Jockey Samuel Marin turned a hot streak into history at Tampa Bay Downs last weekend, winning six races on Friday and again on Sunday to break the record for most victories in a single season. With 149 victories at the track since last November, he set the new mark well ahead of closing day on May 3.
In a press release, Marin credited his agent, Mike Moran, for working with him to secure mounts at the track over the winter.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Racing fans won’t have to wait long for another meeting between White Abarrio and Sovereignty.
White Abarrio, who beat Sovereignty by two lengths in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 18, has been confirmed to make his next start in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 27.
“It’s a Grade 1, it fits well timing-wise, a mile and an eighth, same distance, it works well for him,” Joseph said.
ARCADIA, Calif. – A four-day racing week at Santa Anita begins Thursday with a carryover of $44,113 in the $2 pick six.
Santa Anita has scheduled races from Thursday through Sunday. Post time will be 1 p.m. Pacific each day except for a 3:15 p.m. start on Friday to coincide with simulcasting of the Kentucky Oaks program from Churchill Downs.
Trainer Librado Barocio, who won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar last summer with Lovesick Blues, faces possible sanctions after syringes, hypodermic needles, and vials of the joint medication polyglycan were found in a car registered to him at Santa Anita, according to a report on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority website.
The syringes, needles, and vials were found in a “recent” search, according to HISA. Barocio could face a fine or suspension, pending a hearing.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Led by race winner Take A Breath, three of the first four finishers from Saturday’s Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita are expected to start in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares on turf on May 25.
Run at 1 1/8 miles, the $300,000 Gamely is Santa Anita’s leading annual race for fillies and mares on turf. The Grade 1 American Oaks, worth $300,000 and run at 1 1/4 miles on turf in December, is limited to 3-year-old fillies.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bob Baffert sent two Kentucky Oaks entrants to the track to breeze Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. By 11 a.m., he had one prospect remaining for Friday’s race.
While Explora turned in a solid five-furlong breeze that pleased her trainer, stablemate Bottle of Rouge coughed back at the barn following her own work and will be scratched. The withdrawal allows the first also-eligible, Lovely Grey, to draw into the Oaks field.
British Isles, a convincing winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March, has emerged from a sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland on April 18 in good condition, trainer Richard Baltas said on Friday.
Baltas said he is considering the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 25 for British Isles.
“I think the Gold Cup would be a good race for him,” Baltas said. “He likes this track.”
The $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup is run at 1 1/4 miles, the same distance as the Big Cap.
Cornucopian and Imagination, stakes winners at Santa Anita and in Saudi Arabia in their last starts, had six-furlong workouts at Santa Anita on Friday in advance of scheduled starts in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes on May 2.
Cornucopian, unbeaten in two starts this year, was timed in 1:12.20, while Imagination, winner of the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia in February, was timed in 1:12.40.
They are owned by partnership that includes SF Racing, Madaket Stable and Starlight Racing and are trained by Bob Baffert.
Finger Lakes looks to continue its growth as it kicks off its 65th season of live Thoroughbred racing on Monday.
Finger Lakes, an important part of the New York-bred ecosystem, has scheduled 91 days for this season. Racing will be conducted on Mondays and Tuesdays for the first two weeks of the season, allowing for better field sizes with the existing horse population and carding races at 4 1/2 furlongs as many locals work their way back out of a winter layoff. The track then adds cards for its regular Monday-Wednesday schedule through Nov. 25.
