ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The initial portion of the marathon Woodbine meeting is usually the toughest for handicappers, who must size up the chances of numerous runners coming off layoffs as they lock horns with shippers from throughout North America.
Not surprisingly, runners coming off a race at Gulfstream were very effective during the first six days of racing, winning nine of 23 starts. Shippers from Laurel took three of five starts.
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - Not too long ago, it was nothing but a barren expanse, the kind of land that tends to dominate this sparsely populated region that stretches southeastward from the outskirts of Indianapolis all the way to Cincinnati.
But today, thanks in large part to the unwavering determination of a local homebuilder named Paul Estridge Sr., the newest racetrack in America rises above the Indiana horizon. Indiana Downs kicks off its inaugural season of Thoroughbred racing Friday evening, following Hoosier Park as the second legalized parimutuel track in this state.
Sum Special Strawfly, runner-up in the Golden State Futurity, and Doreme Fasolasi Win, third in the Governor's Cup Futurity, meet in the first of two trials to the El Primero del Ano Derby for colts and geldings on Friday night at Los Alamitos.
The fillies get their turn Saturday night when world-record-holder Classic Sassy Chic runs in the trials to the La Primera del Ano Derby.
Trainer Cole Norman has all his bases covered with his best sprinters this week. While the star of his stable, Beau's Town, was the likely favorite in Thursday's Count Fleet Sprint at Oaklawn, Norman had more than enough firepower left to turn Friday's feature race at Lone Star Park, in Grand Prairie, Texas, into a private duel between That Tat and Joyful Tune.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Saturday's $100,000 California Derby at Bay Meadows added one likely contender but lost the most accomplished of the local 3-year-old crop as a possible entrant.
Trainer Bob Baffert plans to run Apalachian Thunder, who set a blistering pace before placing third in the $500,000 WinStar Derby at Sunland Park in New Mexico on March 30.
Grand Island, Neb. - Last weekend's snowstorm has once again altered the stakes schedule for Fonner Park. Sunday's card was canceled as up to 10 inches of snow fell in the area.
The $25,000-added Fonner Park Special Stakes has been rescheduled for this Sunday, when temperatures are forecast to be above 70 degrees. The weather forced the rescheduling of the Grasmick Handicap earlier this meet, from Feb. 15 to Feb. 22.
The track does not plan to add any races to its schedule to make up for the lost days.
Lafayette, La. - Sheer numbers were the big story last Friday night when the meet began. A total of 110 horses competed on the 10-race program, which produced a good mix of winners: favorites, second- and third-betting choices, and a longshot or two. Bettors from around the country responded to the large fields by wagering over $1.75 million on the card.
NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - With 14 days of the meet in the books, the expected battle for leading trainer between Thistledown's all-time leader Gary Johnson and northern California's top conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer has materialized, with Johnson holding a 14-13 edge. In the thick of the fight is Rodney Faulkner with 12 victories.
Hollendorfer began the meet with 42 horses stabled here under the care of assistant Tom Roberts, but that number has been reduced to 29. Johnson has claimed eight of Hollendorfer's horses and five others have been claimed by other trainers.
A pair of horses with sharp recent form but unproven stakes ability will face a multiple stakes winner who is coming off a long layoff in Saturday night's $35,000 Potomac Stakes at Charles Town.
The seven-furlong Potomac, for West Virginia-bred 3-year-olds and up, is the first stakes race of the season at the track.
The prime contenders appear to be recent winners Ginger Ale and Bon Amigo, plus back-class horse Adams Tribe.
LEXINGTON, Ky. - You, the morning-line favorite for Wednesday's $100,000 Madison Stakes at Keeneland, was scratched early Wednesday after the main track was rendered sloppy by steady rain.
Trainer Bobby Frankel told Keeneland racing officials he submitted a scratch as a precautionary measure. He said he intends to run You a week later in the $100,000, 1 1/16-mile Doubledogdare at Keeneland.
September Secret also was scratched from the seven-furlong Madison, leaving Forest Secrets and Spring Meadow as the probable favorites in a field of five fillies and mares.