Thu, 07/26/2018 - 14:56

Brown has Good Magic ready for Haskell

Barbara D. Livingston
Good Magic, second in the Kentucky Derby on May 5, has not raced since finishing fourth in the Preakness on May 19.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – It doesn’t take a detective to determine the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday goes directly though Good Magic. His strong efforts to undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness are there for all to see.

On Thursday at Monmouth Park, Good Magic drew post 6 with Jose Ortiz named to ride when a field of seven was entered for the Jersey Shore track’s premier event. Morning-line maker Brad Thomas installed Good Magic as the 6-5 favorite.

Thu, 07/26/2018 - 14:10

Catalina Cruiser might ship for Woodward

Benoit Photo
Drayden Van Dyke guided Catalina Cruiser to a 6 3/4-length victory in Saturday's Grade 2 San Diego.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Catalina Cruiser, the impressive winner of the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap in his stakes debut on July 21 at Del Mar, may be bound for the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes on Sept. 1 at Saratoga.

“It’s something we can consider,” trainer John Sadler said on Thursday.

Sadler wants to keep Catalina Cruiser apart from Accelerate, the stable’s leading older horse, who won two Grade 1 races at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita earlier this year – the Santa Anita Handicap in March and the Gold Cup at Santa Anita in May.

Thu, 07/26/2018 - 14:06

Half-sister to American Pharoah set for debut

Barbara D. Livingston
Chasing Yesterday, half-sister to 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, has posted two works at Santa Anita in recent weeks.

DEL MAR, Calif. – The 2-year-old filly Chasing Yesterday will forever be compared with her older half-brother, a fella named American Pharoah who swept the 2015 Triple Crown.

Chasing Yesterday will have to carve out her own niche in racing. She will make her debut in a maiden special weight race for fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs in the first race at Del Mar on Saturday.

Thu, 07/26/2018 - 13:56

Pacific Classic an option for Beach View

Benoit Photo
Beach View upset the Grade 3 Cougar II on Wednesday, winning by 4 3/4 lengths.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Beach View may go from an upset win in Wednesday’s Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap to the meeting’s richest race, the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 18.

Trainer Leonard Powell said on Thursday that Beach View will be nominated for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles as well as the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap on turf the same day. The $250,000 Del Mar Handicap is run at 1 3/8 miles.

Wed, 07/25/2018 - 15:36

Asmussen enters two in Jim Dandy

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Steve Asmussen has Tenfold (pictured) and Reride in Saturday's Grade 2 Jim Dandy.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The dearth of depth behind retired Triple Crown winner Justify in the 3-year-old division was quite evident with the short fields drawn for Friday’s $100,000 Curlin Stakes and Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.

While six were entered for the Curlin, only five – including one from the Curlin – were entered Wednesday for Saturday’s Jim Dandy. Both races are run at 1 1/8 miles and are considered stepping-stones to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes here on Aug. 25.

Wed, 07/25/2018 - 15:36

Done Deal set for graded debut in Vanderbilt

Coady Photography
Done Deal was an easy winner last out in the Iowa Sprint Handicap.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Ian Wilkes said he doesn’t know how good Done Deal could be. He’s about to find out when he runs him in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Vanderbilt Handicap Saturday at Saratoga.

Done Deal drew the outside post in a seven-horse field that includes top sprinters Imperial Hint, Petrov, and Switzerland.

Wed, 07/25/2018 - 15:30

Promises Fulfilled, Strike Power meet again in Amsterdam

Emily Shields
Strike Power is among seven entered in Saturday's Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – In March, Strike Power and Promises Fulfilled dueled each other into defeat in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at 1 1/8 miles.

Saturday, the pair will meet again as two of seven horses entered in the Grade 3, $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga.

Since the Florida Derby, Promises Fulfilled has run 15th in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens. Strike Power finished eighth in the Woody Stephens.

Wed, 07/25/2018 - 15:26

Toner seeks another Bowling Green

Benoit Photo
Manitoulin drew the outside post in a nine-horse field for Saturday's Grade 2 Bowling Green.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Last year, trainer Jimmy Toner pulled a 16-1 upset in the Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes with Hunter O’ Riley. Saturday, Toner will go for a second straight Bowling Green when he sends out Manitoulin against Hi Happy and Sadler’s Joy in the Grade 2, $250,000 turf race at 1 3/8-miles.

Manitoulin was fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length in the Grade 1 Manhattan on Belmont Day. He finished two necks behind runner-up Sadler’s Joy and a neck behind Hi Happy despite a wide trip under Mike Smith.

Wed, 07/25/2018 - 15:26

McCraken in sharp Whitney drill

Barbara D. Livingston
McCraken might make his next start in the Whitney on Aug. 4 at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The multiple graded stakes winner McCraken worked six furlongs in 1:12.60 Wednesday morning over the Saratoga main track in preparation for a start in the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 4.

Trainer Ian Wilkes said he was looking for a sharp work from McCraken, who is coming off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows on July 6. McCraken, according to Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch, went his first three furlongs in 36.50 seconds and his final quarter in 26.10 while being asked by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.

Wed, 07/25/2018 - 14:56

Impressive stakes win spurs interest in The Gray Dehere

Coady Photography
The Gray Dehere, ridden by Lane Luzzi, scores a dominant win in the Prairie Gold Juvenile.

The Gray Dehere came out of his blowout victory last week in the Prairie Gold Juvenile in good condition and is taking up residence at Remington Park, trainer J.R. Caldwell said Wednesday.

That much is known, but beyond that, there’s uncertainty.