Tue, 01/14/2003 - 00:00

Turnback angle for Gone Fishin

NEW ORLEANS - Yes, Gone Fishin rated for his rider when he raced at Fair Grounds on Dec. 15, but that doesn't mean he was happy about it.

Thursday, things will be simpler. Gone Fishin is a natural one-turn turf horse, and since he managed to finish second while racing around two turns last time, he should be tough turning back to a sprint in the featured ninth race at Fair Grounds.

The ninth race is one of three allowance races on a solid card that includes a fascinating maiden race for 3-year-old fillies.

Tue, 01/14/2003 - 00:00

Added Edge, Casse await challenge

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Mark Casse has been around racing his entire life, so he has seen and heard most everything.

But Casse, 41, shakes his head about how the unbeaten colt he trains, Added Edge, has people talking.

"I've had more people, like other trainers in Canada, coming up and telling me what a really good horse he is," Casse said. "That doesn't happen to me very often."

Tue, 01/14/2003 - 00:00

Davis faces surgeries before possible return

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The pain in Robbie Davis's left knee made it impossible for him to ride any longer. The responsibilities awaiting the 41-year-old jockey may make it impossible for him to stay away.

That is why Davis is preparing to undergo two separate operations in the next two months - one to repair the meniscus ligament and another to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. The surgeries could dictate whether Davis continues his career or is forced to hang up his tack.

Tue, 01/14/2003 - 00:00

Starters fined for injuring horses

ALBANY, Calif. - Golden Gate Fields stewards have fined three assistant starters after having received complaints about the mistreatment of horses schooling at the starting gate during training hours. The stewards received four complaints but dismissed two of the cases.

The complaints stemmed from incidents that occurred last spring and summer at Golden Gate. The California Horse Racing Board also received other complaints that did not lead to charges, according to Bob Gai, supervising investigator for northern California.

Tue, 01/14/2003 - 00:00

Next step up for Mineshaft

NEW ORLEANS - Mineshaft has done little wrong since he came to this country last fall, easily winning two allowance races and impressing his trainer with his professional demeanor. Mineshaft looks like a stakes horse and Sunday he will get the chance to prove it in the $75,000 Diplomat Way Handicap.

Mon, 01/13/2003 - 00:00

Carryover adds allure

Benoit & Associates
Printemps hasn't won in her last seven starts, but looks to be a contender in the filly-mare stakes series.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The main race on Wednesday's program at Santa Anita is the $75,000 Paseana Handicap for fillies and mares, but many bettors will be focusing on a pick six carryover of $156,552.

The pick six covers the third through eighth races, and includes the Paseana Handicap, which will be run over 1 1/16 miles and drew seven entrants.

The pick six includes five races on dirt - three sprints and two routes - and one race on turf, a route.

Mon, 01/13/2003 - 00:00

Delahoussaye retires from riding

ARCADIA, Calif. - Eddie Delahoussaye, a Hall of Fame jockey with more than 6,000 victories and one of only four riders to win successive Kentucky Derbies, said late Monday that he was retiring because of injuries suffered in a race last August at Del Mar.

Mon, 01/13/2003 - 00:00

Calkins Road will miss Millions

ARCADIA, Calif. - Calkins Road, the top California-bred 3-year-old of 2002, will miss the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic on Jan. 25 due to an infection in a foot, trainer John Shirreffs said on Sunday.

Shirreffs said the infection has kept the 4-year-old Calkins Road from training during the last week. Shirreffs was uncertain how much time Calkins Road will need before he can resume serious training, but said the $400,000 Strub Stakes for 4-year-olds at Santa Anita on Feb. 1 was an unlikely return start.

Mon, 01/13/2003 - 00:00

Top Fla.-breds on outside looking in

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The fields for Magna Entertainment Corp.'s $3.6 million Sunshine Millions on Jan. 25 are starting to take shape, and there could be some notable omissions when the line-up of Team Florida is determined at next Monday's post position draw. Pre-entries for the Sunshine Millions will be taken this Wednesday.

Mon, 01/13/2003 - 00:00

Ah, American Century

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - John Fort used to think the only thing one could get excited about this time of year was a quality 3-year-old. Saturday, Fort learned otherwise.