Sun, 09/27/2020 - 19:17

Sharp Samurai will race in City of Hope Mile, trainer says

Benoit Photo
Sharp Samurai (left) is entered in both the San Diego and Eddie Read, but is likely to stay on grass for the Eddie Read.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Sharp Samurai, a five-time stakes winner on turf who was second to Maximum Security in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 22, will start in Saturday’s Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Trainer Mark Glatt said plans were finalized Sunday. Glatt co-owns Sharp Samurai with Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal. The partners were also considering Saturday’s Grade 1 Shadwell Mile on turf at Keeneland.

Sharp Samurai won the City of Hope Mile in 2018.

Sun, 09/27/2020 - 18:55

Trainer Cox's great meet could peak on E.P. Taylor Day

Michael Burns
Rideforthecause scored a $47.20 upset in the Grade 2 Canadian, her first stakes win.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Gail Cox has enjoyed a sensational 2020 Woodbine meet. Her season might reach a pinnacle on E.P. Taylor Stakes Day - Oct. 18 - when she could have runners in three stakes.

Rideforthecause is scheduled to contest the Grade 1, $600,000 E.P. Taylor. The 4-year-old notched her first stakes at 22-1 in the Grade 2 Canadian going about 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 12. Cox said longer distances have been the key to getting Rideforthecause to reach her potential. In that case, the 1 1/4- mile Taylor should be right up her alley.

Sun, 09/27/2020 - 17:56

Stablemate's illness good break for Get Her Number in American Pharoah

Emily Shields
Get Her Number earned a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile with Saturday's win.

ARCADIA, Calif. - An ill stablemate led to Get Her Number winning his debut on the main track in Saturday’s Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita.

Get Her Number, fourth in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sept. 7, and Superman Shaq, a maiden race winner at Del Mar on Sept. 6, worked six furlongs in company at San Luis Rey Downs on Sept. 19. When Superman Shaq emerged from the workout showing signs of illness, Get Her Number became a candidate for the $301,000 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

Sun, 09/27/2020 - 17:46

Breeders' Cup Classic next stop for Improbable after Awesome Again triumph

Emily Shields
Improbable notched a sixth stakes triumph with Saturday's Awesome Again.

ARCADIA, Calif. - An emphatic win by Improbable in Saturday’s Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita gave the 4-year-old his third consecutive win at that level and left one knowledgeable observer pondering if the colt has reached his peak.

“He’s getting better and better,” trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday morning.

That could be a frightening thought in advance of Improbable’s next scheduled start, in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

Sun, 09/27/2020 - 16:56

Firenze Fire points to fourth straight BC appearance

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Firenze Fire got a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for his Vosburgh triumph Saturday.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Firenze Fire came out of his victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park in good order and will target a fourth straight appearance in the Breeders’ Cup when he runs in the $2 million Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

A 5-year-old son of Poseidon’s Warrior, Firenze Fire at 2 ran seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, at 3 was fourth in the Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs and at 4 finished fifth in the Sprint at Santa Anita. He will again target the Sprint, a race for which he earned an automatic entry by winning the Vosburgh.

Sun, 09/27/2020 - 16:52

Come Dancing works half-mile for BC Filly and Mare Sprint

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Come Dancing wins the Honorable Miss at Saratoga on Sept. 6.

Come Dancing, winner of the Grade 2 Honorable Miss Stakes at Saratoga on Sept. 6, began preparations for a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint when she worked a half-mile in 47.00 seconds Sunday morning over Belmont Park’s training track.

Though it was the fastest of 75 works at the distance on a busy Sunday morning, Come Dancing was just galloping through the stretch after going her opening quarter in 23.36 seconds.

“I thought that was great this morning, super smooth,” trainer Carlos Martin said.

Sun, 09/27/2020 - 16:36

Viadera, Blowout likely headed to Matriarch, Brown says

Susie Raisher
Viadera notched her first U.S. win in three starts with the Noble Damsel triumph.

Viadera and Blowout, the 1-2 finishers from Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Noble Damsel Stakes, will be pointed to the Grade 1, $300,000 Matriarch at Del Mar on Nov. 29, trainer Chad Brown said Sunday.

Viadera is owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms, which has won the Matriarch six times. Five of those wins came with trainer Bobby Frankel, for whom Brown worked several years. Brown has won two of the last three runnings of the Matriarch with Noble Damsel winners Uni (2018) and Off Limits (2017).

Sun, 09/27/2020 - 15:03

Trainer strategy paid off for Boca Boy in In Reality Stakes

Ryan Thompson
Assistant trainer Ken Winebaugh said running Boca Boy in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile has not been ruled out.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Nine 2-year-olds ran in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile In Reality Stakes at Gulfstream Park, only two of whom had previous experience around two turns. One of those was Boca Boy, who parlayed his second-place finish on the turf in the one-mile Proud Man Stakes four weeks earlier into a two-length, upset victory over 1-5 favorite Breeze On By in the final leg of the open division of the Florida Sire Series.

Sun, 09/27/2020 - 12:24

Albarado will ride Swiss Skydiver in Saturday's Preakness Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Robby Albarado has been sidelined with a wrist injury since June 23.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With Tyler Gaffalione otherwise occupied at Keeneland, trainer Kenny McPeek has turned to veteran jockey Robby Albarado to ride Swiss Skydiver on Saturday in Preakness 145 at Pimlico in Baltimore.

Sat, 09/26/2020 - 14:17

Independence Hall has first work after layoff, targets Malibu Stakes

Emily Shields
Independence Hall works three furlongs Saturday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Graded winner Independence Hall, previously based on the East Coast and a 2020 Derby candidate after impressive wins his first three starts, has relocated to the West Coast and posted his first comeback work Saturday at Santa Anita for new trainer Michael McCarthy with the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes as his main objective.