Fri, 08/04/2017 - 14:30

American Patriot has solid workout for Fourstardave

Coady Photography
American Patriot and jockey Javier Castellano win the Grade 1 Maker's 46 Mile by a neck Friday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – American Patriot, who finished 11th in the Grade 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, turned in a solid five-furlong workout Friday over the Oklahoma turf course and will run in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga.

American Patriot worked in company with Adorable Miss, a two-time stakes-winning filly. The move was the second-quickest among 18 works at the distance Friday over the Oklahoma turf.

“Not that that matters, I thought he did it well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.

Fri, 08/04/2017 - 14:26

Del Mar introduces tiered purse structure for Cal-bred optional claimers

DEL MAR, Calif. – Del Mar has enacted a two-tiered purse structure for California-bred optional-claiming races at its summer meeting, with allowance-class horses running for much greater prize money than claimers.

The new format will be used for Sunday’s first race, an optional claimer at one mile that drew a field of five. Que Chistoso, Senator Robert, and Plain Wrap are entered under the allowance race conditions and will run for a purse of $62,000. Old Man Lake and Freddies Dream are entered for $20,000 claiming prices and will run for a $35,000 purse.

Fri, 08/04/2017 - 14:20

Gormley may return in Shared Belief Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Gormley, coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont, may make his next start in the Aug. 26 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Gormley, the winner of the $1 million Santa Anita Derby in April, is tentatively scheduled to have his first start of the summer in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 26, trainer John Shirreffs said on Friday.

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Fri, 08/04/2017 - 14:20

High expectations for Gas Station Sushi

DEL MAR, Calif. – Gas Station Sushi definitely has a funny name – and apparently loads of ability.

Expectations are high for Gas Station Sushi’s debut in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Sunday. Bought for $240,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in training in March, Gas Station Sushi has worked well in recent weeks, trainer Richard Baltas said.

“I don’t know if she’s 100 percent ready to go 6 1/2 [furlongs], but I don’t think a lot of them are,” Baltas said.

Fri, 08/04/2017 - 14:16

Finest City will train up to Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

Debra A. Roma
Finest City, cutting back in distance and switching from turf to dirt, wins the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint under Mike Smith.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Finest City, the champion female sprinter of 2016, will make her next start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 4 and will not start in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 13.

“She’ll get her break,” trainer Ian Kruljac said.

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Fri, 08/04/2017 - 13:16

Dog days now days of plenty at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – For nearly 40 years, Joe Orseno has spent his summers at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. But no more.

With the option of staying year-round in Florida becoming more feasible for horsemen in recent years, Orseno now lives in Davie, a 20-minute drive from Gulfstream Park.

“It’s been a great move for me,” said Orseno.

Fri, 08/04/2017 - 11:56

Dragon Bay to keep going long, eyes Sky Classic

Michael Burns
Dragon Bay paid $12.50 in winning the Nijinsky Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Following Dragon Bay’s upset victory over two-time Canadian champion Are You Kidding Me in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes on May 20, trainer Stu Simon thought his horse could make a run at the Grade 1, $800,000 Woodbine Mile in September.

The Eclipse Stakes covered 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta. Dragon Bay followed that win with a victory in the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes over 1 1/4 miles on the Woodbine turf on July 29, and now plans have changed.

Fri, 08/04/2017 - 11:40

Seeking Albert targets Breeders' Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Seeking Albert will be pointed to the third and final jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on turf at Woodbine on Aug. 20.

Seeking Albert, making just his second start for trainer Mike De Paulo, recorded his second career win in an allowance over 1 1/2 miles on turf here July 14.

Fri, 08/04/2017 - 11:30

Pink Lloyd tuning up for Shepperton Stakes

Michael Burns
Pink Lloyd made the Achievement his third straight stakes victory Saturday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Pink Lloyd is undefeated in four starts this year, including the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes over seven furlongs on Tapeta here July 16. Trainer Bob Tiller said the 5-year-old son of Old Forester will remain at Woodbine for his next start against restricted company in the $125,000 Shepperton Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up Aug. 12.

Thu, 08/03/2017 - 14:16

Cupid, It Tiz Well bound for Saratoga stakes races

Shigeki Kikkawa
Cupid wins his first Grade 1 race in Saturday's Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

DEL MAR, Calif. – California-based stakes winners Cupid and It Tiz Well are now bound for Saratoga stakes next month after recording quick workouts at Del Mar on Thursday.

Cupid, the winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 27 in his lone start this year, worked six furlongs in 1:12.40. A 4-year-old, Cupid is a candidate for the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga on Sept. 2.

“He worked really well,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “It looks like he’s ready.”