ARCADIA, Calif. – The 2019 season is best forgotten for La Sardane, the 6-year-old mare who is scheduled to have her first start of 2020 in Monday’s Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita.
La Sardane was fourth in the 2019 Megahertz and was involved in a frightening two-horse spill in the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes on the hillside turf course last March. Arms Runner suffered a fatal injury while racing in front of La Sardane, who was unable to avoid her fallen rival.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Hard Not to Love, winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on Dec. 28, is likely to remain at that distance for the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes against older fillies and mares on Feb. 15 at Santa Anita.
In the days after the La Brea, trainer John Shirreffs said he planned to run Hard Not to Love in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares on March 14. Shirreffs said Friday that there is time for a start in the Santa Monica in the interim.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The 3-year-old prospects Premier Star and Caracaro turned in impressive victories at Gulfstream during the past week.
Premier Star remained perfect in two starts after cruising to a 5 1/4-length allowance victory under Irad Ortiz Jr. on Wednesday, earning an 85 Beyer Speed Figure. The effort came five weeks after the son of Tapiture launched his career with a 1 3/4-length maiden special weight triumph over Caracaro, who flattered the effort with a very easy and well-graded maiden win of his own here on Jan. 11.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse has been well represented in the entry box throughout the opening six weeks of the Gulfstream Championship meeting, although he has spent the majority of his time this winter on the farm in Ocala, Fla. And for good reason.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A field of at least 11 older horses is taking shape for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup next Saturday at Gulfstream Park, with Omaha Beach looming a decisive favorite in the fourth running of the 1 1/8-mile race.
According to the Gulfstream racing office, these are the confirmed prospects and riding assignments for the Pegasus as of Friday:
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Sir Winston, the 2019 Belmont Stakes winner, has returned to the scene of his greatest triumph as he prepares for his 4-year-old campaign.
Thursday, Sir Winston worked five furlongs in 1:03.09 over the Belmont Park training track and later was confirmed as a starter for the $100,000 Jazil Stakes here Jan. 25.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Fierce Lady and Big Q are certainly the most accomplished runners entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct. Both, however, could be vulnerable in the 6 1/2-furlong race.
Stephen’s Answer remains unbeaten at Delta Downs after winning his fourth race at the meet last month, and he could see more stakes action at the track before the season wraps. The $70,000 Owner Appreciation Cup on Feb. 29 is on the horse’s radar. The one-mile stakes wraps up the season at Delta.
Stephen’s Answer made his Delta debut Oct. 10, winning a first-level allowance. He proceeded to capture an optional $20,000 claiming race at the track Oct. 25, the $100,000 Delta Downs Mile on Nov. 19, then an optional $15,000 claiming race Dec. 20.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Montauk Traffic, a 4 1/2-length maiden winner here Dec. 28, worked five furlongs in 1:01.66 on Wednesday morning and could be a candidate for either the Grade 2, $250,000 Withers Stakes on Feb. 1 or the $100,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes on Feb. 8.
Montauk Traffic worked in company with Devil’s Code, galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.51 while leaving his company.
