ELMONT, N.Y. - Cot Campbell has twice seen his horse cross the finish line first in the Lexington Stakes, but has never been able to savor victory in the Grade 3 turf race for 3-year-old colts and geldings.
In 1980, Proctor finished first only to be disqualified for interference. In 1999, Mythical Gem registered a gate-to-wire victory, but suffered a condylar fracture. He was vanned off the track and later euthanized.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - It has been more than a year since Kalookan Queen lost two consecutive races, which may be bad news for her opponents in Sunday's $200,000 A Gleam Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Kalookan Queen finished second by a neck in the Grade 3 Desert Stormer Handicap on June 7, her first start since beating males in the Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup Handicap in March.
In the seven-furlong A Gleam, Kalookan Queen will be favored.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Tackling Stress and Rights Reserved, both residents of Barn 10 at Woodbine, will clash in Sunday's $133,625 Colin Stakes, a six-furlong dash for 2-year-olds.
Tackling Stress, a Kentucky-bred by Navarone, blew away a weak field of maiden special weight runners with Constant Montpellier aboard in his lone start, on June 23. His five-furlong time of 59 seconds was good for a Beyer Speed Figure of 67.
EDMONTON, Alberta - A rent-a-horse philosophy is thriving here at Northlands Park.
The record amount of claiming this spring at Stampede Park, in which about 125 horses changed hands for a total outlay of $1.4 million, is carrying over to the summer meet at Northlands.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Trainer Alex Murray, who trains Jay Ar Jay, a contender in the $35,000 Ladnesian Stakes Sunday, is one of the most popular figures on the Hastings Park backstretch, especially for those in need of legal advice. When he's not at the racetrack, Murray is busy running a legal practice that specializes in immigration and criminal law.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - There are as many top older horses waiting for the San Diego Handicap next month at Del Mar as there are starting in Sunday's $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park.
The two races may be three weeks apart, but the presence of both has split the male handicap division.
Horses such as Congaree, the winner of the Lone Star Park Handicap in May, and Redattore, the winner of the San Antonio Handicap in February, would fit against Milwaukee Brew, Momentum, and Sky Jack in the Gold Cup, which is run over 1 1/4 miles.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Paul Reddam has been a philosophy professor, mortgage company executive, television pitchman, and struggling amateur golfer. He is happiest with his latest role as the owner of a successful racing stable.
In the last few years, Reddam, 46, has been acquiring horses for his stable, which is in the midst of its best season. On May 27, Swept Overboard won the $750,000 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park, giving Reddam his most lucrative win. Last fall, Swept Overboard finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.