Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

Flint sends three in Bassinet

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Angel Trumpet, second in the Schuylerville, is the most accomplished Bassinet entrant.

Bernie Flint will have three in an attempt to make four.

Flint, the trainer who for many years has made regular and successful forays into Ohio and other nearby states from his Kentucky base, will run three fillies Saturday at River Downs in the $100,000 Bassinet Stakes, a race Flint already has won three times.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

Dutrow suspended 60 days

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. was suspended 60 days by the New York stewards for a rules violation in regards to a claim he made at Belmont Park in May. Dutrow appealed the suspension and has received a stay to continue training.

Carmine Donofrio, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board steward, said that the investigation is ongoing and that he couldn't comment further on the matter.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

Tres Touche wins at Saratoga

Richard Hendriks completed a jockey-trainer double in the Grade 1, $100,000-added on Thursday.

Hendriks, 40, won the race in 1982 as a jockey, and on Thursday Tres Touche led from start to finish over 2 3/8 miles to give Hendriks victory in the race as a trainer. Cherokeeinthehills was a length behind in second.

Praise the Prince, the 3-5 favorite, never fired and finished fifth.

Tres Touche ($17.20), ridden by David Bentley, covered the distance in 4:19.46.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

Queens Plaza fresh for stakes try

OCEANPORT, N.J. - A well-rested Queens Plaza steps up to her first stakes engagement Saturday in the $100,000 Sorority at Monmouth Park.

The Sorority is the main event of the Labor Day weekend on the Jersey Shore, which includes a holiday card Monday.

Queens Plaza faces five rivals in the six-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies in her first start since she won her maiden at Belmont Park on July 25.

"We wanted to give her plenty of time," said trainer Tom Bush. "This race fit the schedule."

Bush said he felt the added time would benefit Queens Plaza.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

Emerald Earrings on the upswing

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Upwardly mobile Emerald Earrings is one of several contenders in Saturday's $143,250 Ontario Colleen Handicap, a one-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

Emerald Earrings, trained by the Fort Erie-based Bruce Alexander, hasn't been worse than second in six starts. She won her maiden at Fort Erie last summer and was second following a six-month layoff in a turf allowance at Tampa in February.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

The queen of Portland returns

AUBURN, Wash. - Quiz the Maid, who was named the best of her division at the most recent Portland Meadows meeting, will take on seven other 3-year-old fillies in Saturday's 6 1/2-furlong feature for $20,000 claiming runners at Emerald Downs.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

'Orchids' may get best trip

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - It's tough to pick a favorite in the Saturday feature race at Hastings, a 1 1/16-mile $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up. All six horses appear to have a real chance of winning, and it will probably come down to which horse gets the best trip.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

Bird of Pay to decide filly title

EDMONTON, Alberta - Saturday's Bird of Pay Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Northlands shapes up as a battle between stakes winners Miss Venturous and R Lucinda. The province's divisional honors figure to be decided in this 6 1/2-furlong sprint, which attracted a field of 10.

Miss Venturous, a Florida-bred who is 2 for 2, including a seven-length victory in the Princess Margaret, will head three entrants from trainer Greg Tracy's stable and drew post 5 with Leanne Painter her rider.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

Dominant team eyes sweep

It is almost impossible to handicap Retama Park near San Antonio without considering horses trained by Danny Pish and ridden by Roman Chapa. The men have dominated the meet, and will team together Saturday night with top contenders in the two richest open-company stakes of the season: the $100,000 Ketel One El Joven and the $100,000 M2 Technology La Senorita.

Thu, 09/02/2004 - 00:00

Beret just needs to get out of gate

Saturday's $75,000 Dade Turf Classic at Ellis Park could be decided mere strides from the gate.

Beret, a deep closer, won't win the race in the first few jumps; she could lose it. She has stumbled and thrown her rider at the start in two of four starts this year.

But she won easily in the two races in which she broke cleanly, including in her last race when she beat a comparable overnight handicap field over the Ellis Park grass course.