Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

'Amanda' seeks third straight win

AUBURN, Wash. - Amanda Lynn will shoot for her third straight win when she takes on older fillies and mares in Saturday's six-furlong feature. The race, which drew a field of seven, is for fillies and mares who have started at the meeting but have not won a race for a $25,000 claiming price or higher.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

Ex-claimer Electrical Carlita takes shot

Horses don't ordinarily run for a $20,000 claiming tag and move up to graded stakes company four months later. But trainer Scott Lake hasn't won with 29 percent of his starters at Delaware Park by misplacing his stock. If Lake thinks enough of Electrical Carlita to enter her in Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Endine, a six-furlong stakes for fillies and mares, horseplayers ought to take the horse seriously.

The Endine is one of three stakes on Delaware's 12th annual Owners' Day card, which drew 140 entries for 13 races worth a cumulative $708,000.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

Fort Prado's ascent softens blow to barn

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Mystery Giver, an Illinois horse of the year, is hobbling around the barn of trainer Chris Block, taking baby steps toward a distant comeback, his career derailed by a serious tendon injury he suffered in the Arlington Million.

Down Block's shed row is another Illinois-bred turf horse, and this one is tearing up the racetrack.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

Casual Attitude vs. Sharky's Review

ALTOONA, Iowa - Casual Attitude ships in from Chicago to take on local star Sharky's Review and four other fillies and mares in Saturday's $40,000 Central Iowa Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Trained by Steve Hobby, Casual Attitude most recently finished second in the $50,000 Mariah's Storm at Arlington Park on Aug. 13. Casual Attitude shortens from the 1 1/8 miles of the Mariah's Storm to the 1 1/16 miles of the Central Iowa and figures to stalk the early pace under jockey Tim Doocy.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

It's a sprint, but no one wants lead

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Saturday's $100,000 California Sprint Championship at Bay Meadows offers an unusual question for handicappers.

Five Cal-breds will compete in the six-furlong sprint, and the question handicappers must answer is who will be on the lead.

The battles for the lead in races such as this are usually heated, with several runners wanting to set the pace. On Saturday, no one really seems to want the lead early.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

Anderson sends Deputy Country, Indy Lead

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Saturday's $40,000 R.J. Speers Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and upward looks like it should be one of the best races of the year.

Trainer Carl Anderson sends out Deputy Country and Indy Lead, who will race as separate betting interests.

Deputy Country, second in this race last year, won three stakes in a row at Northlands Park in Alberta before a poor performance in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs in Washington on Aug. 22. Ken Hendricks picks up the mount.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

La Trillium climbs the ladder

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The unbeaten La Trillium will try to take her game to the next level in Saturday's Grade 3, $136,500 Seaway Stakes at Woodbine.

The seven-furlong dash for fillies and mares has lured a first-rate field of seven, including two imposing Bob Tiller-trained runners, Winter Garden and Brass in Pocket.

La Trillium, a late-developing 4-year-old by Deputy Commander, has made each of her three starts at seven furlongs. She didn't debut until June 19, when she won a maiden special weight event by 11 1/2 lengths while earning an impressive 99 Beyer Figure.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

Breeding can wait for El Prado Essence

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Had fate decreed otherwise, El Prado Essence could be carrying a foal by Mr. Greeley, enjoying the bucolic life of a broodmare on the farm in Kentucky.

Instead, El Prado Essence will be in the heat of competition here Saturday, when she makes just her second start of the year in the $136,500 Seaway Stakes.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

Invaders tough to beat

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - A pair of Alberta invaders headline Saturday's $15,000 Saskatchewan Derby, the seventh of eight races on the last card of the meet.

Cool Lad and Noble Dane should vie for favoritism when they go off in the 1 1/16-mile feature against four Saskatoon-based 3-year olds.

Cool Lad has been competitive in allowance races in Alberta this year, and his connections even tried him in the $100,000 Alberta Derby in June. He finished seventh.

Thu, 09/09/2004 - 00:00

Rules of War true derby threat

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Rules of War stamped himself as a legitimate British Columbia Derby candidate with a solid win in the 1 1/16-mile Richmond Derby Trial last Monday at Hastings.

A California-bred gelding trained by Rob Gilker, Rules of War will head into the $250,000 B.C. Derby on Sept. 26 off two straight wins. The way Rules of War was drawing away from his rivals in the Trial, he shouldn't have any trouble negotiating the 1 1/8-mile derby distance.