SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Todd Pletcher has bad news for those who purchased a future book ticket on Left Bank for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
"It's probably just a collector's item," Pletcher said.
With his powerful performance in Saturday's Whitney Handicap, Left Bank made it 2 for 2 at nine furlongs and will most likely be given the opportunity to try the 10 furlongs of the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 26 at Arlington Park.
SHAKOPEE, Minn. - J.P. Jet continued to assert his dominance over his statebred rivals when he equaled the track record for one mile and 70 yards in the $58,028 Minnesota Derby at Canterbury Park.
J. P. Jet ($3) sped quickly to the lead, setting fractions of 22.43 seconds, 46.06, and 1:10.69 while remaining several lengths clear. Leaving the quarter pole, jockey Derek Bell gave J. P. Jet some prompting and he readily widened his margin through the lane, winning by 11 1/2 lengths and completing the distance in 1:40.26.
Bop needed a near-world-record performance to win the $50,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup at Penn National.
The 5-year-old Bop ($8.60), ridden by Phil Teator, caught pacesetter Sport d'Hiver in the final stride of the five-furlong turf race, prevailing by a nose in 54.61 seconds. Less than two lengths separated the first seven finishers. The North American and world record is 54.60, set by General Express at Monmouth Park on July 8, 2000.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A somber group, composed of trainers, owners, and other denizens of the Woodbine backstretch, were maintaining a sorrowful vigil Monday.
The objects of their attention were the charred remains of Barns 7 and 7A, which were the residence of 122 horses and 17 stable workers when all hell broke loose just before 3 a.m. last Sunday.
Monday morning, firefighters were going about their macabre task of sifting through the rubble for the remains of horses.
CHICAGO - Saturday at Arlington, Generous Rosi recaptured the form that got him a Grade 1 placing last fall, but it is another Niall O'Callaghan-trained handicapper, Hail the Chief, who might show up in Arlington's next major distance race for older horses.
O'Callaghan is undecided about Generous Rosi's next race, but said that in a few days Hail the Chief will have his first breeze since spraining an ankle earlier this summer. If his training progresses well, he will make his next start in the Sept. 28 Washington Park Handicap, the local prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Firm ground or soft, trainer Christophe Clement appears to have all the bases covered in Wednesday's featured allowance race at Saratoga.
One of seven stakes-less days of the meet, Wednesday's feature is a $58,000 classified allowance race for fillies and mares at one mile over the inner turf course. A field of seven was entered on the turf, and two more were entered for main-track only.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Bob Tiller will saddle favorites in both Woodbine stakes on Wednesday, when he sends out Win City in the $136,875 Seagram Cup, and Forever Grand in the $135,125 Vice Regent.
The 1 1/16-mile Seagram Cup was originally scheduled for Sunday's card, which was canceled because of a horrific barn fire at Woodbine early Sunday morning.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Trainer Mel Stute turns 75 on Thursday. His birthday present may arrive two days late when Buffythecenterfold starts in the $150,000 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar.
Buffythecenterfold won the Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park on July 4 and is considered by Stute to be among the best 2-year-old fillies he has trained. It is not an easy club to join. In 1986, Stute had two of the best 2-year-old fillies in the nation - Brave Raj and Very Subtle.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Racing in northern California returns to a major-track venue Wednesday when Bay Meadows opens for 12 days as host of the San Mateo County Fair, better known as the Bay Meadows Fair.
Wednesday's opening day card is highlighted by an interesting starter allowance race at one mile. Four of the seven entrants will be stretching out to try a mile for the first time as they try to beat Mr. Ararat and Runaway Dancer, both of whom won maiden races at a mile earlier this summer.