LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Despite an initial inclination to limit admissions for the 2004 Kentucky Derby, officials at Churchill Downs now have decided they will exhaust all measures to "accommodate everyone who wants to come to the Derby next year," according to Churchill vice president David Sweazy.
The 2004 Derby, which track officials have billed the Demolition Derby, faces major logistical problems because of the massive restructuring of the track's grandstand and clubhouse.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Robledo, who emerged as a Triple Crown hopeful last month with his victory in the Turf Paradise Derby in Phoenix, may miss the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields next weekend because of a minor foot injury.
Friday, trainer Vladimir Cerin said that Robledo has suffered a cut on a heel. Robledo did not train on the racetrack Friday, and only walked at the barn.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Sunday's $100,000 Suwannee River Handicap is an ending for Calista and Amonita, who are both headed to the breeding shed after the race. It could also be a beginning for Party Queen, who makes her stakes debut in the Grade 3 race.
Then again, the nine-furlong Suwannee River could be just another notch in the holster of Stay Forever, who has been on a roll since returning from a bowed tendon that sidelined her for 18 months.
ARCADIA, Calif. - The good looks of a racehorse do not guarantee victory, but when looks are combined with credentials as imposing as those of Crafty C.T., good things often follow.
Seven older horses will race seven furlongs Sunday in the Grade 1 San Carlos Handicap at Santa Anita, and Crafty C.T. merits standout status against top-class late-runners Aldebaran and Grey Memo, front-runners Total Limit and Roman Dancer, and longshots Mellow Fellow and Shah Jehan. It is only March, the first start of the year for Crafty C.T., and a perfect time to erase a past-performance void.
NEW ORLEANS - Badge of Silver put in a sharp gallop Friday morning at Fair Grounds and is on target to work here either Sunday or Monday. That breeze is intended to set Badge of Silver up for next Sunday's Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.
Badge of Silver's physical appearance during his gallop this morning starkly contrasted with the horse's condition earlier in the week. After a strong gallop Feb. 22, Badge of Silver "was knocked out," trainer Ronny Werner said.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Will the third time be the charm for the $75,000-added Hollie Hughes Handicap on Sunday at Aqueduct?
The Hollie Hughes for New York-breds has been postponed twice because of weather-related cancellations. First scheduled for Feb. 16, the six-furlong Hollie Hughes was delayed and brought back a week later. It again was canceled when racing was scrapped after last Sunday's fifth race because of poor track conditions due to rain.
Rain is again in the forecast.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Lost in the shuffle of Colorful Tour's game win in the Grade 3, $100,000 Essex at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 22 was the big race Slider ran two races earlier on the card when he rolled to a six-length win in a one-mile allowance and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 108.
Because Slider ran so well, he will face Colorful Tour in his next start, the $100,000 Razorback Handicap on March 16.
It was not the first big Beyer for Slider. Last year, the horse earned a 120 in a seven-furlong race at Keeneland.
ALBANY, Calif. - Derby Fever comes to northern California with next Saturday's running of the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields.
The Grade 3, $200,000 race has been one of the most productive preps on the Triple Crown trail with the likes of Charismatic and Tabasco Cat, both of whom won two-thirds of the Triple Crown, included among the winners.