DEL MAR, Calif. – Rattataptap lost all chance for a win in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at a mile on turf June 27 at Del Mar when she was stuck in traffic with a quarter-mile to go. She finished fourth, a performance good enough to merit a start in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf Saturday.
The Senorita was a source of frustration for trainer Phil D’Amato, who watched Rattataptap miss by 3 3/4 lengths to Prize Exhibit despite the trouble.
Jockey Alex Thomas, who was badly injured in a spill at Charles Town on July 25, has made substantial progress in his recovery and expects to soon be released from Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va.
Thomas, 32, is out of intensive care, off the respirator that he needed after the accident, and is walking at the hospital daily. Thomas broke most of his ribs, punctured his lungs, and suffered facial injuries, among other injuries, in the four-horse accident.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Catch a Flight has won three graded stakes in Southern California since early May, the most recent being the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 25.
Despite those accomplishments, Catch a Flight might not be favored in the track’s richest race, the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles Aug. 22. Catch a Flight might not even rank as the best chance for trainer Richard Mandella, a role that will go to Beholder, the 5-year-old mare and two-time champion.
“I like them both equally,” Mandella said Wednesday.
Laurel Park has scheduled Maryland Pride Day on Aug. 22, closing weekend of its summer meet. The card will consist of races for Maryland-sired or -bred horses. There will be four $50,000 stakes – two turf sprints and two 1 1/8-mile turf races.
DEL MAR, Calif. – It’s the nature of the claiming game that horses come into a barn and can quickly go, but trainer Peter Miller had grown quite attached to Nextdoorneighbor, who was claimed away from him Saturday after eight races and six victories.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Whitney Stakes winner Honor Code’s first trip back to the track Wednesday was a bit more exciting than anticipated. The colt was on the Oklahoma training track as another horse ran loose for several minutes before being apprehended in the stable area.
Other than that, the morning took place without incident, and Honor Code appeared eager while jogging a little more than a mile with his stable pony.
“Terrific,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “He came out real good.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Keen Ice continued his preparation for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes on Aug. 29 with another strong gallop Wednesday here. Trainer Dale Romans said he plans to breeze the colt Saturday on Saratoga’s main track.
“The plan is to run, whoever’s in the race,” Romans said, alluding to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, whose status for the Travers remains uncertain.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Had she been healthy, Lady Eli would have been the star attraction in Friday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga.
But for the last six weeks, Lady Eli has been battling laminitis, the result of stepping on a nail walking back to her Belmont Park barn after she dominated the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on July 4.
Lady Eli continues to make progress in her fight against laminitis, and she is up to walking 20 to 30 minutes a day twice a day, trainer Chad Brown said Wednesday.
PHOENIX – Turf Paradise has named Robert Fox Jr. its new track announcer as the Phoenix track gears up for its 60th season.
Fox currently announces at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico as well as Rillito Park in Tucson, Ariz. He’s also served as the racing voice for Evangeline downs and Zia Park.
“Mr. Fox was selected among 17 applicants. There’s a lot of talent out there which is good for us and good for racing,” said track general manager Vince Francia.
Turf Paradise opens its 2015-2016 meet Oct. 17. The 136-day meet runs through May 8, 2016.
