SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Non-Thoroughbred races on the northern California fair circuit are referred to as emerging-breed races, but vanishing breed is more appropriate for the Appaloosas.
Once second in popularity only to the Thoroughbreds, the Appies are disappearing from the fair scene. According to the racing office here, there are only 42 registered Appies on the circuit.
AUBURN, Wash. - Trainer Tim McCanna's paddock instructions to Ben Russell, who was about to ride Poker Brad in Sunday's $100,000 Mt. Rainier Breeders' Cup Handicap, were simplicity itself.
"Go get the money," he said. "We both need it."
Russell did as he was told, collecting the $55,000 winner's prize with a deft ride that brought Poker Brad to the wire 3 1/2 lengths clear of defending champion Moonlight Meeting in 1:46.80 for the 1 1/8 miles.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Dave Cotey looks to stage another successful invasion of Winnipeg, with Pants N Kisses slated to be flown out early Friday morning for Monday's Grade 3, $100,000 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs.
The Manitoba Derby has been kind to Cotey in two previous ventures, as he won the 1999 renewal as the co-owner of Wafare Warrior and the 2001 edition as both trainer and co-owner of Stage Classic.
Cotey's regular partners, Derek Ball and Hugh Galbraith, also will be seeking their third win in the race.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - In his last workout before the Belmont Stakes, Funny Cide drilled five furlongs in a blistering 57.82 seconds. Some believe that work was too fast and in part cost Funny Cide, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, the Belmont and his chance to win the Triple Crown.
In his last workout before Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, a more manageable Funny Cide put in a solid six-furlong move in 1:12.47 over Saratoga's main track.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Investing in Stalking Tiger has been a lot better than the stock market. Bettors who have backed him in both his starts have cashed tickets for $12.80 and $5.60. Paul Aguirre, who bought Stalking Tiger at auction for $4,700, turned a nice profit by selling Stalking Tiger privately following his debut victory against maiden claimers on May 29 at Hollywood Park.
And David Milch, who spearheaded the partnership that purchased Stalking Tiger, received an immediate dividend when Stalking Tiger won Hollywood's Haggin Stakes in his second start on June 21.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Mark Hennig could have kept Call an Audible in Sunday's Grade 1 Go for Wand Handicap, where she would have been running for second money behind Sightseek. Instead, Hennig opted to scratch the improving filly for a decidedly softer spot, Wednesday's $52,000 feature at Saratoga, to be decided at 1 1/8 miles under third-level allowance conditions.
EDMONTON, Alberta - When Kalfaari arrived here for the $40,000 Spangled Jimmy on July 5, he was in the midst of a six-race win streak.
Racing in the mud here, he carried on his winning ways by defeating a strong field that included Alberta's 2002 horse of the year, Sixthirtyjoe.
Following that victory, owner Clint Willson considered a number of options, including shipping to Chicago, but in the end he decided to stay in western Canada, and on Saturday Kalfaari made his second start at Northlands Park.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Santerra should be well-backed while getting some class relief in Wednesday's $126,625 Eternal Search Stakes at Woodbine, a 1 1/16-mile race for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies.
Santerra was one of the leading 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine in 2002, when she captured the restricted Muskoka and South Ocean stakes. She banked $205,966 that year for owner Ted Burnett.
CHICAGO - At Arlington, the third-level allowance condition for fillies and mares has grown a regular cast. This allowance condition (the races also include a $62,500 claiming option) fills every three weeks or so. Each time, a horse wins - usually by a polite margin - and moves on, but the core element remains, basically unchanged.
CHICAGO - At Arlington, the third-level allowance condition for fillies and mares has grown a regular cast. This allowance condition (the races also include a $62,500 claiming option) fills every three weeks or so. Each time, a horse wins - usually by a polite margin - and moves on, but the core element remains, basically unchanged.
