INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Bettors in California will no longer be able to use an alternate selection in the pick four, pick six, and pick all wagers starting on Wednesday in an effort to streamline the technology used for gathering betting information.
The policy change is being made by the racetracks in an effort to work with Autotote to send betting information from simulcast locations to a host track, racing officials said.
HOUSTON - It started in Iowa, took something of a backseat in Indiana, and now could resurface again Saturday in Texas. The budding rivalry between Easyfromthegitgo and Pass Rush, both based in Kentucky, figures to be a focal point for handicappers in the Great State Challenge Classic at Sam Houston Race Park.
HOUSTON - The melting-pot effect that the creators of the Great State Challenge hoped to achieve might be more in evidence in the Sprint than in any of the other five stakes to be run Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.
The Sprint drew a field of eight that could have been nine if not for the defection of the California-based Disturbing-thepeace, who was declared earlier in the week because of a minor hoof ailment. Even without him, the Sprint has top contenders coming from Kentucky, Florida, Maryland, Illinois, and New York.
HOUSTON - Each of the 10 colts and geldings in the $275,000 Great State Challenge Juvenile at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday has won at least one stakes, which makes the seven-furlong race one of the most bettable and interesting offerings on a program made up of nothing but stakes.
"It's a very competitive race," said Steve Asmussen, who will send out Grade 3 Kentucky Breeders' Cup winner Posse. "There's a lot of quality and depth to the field."
HOUSTON - Trainer Steve Asmussen has had some big statebred days in Texas, and he looks to be sitting on another one Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park. Only this time, some of the horses he will start were bred in Kentucky, among them Souris, who should go favored in the $275,000 Great State Challenge Juvenile Fillies.
ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Kent Molinaro was confident going into the Albany Handicap on Nov. 9.
His late-running Profound Secret was coming off two straight victories and found a field filled with speed.
Two steps out of the starting gate, it was clear there was something wrong with Profound Secret, and jockey Joey Castro was doing everything he could to slow down the powerful 8-year-old horse. Molinaro's confidence turned to concern.
Sunland Park, N.M. - Saturday's $50,000-added Sunland Park Yuletide Derby at 6 1/2 furlongs would have a well-balanced field if not for one horse, multiple stakes winner Premeditation.
Owned by William Clifton Jr. and trained by Bill Leach, Premeditation sports a 8-2-1-1 record and $161,557 in earnings on the year, including victories here this spring in the Borderland Derby and at Lone Star in the $100,000 Alysheba Breeder's Cup. Cementing his role of favorite is that he will be ridden by leading jockey Garrett Gomez.
PHOENIX - Lamartinique finished sixth last time out but lost by less than a length. It was the sixth straight time Lamartinique has performed well, and that consistency makes him the likely favorite in a field of 10 in the feature race at Turf Paradise on Saturday.
A one-mile turf allowance race with a purse of $13,400, the race takes the place of the Cactus Wren Handicap, which had been scheduled as the Saturday feature but failed to attract enough entries.
EAST BOSTON, Mass. - The two best 2-year-old Massachusetts-breds will finally meet when Mr. Meso faces the filly Jill's Layup in Saturday's $30,000 Norman Hall Stakes at Suffolk Downs.
The accomplishments of Mr. Meso and Jill's Layup indicates significant progress for the Massachusetts breeding program as both won major juvenile stakes races here against open company. Mr. Meso won the DeSpirito Stakes against colts. Jill's Layup won the Mom's Command Stakes against fillies.
Fresh off a strong showing in the Illinois Coronet Handicap against older Illinois-breds four weeks ago, Colorful Tour will be a heavy favorite Saturday at Haw-thorne against statebred 3-year-olds in the $40,000-added Demetri's Boy Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.
Colorful Tour has had a relatively light campaign of seven starts this year, but a glance at his company lines shows that his season has hardly been easy.