ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Owner-trainer Angus Buntain is taking a shot with Krachenwagen in next Saturday’s $1 million Queen’s Plate, but he believes the oddly named gelding can pick up some of the pieces in the prestigious event for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.
Buntain said Krachenwagen didn’t have the best of trips in the nine-furlong Plate Trial Stakes on June 8, when he rallied from eighth to finish fifth – 2 3/4 lengths behind victorious Pay for Peace – under Jeffrey Alderson.
ELMONT, N.Y. – In an era of instant gratification, trainer Jimmy Jerkens still likes the old-school approach to developing horses.
But now that Timber Ghost and Preservationist have gone through their conditions, both are likely headed to stakes company for their next start. Timber Ghost, who won a third-level allowance race at Belmont Park on Sunday, is a candidate for the $100,000 State Dinner Stakes on July 7, closing day of the Belmont meet.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Vino Rosso, winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 27, returned to the work tab Saturday, breezing a half-mile in 49.78 seconds over the training track.
Trainer Todd Pletcher said that barring a change of heart by the owners – Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola – Vino Rosso would point to the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 3. Vino Rosso went winless in two starts at Saratoga last summer, finishing third in the Jim Dandy and fifth in the Travers.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Jockeys Manny Franco and Corey Lanerie were each issued a suspension by the New York stewards.
Franco was suspended 10 calendar days for his ride on Deft in Saturday’s first race at Belmont Park. In the stretch, Franco took Deft from off the rail and cut in front of Highway Flyer, causing that horse to bobble and unseat Luis Saez.
Deft was disqualified from third and ordered unplaced.
Franco’s suspension was reduced to seven days for waiving his right of appeal. He will serve the days starting Saturday and be eligible to ride June 29.
A bill designed to aid the Texas racing and breeding industry was signed into law Saturday by Gov. Greg Abbott, confirmed Robert Elrod, spokesman for the Texas Racing Commission. It goes into effect Sept. 1.
The bill calls for a portion of existing taxes on specific horse products and services like feed, supplements, tack, grooming supplies, bedding and boarding, to be placed in an escrow account that will be capped at $25 million a year.
Mocito Rojo and jockey Filemon Rodriguez have been one of the most successful teams in Louisiana racing over the past three years. The horse and rider have combined for 13 wins since first being paired together in May 2017 and on Saturday night will defend their title in the $100,000 Evangeline Mile at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La.
Direct Dial, the reigning Texas-bred Horse of the Year, will meet multiple stakes winner Supermason on Sunday at Lone Star Park in the $50,000 Wayne Hanks Memorial. The 6 1/2-furlong race for Texas-breds is one of four restricted stakes on the nine-race program. The stakes are worth a cumulative $230,000.
Direct Dial will break from post 2. Trainer Steve Asmussen has given the mount to Richard Eramia. Supermason will start from post 8. Lindey Wade has the mount for trainer Joe Sharp.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Holiday Disguise, who recorded her sixth stakes victory when she took Saturday’s Dancin Renee Stakes at Belmont Park, will be pointed to the $100,000 Union Avenue Stakes for New York-bred females going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 15, trainer Linda Rice said Monday.
“She’s a rateable sprinter. She likes to close,” Rice said. “She won the Critical Eye [at a mile] but I really think she’s truly a sprinter.”
ELMONT, N.Y. – Clyde’s Image looked like he was going to win the Poker Stakes on Sunday as the 9-5 favorite. About 20 yards before the wire, he took a funny step and jockey Javier Castellano can be seen grabbing the horse trying to slow him down. Clyde’s Image finished fifth, beaten a neck.
He was diagnosed with a bowed tendon in his right foreleg, an injury that will definitely end his racing career. On Monday, trainer Tom Bush was guardedly optimistic the gelding could be saved.
