HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - If not for a good-looking 3-year-old colt named Senor Swinger, Mickey Goldfine wouldn't even be in south Florida this winter.
But once again Goldfine is where he almost always has been in January, overseeing a string of horses in Barn 16 at Gulfstream Park. For many years, Goldfine served as the right-hand man to his father, Lou, who slipped into retirement in recent years without making a big deal about it.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - In the next five weeks, Philadelphia Park-based trainer John Servis figures to have a major impact in stakes action at Aqueduct.
Servis plans to get started on Saturday when he ships in Zonk, who will likely be favored to defend her Grade 3 Affectionately Handicap title from a year ago. Servis has depth in the filly and mare handicap division with the likes of Martha's Music and Pupil, who were also nominated to the Affectionately but who may be aimed at the Rare Treat Handicap here on Feb. 17 instead.
ARCADIA, Calif. - After only one start, Atswhatimtalknbout has become the most talked about 3-year-old in Southern California. The A.P. Indy colt stormed from last to first on Saturday, winning a six-furlong maiden race by a half-length in 1:10.30 and earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 86.
On Tuesday, only three days after his electrifying debut, Atswhatimtalknbout was ready for more at trainer Ron Ellis's barn.
NEW ORLEANS - Deciphering Fair Grounds's featured ninth race on Friday probably doesn't require a degree in rocket science. Seven horses were entered, and four have early speed in varying degrees, from intense to moderate.
"I think the race sets up for a horse coming off the pace," trainer Tom Amoss said.
NEW ORLEANS - The list of nominations released this past weekend for Sunday's $75,000 Colonel Power Handicap contained a familiar name, Bonapaw. Familiar, yes, but surprising, too.
Should Bonapaw actually start in the six-furlong Colonel Power - and his connections say there is a good chance of it - the race would come only nine days after Bonapaw returned to training at Fair Grounds after having spent
ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Dan Markle was unable to buy A Memo for Avie as a yearling in Washington in 2001, but he persisted and didn't let a second opportunity get away.
"I liked him when he went through the yearling sale, but he went for $14,000, and I couldn't get anyone to swing the bat," Markle said.
Joyce and Richard Hayertz took a swing when A Memo for Avie made his debut last April at Emerald Downs, claiming him for $25,000 from a win.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Every trainer should be fortunate enough to have a horse like Wertz in the barn at one time or another. That way, there would rarely be a chance to complain about the horse not giving his all.
Wertz, a 7-year-old horse, embodies the fighting spirit that so many Thoroughbreds have within them. And when he makes the 60th start of an understated but highly professional career in the feature race Wednesday at Gulfstream Park, Wertz will have an opportunity to further enhance his reputation for speed and gameness.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Less than one week into the 2003 Gulfstream meeting trainer Todd Pletcher is already loaded for bear in the 3-year-old division.
Pletcher, who has had Bham pointed for the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on Jan. 18, sent out two extremely promising 3-year-olds, Indy Dancer and Lion Tamer, to victory in first-level allowance races on Saturday. Indy Dancer's victory came at 1 1/16 miles, while Lion Tamer won at six furlongs.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Gulfstream Park has applied for racing dates next season that would put it in conflict with the Calder meeting. Gulfstream, owned by Magna Entertainment Corp., applied for a racing schedule that would begin Dec. 26, overlapping for eight days with the end of Calder's requested meet. Calder, owned by Churchill Downs Inc., applied for its usual schedule, from April 25 through Jan. 2, 2004.