Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

French Charmer consistent

MIAMI - French Charmer was a high-priced claimer when he arrived here from New York 13 months ago. Saturday he will be the starting highweight and among the favorites in the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap, which shares top billing with its filly counterpart, the $100,000 My Charmer Handicap, on a 12-race card at Calder. Both races carry Grade 3 status and will be decided at 1 1/8 miles on the grass.

Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

Icicle Angel looks to even score

PORTLAND, Ore. - Icicle Angel and Stately's Choice will head a field of six fillies and mares in Saturday's top offering at Portland Meadows, an open allowance affair at one mile.

Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

Chavez heading to Florida after all

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Jorge Chavez was planning to spend the winter riding in New York. But the first day of Aqueduct's inner track meet convinced him otherwise.

On Thursday, Chavez said that he would return to south Florida for the winter to ride at Gulfstream Park, where he was the leading jockey from 1999 through 2001. Chavez will begin riding at Calder on Dec. 15.

Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

'Forever' comes off the bench

MIAMI - When healthy, Stay Forever is widely considered the best filly and mare turf horse on the grounds. The question is whether the injury-plagued mare will be at the top of her game when she returns from a nine-month layoff in Saturday's $100,000 My Charmer Handicap at Calder Race Course.

As expected, the Grade 3 My Charmer drew a full and wide-open field of 12, plus five also-eligibles, to go 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

Will Dry Gulch be gasping going one mile?

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - On a circuit dominated by sprinters, a field of nine New Mexico-bred 2-year-olds, none of whom has raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, will be asked to negotiate a two-turn mile in Saturday's $125,000-added Red Hedeman Mile at Sunland Park.

Thursday morning, trainer Henry Dominguez, who will start Youareaggravatin' in the Hedeman, evaluated the past performances of the field and said what many observers believe. "I can't remember seeing a New Mexico-bred as good as Rocky Gulch in some time," he said.

Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

Turf Paradise: Grimm stuck outside

PHOENIX - The Grimm fairy tales were usually orchestrated to extract fear or horror. Well, it seems Grimm the racehorse is taking his name to heart, and his current form has been exacting a similar response from foes. A 4-year-old who has won six of his last seven starts, Grimm is the 122-pound co-highweight in the $35,000 Black Mountain Handicap at Turf Paradise.

Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

Donnaree tepid choice in full-field My Charmer

FLORENCE, Ky. - It overflowed, then overflowed some more. Not only did the My Charmer Stakes draw 15 entries, of which only 12 can start, but also a few others who were nominated to the My Charmer will run instead in an earlier allowance race, making the Saturday card at Turfway Park a feast of filly-and-mare racing.

Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

Shorter distance in Cy-Fair fits Souris

Souris will return to what is arguably her best distance when she runs in the $35,000 Cy-Fair Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday night. The field for the Cy-Fair, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, also includes Real Bear, a recent allowance winner, and Crow Jane, who invades from Fair Grounds.

Souris shortens up in distance for the Cy-Fair, and the move seems to suit her since her last win came over seven furlongs in the $75,000 Wishing Well at Delta Downs. In her most recent start, she closed for fourth in the $100,000 Hawthorne Oaks at 1 1/16 miles.

Thu, 12/04/2003 - 00:00

Beulah: Happy Endings Too favored

GROVE CITY, Ohio - Nine 2-year-old Ohio-bred fillies, all seeking their first career stakes win, are entered in Saturday's $35,000 Glacial Princess Stakes at Beulah Park.

Happy Endings Too may be the one to beat in the mile and 70-yard Glacial Princess, based on her half-length maiden victory over special weight company last out Nov. 1 at Mountaineer Park.

A daughter of Forest Gazelle, Happy Endings Too rallied from off the pace to win that race, which was contested at a mile and 70 yards. She is the only filly in the field who has won around two turns.

Wed, 12/03/2003 - 00:00

Ten will try to hit Jackpot

Jeff Coady/Coady Photography
Judiths Wild Rush, with exercise rider Michele Rainford, may go favored in the Jackpot.

VINTON, La. - Just as every horse in Friday night's $1 million Delta Jackpot has something to prove, so does the race itself. Doubled in value for its second running, the Jackpot boasts the kind of purse that can help it carve out a national niche.

It is the second-biggest offering for 2-year-olds in North America behind the $1.5 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and is the richest race in Louisiana.