Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

Kadhaaf looks ready to rule in King Court

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Kadhaaf, third in the Evangeline Downs Sprint Championship in his most recent start, should be favored in Sunday's King Court Stakes at Louisiana Downs. An evenly matched field of five will be shooting for a $40,000 purse while sprinting six furlongs.

Kadhaaf, owned by Ben Stanford and trained by Keith Bourgeois, has won twice in seven tries this season, once at Fair Grounds, when he defeated nonwinners of three going two turns and once at Evangeline, where he turned in a strong rally going six furlongs.

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

City Zip possible for Carry Back

MIAMI - Trainer Linda Rice said she has not ruled out shipping City Zip to Calder for the $250,000 Carry Back Stakes on Saturday's Summit of Speed program even though he would be coming back on just nine days' rest. City Zip upset Songandaprayer when he registered an impressive victory in Wednesday's Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park.

"That door is still open," Rice said about the Carry Back, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds. "I just want to see how he comes out of this last race, and at the moment everything looks good."

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

Sprinter Teenytinytina stands tall in feature

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Since being claimed for $7,000 last summer at Lone Star Park, Teenytinytina has won six races and almost $100,000, and in her last start raced head to head with sprint sensation Hallowed Dreams into the stretch of the $75,000 Miller Lite Stakes.

Teenytinytina faded to sixth in the drive of that race after her rider lost his stick at the top of the stretch. It was the mare's one loss in four starts this meet, and she figures to make amends Sunday when she runs in the featured ninth race, a five-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares worth $33,000.

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

A pocketful of memories lingers at meeting's end

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - As the curtain falls on another spring meet at Churchill Downs, here are a few of the most memorable things:

Most disconcerting defeat: Considering what followed in the Preakness and Belmont, people will be talking for many years about the mystery of Point Given's fifth-place finish in the May 5 Kentucky Derby.

Biggest controversy: Critics are still taking swipes at the track condition on Derby Day, when record after near-record was set on dirt.

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

Spectacular Cat begins ninth or 10th life

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - With only a $50,000-added purse, the Alydar Stakes, Arlington's Sunday feature, brings together emerging 3-year-olds and 3-year-olds who have run out of allowance conditions but can't compete with true stakes horses. For Spectacular Cat, it's a chance to breathe some good karma into a partially deflated career.

Spectacular Cat is almost overqualified for the one-mile Alydar. In nine trips to the post he has run in two Grade 2's, a Grade 3, won the $75,000 Spectacular Bid at Arlington last summer, and has competed in stakes company his last six starts.

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

Alamedan a soft spot for Jorrocks

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Jorrocks, who finished third in the Grade 3 All American Handicap at Bay Meadows in his last start, faces a significantly easier assignment in the $50,000 Alamedan Handicap Sunday, closing day of the Alameda County Fair meeting.

Only six entered the 1 1/16-mile race, and Jorrocks will carry high weight of 119 pounds. A 7-year-old gelding, Jorrocks was also entered in the Bel Air Handicap at Hollywood Park Saturday, but trainer Bob Hess said he will scratch out of that race and run at Pleasanton.

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

Graceful Klinchit open for challenger

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Sunday's feature at Marquis Downs, the $6,000 Graceful Klinchit Handicap for fillies and mares, has drawn a field of six and lacks a true favorite.

With Saskatchewan champion White Cerf having yet to start this season and Matron winner Judge Smiles running Sunday at Northlands Park, the opportunity exists for a new divisional leader to step forward in this one-mile race.

The logical choice here is Truly Remarkable, last year's top Saskatchewan 3-year-old filly with six wins from 11 outings.

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

Bullet Catcher alone with race under belt

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Three colts and two fillies will start in Sunday's featured Graduation Stakes at Assiniboia. The 5 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-olds will carry a purse of $27,500.

Bullet Catcher, the only entrant with race experience, won a maiden claiming race at Stampede Park June 15. Trained by Dale Saunders, Bullet Catcher will break from post 3 under Alan Cuthbertson.

Corporate Shuffle won this race last year for the K-5 Stable and trainer Darla Singh. This Year, the same connections have their hopes resting with Ness Gadoll.

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

Special Occasion's a perfect fit

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Special Occasion is 7 years old, and only getting better with age. That is a scary prospect for his rivals in Sunday's $50,000 John McSorley five-furlong turf sprint.

Special Occasion, who holds five-furlong course records at The Meadowlands and Monmouth, picked up where he left off in his first start this meet, winning a money allowance here June 10. He should be a favorite to capture yet another turf sprint stakes on his home course. Special Occasion will carry 118 pounds and jockey Joe Bravo.

Fri, 07/06/2001 - 00:00

Plate stars back on track

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Dancethruthedawn and Win City, one-two finishers here in the June 24 Queen's Plate, both took their first serious steps toward the Prince of Wales Stakes with five-furlong breezes here Friday morning.

Dancethruthedawn, with exercise rider Hugh Chatman in the irons, went in 1:00.40 on the training track. Win City, under regular rider Constant Montpellier, was timed in 1:01.20 on the main track. Both surfaces were listed as fast.

The $350,000 Prince of Wales will be run at 1 3/16 miles at Fort Erie July 22.