Fri, 05/17/2019 - 14:46

Longtime Hastings steward Russell calling it a career

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – After a lifetime of racing, Wayne Russell will call it a career following the last race at Hastings on Monday. Russell, who literally grew up at the track, has been a steward at Hastings for the last 20 years.

“I am going to be a bit choked up after the last race Monday,” he said. “The time has come to move on, but I have had a great life at the track and will miss it.”

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 13:16

Well Defined starting up for second part of season

Tom Keyser
Well Defined wins the Sam F. Davis Stakes on Feb. 9.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Kathleen O’Connell said her top 3-year-old Well Defined is back in training after being given some time off following his ninth-place finish in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby.

Well Defined, a homebred son of With Distinction owned by Stonehedge LLC, had captured the Grade 3 Sam Davis with a career-best 93 Beyer Speed Figure in his previous start and was considered the top local 2-year-old prospect here last season following his one-sided victory in the 1 1/16-mile In Reality Stakes.

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 13:06

Imprimis breezes for Royal Ascot trip

Coady Photography
Imprimis recovered from a stumbling start to win the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The road to Royal Ascot continued Friday morning at Gulfstream Park for the Grade 2-winning turf sprint specialist Imprimis. Working on the dirt, Imprimis breezed an easy half-mile in 48.25 seconds before galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.75 over a track dulled some by rain the previous day.

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 11:46

Avie's Flatter tops early contenders for 2019 Queen's Plate

Coady Photography
Avie's Flatter (right) wins the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland. He is a leading contender for this year's Queen's Plate.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The 160th running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate is quickly approaching, with just six weeks to go before the top Canadian-bred 3-year-olds enter the starting gate on June 29 at Woodbine. A pair of local Queen’s Plate preps will take place this weekend at Woodbine, and another leading contender will be in action in Northern California.

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 10:24

Baffert juveniles impress in works

ARCADIA, Calif. - A large contingent of Bob Baffert-trained 2-year-olds are stabled at Los Alamitos where they are gearing up for career debuts, including an unnamed filly with a flashy pedigree who worked a bullet three furlongs this week in 35.20. Sired by Into Mischief and produced by Bubbler, the filly is a sibling to Arrogate.

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 10:21

Campaign and Giant Expectations heading east for stakes

Benoit Photo
John Sadler is pointing Campaign to the 1 1/2-mile Brooklyn Invitational.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Santa Anita-based Campaign and Giant Expectations are headed to Belmont Park for specialty stakes. Campaign, runaway winner of the Grade 3, 1 1/2-mile Tokyo City last month at Santa Anita, will target the Grade 2, 1 1/2-mile Brooklyn Invitational on June 8 trainer John Sadler said.

Campaign might be joined on the trip by Catalina Cruiser, who will work this weekend before Sadler decides where he returns.

“He might go to the True North,” Sadler said. “I need to get him started back.”

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 10:13

Higher Power gives Sadler and Hronises a second Gold Cup contender

Barbara D. Livingston
Higher Power makes his first California start in the May 27 Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Not that Gift Box needs any help May 27 in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, but trainer John Sadler and owners Kosta and Pete Hronis plan to unveil a second shooter in the 1 1/4-mile dirt race.

“Our secret weapon, Gift Box II,” Sadler said describing recently acquired Higher Power.

A 4-year-old by Medaglia d’Oro, Higher Power was purchased at auction for $250,000 in April at Keeneland and will be making his California debut.

Higher Power won 3 of 9 in the Midwest for trainers Mike Stidham and Donnie Von Hemel.

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 09:25

Delta Prince shipping cross country for Shoemaker Mile

Coady Photography/Keeneland
Delta Prince rallied late under Javier Castellano to win the Grade 1 Maker's 46 Mile on Friday at Keeneland.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Delta Prince, an outstanding New York-based turf miler, and Sharp Samurai, a high-class California comebacker, will help make the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on May 27 the strongest turf stakes this year in California.

It is fitting, since the Shoemaker is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge event for the BC Mile.

Delta Prince and Sharp Samurai will tackle Catapult, Ohio, Blitzkrieg, and possibly Bolo and River Boyne in the $500,000 Shoemaker.

Thu, 05/16/2019 - 13:31

Saez appealing suspension for Kentucky Derby ride

Emily Shields
Luis Saez, rider of Maximum Security, waits on the phone during the review process following the 2019 Kentucky Derby.

Luis Saez has filed an appeal of a 15-day suspension handed down by the stewards at Churchill Downs for his ride on Maximum Security during the May 4 Kentucky Derby, according to his attorney. Saez also filed a request for a stay of the suspension until his appeal can be heard.

Thu, 05/16/2019 - 08:53

They won a Win and You're In - and now they're in

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Alwaysmining earned his Preakness berth by winning the Federico Tesio.

BALTIMORE - The Maryland Jockey Club added two new Win and You’re In races for the Preakness this year, bringing the total to three. All three have made it into the entries.

The Federico Tesio has been a Preakness Win and You’re In since 2015. This year’s Tesio winner Alwaysmining will make the race 4 for 5 in producing Preakness starters.