Trainer Brad Cox has two leading 3-year-old turf fillies, Fionn and Destino d’Oro, aimed toward the Dueling Grounds Oaks next month at Kentucky Downs. He has a third horse in the same division, Yes It Tiz, headed toward favoritism in the co-featured eighth race Friday at Ellis Park.
The Indiana Derby, trainer Brian Lynch believes, does not define the route capabilities of the 3-year-old colt Big Truzz, and after an eye-catching victory in the 1 1/2-turn Ellis Park Derby on Aug. 10, Big Truzz will get another shot in a true route next month.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – At first glance, it appears a bit odd. Chancer McPatrick, winner of the 1 1/8-mile Curlin Stakes here last month, is cutting back in distance while Strategic Focus, third in the Curlin, is stretching out.
Upon further review, however, it makes sense. Chancer McPatrick is a perfect fit for the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at seven furlongs, while Strategic Focus is an interesting player in a short field assembled for the Grade 1, $1.25 Travers at 1 1/4 miles.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Grade 1, $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard Memorial Steeplechase scheduled for Wednesday was postponed due to significant rain in Saratoga. It has been rescheduled for Aug. 27 and was to be redrawn on Thursday.
The other five scheduled turf races scheduled for Wednesday at Saratoga were transferred to the main track.
Wednesday's card will start with race 2 at 1:48 p.m.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Lovesick Blues, winner of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on July 26 at Del Mar, will not start again until the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Trainer Librado Barocio confirmed plans to train Lovesick Blues into the Breeders’ Cup, which means the 7-year-old gelding will go 99 days between starts.
“My gut’s telling me to train him up to the race,” Barocio said last weekend at Del Mar. “He’s good fresh. When I first got him, he fired fresh. I might follow the same pattern unless he’s going crazy. Then, I’ll look for something.”
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Saturday’s 13-race card, highlighted by a front-running score from longshot Mansetti in the $1 million King’s Plate, generated just over $17 million in all-sources wagering, the third highest in the event’s history.
Jockey Kelsi Harr, who has been on a recent roll at Canterbury Park, has the mount on probable favorite Dual Monarchy in Thursday night’s featured ninth race. It’s a two-other-than allowance for 3-year-olds and up at a mile and has a claiming option of $30,000.
Harr has guided Dual Monarchy to two wins in his last three starts. His most recent came over seven furlongs when he defeated stakes winner Sir Sterling. Dual Monarchy will now be moving back to the distance over which he romped by more than 10 lengths on July 12 at Canterbury.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Steve Asmussen did not get much time to savor Magnitude’s 9 3/4-length victory in February’s Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes.
The morning after that Feb. 15 victory at Fair Grounds, Magnitude was diagnosed with a chip in his front left ankle that would require surgery, effectively removing him from Kentucky Derby consideration.
“Dinner tasted good, breakfast tasted like [crap],” Asmussen said.
Trainer Ray Ashford Jr. has some quality 2-year-olds in his Remington Park barn this season, among them It’s All Right. He won a division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity at Lone Star Park and is coming off a third-place finish in the $100,000 Prairie Meadows Freshman on Saturday.
Ashford said last week that the son of Cairo Prince who races for Ron Stolich could develop into a candidate for the $150,000 Clever Trevor. The seven-furlong race for 2-year-olds is Sept. 28 at Remington.
Holly Dolly, who won sprint stakes at Remington Park and Zia Park, has been retired to join the broodmare band of her owner, Tom Durant, according to trainer Ray Ashford Jr.
“She’s moved into the broodmare business,” said Ashford.
Holly Dolly came to hand last year at Remington, where she won four straight races, including the Flashy Lady Stakes. From there, she added a fifth consecutive win when shipping to New Mexico for the Zia Park Distaff.
