Mike Stidham was in Ocala, Fla., on Monday, inspecting some young horses he will be training in the not-too-distant future prior to attending the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s 2-year-olds in training sale scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Everything else in the world is shut down – except this sale,” Stidham said mid-morning by phone, referring to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. “It’s pretty amazing, actually.”
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado began the week at Gulfstream just two wins away from tying the legendary Angel Cordero Jr. for eighth place on the all-time wins list of North American riders.
Prado notched career win No. 7,055 when he guided Sally’s Curlin to a last-to-first triumph here Saturday in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie. Cordero retired with 7,057 wins.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Brendan Walsh wishes trouble for no one. He’s not that kind of guy.
Still, Walsh couldn’t help but crack a smile when talking about how the chances of Maxfield making the Kentucky Derby field would be helped greatly by what appears to be an imminent postponement of the race.
“Absolutely, I’ve thought about that,” Walsh said. “I think about nothing else.”
:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more
Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., will race spectator-free through March 30, the track announced overnight. The casino will close from Monday through March 30.
The voluntary move comes after two positive tests for coronavirus in Garland County, the county in which Oaklawn is located. The temporary closure of the casino includes its sports book.
Oaklawn raced spectator-free last Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Nadal won a dogfight of a Rebel on Saturday at Oaklawn Park and on Sunday, his trainer, Bob Baffert, was pleased with how the undefeated colt has emerged from the Grade 2, $1 million race.
Nadal withstood significant pace pressure for a three-quarter length win, picking up 50 points for the Kentucky Derby. The start was his first at two turns, his first on a wet track, and his first outside of his base of Southern California. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine Entertainment has announced that it will be close Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park to the general public for a minimum of two weeks beginning Sunday due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Woodbine had been open for simulcast wagering and Mohawk is in the midst of a live harness meet, which will continue.
PHOENIX – Turf Paradise is concluding its 2019/2020 live racing season early due to the coronavirus situation. The meet was originally slated to run through May 3.
According to a release from the track, the track’s clubhouse and Turf Club off-track betting network will remain open. Rillito Park in Tucson in Southern Arizona has also suspended live racing.
Turf Paradise is targeting its customary October opening for its next live race meet.
Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes, one mile, Aqueduct, March 7, 2020
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Mischevious Alex, by Into Mischief
Trainer: John Servis
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Owners: Cash Is King LLC and LC Racing
Beyer Speed Figure: 90
Colonial Downs on Friday released its 2020 stakes schedule, which includes 18 stakes worth a total of $2 million. In 2019, the Virginia track’s first meet after being shuttered for live racing six years, Colonial hosted 17 stakes worth $1.8 million.
The 2020 season has been expanded to 18 racing days from 15 in 2019, starts two weeks earlier than it did last year, and ends one week later, with six three-day racing weeks beginning July 23 and ending Aug. 29.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Stronach Group announced Friday that Bill Badgett, former general manager of Gulfstream Park, will rejoin the company, effective immediately, as executive director of Florida racing operations. Badgett currently serves as executive director of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
