ALBANY, Calif. - Marty's Zee, now 7, didn't make her first start until December of her 2-year-old year. But she romped by 10 lengths in just her second race, won a stakes in her fourth, and, overall, has won eight races from 25 starts and earned $292,504.
These accomplishments have come despite chronic back problems, and without regular chiropractic treatments, Marty's Zee may never have made it to the races.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - While Eclipse Award finalist Pablo Fragoso has firmly established himself as New York's leading apprentice jockey, it is now becoming equally clear who is No. 2.
Edwin Perez, a 19-year-old native of El Salvador, has caught fire lately, winning eight races in his last 35 mounts, since Dec. 19. His list of winners includes longshots Pert Reply ($89.50), Big Ruby K ($44), Base Stealer ($33.60), and Hawk City Lord ($70).
Oaklawn decided to celebrate its 100th anniversary by offering a $5 million bonus to the horse who can sweep its Rebel Stakes, and Arkansas Derby in addition to the Kentucky Derby, and the move has made the track's stakes program a target for such promising 3-year-olds as The Cliff's Edge, Smarty Jones, and Tiger Hunt.
Where Is My Daddy, a Cole Norman-trained filly who is undefeated in three starts, will face the toughest test of her career Friday night when she makes her two-turn debut against top Louisiana-bred mares Prized Amberpro and Cute N Noble in the $50,000 Camelia at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.
A 6 1/2-furlong race, the Camelia should produce starters for the $150,000 Premier Night Distaff at Delta on Feb. 7.
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - Owner-breeder Jeff Keckley and the 9-year-old racehorse Nashville have seen good times and bad times together over the years. Last Friday at Sunland Park, they were riding high after Nashville scored the 20th win of his 36-start career.
Trainer Bret Calhoun has not made many wrong calls this meet at Sam Houston, where he has won with 41 percent of his starters. So his decision to move Lavender Baby, who has won her last two starts over the main track, back to turf for the first time since the spring in Friday's featured ninth race must be respected.
A three-other-than allowance over 1 1/16 miles on turf, the race drew eight fillies and mares, including leading contenders Won Ton Win, Rochelle, and Yahoo.
Trainer Paul Jones, who saddled 27 stakes winners in 2003, holds his usual strong hand in the $26,500 Denim N Diamonds Handicap on Friday at Los Alamitos. Jones is sending out half of the six-horse field, including Cash for Kas, the third-place finisher in the Los Alamitos Million.
In His Dreams and Rubiate complete Jones's three-horse contingent in the 350-yard race for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Craig Perret took the day off from work Tuesday. The temptation is to ask: How would he know? But that would be an undeserved jab at someone who has worked a lifetime to reach such an enviable position.
Yes, the daily workload has gotten pretty light in recent years for Perret, whose fabulous riding career is fast approaching 37 years. Last year, Perret accepted just 90 mounts, a testament more to how he has chosen to operate in the twilight of his career than a dwindling popularity with horsemen. He won with 16 of them.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - It has been slightly more than a year since First Blush upset the Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park. During that time, First Blush has been solid if unspectacular when earning paycheck after paycheck while more than earning his keep for owners Irv and Marjorie Cowan.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The honor roll of the leading trainers and jockeys in track history are posted in gold lettering on a large black backdrop in the Gulfstream racing office. Every year, the newest additions are tacked onto both lists.
Eibar Coa was the leading jockey here last year, and his name was duly added. But on the list of trainers, 2003 remains blank. What gives?
"Don't worry, we're putting it up there," track president Scott Savin said with a grin. "I didn't know that had happened. We are taking care of it, though."
