OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Racing at Aqueduct was canceled after the first race on Friday because of unsafe weather conditions brought about by high winds.
After the opener, won by the front-running Super Soup ($21) on an inner track labeled muddy, the horses were in the paddock to be saddled for the second race when the decision was made to halt the card.
Racing was scheduled to resume Saturday, the last day of racing before a four-day Christmas break.
SUNLAND PARK, N. M. - On Sunday, Espeedytoo looks to avenge her loss to Lord Imajones in SunRay Park's Aztec Oaks in the $125,000-added La Coneja.
The La Coneja at 5 1/2 furlongs is restricted to New Mexico-bred 3-year-old fillies and has drawn a field of nine.
PHOENIX - For a while, Echo Eddie was little more than a blip on the radar screen. But he continued to achieve and by last spring everyone knew this Darrell Vienna-trained 5-year-old gelding could run.
In fact, Echo Eddie did so well he earned a trip to Dubai for the Grade 1 Golden Shaheen, against such top sprinters as Caller One and Xtra Heat. He beat Xtra Heat, and just failed in a duel with Caller One.
PORTLAND, Ore. n The 10 fastest qualifiers from three trials run on Dec. 7 will vie for the richest purse at the Portland Meadows meeting in Sundayis $41,557 Far West Futurity for 2-year-old Quarter Horses at 400 yards.
The fastest qualifier is Dash of Fame, who won the third trial heat by three-quarters of a length over Jrs Four By Four in 20.43 for 400 yards. That is Dash of Fameis lone win from five starts, however, and itis questionable whether he will be favored on the basis of that one race.
PORTLAND, Ore. - Trainer Leroy Twiggs, who sent out Lmj Judgement Day to win the $16,750 Oregon-bred Quarter Horse Juvenile earlier in the meet, will have an opportunity to complete a lucrative double on Sunday when he sends out Dash of Fame as one of the favorites in the $41,557 Far West Futurity at 400 yards.
Dash of Fame, a sorrel son of Dash Ta Fame and Lightning N Lace who was bred by his trainer, won the fastest of three qualifying heats here on Dec. 7.
Determining the top Maryland-bred juveniles of 2002 will come down to the final day of year when the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Championship and the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship - the two richest stakes on the calendar for registered Maryland-bred 2-year-olds - are run on New Year's Eve at Laurel Park.
Both races could hold important implications in the final voting for statebred champions and can help boost a sire to the top of year-end rankings. Both races will be run at 1 1/8 miles and have a rich array of nominees.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - In an era when 2-year-olds are campaigned sparingly in the months after the Breeders' Cup, Toccet has set a different standard this fall.
One of the nation's leading 2-year-olds, Toccet has been more active since he finished ninth in the Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park on Oct. 26 than at any time in his career.
A few years ago, nobody would have believed that little Delta Downs in Vinton, La., would someday be putting up a $250,000 purse for 2-year-old fillies. But that will be reality Friday night, when the track, now reaping the benefit of slot machines, runs the Delta Princess.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Scott Schwartz said Classic Endeavor is doing so well, he wants to run the colt where he has the best shot to win.
That is why Schwartz scratched Classic Endeavor out of Wednesday's classified allowance at Aqueduct and entered him in Friday's $48,000 allowance feature, a much softer spot.
Classic Endeavor is the horse to beat among seven 3-year-olds and older horses entered in the third-level allowance at 1 1/8 miles.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - As quickly as it appeared that Saturday's $375,000 Hollywood Futurity would have a small field, there has been renewed support for the circuit's richest race for 2-year-olds.
Ghostzapper, a recent maiden winner trained by Bobby Frankel, and Domestic Dispute, who was stakes-placed at Santa Anita in October for trainer Bob Baffert, were added to the list of probables on Wednesday. Ghostzapper was previously considered doubtful, while Domestic Dispute had been removed from consideration by Baffert last weekend.
