Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

High hopes for Hatchett duo

MIAMI - The good news for trainer Jim Hatchett is that he has two of the top 2-year-old prospects on the grounds, Hear No Evil and Crimson and Roses. The bad news is that neither youngster is eligible for the Florida Stallion Series, which offers $1.2 million in purses spread over six races, three for each sex.

Hear No Evil jumped to the top of the colt division and became the instant favorite for the $100,000 Criterium Stakes on July 6 with a 9 1/2-length victory in an entry-level allowance race on Tuesday. His final time of 1:04.49 equaled the 5 1/2-furlong track record.

Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

Two would benefit from surface switch

It isn't often that a stakes scheduled for the turf would look even better if it were run on the dirt.

Sunday's feature at River Downs, the $50,000 Sydney Gendelman Memorial for older Ohio-breds at 1 1/16 miles, just may be such a race.

The two horses most affected by the Gendelman being on the turf are Majestic Dinner and Taylortwofeathers.

Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

Kalfaari must avoid trouble in Free Press

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Kalfaari looks to continue his dominance of the local older horse division in Sunday's Free Press Stakes. Six older horses have entered the six-furlong race, which carries a purse of $30,000.

Undefeated in two starts here this year, Kalfaari's last loss came in the Premier's at Hastings Park in Vancouver last October. His last loss at Assiniboia Downs came in last year's Gold Cup, when he was defeated by Beau Ring, whom he again will face Sunday.

Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

All signs point to Shaws Creek

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Shaws Creek, riding the wave of a two-race win streak, will be looking to win Canada's most prestigious race as the probable favorite in Sunday's $1 million Queen's Plate.

The 1 1/4-mile Plate heads a blockbuster 11-race card at Woodbine, which also includes the Grade 2 Nearctic Handicap, and the Charlie Barley and Sweet Briar Too stakes.

Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

Nuclear Debate vs. Numerous Times in Nearctic

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - California shipper Nuclear Debate will meet 2001 Atto Mile winner Numerous Times and 12 others in Sunday's star-studded supporting feature on Queen's Plate Day at Woodbine, the $292,250 Nearctic Handicap. The six-furlong turf dash has also lured the 2001 Nearctic winner, Mr. Epperson, dirt specialist Wake at Noon, and the speedy Texas Glitter, a beaten favorite in this Grade 2 event last year.

Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

With Lady away, Chamrousse may play

ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Niall O'Callaghan wasn't considering Saturday's $250,000 Mother Goose at Belmont Park for Chamrousse when he thought Take Charge Lady was running, but he might change his mind now.

Last week, Take Charge Lady's trainer, Ken McPeek, said she would receive some time off and would not run in the Mother Goose. As a result, Chamrousse, who has been beaten twice by Take Charge Lady this year, is now "50-50" for the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose, O'Callaghan said.

Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

Versatile Ransom's Pride heads split Mount Vernon

ELMONT, N.Y. - Sunday's Mount Vernon Handicap was so popular with horsemen that the racing office had to split the New York-bred filly and mare turf race into two divisions, each worth $75,000-added.

Ten runners, plus two also eligibles, are in the first division, which will be run as the sixth race. The second division, race 8, also has a field

of 10, plus one also-eligible and one main-track-only horse. The Mount Vernon will be run at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf.

Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

Try to catch Emergency Status

OCEANPORT, N.J. - In the Grade 3, $100,000 Jersey Derby, Emergency Status was overlooked at 55-1 but wired the field for his first graded-stakes win. In Sunday's $50,000 Choice Stakes at Monmouth Park, however, there will be a bull's-eye on the back of Emergency Status's jockey, Jose Ferrer.

Each of the other eight 3-year-olds entered in the nine-furlong turf race will be gunning for Emergency Status, but the question remains: Who, if anyone can, will try and keep up with Emergency Status on the front end?

Fri, 06/21/2002 - 00:00

Summer Colony will meet Spain in Pitcher

OCEANPORT, N.J. - With seven wins in her last eight starts, including three graded stakes victories, Summer Colony has positioned herself at the top of the older filly division on the East Coast. But trainer Mark Hennig says people have forgotten that Summer Colony owns the sole win over Azeri, the leading older filly out West and the pro tem leader of the division in the U.S.

Thu, 06/20/2002 - 00:00

Azeri has 'em running scared

Benoit & Associates
Azeri, returning under Mike Smith after her victory last month in the Milady, goes for her fourth straight Grade 1 win in the Vanity.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - There is a touch of resignation among the trainers with fillies facing Azeri in Saturday's $250,000 at Hollywood Park.

Azeri has won three consecutive Grade 1 races and will be heavily favored to gain a fourth in the Vanity, run over 1 1/8 miles.

The 125-pound highweight, Azeri faces four others - Affluent, Collect Call, Starrer, and Terna, all of whom are graded or group stakes winners. Affluent and Collect Call were second and third in the Grade 1 Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap on May 25, which Azeri won by 3 1/2 lengths.