Tue, 10/09/2001 - 00:00

Spatz takes two shots at series

MIAMI - That a full gate of 14 colts and geldings is expected to contest Saturday's $400,000 In Reality Stakes is testimony that nobody is ducking the undefeated Carey's Gold or northern invader Booklet. The In Reality is the final leg of the open division of the Florida Stallion Series.

One of those 14 In Reality hopefuls is Mountain Forum, a late-runner who earned his berth in the race with a third-place finish in the Foolish Pleasure Stakes here on Sept. 22.

Tue, 10/09/2001 - 00:00

Dixie Dot Com done racing

ARCADIA, Calif. - The career of one of the most popular and courageous horses to race in California in recent years came to an end Tuesday when trainer Bill Morey Jr. said that Dixie Dot Com had been retired after again fracturing his left front cannon bone.

Dixie Dot Com had finished fifth of six in Sunday's Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting, prompting Morey to have Dixie Dot Com examined.

Tue, 10/09/2001 - 00:00

With slots still pending, Delta drops purse boost

Delta Downs in Vinton, La., will not pay out the record $125,000 a day in purses it had planned, because of uncertainty about when the track will receive a gaming license to operate slots from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

Delta Downs officials had hoped to get approval for slots from the board at its Oct. 16 meeting. But the matter will not be on the agenda because the board has not received the results of a background investigation on the track from the Louisiana State Police.

Mon, 10/08/2001 - 00:00

Bella Bellucci deals 'Heiress' first loss

ELMONT, N.Y. - Bella Bellucci earned a spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Monday by rallying from last to run down front-running Forest Heiress and take the Grade 2 $103,400 Astarita Stakes by one-half length at blustery Belmont Park.

Forest Heiress, who had won all three of her previous starts, finished six lengths ahead of Speed to Burn. Argentina finished last. Ghost Wrestling was scratched.

Mon, 10/08/2001 - 00:00

Woodbine Favorite comes on late

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Changeintheweather overhauled 53-1 shot Eye for an Eye in the stretch en route to a four-length win over 12 other 2-year-olds in the Grade 1, $273,750 Grey Breeders' Cup Stakes at Woodbine.

Changeintheweather, a Kentucky-bred Gone West colt, earned $174,600 for Pin Oak Stable, and has now won two of three starts for trainer David Bell.

Changeintheweather ($5.90) raced four lengths off the early lead in the 1 1/16-mile race under Mickey Walls, while Eye for an Eye helped carve out the fractions.

Mon, 10/08/2001 - 00:00

Shipper wins again at Arlington

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - For the third time in two months, Spanish Glitter shipped in from Kentucky to take the money in an overnight sprint stakes at Arlington Park. Under a perfect trip from leading rider Rene Douglas, Spanish Glitter kicked past pacesetter Emily Ring to win the $54,500 Silver Maiden Stakes by three lengths.

Spanish Glitter is based at Churchill Downs with trainer Bernie Flint, who has continually found spots for the 3-year-old filly in Chicago this summer.

Mon, 10/08/2001 - 00:00

'Ghost' upsets Valley Forge

It took Mazoolian Ghost six tries to score his maiden victory. He needed just one more race, however, to become a stakes winner.

Mazoolian Ghost ($28.80), fresh from a decisive maiden win at Delaware Park last month, came from far off the pace to score a four-length victory over six rivals in the $50,000 Valley Forge Stakes for 2-year-olds at Philadelphia Park.

Mon, 10/08/2001 - 00:00

Tiznow 'willing, but not eager'

ARCADIA, Calif. - Tiznow's seemingly disinterested performance in Sunday's $500,000 Goodwood Handicap at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting left his trainer, Jay Robbins, puzzled Monday morning, but Robbins said Tiznow had emerged from the race well and was still scheduled to run in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 27 at Belmont Park.

Mon, 10/08/2001 - 00:00

Forest Secrets heads tough Raven Run

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Maybe it's the time, the place, the distance, or the money. For whatever reason, the Raven Run Stakes, a $100,000 race at seven furlongs, has come up a particularly tough spot again Wednesday at Keeneland, just as it did last year.

Mon, 10/08/2001 - 00:00

Late scratch Mighty Quinn finds new spot

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mighty Quinn, a late scratch from Saturday's Cup and Saucer Stakes, should be well backed in Wednesday's $103,800 Frost King Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds at Woodbine.

Mighty Quinn hasn't done much wrong in three starts for trainer Malcolm Pierce. He graduated July 1 in a maiden special with a wide bid, beating subsequent stakes winner Nowyouseeit.