Fri, 01/22/2016 - 14:06

Dortmund works toward San Antonio

Barbara D. Livingston
Dortmund is being pointed to the $500,000 San Antonio on Feb. 6..

ARCADIA, Calif. – Dortmund, unraced since winning the Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar in November, worked six furlongs in 1:12 on Friday in preparation for the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 6.

According to Santa Anita clockers, Dortmund worked the first half-mile in 47.40 seconds and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.60. Trained by Bob Baffert, Dortmund missed training time because of a foot issue in December and has had three workouts this month. Baffert said Dortmund will benefit from Friday’s workout.

Fri, 01/22/2016 - 14:06

Arabian Leopard gets one more try on turf

ARCADIA, Calif. – Arabian Leopard nearly overcame a dreadful start to win the Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds on turf Dec. 31.

Arabian Leopard broke slowly and trailed by as many as 12 lengths before launching a remarkable rally to finish third in the one-mile race, 1 1/2 lengths behind Path of David.

Fri, 01/22/2016 - 11:56

Blinker change moves up Fire Plug winner Sonny Inspired

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Sonny Inspired, who cost $20,000 as a yearling, has won $291,000, including the purse in last weekend's Fire Plug Stakes.

Maryland horse owner Matt Dorman was introduced to racing by his late father, Arthur Dorman, a longtime senator in Maryland who would take him to the track.

Fri, 01/22/2016 - 10:46

Geroux continuing upward trajectory

Alexander Barkoff/Hodge Photography
Florent Geroux guides Chocolate Ride to victory in the Col E.R. Bradley last Saturday.

NEW ORLEANS – The career of jockey Florent Geroux clearly has been ascending in the last few years, and his start at this Fair Grounds meet indicates that he intends to continue the trend.

Fri, 01/22/2016 - 10:40

Candy My Boy turns out to be sweet surprise

Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography
Candy My Boy wins his second start in a row Monday at Fair Grounds.

NEW ORLEANS – Candy My Boy, a 3-year-old colt who routed first-level optional-claiming rivals Monday for his second consecutive victory, is being pointed to the Grade 2 Risen Star on Feb. 20, trainer Roger Brueggemann said Thursday.

“It seems like he’s getting better all the time,’’ Brueggemann said.

Candy My Boy lost twice in maiden-claiming company before coming to Fair Grounds. He finished second against $15,000 maidens at Indiana Grand in his second start, then finished second against $30,000 maidens at Churchill Downs.

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 15:36

Rescheduled Toboggan gets three more entrants

Barbara D. Livingston
Captain Serious, unbeaten in three starts against New York-breds, will try two turns for the first time in the 1 1/8-mile Albany for 3-year-olds.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan originally drew a field of six when carded for Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day card, which was canceled due to high winds.

Rescheduled for Sunday, the race drew nine entrants, with Captain Serious, Mewannarose, and Fabulous Kid joining the original sextet. The connections of those three horses had hoped to run them in an allowance race that keeps failing to fill.

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 15:30

Flexibility beats the weather in Withers work

Michael Amoruso
Jerome winner Flexibility had his Saturday workout moved up to Thursday.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – With a winter storm forecast for the weekend in this area, horsemen were altering their training plans, with many moving up scheduled Saturday workouts by a day or two. On Thursday, the most notable worker was Flexibility, the Grade 3 Jerome Stakes winner, who put in a half-mile move in 48.14 seconds over the Belmont Park training track. Flexibility is being pointed for the Grade 3 Withers Stakes here on Jan. 30.

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 15:30

Trio of 3-year-olds return to Rice barn

Barbara D. Livingston
Championofthenile earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure for his maiden win at Saratoga.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While still deciding the future of their champion female sprinter La Verdad, trainer Linda Rice and owner Sheila Rosenblum welcomed back to the barn a trio of 3-year-olds they hope can provide more success for the stable in 2016.

The maiden winners Matt King Coal, Seymourdini and Championofthenile all recently returned to Rice’s Belmont Park barn following time off for various reasons.

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 13:40

Keri Belle points to Buena Vista

Benoit & Associates
Keri Belle, winner of the Megahertz on Monday, is expected to make her next start in the Buena Vista on Feb. 20.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Keri Belle, who won her first stakes in Monday’s Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita, is likely to run in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf Feb. 20.

“That would be the most logical spot,” trainer John Shirreffs said on Thursday.

Thu, 01/21/2016 - 13:36

Gabriel Charles in early stages of comeback following colic surgery

Benoit & Associates
Gabriel Charles should begin breezing in about two months.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The multiple stakes winner Gabriel Charles is in light training with Jeff Mullins after undergoing surgery for colic in August.

Co-owner Michael House and Mullins said Gabriel Charles has recovered from the operation, but a return to racing will take time.

“In about two months, he should start breezing,” House said.

Gabriel Charles won the Grade 1 Eddie Read Sakes at Del Mar in July and was rushed to a San Diego-area veterinary clinic Aug. 8 to undergo emergency surgery for colic. He remained at the clinic for nearly a month.