Wed, 12/11/2019 - 13:10

New York State Gaming Commission postpones hearing on Linda Rice license

Barbara D. Livingston
Linda Rice comes from a family of horse people who descend from her father, Clyde, who died on Monday.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – A hearing scheduled for Dec. 18 by the New York State Gaming Commission to discuss the possibility of revoking or suspending the license of trainer Linda Rice has been postponed until Feb. 26-27, according to a spokesperson for the commission. The commission is also holding March 3-4 as additional days for the hearing in case more time is needed.

Wed, 12/11/2019 - 13:06

Miceli started year strong and just kept on going

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Mike Miceli-trained Mrs. Orb will run next in the Bay Ridge Stakes on Dec. 29.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Mike Miceli won with his first starter of 2019 and it proved to be a harbinger for the 72-year-old trainer, who has a relatively small stable.

Miceli, a former jockey who in 1974 won the Haskell and Travers aboard Holding Pattern, is enjoying one of his best years in three decades of training. Miceli’s 20 wins from 73 starters and purse earnings of $707,341 this year are second only to his numbers of 2003 when he won 23 races and his horses earned $793,338.

Wed, 12/11/2019 - 11:36

Imperial Hint to have final work for Mr. Prospector

Ronnie Betor
Imperial Hint will make his first start Saturday since winning his second straight Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga.

Imperial Hint is scheduled to have a final pre-race breeze this weekend at his winter base at Tampa Bay Downs for the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park as trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. looks ahead to what could be another big year for the horse he has dubbed “The Little Rocket.”

Imperial Hint will ship across the Florida peninsula next week from Tampa in Oldsmar, Fla., for the Mr. Prospector on Dec. 21. Carvajal said that seven-furlong race will be the last for Imperial Hint before he goes to Saudi Arabia for the $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Feb. 29.

Wed, 12/11/2019 - 11:26

Jeremiah Englehart sending 24 head to Oaklawn

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Jeremiah Englehart will send horses to Oaklawn Park for the first time.

New York-based trainer Jeremiah Englehart will have a division of horses at Oaklawn Park for the first time when the Hot Springs, Ark., meet opens Jan. 24.

Englehart said Tuesday he will have a 24-horse stable at Oaklawn. In the past, the trainer had sent a few runners to town for stakes.

“I liked the atmosphere and what they’re doing for racing,” he said.

Tue, 12/10/2019 - 18:59

Burgart going out on top with call of the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity on Sunday

Los Alamitos photo
Race-caller Ed Burgart

CYPRESS, Calif. - The final call of announcer Ed Burgart’s 40-year career will be Sunday evening’s Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity for Quarter Horses. As the race begins, Burgart is likely to start with his familiar description, “And away they go!”

The 400-yard race will take about 19.5 seconds. After the race, Burgart will introduce the winner’s circle ceremony, review the prices of the final race and conclude with a good night message.

Tue, 12/10/2019 - 17:45

Charles Town adds dates, boosts stakes purses for 2020

The West Virginia Racing Commission on Tuesday approved Charles Town’s 2020 racing schedule, which includes added racing dates, higher purses for a number of stakes, and three additional afternoon programs.

Charles Town will race 173 dates in 2020, an increase of nine over what it was granted a year ago. As usual, the centerpiece of the meet will be Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, which will offer a purse of $1 million, the same as in 2019.

Tue, 12/10/2019 - 14:16

Champion Stormy Liberal sold, transferred to Florida trainer over Peter Miller's objections

Debra A. Roma
Stormy Liberal, winner of the 2017 and 2018 editions of the BC Turf Sprint, is among the 16 pre-entries in this year's event.

Stormy Liberal, the champion turf male of 2018 and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in 2017 and 2018, has left trainer Peter Miller’s stable for David Scanlon’s farm in Ocala, Fla., after an apparent dispute arose between Miller and co-owner David Bernsen regarding the 7-year-old gelding’s future.

Rockingham Ranch, led by Gary Hartunian, announced in a message on Twitter on Tuesday that Bernsen has purchased Rockingham Ranch’s interest in Stormy Liberal.

Tue, 12/10/2019 - 13:46

A tale of two 11-year-olds - one retired, the other just resting

Lauren King/Gulfstream Park
Stormy Rush wins the Lincoln overnight stakes at Gulfstream, giving jockey Gilberto Saez his third win on the Saturday card.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Stormy Rush has been retired to a life of leisure, but Woodbine’s other venerable 11-year-old, Occasional View, could be back for another campaign next year if all is well.

Stormy Rush was claimed by trainer Lorne Richards for True North Stable for $62,500 in September 2012. He went on to win seven races for them, most notably the $75,000 Lincoln Stakes at Gulfstream in 2014.

Mon, 12/09/2019 - 15:40

Chance It staying home after all

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
In Reality winner Chance It missed some time due to a temperature.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – When trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. worked Chance It a sharp five furlongs in 59.41 with jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard at 7:45 a.m. on Monday, it was with the express purpose of running his star 2-year-old in Sunday’s $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. But those plans changed abruptly a couple of hours later after Joseph received a text from Dr. Patty Marquis, the head veterinarian at Gulfstream Park.

Mon, 12/09/2019 - 15:40

Graded stakes winner Frostmourne comes off long layoff

Lauren King/Coglianese Photos
Frostmourne starter his 4-year-old season with an allowance victory at Gulfstream, but is winless in two starts since.

Wednesday’s main event is a good one, a high-level optional-claiming test carded at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf which drew a field of six led by two-time graded stakes winner Frostmourne, who has not started since October of 2018.