Thu, 03/01/2018 - 14:06

Blackjackcat to skip Kilroe Mile

Emily Shields
Blackjackcat (right) is a possibility to run in the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile March 31.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Blackjackcat, third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar last fall and fifth in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes on Feb. 10, will miss the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita on March 10.

Trainer Mark Glatt said on Thursday that Blackjackcat has not had a workout since the Thunder Road Stakes, in which he was beaten five lengths by the winner, Om.

“We’re going to pass,” Glatt said. “Our plans are a little bit up in the air. We want to make sure he’s good and ready when we do come back.”

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 15:16

Gladyousawme pointing for Crescent City Derby

Coady Photography
Gladyousawme wins the Louisiana Premier Night Prince last month, his third win in three starts at Delta Downs.

Gladyousawme, who has won three races at the Delta Downs meet, is targeting the $75,000 Crescent City Derby on March 24 at Fair Grounds, trainer Brad Cox said. The 1 1/16-mile race for Louisiana-breds is on the same card as the Louisiana Derby.

Gladyousawme won an allowance at Delta in October. He proceeded to win the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy in November and then last month’s $130,000 Louisiana Premier Night Prince.

“He’s doing really well,” Cox said. “He’s a solid horse, always gives you what he’s got.”

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 15:16

Juvenile champ Good Magic tops 10 in Fountain of Youth

Susie Raisher
Reigning juvenile champion Good Magic will make his 2018 debut in the Fountain of Youth.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Good Magic is the reigning juvenile champion and likely odds-on favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. He Takes Charge has won just once in five career starts and will go postward among the longest-priced members of the field.

But the two horses will have one thing in common when they square off in the important Kentucky Derby prep and final major local tune-up for the $1 million Florida Derby on March 31: both are coming off a maiden win.

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 15:16

Forest Mouse to get another chance to become a millionaire

Coady Photography
Forest Mouse could become a millionaire if he finishes between first and fourth in Sunday's Curribot.

Forest Mouse appeared poised to go over $1 million in earnings in the Curribot Handicap on Sunday at Sunland Park, but instead was scratched from the race. He needed to finish fourth or higher to hit the milestone in the Curribot.

Henry Dominguez, who trains Forest Mouse, said a foot abscess forced the scratch Sunday.

“He popped an abscess the day before the race,” Dominguez said Monday. “He’s fine. We’ll find another race for him.”

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 15:16

Reride latest in family's string of good ones

Coady Photography
Reride, ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr., wins the Mine That Bird Derby by 2 1/2 lengths.

Reride improved his record to 4 for 5 with his win in the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park last Sunday, and the success he is having on the track is no surprise given his family tree.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said the horse has ties to several notable runners for Reride’s breeder and owner, Winchell Thoroughbreds.

“I’m a huge fan of the whole family,” Asmussen said. “His mother, Remit, is a full sister to Tapiture. I’ve been fortunate to have so many from that family that have been so good.”

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 14:16

End to Los Alamitos herpes quarantine expected Monday

California agriculture officials are expected to lift a 14-day quarantine on Monday on a stable at Los Alamitos that had a horse test positive for non-neurogenic “wild-type” strain of equine herpesvirus type 1, according to a statement released Tuesday by the California Horse Racing Board.

A barn with 11 horses has been quarantined and is under observation. The quarantine will be lifted provided there are no additional cases of illness, the statement said.

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 14:10

Giant Expectations pointing for Santa Anita Handicap

Barbara D. Livingston
The Santa Anita Handicap would be Giant Expectations' first start at 1 1/4 miles.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Giant Expectations is a probable starter for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 10, while Hayabusa One is doubtful, and Dalmore is bound for Oaklawn Park, their trainers said on Wednesday.

Giant Expectations won the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles here on Dec. 26, and was ninth as a longshot in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27.

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 14:10

Spring Lily tackling tougher company in Santa Ysabel

Benoit Photo
Spring Lily won her maiden at Santa Anita by five lengths in her second start.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Minutes before Spring Lily had her Santa Anita debut in a maiden race on Feb. 4, trainer John Shirreffs turned to jockey Evin Roman and offered simple advice.

“We need an Eclipse Award-winning ride,” Shirreffs said.

The timing was ideal. Just 10 days earlier, Roman was honored with the Eclipse Award as the outstanding apprentice jockey of 2017. In the maiden race, Roman delivered Shirreffs’s wishes, guiding the filly to a five-length win going 6 1/2 furlongs.

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 14:00

Castellano to ride Sharp Azteca in Godolphin Mile

Barbara D. Livingston
Sharp Azteca won the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct under Javier Castellano for trainer Jorge Navarro.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Javier Castellano has regained the mount on Sharp Azteca for the $1 million Godolphin Mile on March 31 in Dubai. Castellano already had planned on giving up the mount on Audible in the Florida Derby the same day after committing to West Coast in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Audible, winner of the Feb. 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream in his most recent start, now will be ridden by John Velazquez.

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 13:56

Strong casts for Fountain of Youth undercard stakes

Barbara Livingston
Take Charge Paula drew off to score by 3 1/2 lengths in the Grade 3 Forward Gal.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Fountain of Youth won’t be the only race of consequence Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Not even close.

Eight other stakes are on a blockbuster 14-race card that starts at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, with all but one of them graded. The Davona Dale, with 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks to the winner, is perhaps the most important supporting event.