Mon, 06/06/2005 - 00:00

The real 'Willy' struts his stuff

CALGARY, Alberta - Blackjack Willy ($4.50) redeemed himself Friday night at Stampede Park following his disappointing effort in the Hoofprint on My Heart, winning a one-mile allowance race by nine lengths.

Trainer Rick Hedge added a tongue-tie, changed bits, and hoped for the best after watching Blackjack Willy run greenly in the $50,000 Hoofprint just six days earlier. The result was a complete turnaround for Blackjack Willy, who handled the turns in professional fashion under Perry Winters to defeat four rivals.

Mon, 06/06/2005 - 00:00

Lost in the Fog works bullet for Riva Ridge

ALBANY, Calif. - Lost in the Fog completed preparations for the Grade 2 Riva Ridge at Belmont Park on Saturday with a bullet five-furlong work in 58.60 seconds, the best of 36 at the distance.

After the work, trainer Greg Gilchrist said he was pleased and declared "all things go." Lost in the Fog, an undefeated 3-year-old colt, is following the same schedule he has in the past by flying out Tuesday for a Saturday race.

Mon, 06/06/2005 - 00:00

Drawing larger crowds becomes marketing priority

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Lone Star Park has always drawn large crowds, but through the halfway point of its current meet, attendance figures are lagging 19 percent behind comparable dates from a year ago. Handle, however, has remained largely intact, with betting on Lone Star's live races down just 4 percent from the same period in 2004.

Despite the figures, an official said the track is operating on solid ground, with a plan of attack being formulated to bolster business for the rest of the 67-date meet, which closes July 17.

Mon, 06/06/2005 - 00:00

Stakes schedule loaded with turf races

Turf is the focus of the Retama Park stakes schedule for 2005, with 10 of the meet's 16 scheduled stakes to be run on the grass. The most prestigious are two $100,000 turf routes for 2-year-olds, the Ketel One El Joven and the M2 Technology La Senorita.

Retama, located near San Antonio, will open for a 43-night Thoroughbred meet on Aug. 5, and run through Oct. 15.

Mon, 06/06/2005 - 00:00

Look for Spina colt in stretch

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Hearts Flashy Fire turned the corner last fall at The Meadowlands Racetrack. Trainer Chuck Spina hopes the 4-year-old colt can continue that momentum this summer on the Jersey Shore.

has the rail in the $48,500 allowance feature for New Jersey-breds on the first Wednesday card of the season at Monmouth Park. Hearts Flashy Fire faces nine rivals in the six-furlong race.

In his last race on May 28, Hearts Flashy Fire was second to a runaway winner, Salt Flat Kid.

"That horse really exploded last time," Spina said. "That was an awesome win."

Mon, 06/06/2005 - 00:00

Frostad will appeal disputed DQ of 'Ravens'

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Sunday's Plate Trial at Woodbine produced an exciting stretch duel that saw local star Dance With Ravens prevail gamely over New York shipper Three in the Bag.

But all the talk here Monday morning was not about the race itself but of the subsequent decision by the stewards, who disqualified Dance With Ravens, ridden by Todd Kabel, and placed him sixth after ruling that he had interfered with Atanas, ridden by Rui Pimentel.

Richard Grubb, one of three Ontario Racing Commission stewards here Sunday, issued the following statement after the race:

Mon, 06/06/2005 - 00:00

Deputy Cures Blues off career-best effort

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Deputy Cures Blues ran the race of her life in her first start for trainer Jody Hammett on May 20, when she won a six-furlong optional claimer with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. A repeat of that powerful performance would be good enough to take Wednesday's $125,000 Ballade Stakes at Woodbine, but is such an effort in the cards?

Sun, 06/05/2005 - 00:00

Marva Jean wins Washington State Legislators' Handicap

AUBURN, Wash. - Marva Jean unleashed a devastating burst of speed on the turn to open a four-length advantage entering the stretch, then hung on to win Sunday's $40,000 Washington State Legislators' Handicap at Emerald Downs by a diminishing half length.

Ruby Dawn got up to be second in the 6 1-2 furlong stakes for older fillies and mares, which was run in 1:15.60. Ruby Dawn finished another 3-4 length back in third, a neck ahead of the favored Sariano, who was forced to take up off heels in the final furlong.

Sun, 06/05/2005 - 00:00

Three Degrees captures Honeymoon Breeders' Cup

Benoit & Associates
Gary Stevens guides Three Degrees to her first stakes win in the Honeymoon BC Handicap.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Forget morning gallops or workouts, racing is what Three Degrees enjoys.

Sunday, Three Degrees won her first stakes in the $197,125 at Hollywood Park, earning a berth to the $750,000 American Oaks on July 3.

Three Degrees ($6) rallied from 10th in a field of 13 3-year-old fillies to win the Honeymoon by a length under Gary Stevens. She finished 1 1-8 miles on turf in a quick 1:46.84.

She's really surprises me in the afternoon," trainer Paddy Gallagher said. "In the mornings, she's just another horse."

Sun, 06/05/2005 - 00:00

J. D.'s Blue Bayou best in Arcadia

Bossier City, La. - J. D.'s Blue Bayou outkicked a stubborn Crawfish King in the late going to annex Sunday's Arcadia Stakes at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. Mr. Barracuda finished third followed by Inalako.