Mon, 12/29/2003 - 00:00

She's Vested better value this time

MIAMI - She's Vested appears to have just as much a chance of winning Wednesday's $35,000-added Auld Lang Syne Purse at Calder as she did when she was the 6-5 favorite in the Good Intentions Stakes on Nov. 1. Except this time, she figures to offer more value than she did in the Good Intentions - when she was not only a short price but also the runner-up.

Mon, 12/29/2003 - 00:00

Silver Wagon shifts aim to Holy Bull

MIAMI - Trainer Ralph Ziadie originally planned on following the same path this winter with his Kentucky Derby hopeful Silver Wagon as he did a year ago with Trust N Luck.

Trust N Luck's schedule began with Calder's What a Pleasure Stakes and continued at Gulfstream with the Fountain of Youth and the Grade 1 Florida Derby. Trust N Luck successfully bridged the two-month gap from the What a Pleasure to win the Fountain of Youth before finishing second behind Empire Maker in the Florida Derby.

Mon, 12/29/2003 - 00:00

Redattore convinces owner he's too good to retire

ARCADIA, Calif. - Redattore has earned another season at the racetrack after winning Sunday's $150,000 San Gabriel Handicap at Santa Anita.

Prior to the Grade 2 turf race, owner Luis Alfredo Taunay had considered retiring Redattore to stud. After the race he told trainer Richard Mandella by telephone that Redattore will stay in training.

"He hates to retire him if he's running that well," Mandella said.

Mon, 12/29/2003 - 00:00

Sunland: Ciento goes 5 for 6 on year

Bill Pitt Photo
Ciento wins the $100,000-added City of Sunland Park Handicap for New Mexico-breds.

($2.80) capped off an outstanding season Sunday afternoon by winning the $100,000-added City of Sunland Park Handicap for New Mexico-breds. The win gives Ciento five wins and a second from six starts in 2003.

Ciento's lifetime earnings stand at $632,014 with a record of 29-16-5-2 as he enters his 6-year-old season.

Mon, 12/29/2003 - 00:00

Aqueduct: Kappes, Weaver get first stakes wins

Steven Kappes and George Weaver both recorded their first stakes wins as trainers on Sunday as Kappes saddled Salute Him to victory in the $86,375 Alex M. Robb Handicap and Weaver won the $60,750 Open Mind Stakes with Fond.

Salute Him, a 5-year-old gelded son of Sea Salute, had gone winless in 11 starts this year and finished sixth at 61-1 in last year's Alex M. Robb, restricted to New York-breds. Sunday, Salute Him received a ground-saving trip under Richard Migliore and drew clear for the 4 1/4-length score.

Mon, 12/29/2003 - 00:00

Sam Houston: There Goes Rocket turns tables

Coady Photography / Henna Haroon
There Goes Rocket rallies to win in the Texas Stallion Stakes on Saturday night.

There Goes Rocket, benefiting from an additional furlong, was able to turn the tables on nemesis Roundabout Jones in the $125,000 colts and geldings division of the Texas Stallion Stakes on Saturday night. The race was one of two stakes on the card, with the $125,000 fillies division of the Texas Stallion won by Native Annie.

There Goes Rocket ($4.80) rallied past pacesetter and favorite Roundabout Jones for a 2 1/2-length win in the Texas Stallion, which was run over one mile.

Mon, 12/29/2003 - 00:00

Philadelphia jocks refuse to ride

Racing was canceled at Philadelphia Park on Monday when the jockeys refused to ride because they were unhappy about the track's payment schedule for riding fees.

Tony Black, a veteran member of the jockey colony at Philadelphia Park, said that in the last two months, eight scheduled pay periods have been delayed.

Sun, 12/28/2003 - 00:00

Wildcat Shoes sets new mark in Sugar Bowl

NEW ORLEANS - Wildcat Shoes is built like a Quarter Horse, compact with powerful hindquarters, and he comes out of the gate flashing speed. But this colt has smarts, too, and once on the lead, he relaxes. Sunday, he easily conquered six furlongs and seven opponents, winning the $60,000 by five lengths. His time of 1:09.78 shattered the stakes record.

Sun, 12/28/2003 - 00:00

Tin Can Sailor game in Riley Allison

Bill Pitt
Tin Can Sailor ($11.80) under Carlos Madeira holds off a slew of late closers to take the $175,851 Riley Allison Futurity by a half-length over Hi Teck Man (#5) on Saturday at Sunland Park.

SUNLAND PARK, N. M. - Tin Can Sailor earned a berth in the second running of the $500,000 WinStar Derby March 28 by pulling a mild upset in the $175,851 on Saturday at Sunland Park.

Sat, 12/27/2003 - 00:00

Gone Celebrating takes Championship at Sunland

SUNLAND PARK, N. M. - Trainer Michael Joiner, who has dominated the local Quarter Horse racing in recent years, enjoyed an incredible day on Saturday afternoon at Sunland, saddling the one-two finishers in two Grade 1 stakes.