course in Pennsylvania and Charles Town Races in West Virginia, had net income of 14 cents per share in the second quarter of 2005, compared with net income of 24 cents per share in the second quarter of 2004, according to financial statements released Thursday.

Penn National, which owns 10 casino-style gambling facilities, including a casino at Charles Town, had total revenue of

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

Filly extends family dynasty

With her place in the royal family of Massachusetts-breds secured, Stylish Sultana will look to add to her laurels when she goes for her second career stakes victory in Saturday's $40,000 Mystery Jet at Suffolk Downs.

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

Smile pair meet again vs. lesser

MIAMI - The good news for the connections of Nightmare Affair and Mister Fotis is that there will be no Woke Up Dreamins or Toscanis in Saturday's 6 1/2-furlong Groomstick Handicap at Calder. The bad news is the reason for the competition being much softer: The race will be worth only $75,000, compared with the $500,000 in prize money those two locally based speedsters competed for when they last matched strides, in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap here three weeks earlier.

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

Colonial: Baby fillies on turf

Madame Music and Whiteface, who won their maidens with identical Beyer Speed Figures in their turf debuts last time out, will undoubtedly attract the most attention from bettors in the $60,000 Tippett, a 5 1/2-furlong turf stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Colonial Downs.

Madame Music beat nine rivals going six furlongs at Belmont Park, and Whiteface easily defeated 11 fillies in a 5 1/2-furlong race at Colonial. Each got a 70 Beyer.

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

Sussex first race in a while for many

A trio of horses coming off long layoffs could have a major impact in Saturday's $100,000 Sussex Handicap at Delaware Park.

Mr O'Brien, a two-time Grade 2 stakes winner last season, and Control Tower, part of an entry from trainer H. Graham Motion's barn, have both been idle since last October. Motion's other horse, Change Course, has been off since March.

Attempting to gauge how those horses will run first time back is the key handicapping challenge for the Sussex, a 1 1/16-mile race on turf.

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

Three Casse runners set for summer travel

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Mark Casse's barn should have a hectic schedule during the coming weeks.

In addition to being busy on the home front, Casse is planning out-of-town forays for Higher World, Accountforthegold, and Ballado Dancer.

"I'm trying to figure out how to have all my people ready to go everywhere," said Casse. "But that's a good problem; it's better than not having anywhere to go."

Higher World is under consideration for the Monmouth Oaks, a Grade 3, $200,000 race for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 14.

Thu, 07/28/2005 - 00:00

Cognizant has three in Frank Arnason

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - A field of six Manitoba-bred maiden 2-year-olds will go in the $40,000 Frank Arnason Sire Stakes at six furlongs here Saturday.

Three runners by Cognizant are represented in the Frank Arnason: the geldings Missing Fortune and King Atholton and the filly Clairebell.

Dargai, Shrike, and Circulating have one foal each in the Frank Arnason.

Clairebell finished second, 6 1/2 lengths behind Thunderacchi, in her only start here July 15 and appears to be the one to beat.

Trainer Chad Torevell sends out Missing Fortune and King Atholton.