Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Kalfaari just looks too fast

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Kalfaari looks like a standout over five other sprinters in the feature race at Hastings, an allowance worth $25,300.

Kalfaari has compiled an enviable record the past two years. He has won 9 of 11 starts and his only two losses were at distances his trainer and owner, Clint Willson, thought might be beyond his reach. One of the losses was in his most recent race, the 1 1/8-mile Sir Winston Churchill. But that effort only makes him look better in this 6 1/2-furlong sprint.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Lucifer's Stone, maybe

ELMONT, N.Y. - The key to Sunday's $75,000-added Miss Grillo Stakes may have a lot to do with figuring out which of the 2-year-old fillies can handle the footing.

The turf courses have been used sparingly the past several days. Though skies were clear and the grass was officially labeled as good on Thursday and Friday, five scheduled turf races were switched to the main track in the aftermath of a fatal breakdown in Thursday's first race, as management and riders believed the courses were uneven and unable to handle more than one race daily.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Omega Code primed for sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. - Omega Code and Olmodavor couldn't make the Breeders' Cup, but as the racing season marches on, they are just getting started. Their allowance-race performances Sunday at Santa Anita will determine whether they can be legitimate Grade 1 contenders in coming weeks.

Omega Code makes his third start following a layoff in race 4 and is expected to race gate to wire in the three-other-than sprint. Omega Code will then aim for the Malibu Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds to be run Dec. 26, which is opening day of the Santa Anita winter meet.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Bonaguil can challenge Ninebanks

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Ninebanks, winner of the Grade 2, $200,000 San Francisco Breeders' Cup Handicap and the $100,000 California Turf Championship here earlier this year, is the one to beat over the Bay Meadows turf course in the $60,000-added Pacifica Handicap on Sunday.

The likely favorite in the field of 10 in the 1 1/16-mile race, Ninebanks, comfortably drawn in post 5, could have some tough competition.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Blonde Executive goes for four in row

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Blonde Executive, arguably the best 2-year-old filly at Woodbine, shoots for her fourth straight victory Sunday in the $159,900 Fanfreluche Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for Canadian-breds.

Blonde Executive bucked her shins when she debuted May 24, and was given the next two months off by trainer Radlie Loney. She finished second to Silver Bird when she returned in a maiden race Aug. 2, and then graduated impressively two weeks later, beating My Vintage Port, who subsequently captured both the Muskoka and Princess Elizabeth stakes.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Solis notches victory 4,000

Jockey Alex Solis registered his 4,000th career victory in style Friday afternoon, guiding King Robyn to a gate-to-wire head victory over Medecis in the Grade 3, $100,000 Morvich Handicap at Santa Anita. It was three-quarters of a length back to Geronimo in third.

Breaking from post 3, Solis sent King Robyn immediately to the front and carved out fractions of 21.91 seconds, 43.82, and 1:06.85, and covered the about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:13.22 over the firm turf course. King Robyn returned $7.20 as the favorite in the nine-horse field.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Nelson hurt, out three months

Diane Nelson, who was thrown from her mount, Sonn D'Oro, while leading on the far turn in Thursday's first race at Belmont, sustained two fractures in the bones connecting her left leg to her ankle. She was scheduled for surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan on Saturday and is expected to be out of action for about three months.

Javier Castellano, also unseated in the spill, took off his mounts on Friday but was scheduled to ride over the weekend.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Buckland Manor gives a shot in the arm

ARCADIA, Calif. - It has been a disappointing season, but the recent success of Buckland Manor has revived 2003 for prominent owners Trudy McCaffery and John Toffan and trainer Paco Gonzalez.

Buckland Manor won his second consecutive allowance race on turf Thursday, setting up a possible start in the $600,000 Hollywood Derby at Hollywood Park on Nov. 30.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Chilling Effect has found an ideal spot

STICKNEY, Ill. - Trainer Chris Block has sent out a slew of turf winners at the Hawthorne meet, and in Hawthorne's featured ninth race Sunday he has put Chilling Effect in a spot to win another.

Chilling Effect is one of 12 horses entered in a one-mile, third-level allowance race with a $35,000 claiming option. A few horses here sport form on the upswing, but Chilling Effect has won three out of her last five starts, and beat a solid field of second-level allowance horses in her last race.

Fri, 10/24/2003 - 00:00

Woodbine: 'Blonde' risks streak

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Blonde Executive, arguably the best 2-year-old filly at Woodbine, shoots for her fourth straight victory Sunday in the $159,900 Fanfreluche Stakes, a six-furlong dash for Canadian-breds.

Blonde Executive graduated impressively in her third start, beating My Vintage Port, who subsequently captured both the Muskoka and Princess Elizabeth Stakes.