Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Two drug positives at Thistle

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Trainers Michael McEachern and Cynthia Bayley have each been suspended for 60 days and fined $250 after horses they train tested positive for prohibited substances after winning races at Thistledown. Both cases also have been referred to the Ohio State Racing Commission for possible further sanctions.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Two stand out in mile on grass

SAN MATEO, Calif. - The biggest field of the Bay Meadows Fair has signed up for Monday's feature, a one-mile $40,000 optional claiming race on the turf.

Eleven 3-year-olds were entered, including the entry of Marcutio and Sail the Sky.

The race could come down to a race between Marcutio, a two-time winner on the turf, and Blue Slew's Shoes, who is stakes-placed on the turf.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Company B catches a break

MIAMI - Trainer Bill Cesare announced this week that Cellars Shiraz will make her next start in the Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes at Arlington Park on Sept. 14. The decision comes as significant news for the rest of the local 3-year-old-filly turf division, eight of whom will start in Monday's $40,0000 Faneuil Hall Stakes.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Del Mar pick six carryover at $143,784

DEL MAR, Calif. - A string of longshots on Friday has led to a pick six carryover of $143,784 for Saturday's program at Del Mar.

The pick six covers the fifth through 10th races on Saturday; the card starts at 2 p.m.

Here is a glance at the changes for Saturday's program. Bin Dere Did Dat has been scratched from the fifth race, run over 6 1-2 furlongs for $9,000 to $10,000 claimers. Tyler Baze has been named to ride Crafty Dutchman.

There are 11 starters, with Disguys Dalimit the 3-1 favorite on the morning-line.

Fri, 08/16/2002 - 00:00

Speedster out for six in row

DEL MAR, Calif. - Disturbingthepeace was the last horse added to a five-horse package owner David Milch and trainer Darrell Vienna purchased from California breeding farm Old English Rancho in the spring of 2001.

One year later, Disturbingthepeace, a 4-year-old gelding, has emerged as the premier sprinter in California and a viable candidate for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. On Sunday at Del Mar, he will put his five-race win streak on the line when he starts favored in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Handicap at seven furlongs.

Fri, 08/16/2002 - 00:00

Lake, Asmussen can't get started

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainers Steve Asmussen and Scott Lake this year have dominated racing across the country, combining to win 471 races.

At Saratoga, Asmussen and Lake have combined to go 0 for 43.

Through Friday, Lake is 0 for 29 and Asmussen is 0 for 14 at the Spa. It's another example of how humbling Saratoga can be. Just last year, trainer Nick Zito went for 1 for 65 at the Spa.

"It's very frustrating, to say the least," said Lake, who entered Friday with 228 wins, 15 behind Asmussen.

Fri, 08/16/2002 - 00:00

Include all ready for 'ideal spot'

Bob Denver/Equiphotos
Include heads the field for Sunday's $350,000 Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Include enters Sunday's Grade 2, $350,000 Iselin Handicap at Monmouth off an 11-week layoff, but don't expect him to be vulnerable. The lone Grade 1 winner in the seven-horse field, Include is fresh and ever dangerous heading into the nine-furlong Iselin, the first stop on his road to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Arlington Park Oct. 26.

Fri, 08/16/2002 - 00:00

Longshots bring Classic field to 11

DEL MAR, Calif. - Three longshots, Pleasantly Perfect, Oh Take, and Speedy Pick, have joined the list of probables for the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 25.

They will be part of an outstanding field, led by War Emblem, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes; Came Home, a five-time stakes winner this year; Milwaukee Brew, the winner of the Santa Anita Handicap; and Sky Jack, the winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup.

Fri, 08/16/2002 - 00:00

Four stakes under Iselin

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Astrid was one of the top 3-year-old fillies on the grounds last year. Local players get to see whether she has developed into a quality 4-year-old when she makes her belated meet debut in the $65,000 Regret Stakes for fillies and mares at Monmouth Sunday.

The six-furlong Regret headlines the Grade 2 Iselin Handicap undercard, which also features three other stakes races - the Rumson Stakes, Post Deb Stakes, and Continental Mile.

Fri, 08/16/2002 - 00:00

Riskaverse gets a fair shake

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Pat Kelly said he felt like he had lost the American Oaks, run last month at Hollywood Park, even before Riskaverse entered the starting gate.

Riskaverse, who made the long journey from New York to California for the $500,000 American Oaks on July 6, drew the outside post in the

14-horse field. If the race had been run in Kelly's back yard in New York, he might have scratched the filly, but after spending the money to ship her across the country it made sense to run.