Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Indigo Girl heads Hallowed Dreams

While none of the fillies in Friday night's $50,000 Hallowed Dreams Stakes at Evangeline Downs are likely to eclipse the 16-race win streak Hallowed Dreams accomplished in her racing career, several do come in with solid credentials. Seven 3-year-old fillies are entered for the 5 1/2-furlong headliner, which will be run as the eighth race.

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Charles Town track report

Gold Butter, claimed by Patricia Simpson out of a 17 1/4-length win over $5,000 claimers last month, returned score by six lengths against first-level allowance runners in last Friday's eighth race at Charles Town.

A 5-year-old mare, Gold Butter ($4.40) earned a career-best 73 Beyer Speed Figure.

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Fairmount Park track report

For most jockeys, a week that includes 13 victories in four days of racing would qualify as a career highlight. But for Fairmount Park's perennial top jockey, Ramsey Zimmerman, such eye-popping proficiency is old hat.

Zimmerman has won 32 of his first 85 races (38 percent) during Fairmount's still-young 2005 meet, the majority of which have come aboard claiming horses owned by Lou O'Brien and trained by Ralph Martinez. O'Brien and Martinez have been winning at a 45-percent (26 for 58) clip through Saturday night.

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Fonner Park track report

The Fonner Park jockey colony will present a silent auction this Saturday during the races to benefit the Jockeys' Guild Permanently Disabled Endowment Fund. Items featured in the auction include jockey attire and equipment, such as saddles, pants, goggles, and boots, plus autographed souvenirs. Bidding starts at 12:30 p.m. and will close immediately following the eighth race. Don Frazier or Perry Compton are the local Guild contacts for questions or to donate items.

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Mountaineer track report

Since posting a 33 Beyer Speed Figure in her first start for trainer Bernie Flint on Dec. 29, Ringo's Cat has increased her speed figures in five consecutive starts, climbing nearly 60 points in the process. She won her fourth in a row, a three-other-than allowance going a mile, by 8 1/2 lengths in last Sunday's ninth race at Mountaineer and earned a 92 Beyer.

* Dana Whitney rode four winners for four different trainers Monday to assume the lead in the rider standings for the spring meet, which began April 1.

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Penn National track report

The 3-year-old filly S W Aly'svalentine, making her fourth lifetime start following modest Beyer Speed Figures of 41 and 54 in her two most recent races, was visually impressive when she crushed maidens by 15 3/4 lengths last Saturday night at Penn National. Trained by Amy Randolph, S W Aly'svalentine ($6.20) soared to a 79 on the Beyer scale.

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Philadelphia Park track report

Trainer Graham Motion has connected with a high percentage of the horses he has run at Philadelphia Park this year, but fans allowed first-time starter Take the Cannolies to go off at more than 20-1 in Monday's sixth race.

Take the Cannolies ($45), who showed a pair of quick four-furlong works at Fair Hill, won the 6 1/2-furlong maiden race by 1 1/4 lengths.

In 11 starts at Philly, Motion now has three wins, two seconds, and two thirds with a $5.80 return on investment.

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

River Downs track report

The richest race opening weekend at River Downs, an $11,500 allowance last Friday, was expected to be a mere procession for Quote Me Later. The 2004 Arkansas-bred horse of the year, Quote Me Later had run second in the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit last summer and more recently earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for a second-place finish at Turfway Park.

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Thistledown track report

The 187-day Thistledown racing season got off to a promising start last Friday, when betting showed a marked increase from last year's opening weekend.

The ontrack handle on Thistledown's live races was up 21 percent over the 2004 figures, and the all sources handle, which includes all money wagered on Thistledown's live races plus handle on incoming simulcasts, was up 25 percent.

"It was an outstanding opening day," said track vice president and general manager Bill Murphy. "Plus the excitement carried over to Saturday, when we had another outstanding day."

Wed, 04/13/2005 - 00:00

Greater Good draws outside post

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Greater Good, who has captured the Southwest Stakes and Rebel Stakes already this meet, drew the far outside post 10 on Wednesday morning for Saturday's Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

Smarty Jones won all three stakes last year en route to his victory in the Kentucky Derby.