Thu, 09/12/2002 - 00:00

Tails of the Crypt is coming

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Bud and Jackie Reynolds, who race their horses under the name Jam Jar Racing Stable, have the kind of problem that most people in Thoroughbred horse racing would love to have. They have two very good 3-year-olds, Shaws Creek and Tails of the Crypt, and the Reynoldses really don't want to run them against each other.

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

Baffert, Baffert, Baffert, and Baffert in Futurity

DEL MAR, Calif. - Icecoldbeeratreds led a sweep of the first four positions for Bob Baffert trainees in Wednesday's $250,000 , highlight of the closing-day card at Del Mar. The victory gave Baffert his seventh consecutive victory in the Grade 2 race.

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

A pair of reasons to like Eltawaasul

ELMONT, N.Y. - Eltawaasul may offer the best value among several runners with a chance in Friday's $58,000 classified allowance race at 1 3/8 miles over Belmont Park's Widener Turf Course.

The seven-horse field includes four horses who were within 1 1/2 lengths of each other in an Aug. 21 allowance race at Saratoga, as well as the Bill Mott-trained Megantic.

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

If at first you succeed, why not keep trying?

ELMONT, N.Y. - In an era when so many talented horses are retired prematurely, Raging Fever and Gold Mover - two of the precocious juvenile fillies from the crop of 2000 - keep on performing at the highest level.

Now 4, an age when owner-breeder Edward Evans could have turned them into broodmares, Raging Fever and Gold Mover are still accomplishing great things on the track.

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

Mandy's Gold gets first chance to go beyond a mile

ELMONT, N.Y. - Mandy's Gold can run fast. Saturday, she will have to prove she can run far.

Mandy's Gold, a multiple sprint stakes winner, will try to stretch out beyond a mile for the first time in her career when she runs in the Grade 1, $300,000 Ruffian Handicap at Belmont Park.

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

Jones named as Gulfstream host

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Gulfstream Park has named Joanne Jones as its new television racing analyst for the 2003 meet, which opens on Jan. 3.

Jones, a former foreman for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, will offer detailed commentary, handicapping advice, and analysis to be broadcast live in-house and across Gulfstream's extensive simulcast network.

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

After one dud, Sky Terrace shortens up

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It's back to basics Saturday for Sky Terrace. He was tested at a distance in July but faltered, so eight weeks later, trainer Vickie Foley turns Sky Terrace back to six furlongs in the $150,000 Kentucky Cup Sprint.

"I've freshened him up and got him feeling good again," Foley said Wednesday at her Churchill Downs base. "I thought this race at Turfway was as good a spot as any for him to come back in."

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

At Del Mar, a patriotic 9/11

DEL MAR, Calif. - In attempting to strike a balance between presenting its closing-day card and paying tribute to the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Del Mar played host on Wednesday to a nationwide tribute that was broadcast to tracks that were open for business.

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

Mangold has shot at first win

AUBURN, Wash. - Apprentice Kevin Mangold appears well positioned to snap a frustrating drought Friday when he rides Los Pinos in the Emerald Downs feature, a one-mile race for $20,000 claiming 3-year-olds that has drawn a field of six.

Mangold entered this week's racing winless in 41 mounts since arriving here at mid-season from Southern California, and he is 0-for-141 for the year. It should be noted, however, that the hard-trying Mangold has had very few live mounts.

Wed, 09/11/2002 - 00:00

'Ruckus' cut below the best

EDMONTON, Alberta - With the Northlands meet winding down and slim pickings on the stakes schedule, stakes-caliber horses are forced to seek other options.

That's the case in the eighth race Friday. Little Lolitta, Slewability, and Viva Ruckus will battle in the $32,000 optional claiming race that includes an allowance condition for nonwinners of two other than maiden or claiming this season.

Enjoying the best year of her career with $82,286 in earnings, Viva Ruckus is the morning-line favorite and will race for the $32,000 tag.