OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Wrangler rose from mid-level claimer to the best sprinter in the Northeast last winter. After tailing off in the spring, Wrangler will try to jump-start his career Thursday when he heads a nine-horse field in the $100,000 Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct.
The Grade 3 Gravesend, run at six furlongs, is the final leg of the pick six, which features a carryover of $57,900.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - There is finally something more to discuss about Pinky Pizwaanski than just his unusual name.
A 4-year-old gelded son of Petionville, Pinky Pizwaanski is coming off two sharp efforts and will attempt to win his first graded stakes in Saturday's $100,000, Grade 3 Gallant Fox Handicap at Aqueduct.
Pinky Pizwaanski's trainer, Billy Turner, won the 1977 Gallant Fox with Cunning Trick, "and I think ol' Pinky is a better horse than Cunning Trick was,'' Turner said.
NEW ORLEANS - The virus struck Queen Kelly a month ago, just as the 2-year-old Louisiana-bred filly with a small-time pedigree was to take the first of two shots at big money. First came the $100,000 Champions Day Lassie on Dec. 14, and on Thursday is the Louisiana Futurity.
Having easily beaten the best statebred 2-year-old fillies at Louisiana Downs, Queen Kelly figured as a major player in the two Fair Grounds races.
In his last six starts, dating back to August, Sassy Hound shows a steady string of triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures. The six older sprinters Sassy Hound faces in Thursday night's $75,000 Christmas Handicap at Mountaineer Park have combined for just three Beyers of 100 or better - none since September.
No wonder the 5-year-old Sassy Hound is listed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite, even without stablemate Crossing Point, who has been scratched to run in Thursday's $100,000 Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct. Sassy Hound is also cross-entered in the New York race.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Echo Eddie might not have raced for more than five months, but he came back Sunday with his game face on. Forced to bull his way through along the rail, Echo Eddie fought his way to the front and outraced Rocky Bar to capture the $85,970 on the closing-day card at Hollywood Park.
NEW ORLEANS ? Kazoo blew past his two speed rivals just strides out of the gate, and by the time anyone got close to him Sunday's Gaudin Handicap was long over. Kazoo ($19.20) had never won a stakes race, but he won the $75,000 Gaudin on Sunday at Fair Grounds by two lengths, setting a stakes record of 1:09.38 for six furlongs.
ALBANY, Calif. - Racing was canceled Sunday at Golden Gate Fields when jockeys refused to ride because of the condition of the track.
"The bottom was not even enough to be fair," said jockey Ron Warren Jr., head of the Northern California Jockeys' Guild.
The homecoming was sweet for Louisiana native Kent Desormeaux, who guided Outta Here to a three-quarter length win over Comic Truth in the inaugural $500,000 on Saturday night at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.
It was another three and three quarter lengths back in third to Cherokee's Boy.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - In his years in the National Hockey League, Rick Tocchet was known for his tough, aggressive play. In an act of pure karma, the trait has transferred to the colt whose misspelled name carries on that legacy.
Saturday's $409,500 put Toccet to the test. On a track favoring speed, he was asked to chase a quick front-runner, then hold off a belated charge from the favorite, all while racing over a new track for the first time. He cleared every hurdle, holding off Kafwain to win by a head.
MIAMI - Cellars Shiraz left little doubt about who is the queen of the south Florida turf after cruising to an easy 2 1/2-length victory over Madeira Mist in Saturday's $100,000 Frances A. Genter Stakes at Calder.
The Genter shared top billing on Saturday's program with the $100,000 Pete Axthelm Stakes, which was won by 31-1 longshot Stormy Roman.
