Wed, 08/09/2017 - 12:03

Deauville morning-line favorite in a field of 13 for Arlington Million

Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club
Deauville was third in the Arlington Million last year and will be among the favorites this year.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - A field of 13 has been entered for Saturday’s 35th running of the Arlington Million.

From the rail out, with riders, the horses entered to run are Oak Brook (Santo Sanjur), Oscar Nominated (Florent Geroux), Enterprising (Corey Lanerie), Ghost Hunter (Edwin Gonzalez), Deauville (Ryan Moore), Fanciful Angel (Daniel Muscutt), The Pizza Man (Irad Ortiz), Kasaqui (James Graham), Scottish (William Buick), Beach Patrol (Joel Rosario), Divisidero (Julien Leparoux), Ascend (Jose Ortiz), and Mekhtaal (Frankie Dettori).

Tue, 08/08/2017 - 13:07

Classic Empire to bypass Travers for Pennsylvania Derby

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Mark Casse confirmed Monday the news most had expected was coming - that his 2-year-old champion Classic Empire would not make the Grade 1 Travers here on Aug. 26 and would instead be pointed for the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on Sept. 23.

Tue, 08/08/2017 - 11:50

Keeneland boosts takeout across the board

With takeouts of 17.5 percent on straight bets and 22 percent on most other wagers, Keeneland (above) will be on a par with Churchill Downs.

Keeneland Racecourse will raise its takeout for the October meet from 16 percent to 17.5 percent on win, place, and show wagers and from 19 percent to 22 percent on all other bets, the maximum allowed under state law, Keeneland officials confirmed on Tuesday.

Tue, 08/08/2017 - 11:38

Arrogate puts in strong work for Pacific Classic

Emily Shields
Arrogate following his defeat in the San Diego Handicap on July 22, 2017.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Arrogate put in a serious piece of work on Tuesday morning at Del Mar in preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 19, going seven furlongs in 1:25.20, after which trainer Bob Baffert said Arrogate is “acting like his old self.”

Arrogate is one of two horses Baffert has under consideration for the Pacific Classic, along with Collected. Baffert had a busy morning Tuesday, as he also worked American Anthem and West Coast for upcoming starts at Saratoga.

Mon, 08/07/2017 - 15:46

Speed showdown possible in Secretariat Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Oscar Performance paid $13 in winning the Belmont Derby on Saturday.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Oscar Performance, the likely Secretariat Stakes favorite over an expected six rivals, has not won two Grade 1 races and is just shy of $1.5 million because he is an especially limited horse. But Oscar Performance is a front-running type who definitely benefited from making easy leads last out in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby and two starts ago in the Pennine Ridge Stakes.

Mon, 08/07/2017 - 15:36

Oak Brook, Prado's Sweet Ride represent home team on Arlington Million Day

Four-Footed Fotos
Oak Brook wins the Black Tie Affair on Saturday at 17-1 odds.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – It probably will not be enough of an advantage to land either in the winner’s circle, but Arlington Million starter Oak Brook and Beverly D. runner Prado’s Sweet Ride are the only horses in those Grade 1 races Saturday at Arlington who will get to walk to the paddock from the stall they’ve inhabited all summer.

Those two are the entire home team in the three Grade 1 races Saturday at Arlington. Pre-entries for the Million, the Beverly D., the Grade 1 Secretariat, and the American St. Leger came last Friday, and the final fields were to be drawn Tuesday.

Mon, 08/07/2017 - 15:00

Lady Eli breezes half-mile in return to work tab

Ronnie Betor
Lady Eli (left) wins the Diana Stakes by a head.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Lady Eli, the winner of the Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga during opening weekend, returned to the work tab Sunday, breezing a half-mile in 49.04 seconds over the Oklahoma turf course.

Lady Eli went in company with Antonoe. The two were head-and-head throughout a first quarter-mile in 25.16 seconds and a second quarter in 23.88.

“Both horses looked terrific,” trainer Chad Brown said.

Mon, 08/07/2017 - 14:56

Weekend Hideaway notching sixth straight summer at Saratoga

Barbara D. Livingston
Weekend Hideaway breezes five furlongs in 1:00.87 Thursday at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Weekend Hideaway goes postward as one of the choices in Friday’s Tale of the Cat Stakes, it will mark the sixth consecutive summer that the veteran has competed at Saratoga.

Mon, 08/07/2017 - 14:26

Green Mask to start once more before Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Debra A. Roma
Green Mask nearly sets a new track record winning the Troy Handicap on Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Green Mask earned his second consecutive 110 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in Sunday’s $250,000 Troy Handicap at Saratoga and will now target one more race before the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

Green Mask won the Troy by 1 1/2 lengths and covered 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:00.49, just 0.03 seconds off Lady Shipman’s course record. Green Mask also earned a 110 Beyer when he won the Highlander Stakes at Woodbine on July 2.

Trainer Brad Cox said Green Mask came out of the race in good order.

Mon, 08/07/2017 - 14:16

Sassy Little Lila takes on boys in Fourstardave Handicap

Barbara D. Livingston
Sassy Little Lila will make her third attempt at winning a Grade 1 race in Saturday's Fourstardave.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Speed is always dangerous in racing, more so in handicap races if the speed horse gets significant weight from the competition.

Those variables could be in play Saturday when the speedy Sassy Little Lila takes on the boys in the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap going a mile at Saratoga.