CHICAGO - "If they let our horse get an easy lead, they'll have trouble catching him."
That was the word from trainer Frank "Bobby" Springer during the run-up up to the June 21 Cardinal Handicap, the 1 1/16-mile Arlington turf stakes that is part of the Prairie State Festival for Illinois-breds.
DEL MAR, Calif. - It could be ladies first, as well as second and third, in Thursday's featured seventh race at Del Mar, in which trainers Laura de Seroux, Carla Gaines, and Kristin Mulhall have three of the top contenders.
The de Seroux-trained Little Treasure, an unlucky loser of the Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes at Hollywood Park on July 5, could be a tepid favorite against six rivals in the one-mile grass race, a money-allowance for older fillies and mares.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - A healthy and motivated Jose Ferrer continues to enjoy a career revival at Monmouth Park.
Ferrer, 39, has seemingly turned back the clock almost a decade to when he perennially ranked among the Monmouth leaders.
His stock has dipped in recent seasons, but Ferrer has come roaring back.
Ferrer won four races Sunday to cement his standing as the No. 2 rider here behind Joe Bravo. He hasn't conceded the title, now that he rides first call for Michael Gill, the meet's leading owner, and Linda Rice, one of the top-percentage trainers.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Jim's Relaunch and Taraval were both entered for the same reason in Thursday's $40,000-added Ernest Finley Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair: In a field of five, they are assured of picking up a check.
John Wilkes, trainer of Jim's Relaunch, and Greg Gilchrist, trainer of Taraval, both say they have no other place to run.
Wilkes has no illusions about winning the six-furlong Ernest Finley.
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.
