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.”

Thu, 08/03/2017 - 13:56

Bolt d'Oro makes debut Saturday with high expectations

DEL MAR, Calif. – Maiden 2-year-old colts have been running to expectations at Del Mar this summer, and on Saturday, the highly regarded Bolt d’Oro will try to continue that theme.

Bolt d’Oro, a $630,000 Medaglia d’Oro colt owned and trained by Mick Ruis, makes his career debut as the race 7 favorite at 6 1/2 furlongs. If he runs like he works, Bolt d’Oro could make it 3 for 3 for favorites in juvenile maiden special weights.

Wed, 08/02/2017 - 15:20

Sassy Little Lila eyes breakthrough in De La Rose

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – As well as she’s run in a pair Grade 1 races, it’s hard to believe that Sassy Little Lila is still in search of her first stakes victory. She could be well spotted to get that stakes win Saturday in a field of 12 for the $100,000 De La Rose at a mile on turf at Saratoga.

Wed, 08/02/2017 - 15:16

Illinois racetracks request 2018 dates similar to current schedule

Illinois racetracks on Monday submitted applications to the Illinois Racing Board for 2018 race dates, and the requested schedule looks similar to the 2017 racing calendar.

Hawthorne, which applied for 55 Thoroughbred days, did request to start its 2018 spring meet on March 23, about three weeks later than this year. Since Hawthorne raced only two-day weeks in March, that is a loss of only six race days, and the break gives the track more time to convert its surface after a winter Standardbred meet ends March 2.