Wed, 01/13/2016 - 11:50

California Chrome stretches his legs

Barbara D. Livingston
California Chrome, racing for the first time in more than nine months, delivers as the 3-5 favorite in the San Pasqual.

California Chrome jogged at Los Alamitos on Wednesday, his first day of exercise since winning the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita last Saturday.

“He was bouncing this morning,” trainer Art Sherman said. “He’s feeling good. I feel pretty good about him right now.”

California Chrome is scheduled to be sent to Dubai on Jan. 21 to begin preparations for the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on March 26. He is scheduled to have a prep race there in late February or early March.

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 15:24

Destin works half-mile for stakes debut in Lecomte

Todd Pletcher worked Destin a half-mile in company Saturday at Palm Beach Downs and said Sunday that Destin is on track to ship by van to Fair Grounds on Thursday for the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes. Destin drew post 13 for the race, his stakes debut, but should move in three slots since Indygo Breeze and Battle Tap are expected to be scratched in favor of a Jan. 18 allowance and Noble Thought was injured while working Saturday.

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 15:16

Fish Trappe Road leads Calhoun contenders in Saturday stakes

None of the five horses whom trainer Bret Calhoun plans to start in four stakes races Saturday at Fair Grounds will be close to favored, but that doesn’t mean they can be counted out. Calhoun has struck before with price horses in Fair Grounds stakes, as recently as last month, when Ibaka won the Buddy Diliberto Memorial at odds of more than 6-1, and as far back as 2010, when Jody Slew, a 23-1 shot, upset the Tiffany Lass Stakes.

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 15:06

Biogio's Rose possible spot for Saythreehailmary's

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Saythreehailmary's scored a three-quarter-length victory in Sunday's Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Saythreehailmary’s won her first open stakes in Sunday’s $100,000 Ladies Handicap, but she could return to New York-breds in the $100,000 Biogio’s Rose on Feb. 7.

Racing over a sloppy track for which she had shown an affinity, Saythreehailmary’s outfinished Mei Ling for a three-quarter-length victory in the Ladies, which was run for the 145th time.

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 15:00

La Verdad still Rice's top candidate for Barbara Fritchie

Joe Labozzetta/NYRA
La Verdad, winning the Interborough on Saturday, has the Feb. 13 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel on her calendar. If she doens't run there, trainer Linda Rice could send Hot City Girl instead.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – La Verdad came out of her victory in last Saturday’s $100,000 Interborough Stakes in good order, and trainer Linda Rice said Monday she plans on pointing the 6-year-old mare to the $300,000 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel on Feb. 13.

However, Rice is keeping Hot City Girl, La Verdad’s younger half-sister, in the barn as a potential backup for that race. Both horses are owned by Sheila Rosenblum, and both will not run in the Barbara Fritchie.

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 14:52

Constellation between two spots

Joe Labozzetta/NYRA
The Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct or the Forward Gal at Gulfstream is the likely next race for Constellation.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Constellation, a dominant winner of the Furlough Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 26, breezed a sharp half-mile in 47.78 seconds Monday over the Belmont Park training track. She is being considered for either Sunday’s $100,000 Ruthless Stakes going six furlongs at Aqueduct or the Grade 2, $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes on Jan. 30 at Gulfstream Park.

“She’s doing good, happy,” said Toby Sheets, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. “We’re on the fence.”

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 14:52

Green Gratto keeps going and going

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
This victory in the Gravesend was the 32nd race in 25 months for Green Gratto.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Gaston Grant keeps waiting for Green Gratto to show him some signs of fatigue after racing 32 times in the last 25 months. But since he hasn’t seen them yet, Grant will continue racing Green Gratto, who is scheduled to make his 2016 debut in Monday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct.

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 13:47

California Chrome’s little sister runs fifth

California Chrome, the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year, ran for the first time in 10 months on Saturday, winning the Grade 2 San Pasqual at Santa Anita. Ten minutes later, his 3-year-old full sister, Hope’s Love, ran fifth at Golden Gate Fields in her second start. By Lucky Pulpit and out of Love the Chase, Hope’s Love improved her Beyer from a 39 in her debut to a 44 in Saturday’s six-furlong maiden special weight race.

“We weren’t too disappointed,” said trainer Steve Sherman. “We know she wants to go long.”

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 13:38

Sr. Quisqueyano set to defend Sunshine Millions Classic title

Barbara D. Livingston
Sr. Quisqueyano wins the Sunshine Millions Classic on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Up to eight starters, including defending champion Sr. Quisqueyano, appear likely for the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Classic, the main event on the six-stakes Sunshine Millions program here Saturday.

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 13:16

Cherry Wine runs a corker

Lauren King/Coglianese Photos
Cherry Wine earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 78 for this allowance victory on Saturday.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Dale Romans already had one serious Kentucky Derby candidate, Breeders’ Futurity winner Brody’s Cause, heading into last weekend’s action at Gulfstream Park. He came out with a second following Cherry Wine’s impressive entry-level allowance victory at 1 1/16 miles here Saturday.