Wed, 05/09/2018 - 14:10

Stormy Liberal pointing for Jaipur

Mathea Kelley/Dubai Racing Club
Stormy Liberal's first start since a runner-up finish in Dubai is to come at Belmont Park.

Stormy Liberal, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar last November and second in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai in March, will resume racing in the Grade 2 Jaipur Invitational at Belmont Park on June 9.

Brian Trump, racing manager for co-owner Rockingham Ranch, made the announcement on Twitter on Tuesday. The $400,000 Jaipur Invitational is run at six furlongs on turf and is part of the undercard of the Belmont Stakes program.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 14:00

In allowance, Longden gets chance to make his own name

Longden is known primarily as the workmate for Justify prior to the Kentucky Derby. There is more to Longden, a colt with talent and upside. His climb continues in race 7 on Friday at Santa Anita, a first-level allowance route for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

After surgery last summer to remove an undescended testicle that caused discomfort, Longden improved each subsequent start. His most recent was his best yet, a maiden victory in his sixth attempt.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 13:56

American Gal set for deliberate 2018 campaign

Barbara D. Livingston
The Ballerina and BC Distaff are long-term goals for Humana Distaff winner American Gal.

American Gal, who reemerged as one of the country’s top female sprinters with her decisive victory Saturday in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs, will campaign sparingly in 2018.

“We’ll pick our spots with her, the Ballerina and Breeders’ Cup are our two main goals,” trainer Simon Callaghan said.

The Grade 1 Ballerina is Aug. 25 at Saratoga; the BC Filly and Mare Sprint is Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

“We’ll decide what we do in between, it probably won’t be more than three races” total, Callaghan said.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 13:50

Stakes calendar gives Finley'sluckycharm short rest

Coady Photography
Finley'sluckycharm wins the Winning Colors by 5 1/2 lengths on Saturday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Finley’sluckycharm had been perfect in six starts at Churchill Downs prior to finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff on the Kentucky Derby card last weekend. Trainer Bret Calhoun said the defeat, in hindsight, was at least partly understandable given how hard the mare ran in a nose victory in her previous start, the Grade 1 Madison on April 7 at Keeneland.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 13:26

Dates set for Fair Grounds 2018-19 meet

The Louisiana Racing Commission has approved an 81-date Thoroughbred meet for Fair Grounds in New Orleans. The track will open Nov. 17, 2018 and race through March 31, 2019. Fair Grounds also was awarded a 10-date Quarter Horse meet for this year, from Aug. 16 through Sept. 8.

During the same commission meeting, Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., was granted a 46-date meet for Quarter Horses, from Oct. 3 through Dec. 19.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 13:26

Conquest Mo Money being considered for Lone Star Park Handicap

Barbara D. Livingston
The Lone Star Handicap on May 27 is among the options for Conquest Mo Money.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Conquest Mo Money, who on Sunday at Lone Star Park ran fourth in his first start since the Preakness, could return to Lone Star for the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap on May 27.

Trainer Miguel Hernandez said options for Conquest Mo Money are being discussed with owner Judge Lanier Racing, and they also include route stakes in New Mexico, including the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap on Aug. 4.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 13:16

Met Mile an option for Bee Jersey

Dustin Orona Photography
Bee Jersey has put together a three-race winning streak after taking Sunday's Steve Sexton Mile.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Bee Jersey could be headed for New York.

Bee Jersey, who won his third straight race Sunday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park, is being considered for a start in the Grade 1, $1.2 million Met Mile on June 9 at Belmont Park, according to his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 11:46

No immediate plans for Imperial Hint

SV Photography
Imperial Hint returned $2.40 in winning the Horse Races Now Sprint at Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Imperial Hint came out of his sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes tired but fine, according to trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. Imperial Hint was scheduled to arrive back at Parx on Wednesday.

Imperial Hint was the 6-5 favorite in the nine-horse field last Saturday. It is the first time in eight starts since November 2016 that Imperial Hint finished worse than second. He set the pace under Javier Castellano for the first six furlongs of the seven-eighths race, then weakened over the sloppy footing to be beaten 4 1/4 lengths.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 11:30

Pino moving tack back to Delaware Park

Lauren King/Coglianese Photos
Jockey Mario Pino

Mario Pino, the 10th-leading rider in North American history with 6,857 wins, will ride full time at Delaware Park this summer.

Pino, 56, is a native of Wilmington, Del. He started his career at Delaware Park and led the standings in 1979 and 1980. He also rode there from 2004 to 2008. Since 2009, Pino’s summer base has been Presque Isle Downs, where he finished third in the standings the past two seasons.

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 11:26

Force the Pass targets Monmouth Stakes after comeback win

Ryan Denver/Equi-Photo
Force the Pass (10) returned $8 in winning the Cliff Hanger Stakes at Monmouth on Saturday.

Force the Pass ran so well in his comeback race at Monmouth Park on Saturday that it would have been deemed a success even if he hadn’t won. But the 6-year-old put his nose down at the right moment in the $75,000 Cliff Hanger and, following a lengthy photo review, was determined to have beaten Irish Strait, who put in a very good effort of his own off the bench.