Wed, 09/24/2003 - 00:00

'Whosleaving' on rebound

Co-world champion Whosleaving-who will try to avenge a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Go Man Go Invitational Handicap when he faces the top three Go Man Go finishers in the Grade 1, $200,000 Los Alamitos Championship at 440 yards on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

Wed, 09/24/2003 - 00:00

Indiana Derby likely to have several stars

ANDERSON, Ind. - Next week's Indiana Derby and Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks are generating quite a buzz as both Grade 3 races are expected to draw strong fields.

The connections of Grand Hombre, Wando, and Wiggins have said they are headed this way for the derby, which will be run Saturday, Oct. 4.

Wed, 09/24/2003 - 00:00

Ivanavinalot gets ready to try turf

MIAMI - Ivanavinalot was the top 2-year-old filly on the grounds here at Calder last season and remained the undisputed queen of the south Florida division last winter with her victory in the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss Stakes at Gulfstream Park. But following three subpar performances, including a dismal sixth-place showing in the Office Queen Stakes on June 14, Ivanavinalot was sent to the farm of owner-breeder Gil Campbell for a much needed freshening.

Wed, 09/24/2003 - 00:00

Empire Maker out again; BC status questionable

ELMONT, N.Y. - A bruised foot will keep Empire Maker from running in Saturday's $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, and the racing future of the star-crossed 3-year-old colt is very much uncertain.

Empire Maker, the Belmont Stakes winner, has about a two-inch cut on the outside quarter of his left front foot just above the coronet band. Trainer Bobby Frankel planned to treat the foot with an antiseptic that would aid in drawing any further inflammation out of the injured area.

Tue, 09/23/2003 - 00:00

How strong is the Empire?

Horsephotos
Empire Maker has thrilled and baffled them all, including assistant trainer Reuben Loza and exercise rider Mitsu.

ELMONT, N.Y. - He has won three Grade 1 races, including the Belmont Stakes. But considering the expectations placed on him before he ever ran, Empire Maker enters the fall with something still to prove.

Tue, 09/23/2003 - 00:00

Storming Home staying home

ELMONT, N.Y. - The rematch between Arlington Million combatants Storming Home and Sulamani will have to wait until next month's Breeders' Cup Turf.

That's because trainer Neil Drysdale on Tuesday decided to keep Storming Home in Southern California for this weekend's $250,000 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship at Santa Anita rather than ship him to New York for Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park.

Tue, 09/23/2003 - 00:00

She's a champ with an attitude

BONSALL, Calif. - Azeri's competitiveness has been seen throughout her career in the afternoon when she races, but it was on display even before a key workout Tuesday morning at San Luis Rey Downs. Prior to heading from the barn to the track, Azeri was walking in circles behind another horse trained by Laura de Seroux. Azeri pinned her ears, walked with purpose to get in front of her stablemate, then threw her ears forward, turning some nondescript exercise into another reason to compete.

Tue, 09/23/2003 - 00:00

Beau's Town to prep for BC

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Beau's Town was going to train up to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Sprint next month at Santa Anita, but those plans have changed after he came out of a Sunday morning workout razor sharp. He is now scheduled to run in the Grade 3, $250,000 Phoenix Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 3.

The six-furlong race will serve as his prep for the Sprint.

Tue, 09/23/2003 - 00:00

Say Florida Sandy retired to stud

ELMONT, N.Y. - Say Florida Sandy, one of the greatest New York-breds of all time, has been retired and will enter stud in 2004.

On Tuesday, John Rotella, Say Florida Sandy's owner, said he is near completing a deal to sell Say Florida Sandy to a New York farm.

Tue, 09/23/2003 - 00:00

Frankel pair both likely for turf stakes

SAN MATEO, Calif. - A full field of 12 seems likely for Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Handicap.

Trainer Bobby Frankel decided Tuesday that he would likely enter highweight Decarchy along with Fateful Dream in the 1 1/8-mile turf race. Fateful Dream will be ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, who has won riding titles at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, and Del Mar this year, while northern California leader Russell Baze will ride Decarchy.