DEL MAR, Calif. - For the second straight year, trainer Richard Mandella will try to win Del Mar's $75,000 Osunitas Handicap with a South American import making her first start in this country. But that's about all that Paga, who won the race last year, and Noches de Rosa, who runs on Wednesday, have in common.
Paga had keen speed, and led from start to finish to win the 2001 Osunitas. Noches de Rosa takes far longer to get revved up, and will be trying to mow them down late.
EDMONTON, Alberta - The top 3-year-old fillies were in the spotlight at Northlands Park Saturday in the $75,000 Sonoma Handicap, which acts as the unofficial championship for the division.
Leading the way was Sweet Monarch, a British Columbia-bred who was upset by Code's Decree in the Northlands Oaks in late July but was looking to rebound against a similar field.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Expectations will be running high in Wednesday's eighth and final race at Woodbine, when As Expected, Expected Touch, and Pat's Expectations, all sons of Valid Expectations, clash in a six-furlong allowance worth $63,500.
As Expected is moving up off an authoritative win over $50,000 opposition, when he was claimed for $45,000 by trainer Tino Attard. He will cut back from his preferred distance of seven furlongs on Wednesday.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Left Bank on Monday was recovering well following emergency colic surgery on Saturday, but is unlikely to race again, his connections indicated.
"The surgery was a success," trainer Todd Pletcher said Sunday morning. "He's come out of the surgery well. He's in good shape this morning. The doctors were pleased with everything that's happened so far. But, as with any surgery, there can be complications, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes as smoothly as it has so far."
COLUMBUS, Neb. - Jockeys Jerry Carkeek, Jiri Peterka, and Chris Schooley were hospitalized Saturday night following a three-horse spill in the third race at Columbus Races.
Carkeek, aboard Delirious, was making a four-wide move into the far turn when his mount brushed with another runner, Hysteria, and fell. Schooley's mount, Night Before, attempted to jump the fallen horse but made contact with the downed horse to stumble and unseat Schooley. Jiri Peterka, aboard Talbott Tavern, then came through along the rail and clipped the legs of the fallen Delirious and also fell.
SHAKOPEE, Minn. - In an effort to increase attendance for its races and at its card club this week, Canterbury Park has agreed to be the official off-site parking facility for the PGA Championship which will be held this week at nearby Hazeltine Golf Club.
As a result, Canterbury Park has altered its post time schedule to accommodate the expected 20,000 visitors who will be shuttling to the tournament each day. Post time will be 7 p.m. Central Thursday through Sunday this week.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Yes, there is a long way between a first-level allowance race and a stakes race. But the 3-year-old colt Flatter was in a different league than the horses he beat by more than 11 lengths in Arlington's first race on Saturday.
"He does things the way a good horse does them," said Robby Albarado, who rode Flatter for the first time.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - They've squared off twice, and the score is Sarafan 2, Beat Hollow 0. The incipient rivalry between two of the country's best turf horses is perceived as one-sided - the two-time loser clearly is best.
The third edition of Beat Hollow vs. Sarafan comes Saturday in the Arlington Million, and even Sarafan's trainer, Neil Drysdale, has no doubt about the public's darling.
"I'm sure Beat Hollow will be the favorite," Drysdale said.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Bobby Frankel left town Monday afternoon. His horses did not.
Frankel returned to California on Monday to check on his Del Mar stable, and, perhaps more importantly, his two Australian shepherds at his Pacific Palisades home.
Before leaving, Frankel confirmed that Squirtle Squirt, last year's sprint champion, will make his return to the races in the Grade 1 Forego Handicap here on Sept. 1. Frankel said Jorge Chavez would ride.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Awesome Humor, a decisive winner of Monday's $150,000 at Saratoga, is already paying dividends for WinStar Farm, which purchased the 2-year-filly last month.
Awesome Humor, the 6-5 favorite, was a 1 1/4-length winner of the Grade 2 Adirondack. Stellar closed well to finish second and was followed by the second choice, Holiday Runner, who was 4 3/4 lengths back in third. Just Call Me Angel, Crimson and Roses, and Ella Bella completed the order of finish.
