MIAMI - Sunday is the opening of the Tropical-at-Calder meeting. That means classier racing, the return of big name stables, world-class riders, and smaller purses.
Beginning Sunday, purses will tumble on a race-to-race basis compared with the Calder meet - despite the fact the quality of the daily fare will improve. But as Calder president Ken Dunn explains, the lower purses are merely a factor of more races being presented over the course of the next 8 1/2 weeks.
April's Lucky Boy, a front-running colt who is undefeated in two career starts, will try to carry his speed seven furlongs Sunday in the $25,000 Prevue at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. The stakes has drawn nine 2-year-olds, and serves as a prep for the track's $75,000 MEC Mile on Nov. 24.
April's Lucky Boy won his maiden over 5 1/2 furlongs Sept. 28, and then won the $50,000 Oklahoma Classics Day Juvenile over six furlongs in a quick 1:10.55 on Oct. 21. In both races he was ridden by Don Pettinger.
Few in racing would look to the $25,000 Lady Razorback Futurity, a race for 2-year-old fillies bred in Arkansas, to produce a starter for the Grade 2, $200,000 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 24. But this year's running of the six-furlong race should when it is contested for the eighth time at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., on Sunday.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The annual B.C. Turf awards dinner isn't held until next spring, so for those who can't wait, here is a look at the horses who are likely to take home top prize in their divisions. In most cases there appears to be a clear winner.
No Time Flat should get the award for the top
2-year-old colt or gelding. Trained by Terry Marshall, the homebred gelding is the only horse who won more than one stakes and his win in the
1 1/16-mile Ascot Graduation Breeders' Cup more than made up for his dull showing in the Jack Diamond Futurity.
Here's a list of the stories included in Daily Racing Form's California Cup package. Click on the underlined link to access each story:
1. : Will Officer run, or won't he?
2. : Romanceishope still going strong entering Classic
3. : Feverish out to snap losing streak in Matron
4. : Likely favorite Fragrant Cloud smells like a winner
5. : Ceeband has staked his claim to fame
6. : Another episode in the Native Desert show
7. : Jeweled Pirate looks ready to roll
ARCADIA, Calif. - After a win in the Champagne Stakes and a fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Belmont last weekend, Officer returns to his California roots Saturday when he starts in the $125,000 California Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita.
Or, he may never leave trainer Bob Baffert's barn.
As of Thursday, Officer was an intended runner, but he could be withdrawn as late as an hour before Saturday's race without reason, a privilege granted to stakes entrants in California. On Thursday, Baffert was in a cantankerous mood when asked about the colt's status.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Romanceishope is at the end of a long campaign, but you wouldn't know it heading into the $250,000 California Cup Classic on Saturday at Santa Anita.
"This horse is a train now, he doesn't act like he's tired," trainer Jenine Sahadi said, adding, "he's a very big, strong horse."
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The 1 1/16-mile distance of Saturday's $100,000 Rushing Man Stakes at The Meadowlands should be the key factor in the turf race for 3-year-olds.
Deputy Strike, trained by Gary Contessa, won the Rutgers Stakes here Oct. 12, and faces several of his rivals from that race in the Rushing Man, including favorites Moomtaz and One Eyed Joker, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
