Churchill Downs Inc. lost $13.9 million in the first quarter of 2005, compared with an $11.8 million loss in the first quarter last year, according to financial figures released Tuesday.
The loss came on revenue of $56.3 million, an increase of 49.1 percent from the company's revenue in the first quarter last year. First-quarter expenses increased 37.7 percent to $65.4 million. Churchill has historically posted a first-quarter loss because of a lack of live racing days.
CALGARY, Alberta - Jade Peony faces six other older fillies and mares at Stampede Park Friday in search of her third consecutive victory at this meet. Jade Peony should be favored, despite moving up another notch in class.
Jade Peony, a 7-year-old, looks as good as ever and has proved to be an astute claim by trainer Ron Grieves, who took her on behalf of Bar None Ranches off a winning effort for a $22,000 tag on April 13.
She followed that easy win with an even more impressive four-length tally against $30,000 company under returning rider Rickey Walcott.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Andujar, the impressive winner of an allowance race for fillies and mares at Hollywood Park on April 28, has been acquired privately by Paul Reddam and Mark Schlesinger and transferred to trainer Doug O'Neill.
Andujar previously raced for Darpat SL Stables and was trained by Julio Canani. The purchase price was not disclosed.
"We heard through the grapevine that she was for sale," O'Neill said.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Bluesthestandard, the runner-up in the 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint, will make his debut for trainer Jeff Mullins in a $51,000 optional claimer at Hollywood Park on Friday.
For the second consecutive race, Bluesthestandard is eligible to be claimed. was taken by owner Bob Bone for $40,000 on March 31 when he finished fifth at Santa Anita. In Friday's race at 6 1/2 furlongs, Bluesthestandard is entered for an $80,000 claiming price.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Except for maybe Neil Howard, nobody likes No Theatrics more than the racing public. In six starts, No Theatrics has been the favorite all but once, and when the feature race is run Friday evening at Churchill Downs, fans will be standing in the mutuel lines with funds in hand, eager to show their support once again.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Summerly was back on the racetrack for the first time since she won the 131st Kentucky Oaks when she went out for a routine gallop Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Steve Asmussen said everything has gone smoothly for Summerly since she captured the Oaks last Friday by two lengths. Her next start will be the June 25 Mother Goose at Belmont Park.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Everything seems to be coming together for Magna Graduate, one of the top choices in a competitive Grade 3, $300,000 Walmac Lone Star Derby on Saturday. The timing of the race is right, the 1 1/16-mile distance suits him, and he will have the services of a top-class rider in Gary Stevens.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Rue de Reves, unbeaten this year, goes for her sixth straight victory in Friday's multiple condition allowance feature at Louisiana Downs. The likely favorite, Rue de Reves, will face six rivals going 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Thirty-eight perfect tickets were sold Wednesday on the pick six at Churchill Downs, with each winner returning $38,414.60.
Beginning with the fifth race of the day, the winning horses in the pick six were Factory Reject ($15.80 to win), Estrela Pegasus ($6), Triple X. ($10.80), King Lion ($10), Silver Flower ($10.80), and Mi Luna Nueva ($4.80).
The winning numbers were 2-5-2-3-5-1. Tickets with five of six winners returned $242.60.
