ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Nick Zito plans to vigorously fight a suspension handed to him by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board after one of his horses tested positive for a banned substance last summer at Saratoga.
Zito, who has trained two Kentucky Derby winners, a Preakness winner, and five runners-up in the Belmont Stakes, said he will take the board to court to clear his name of what he said is "an injustice."
PLEASANTON, Calif. - Pergatory, who has been showing speed versus tougher rivals at Hollywood Park, looks like the one to beat in the $34,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at the Alameda County Fair on Wednesday, opening day of the 11-day meeting here.
A strong field of eight entered the six-furlong feature, which is restricted to fillies and mares who have not won $3,000 twice other than maiden or claiming.
Pergatory, from the Wesley Ward stable, seems to hold a class edge on her foes after finishing third and fourth, respectively, in her last
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Just like when they last met, Artistry and Bibi Karam should vie for favoritism - and for victory - in the $44,200 feature race Wednesday at Churchill Downs.
Artistry, trained by Rusty Arnold, was the slight 2-1 favorite in a May 26 turf race, one that also carried the entry-level allowance conditions of the Wednesday feature. Artistry finished second, while Bibi Karam, trained by Burk Kessinger Jr., finished third, also at 2-1.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Optimistic plans call for John Dolan to win two races this week at Hollywood Park with reliable 6-year-old mares bred in California. First up is Filigree, a Dolan-trained sprinter who will try to run down the speed in the seventh-race feature Wednesday, a two-other-than/optional $62,500 claimer.
EDMONTON, Alberta - Fancy As is still considered to be the premier 3-year-old in Alberta, but based on the performance of Baie Comeau in the June 16 Alberta Derby, Fancy As may have some competition.
Trained by Leanne Knechtel, Baie Comeau has come out of nowhere to become a contender for the Aug. 25 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park.
Baie Comeau did not start as a
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Red Satin Slippers, a bang-up second last time out in the Carotene Stakes, deserves top billing as she takes on entry-level allowance opposition in Wednesday's Woodbine feature.
A field of 12 fillies and mares will line up in the seven-furlong turf dash, which carries a purse of $52,800.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Sparkling Number swept to a decisive victory in her first stakes race Sunday in the $50,000 Ocean Hotel for 3-year-old fillies running five furlongs on turf.
Sparkling Number, the favorite, pressed the pace under Jose Ferrer before rallying in the lane to a 1 1/2-length victory over Always on the Go. Hazino was another length back in third.
Owned by Richard Golden, Sparkling Number paid $5.40 and ran five furlongs in 56.38 seconds over a course labeled good.
The only two times Under the Rug faced graded stakes company last season she performed poorly and was beaten a combined margin of just over 30 lengths.
After watching how impressively Under the Rug ran in Sunday's $100,000 Obeah Stakes at Delaware Park, however, trainer James Murphy is willing to give his 6-year-old mare another shot in a major stakes.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - The result of the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Sale of 2-year-olds in training held Saturday night at Arlington Park mirrored many races here: Frank Calabrese came out on top.
The leading owner here last season, and with five wins already this meet, Calabrese shelled out $100,000 to buy an unnamed colt by the first-crop sire Victory Speech. And Calabrese's private trainer, Wayne Catalano, was unabashed in his appreciation of the colt Monday morning.