INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The illness that postponed Ocean Drive's career over the summer has led to a perfect campaign this fall.
Initially considered a prospect for dirt racing, Ocean Drive showed less interest in that surface when she returned to training following time off.
"She wasn't working quite as well," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "I put her on the turf and she woke up."
ALBANY, Calif. - Last year, trainer Jeff Bonde won the Forty-Niner Handicap with San Nicolas. He never would have guessed then that he would be running Epic Honor in this year's Forty-Niner.
While San Nicolas was scoring a wire-to-wire victory in last year's race, Epic Honor was residing in the stallion barn at Blooming Hills Farm in Clements, Calif. But it will be Epic Honor representing Bonde Friday against six other runners in the $100,000 Forty-Niner, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-olds and up.
PORTLAND, Ore. - Emoswa Gold shoots for a third straight win when racing resumes at Portland Meadows with a special Friday afternoon card that starts at 1 p.m.
Emoswa Gold heads a field of nine fillies and mares in the eighth race, a six-furlong race for open $6,250 claimers. The ultra-consistent Emoswa Gold has been first or second in her last six starts, including two races at this meeting, but she will be taking on open company for the first time on Friday.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Stakes winner Chamul could finally notch her second win in Friday's 10th race at Woodbine, a six-furlong preliminary allowance for fillies and mares.
Chamul looked to have a bright future when she graduated second-time out in the Star Shoot Stakes in the spring of 2001, but has struggled since running second in the 2001 Fury Stakes. She was shelved after finishing up the track in the 2001 Woodbine Oaks, and resurfaced last March at the Fair Grounds, finishing fourth in allowance company.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Reade Baker already has enjoyed the best Woodbine meeting of his career, with 35 wins and more than $1.7 million in earnings heading into the final week.
Baker solidified his hold on 10th place in the standings here on Saturday, winning three races for the second time in his career, and will be looking to move up another notch or two in the standings in the closing days with many of his horses scheduled to run.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Gary Mandella admits he had to leave the job he most enjoys to realize what he was missing.
After growing up around the Southern California stable of his father, Richard, Mandella spent two years as a commentator on the TVG network, from 1999 to 2001. At the time, he was little more than a weekend visitor to his father's stable. But in the late 90's, before he took the television job, Mandella was a full-fledged assistant trainer to his father.
When his television contract ended in June 2001, Mandella didn't hesitate to return to racetrack work.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - When Bobby Frankel shipped his stable back to California following the end of the Belmont fall meet, there were few tears shed by New York-based horsemen.
Needless to say, there was no welcome wagon awaiting Frankel at Aqueduct when he returned to New York from California with four strong contenders for this weekend's quartet of graded stakes at Aqueduct.
NEW ORLEANS - Handpainted, a 2-year-old A.P. Indy filly who has a good chance of being named a Canadian champion, was to arrive Thursday at Fair Grounds, where trainer Josie Carroll will prepare her for a start in the March 8 Fair Grounds Oaks.
MIAMI - Trainer Graham Motion, who had a big winter at Gulfstream Park earlier this year, is back in town for another season and will waste little time getting into action. He sends out Newsbreak as one of the favorites in Saturday's $100,000 Mecke Stakes. The Mecke will share top billing on Saturday's program with its filly counterpart, the $100,000 Hollywood Wildcat. Both races will be run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
Closing weekend for the Quarter Horse meet at Lone Star Park is highlighted Saturday by the Grade 1, $1,061,703 Texas Classic Futurity, the richest race in Texas history. West Texas Futurity winner Eye Opening Episode is one of seven graded stakes winners in the race.