Wed, 02/10/2021 - 16:22

Rosario cancels weekend plans at Oaklawn

Justin N. Lane
Joel Rosario, the leading rider at the current Santa Anita meet, is relocating to Florida this weekend.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Southern California-based jockey Joel Rosario, who is named to ride Dreamalildreamofu in the featured eighth race Friday at Oaklawn Park, had been all set to spend the holiday weekend in Arkansas.

But on Wednesday afternoon it was announced Oaklawn has canceled racing from Saturday through Monday due to a winter storm system in the forecast. As a result, Rosario will be staying home. His agent, Ron Anderson, said Rosario would be riding at Santa Anita through Monday before heading overseas to team with Knicks Go in the Saudi Cup on Feb. 20.

Wed, 02/10/2021 - 15:40

Only fitting Alejandro races on card that includes Rachel Alexandra Stakes

It’s fitting that Alejandro makes the first start of his 3-year-old season on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Co-featured on the Risen Star program is the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes, and Alejandro is carrying the genetic torch for the great Rachel Alexandra. He starts in race 4, a 1 1/6-mile maiden race for 3-year-olds.

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Wed, 02/10/2021 - 15:36

Southwest horseman Fincher brings unbeaten Senor Buscador to Risen Star

Dustin Orona Photography
Senor Buscador wins the $200,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park.

None of the trainer Todd Fincher’s 6,000-plus starters have raced at Fair Grounds. Fincher is a New Mexico horseman. His stomping grounds are Albuquerque, Ruidoso, Sunland, Zia. He breaks yearlings at a facility not far from Sunland, which sits along the Rio Grande outside El Paso. But Fincher has been given good reason to travel farther afield the last several months. The reason is a colt named Senor Buscador.

Wed, 02/10/2021 - 15:36

Keepmeinmind staying home for rescheduled Southwest Stakes

Coady Photography
Keepmeinmind ganando el Kentucky Jockey Club S.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Keepmeinmind, the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner who had been entered in the Risen Star on Saturday at Fair Grounds, will remain home and run in the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn, trainer Robertino Diodoro said Wednesday.

The Southwest has been rescheduled from Monday to next Saturday, Feb. 20, because Oaklawn has canceled racing Saturday to Monday due to a forecast for frigid weather.

Wed, 02/10/2021 - 15:36

Leading riders Hernandez and Rispoli suspended for whip use

Benoit Photo
Juan Hernandez was fined for his whip use during Sunday's Astra Stakes.

For now, Juan Hernandez and Umberto Rispoli are first and second in the jockey standings at Santa Anita. Through Sunday’s program, Hernandez had 26 wins, one more than Rispoli.

By the end of the month, the standings could look considerably different.

Hernandez is suspended Friday through Sunday for using his whip more than six times aboard Lady Noguez, who finished second in the second race on Jan. 31. Hernandez was cited for his fourth such offense in the last two months.

Wed, 02/10/2021 - 15:30

Prat hires Brad Pegram as new agent

Barbara D. Livingston
Flavien Prat has switched agents from Derek Lawson to Brad Pegram.

Top California jockey Flavien Prat has switched agents, leaving a longtime arrangement with Derek Lawson to begin working with Brad Pegram.

Prat, 28, confirmed the change in a brief conversation late Wednesday morning. Pegram is scheduled to begin working on behalf of Prat on Feb. 26.

As a result, Drayden Van Dyke will no longer be represented by Pegram, who also books mounts on behalf of Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. Agents in California can represent no more than two riders.

Wed, 02/10/2021 - 15:26

Moonlight d'Oro comes out of Las Virgenes victory with bone chip in knee

Benoit Photo
Moonlight d’Oro breezed to victory in the Grade 3 Las Virgenes last Saturday at Santa Anita.

Moonlight d’Oro, the winner of the Grade 3 Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Saturday, has been diagnosed with a bone chip in a knee that will require surgery and a three-month rest, trainer Richard Mandella said on Wednesday.

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Wed, 02/10/2021 - 15:06

Frigid forecast prompts Oaklawn to cancel Saturday-Monday

Debra A. Roma
Monomoy Girl

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park has canceled racing from Saturday through Monday due to a winter storm system forecast to hit the area later this week, the track announced Wednesday.

Wed, 02/10/2021 - 14:56

Brooklyn Strong targeting return in Gotham or Damon Runyon

Barbara D. Livingston
Brooklyn Strong (left) got sick after this victory in the Remsen on Dec. 5.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Brooklyn Strong, who has not worked or raced since winning the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes on Dec. 5 at Aqueduct, only recently returned to training after getting over an illness, and his connections are eyeing one of two spots at Aqueduct in early March.

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Wed, 02/10/2021 - 14:46

Miss Brazil will test speed in Busher Invitational

Janet Garaguso/NYRA
Miss Brazil went wire to wire in the seven-furlong Ruthless Stakes on Monday. She will stretch out to a mile in the Busher on March 6.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Miss Brazil, dominant winner of Monday’s $100,000 Ruthless Stakes, will stretch out an additional furlong in the $250,000 Busher Invitational going a mile March 6.

In her first start since a maiden victory on Nov. 29, Miss Brazil beat just two rivals in the seven-furlong Ruthless, making the lead soon after the start under Eric Cancel, putting aside two modest tests from Dealing Justice and then Gulf Coast, and cruising to a 6 1/2-length victory. She earned a modest 73 Beyer Speed Figure.