ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Larry Rivelli, barring a surprisingly unsuccessful closing three-day race week, is going to set a record for wins by a trainer during an Arlington season.
“Big deal,” you’re probably saying. Arlington is a shadow of its former self. Most major or even semi-major outfits have left as purses and the racing schedule have shrunk. All that’s true.
ELMONT, N.Y. – After an ambitious start against the boys didn’t pan out in the Grade 1 Fourstardave, Sassy Little Lila is back facing her own gender in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Noble Damsel at Belmont Park.
Sassy Little Lila, trained by Brad Cox, was one of five fillies and mares entered in the Noble Damsel, scheduled for one mile over the Widener turf course.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Forever Unbridled wasn’t the only horse who ran well for trainer Dallas Stewart on Travers Day at Saratoga.
About two hours after Forever Unbridled defeated Songbird in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, Tom’s Ready, sent off at odds of 44-1, finished a solid third in the Grade 1 Forego behind the champion sprinter Drefong.
Tom’s Ready has returned to New York, where on Saturday he will take on the heavily favored Sharp Azteca in the Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Handicap.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Good Samaritan, the Jim Dandy Stakes winner who finished fifth in the Travers Stakes, is being pointed to the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Oct. 7, said Elliott Walden, president and CEO of WinStar Farm, which shares ownership of the 3-year-old.
Good Samaritan was supposed to run in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx before coming down with a temperature that forced him to miss some training time, Walden said.
By the time the Breeders’ Cup comes around, it’s hard to find a horse running at 100 percent.
The wear and tear of a long campaign rarely comes without some time off for a nagging issue or to freshen up from a long trip or dull effort. Missing time due to a hurricane, though, is one box most Breeders’ Cup contenders aren’t able to check.
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint contender Pay Any Price rode out Hurricane Irma in the barn of trainer Ralph Ziadie at Gulfstream Park West, the former Calder Race Course, in South Florida.
There are still three Win and You’re In Challenge races to be decided before the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4. But barring an unforeseen change of heart from trainers Bob Baffert, Chad Summers or Luis Carvajal Jr., leading contenders Drefong, Mind Your Biscuits, and Imperial Hint will not participate in any of those preps. All three are on schedule to simply train up to the six-furlong Sprint.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Breeders’ Cup prep season ended sooner this year for Stellar Wind and Forever Unbridled, the 5-year-old mares aiming for another shot at the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 3 at Del Mar.
The early favorites for the Distaff, they will enter with unconventional campaigns. Who needs a prep race? Stellar Wind and Forever Unbridled do not.
Stellar Wind’s most recent start was July 30. She will enter the Distaff following a 97-day layoff. No problem.
The West Coast-based contingent for the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 3 at Del Mar is led by Mor Spirit and Accelerate. The East Coast’s best hope could emerge Saturday in the Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park.
The eight-program Monmouth at Meadowlands all-turf meet begins Friday and will continue through Oct. 28.
Racing will be held Friday and Saturday this week and next, then on Saturdays in October. First post will be 7 p.m. Eastern, except for the final card, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. Six-race cards are planned.
Since the meet is turf-only, the races are weather dependent. The forecast for this weekend calls for dry conditions.
For the fourth time in five starts, Salty drew the outside post position for the Grade 1 Cotillon at Parx on Saturday. She will break from the 12 hole in the 1 1/16-mile race, one slot farther out than favored Abel Tasman, who will be shooting for her fourth consecutive Grade 1 win.
The Cotillion will be the fourth time Salty takes on Abel Tasman this year. She finished fifth to her in the Kentucky Oaks, second in the Acorn, and third to her in the Coaching Club American Oaks.
