Sat, 10/19/2019 - 13:50

Come Dancing works fast six furlongs for Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

Debra A. Roma
Come Dancing earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 for her victory in the Ballerina on Saturday.

ELMONT, N.Y. – It was a chilly 42 degrees early Saturday morning on Long Island, but Come Dancing warmed things up in a hurry with sizzling six-furlong workout in 1:10.19 over Belmont Park’s training track in preparation for a start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

Trainer Carlos Martin wanted one last serious move in his Grade 1-winning mare, so he put a lead horse, the 4-year-old New York-bred mare Stonefactor, out eight or so lengths ahead of Come Dancing who broke running at the five-eighths pole under Javier Castellano.

Sat, 10/19/2019 - 10:10

Catalina Cruiser likely to Breeders' Cup Sprint after sharp drill

Debra A. Roma
Catalina Cruiser comes into the San Diego Handicap off a game victory in the True North at Belmont last time out.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Catalina Cruiser looks like he's headed to the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

That was the word early Saturday morning at Santa Anita from trainer John Sadler shortly after Catalina Cruiser, in his penultimate work for the Breeders' Cup, worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.60 as dawn broke.

"We're leaning toward the Sprint," Sadler said, though he said he "might cross-enter" at pre-entry time on Monday in the Dirt Mile, too. But everything he said indicated the Sprint is where Catalina Cruiser is headed.

Fri, 10/18/2019 - 17:15

Remington Park groom charged with animal cruelty

A licensed groom and hotwalker working at Remington Park has been arrested and charged with five counts of animal cruelty, according to an incident report from the Oklahoma City Police Department.  

Dakota Wilbourn, 25, allegedly cut five horses in the neck or snout area Tuesday night at Remington. The horses all needed stitches, according to the police report. Wilbourn on Wednesday was summarily suspended by the Remington board of stewards and has a show cause hearing Oct. 22, according to a ruling dated Thursday.

Fri, 10/18/2019 - 15:00

Breeders' Cup Clocker: Dennis' Moment stands out on busy morning

Coady Photography
Iroquois winner Dennis' Moment drilled five furlongs in 58.52 at Churchill Downs on Friday morning.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Friday, Oct. 18   
Weather: Clear  
Temperature: 42  
Track: Fast  

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – If you like your weather cold and your horses fast, Churchill Downs was the place to be for tracking contenders on the Breeders’ Cup trail on Friday morning.

Fri, 10/18/2019 - 14:10

Donna Veloce wows in work for BC Juvenile Fillies

Emily Shields
Donna Veloce, an impressive maiden winner on Sept. 28, will make only her second start in the Breeders' Cup.

ARCADIA, Calif. – A number of horses with designs on the Breeders’ Cup worked Friday morning at Santa Anita, including the exciting 2-year-old filly Donna Veloce, who effortlessly bested a workmate while traveling five furlongs in 1:00, the best time of 44 at the distance over a dull, fast track.

With Flavien Prat aboard, Donna Veloce broke off about three lengths behind her company, cruised past in upper stretch, and was 2 1/2 lengths to the good crossing the finish.

Fri, 10/18/2019 - 13:56

Consensus led Omaha Beach's team to BC Dirt Mile

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Richard Mandella plans to enter Omaha Beach in the BC Dirt Mile on Nov. 2.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Richard Mandella said the decision to run Omaha Beach in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile came after a conference call among he, owner Rick Porter, and representatives of Spendthrift Farm.

“It was a group effort,” Mandella said Friday morning. “The Mile looks like a nice way to develop him. It’s the next step.”

Omaha Beach is scheduled to go to stud at Spendthrift next year, but there is still time following the Breeders’ Cup for more races, culminating with the Pegasus World Cup in January.

Fri, 10/18/2019 - 13:16

Channel Maker works for BC Turf, vans to Kentucky for California flight

Barbara D. Livingston
Channel Maker, shown finishing second in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, will be a longshot in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Channel Maker, runner-up in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, worked a half-mile in 50.40 seconds on Friday morning over the Belmont Park training track.

Channel Maker broke off just in front of a team trained by Danny Gargan that included Jim Dandy winner Tax. Channel Maker was kept in hand by his exercise rider while Tax outfinished his workmate Geta Lode of Lucky by two lengths.

Fri, 10/18/2019 - 13:10

Our Country works on dirt but remains pointed to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Barbara D. Livingston
Our Country wins a Saratoga maiden race by 5 3/4 lengths on Aug. 3.

ELMONT, N.Y. – After Our Country put forth an average work on dirt Friday morning at Belmont Park, his connections have opted to keep the horse on the grass and pre-enter him Monday for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita.

Fri, 10/18/2019 - 13:06

Vino Rosso finishes strong in Breeders' Cup Classic work

Barbara D. Livingston
Vino Rosso (No. 3) crossed the wire first in the Jockey Club Gold Cup but was disqualified and placed second.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Vino Rosso continues to train like a horse who will be a serious player in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2 as he worked a solid five furlongs in 1:01.48 over the Belmont Park training track Friday morning.

Fri, 10/18/2019 - 13:00

Green Light Go to be freshened in Ocala; Tiz the Law works for Kentucky Jockey Club

Barbara D. Livingston
Green Light Go will rejoin trainer Jimmy Jerkens' stable in Florida around the first of the year.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Green Light’s a no-go for the Breeders’ Cup.

Green Light Go, winner of the Grade 2 Saratoga Special and runner-up to Tiz the Law in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes, will not run in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Nov. 1, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Friday.

Instead, Green Light Go was to be shipped to Adena Springs in Ocala, Fla., on Saturday for a six-week freshening. He will rejoin Jerkens at Palm Meadows, a training center in Florida, around the first of the year.