Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Eurosilver almost ready for return

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Eurosilver, the standout colt sidelined since March, could show up in the entries within the next few weeks after having a half-mile workout Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Eurosilver breezed a half-mile in 48.40 seconds, a move trainer Carl Nafzger said was his first workout at Churchill but "about his fourth" since returning to serious training this summer from a lingering illness. Eurosilver had been based at the Skylight Training Center, located about 25 miles east of Churchill, until last week, said Nafzger.

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Ellis average numbers down

The 54-day meet that ended Monday at Ellis Park showed sizable across-the-board decreases in business, declines attributable to running a six-day race week rather than the usual five-day week.

Gross handle and attendance were up over 2003, but only because there were 13 fewer racing dates last year. The average daily handle from all sources was $3,053,213, down nearly 18 percent from last year, while the average ontrack handle was $273,545, down 22 percent. Average attendance was 2,540, down nearly 16 percent.

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Fair Grounds filing new plan

Bankruptcy attorneys for the Fair Grounds Corporation were expected to file an amended Chapter 11 reorganization plan in court late Wednesday afternoon in New Orleans, according to Jan Hayden, an attorney working on the case. The filing sets the stage for a Sept. 24 court confirmation hearing on the plan, which has been amended to include an agreement for Churchill Downs Inc. to purchase the Fair Grounds assets for about $47 million.

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Florida Derby moved to early April date

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Gulfstream Park does not have a grandstand or a clubhouse, but as of Wednesday it did have an $8.4 million stakes schedule for the 2005 meeting, which begins on Jan. 3.

Gulfstream Park is undergoing a major renovation project that includes a new 1 1/8-mile main track and a one-mile turf course. The 2005 meeting will house fans under tents and other temporary structures, as the new grandstand and clubhouse are not scheduled to be completed until 2006.

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Super Frolic will run if Mile is moved to dirt

Jim Lisa
Super Frolic is dangerous on dirt but 0 for 6 on the grass.

MIAMI - After dealing with Hurricane Frances and its aftermath last weekend everybody in the local area has seen about enough rain for the time being. Everyone that is except trainer Milt Wolfson.

Wolfson wouldn't mind seeing just enough precipitation at the end of the week to keep Saturday's $150,000 Miami Mile Breeders' Cup Handicap at Calder off the turf for the second straight year. Wolf needs rain to give his handicap star Super Frolic a chance to run.

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Resilient Kirby back on top

Four Footed Fotos
Bare Necessities, Frank Kirby's most accomplished horse, may be retired.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Frank Kirby had no luck in stakes racing here last week, and he might be losing the most accomplished horse in his barn to retirement, but Kirby came into Wednesday's Arlington races still atop the trainer standings, with just two racing weeks left in the meet.

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Beam a regular one-man band

Major Rhythm returned to his Arlington Park base at 2 a.m. on Wednesday off a course-record win in the $125,000 DeBartolo Memorial Breeders' Cup at Remington Park on Monday, but there was no time to rest for his trainer, Ed Beam.

Beam, 61, operates a three-horse stable, and is hands-on when it comes to the care of those animals. He tended to all their needs Wednesday before allowing himself to regroup from his excursion to Oklahoma City.

"I galloped the other horses," he said. "I'm used to this. I do it all myself. I shoe and everything."

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Areyoutalkintome faces elders again

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Trainer Doug O'Neill didn't make any wrong moves in winning his first Del Mar training title, so his decision to run 3-year-old Areyoutalkintome against older in Saturday's $100,000 California Sprint Championship merits a close look.

"He's such a cool horse, and Corey [Nakatani] knows him so well," O'Neill said. "I'm glad he's riding him Saturday."

A field of five seems likely for the six-furlong race, a good prep for the Cal Cup Sprint.

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

$341,000 in sales voided

AUBURN, Wash. - Preliminary figures indicate that Tuesday's Washington Horse Breeders Association summer yearling sale produced gains in gross sales, average price, and median price despite an incident that resulted in the voiding of 22 sales.

Wed, 09/08/2004 - 00:00

Perfect Soul on target for Atto

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Perfect Soul's progression toward a fall campaign has not been smooth.

But after Perfect Soul worked five furlongs on the Woodbine training track turf course in 1:00.80 Wednesday morning, trainer Roger Attfield was hopeful that it will be all systems go for the Grade 1, $1 million Atto Mile here Sept. 19.

"It seems like we're in good shape," said Attfield, who watched Perfect Soul prep on a course officially rated firm with the dogs well out. "There was a bit of give to that turf today, which is good."