INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The familiar faces are tired and worn, stuck at this first-condition allowance level for months. In these circumstances, it is tempting to go searching for a newcomer, and in Wednesday's featured seventh race at Hollywood Park, it just might pay off.
MIAMI - Mr. Pleasentfar and Best of the Rest should give the home team its strongest one-two punch in the turf and dirt handicap divisions in recent memory when the south Florida-based horses make their next starts in major stakes at the end of the Tropical-at-Calder meeting.
JAMAICA, N.Y. - Judging by Voodoo's* (click here for lifetime PP's) monster return to the races in his last start, it wouldn't be crazy to run him in Saturday's Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. But it wouldn't be prudent either.
With that in mind, trainer Jimmy Jerkens has elected to run Voodoo back in Thursday's $100,000, Grade 2 Fall Highweight Handicap at six furlongs.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The narrow margin that separated Unbridled Elaine and Spain on the finish line in the Breeders' Cup Distaff is reflected in the weight assignments for the $250,000 Falls City Handicap, the Thursday race that should provide a dramatic rematch of the two standout fillies.
JAMAICA, N.Y. - Radiance looks to keep her magical 6-year-old season going Wednesday when she takes on five rivals in a $54,000 classified allowance race going six furlongs at Aqueduct.
A Venezuelan-bred daughter of Sard, Radiance has won eight of 14 races this year, including her last two for trainer Scott Lake, who claimed the mare off Gasper Moschera in August at Saratoga for $50,000. In April, Lake claimed Radiance for $50,000 from Moschera only to have Moschera claim her back in July for the same amount.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Now is the time of year that most owners and trainers begin to determine whether their top fillies and mares will continue racing next year or begin their careers as broodmares.
For owner Robert Masterson and trainer T.V. Smith, it might seem a given that they would retire Another. After all, Another is a 4-year-old Seattle Slew filly who earlier this year earned graded stakes type by winning the Grade 3 First Lady Handicap at Gulfstream Park.
But Another will race next year at 5, Smith said Sunday.
Flying Tassie, a strong second in similar starter allowance company last out on Oct. 12, heads a group of seven fillies and mares in Wednesday's featured fourth race at Golden Gate Fields.
The six-furlong race is for horses who have started for $32,000 or less and have never won two races. They will be competing for a $22,000 purse.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Nymphenburg, coming off a lackluster effort in the Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes, should be more effective against Ontario-sired opposition in the $108,900 Classy 'n Smart Stakes on Wednesday.
A field of 10 fillies and mares was drawn for the 1 1/16-mile Classy 'n Smart, the final Wednesday night stakes of the Woodbine meet.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Maryland shipper Elektraline fashioned an 8-1 upset over Feathers in the Grade 3, $141,475 Bessarabian Handicap at Woodbine.
Elektraline ($18.90) stalked front-running Pete's Fancy through an opening quarter in 22.44 seconds in the seven-furlong dash for fillies and mares. She assumed command after a half-mile in 44.90, and then coasted home on top by 3 1/2 lengths under Gary Boulanger.
JAMAICA, N.Y. - Forest Heiress completed a weekend stakes double for her connections by rocketing past A New Twist in upper stretch and cruising to a three-length victory in the Grade 3, $80,775 Valley Stream Stakes for juvenile fillies at Aqueduct.
In winning her fourth race in five starts, Forest Heiress established a stakes record of 1:08.66 for six furlongs.