Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

'Breezy' looks tough in drop

PORTLAND, Ore. - Breezy Bullette takes a drop in Friday's featured eighth race at 5 1/2 furlongs, for older fillies and mares eligible to be claimed for $3,200.

Breezy Bullette, a 4-year-old daughter of Bull Inthe Heather who races for trainer Betty Beach, raced on the $5,000 level in her last two outings, a sharp second to Nancys Blazen Lady on Feb. 28 and a fourth to Ionix, Joy's Toy, and Smoozie on Feb. 28. She retains regular rider Flip Nollar while dropping two levels on Friday. She would be difficult to deny with a repeat of either of her recent efforts.

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

You Glitter Girl sharp for turf debut

NEW ORLEANS - It has not been easy to fill first-level allowance races for 3-year-olds this winter at Fair Grounds, so Friday's ninth-race feature, a second-level allowance for 3-year-old fillies, could have been a rare treat.

But it hasn't quite worked out that way. The eight horses that were signed on for a turf race at about 5 1/2 furlongs are thus far a relatively undistinguished group, and the race is wide open.

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

Allowance an easy spot for Alozaina

ARCADIA, Calif. - Since she arrived in the United States last spring, Alozaina has started against many of the country's top turf fillies and mares. She faces a much easier field Friday in a $56,000 allowance race at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

Proven stars return in allowance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Assessing the chances of graded stakes winners when they return from extended vacations and face allowance competition can prove a tough challenge for any handicapper. Such will be the case when Gander and Wiseman's Ferry make their 2003 debuts in Friday's $46,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park.

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

Just Listen up against the 'Man' again

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Joseph Catanese III was hoping he would be able to work his turf specialist Just Listen an easy half-mile over the grass here Wednesday morning in preparation for Saturday's $200,000 Pan American Handicap. The plan was to follow the same basic training schedule that produced a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Mac Diarmida Handicap and a second-place effort in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap.

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

Servis wants change only in weather

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - John Servis is one of the few trainers in the Northeast who is sad to see the winter come to an end.

From Jan. 1 though Tuesday, the Philadelphia Park-based trainer won 18 races from 60 starters (.30 winning percentage), including five stakes. His stable has earned $446,391.

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

At 8 years old, Redattore has never been better

NEW ORLEANS - At age 8, Redattore isn't just hanging onto his racing career, he's thriving in it.

Redattore won more than $300,000 last year, but he has been even better this year: In his two starts, Redattore won an allowance race by five lengths and scored a one-length victory over the top-class Good Journey in the Grade 2 Frank Kilroe Handicap.

"He seems even better now than before," said trainer Richard Mandella. "I don't known what it is, really, but he's been in fabulous shape this year."

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

Three-time sprint winner wins at route, too

PORTLAND, Ore. - Carlyn Road, who has won three of six sprint tries at the Portland Meadows meeting, including the Jane Driggers Debutante Stakes in December, showed another aspect of her talent in Sunday's Mary Goldblatt Stakes for Oregon-bred 3-year-old fillies at a mile.

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

De Seroux: Azeri on schedule

ARCADIA, Calif. - Azeri, the 2002 Horse of the Year, has done enough for trainer Laura de Seroux to pronounce her fit and on schedule for her seasonal debut in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 5.

The 5-year-old Azeri had her third recorded workout of the year on Tuesday at the San Luis Rey Downs training center. She worked five furlongs in 58 seconds, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:10.80 and seven furlongs in 1:24.80, de Seroux said.

"I'm well on schedule," de Seroux said. "She's incredible."

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 00:00

Mile feature may be glimpse of local derby

ALBANY, Calif. - Friday's feature race at Golden Gate Fields could end up being a prep for next month's California Derby.

Five 3-year-olds are entered in the one-mile allowance race.

Always Remember, who missed by a head to Spensive in the Gold Rush Stakes in December, will make his first start since a fifth-place finish behind Ministers Wild Cat in the Golden State Mile Feb. 9.

Each of the other four runners enters the race coming off a victory.