Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Bold'n Keen right back in a hurry

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - It's hard to say what happened to Bold'n Keen in the Burnaby Stakes last Saturday, but he was put on the veterinarian's list following a troubled trip where he was eased down the backstretch by his rider. Bold'n Keen will try to get back on track when he faces six other 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles in a $50,000 optional nonwinners-other-than on Sunday.

"He just got confused," said his trainer, Rob VanOverschot. "It was his first time going long, and after he broke poorly, he rushed up and then must have thought the race was over."

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Bennett enters four for Angie C.

AUBURN, Wash. - Fourteen juvenile fillies, including a four-horse entry from the barn of trainer Dave Bennett, were entered for Sunday's $35,000 Angie C. Stakes at six furlongs at Emerald Downs. Only the 12 with the most earnings will start.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

127 pounds are plenty for Xtra Heat to carry

MIAMI - The weights have been released for next Saturday's $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap, the main event on the $1.4 million Summit of Speed card at Calder. And it's obvious racing secretary Bob Umphrey wasn't about to tinker with a formula that has already worked.

Umphrey assigned Xtra Heat 127 pounds and Gold Mover 115 for the six-furlong, Grade 2 Princess Rooney. Those are the same weights both carried when finishing necks apart in Belmont's Grade 2 Vagrancy Handicap on June 9.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

This year, Dollase has Momentum

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - After practicing the walk from the box seats to the winner's circle following the Hollywood Gold Cup last year, trainer Craig Dollase is ready to do it for real on July 14.

Last year, Dollase watched Futural finish first and be placed third after causing interference.

Next Sunday, Dollase is back in the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup with Momentum, who was racing on turf in England at this time last year.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Six set to contest Who Doctor Who

LINCOLN, Neb. - Tate's Way will carry high weight of 123 pounds when he returns to action as the likely favorite in a field of six entered for the $22,500 Who Doctor Who Handicap at Lincoln.

The 1 1/16-mile event for older Nebraska-breds replaces the Nebraska Breeders' Sweepstakes Classic and is in its second year.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Blumin Bauble favored in Princess Elaine

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Blumin Bauble will be favored over seven rivals in the $35,000 added Princess Elaine Stakes for Minnesota-bred fillies at Canterbury Park, but several loom with upset chances.

Trained by Doug Oliver, Blumin Bauble was named the statebred champion 3-year old last season following her win in the Minnesota Oaks. She showed continued development with a five-length win over Minnesota-bred foes in the Lady Slipper Stakes on opening weekend.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Joanies Bella tops Cincinnatian

Joanies Bella, the top 2-year-old filly in Ohio last year, will be a strong favorite in the $50,000 Cincinnatian Stakes, the feature at River Downs. The Cincinnatian, restricted to Ohio-bred 3-year-old fillies, will be contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

None of the major contenders, including Joanies Bella, has tried the turf, nor do any of their bloodlines suggest they will have a great love for the surface. The outcome might ultimately depend on class, and Joanies Bella is the shining star.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

No easy task to separate top Louisiana fillies

You'llbeinmyheart and Taylor's Queen, who both win more often than they lose, will meet for the first time Sunday in the $40,000 Fantasia Stakes at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La.

The six-furlong race is restricted to 3-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana, and also drew local stakes winner C.J.'s Star.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Stretchout should suit Darlin Dixie

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Turf will be the focus of the racing program at Lone Star Park on Sunday, with five of the nine races carded for the grass. The feature is the seventh race, a 7 1/2-furlong turf allowance for fillies and mares, which drew Asheville and Darlin Dixie.

The two finished a length apart last out in the $75,000 Miller Lite Stakes, with Asheville finishing second in the five-furlong turf sprint and Darlin Dixie, who was hung wide, fourth. The race was won by Leslie's Love.

Fri, 07/05/2002 - 00:00

Ah, Black Ruby: A mule in a million

PLEASANTON, Calif. - To her jockey, she's the Secretariat of mules. To her owners, she's the Tiger Woods of mules, helping her breed the way Woods has helped golf. To California racing officials, she's an icon on the state fair circuit.

But is Black Ruby, the world's greatest racing mule, simply too good for her own good?

Black Ruby dominates mule racing the way Man o' War or Personal Ensign did Thoroughbred racing. She has won 20 of her last 21 races, and at 10 years old is just hitting her mule racing prime.