Fri, 07/31/2015 - 11:37

Pender fined $5,000

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Mike Pender was fined $5,000 on Thursday after reaching a settlement agreement with the California Horse Racing Board regarding an infraction for benefiting financially while under suspension in 2014, according to a ruling issued by Del Mar stewards.

Pender was suspended 21 days and fined $5,000 last year for having five horses test positive for Class 4 medications in a 12-month period ending June 15, 2014. During the suspension, Pender issued “billing for training services,” according to steward Scott Chaney.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 11:36

No summer rematch for Wild Dude, Masochistic

Benoit & Associates
Wild Dude, recent winner of the Bing Crosby, will point to the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien on Aug. 22.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Wild Dude and Masochistic, the first two finishers in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on July 26, are going their separate ways. Wild Dude is a candidate for the $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs Aug. 22. The Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth for the BC Dirt Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 30.

“That looks like a logical spot,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

The Bing Crosby win gave Wild Dude an automatic berth for the BC Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 11:32

Moulin de Mougin retired

DEL MAR, Calif. – Moulin de Mougin, who won the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar in 2014 and three other races in a 16-race career, has been retired because of concern over the condition of an ankle, trainer Richard Mandella said.

Moulin de Mougin left Mandella’s barn at Del Mar on Thursday for owners Jan Van de Bos and Robert Naify’s property in central California.

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 11:32

Stellar Wind’s next start hinges on turf workout

Shigeki Kikkawa
Trainer John Sadler is unsure whether he wants to point Stellar Wind to the Del Mar Oaks on turf or the Torrey Pines at a mile on dirt.

DEL MAR, Calif. – A six-furlong turf workout at Del Mar on Sunday will determine the next start for Grade 1 winner Stellar Wind.

Trained by John Sadler for Kosta and Pete Hronis, Stellar Wind was a notable absentee from Saturday’s $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, the top race of the summer meeting for fillies and mares.

Sadler said he is considering races such as the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on turf or the $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes at a mile on dirt.

“It depends on whether I want to stay on turf or dirt,” he said.

Thu, 07/30/2015 - 15:26

Franco out for a week after spill

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Manny Franco, involved in a frightening spill here Wednesday, will be off his mounts until next Wednesday, according to his agent, Angel Cordero Jr.

:: Saratoga: Watch the Saratoga Video Report hosted by Mike Welsch

Franco sustained only a swollen right calf and had general body soreness as a result of the spill. He did not sustain any other serious injuries despite getting stepped on by two trailing horses.

Thu, 07/30/2015 - 15:26

Wicked Strong gets serious for Whitney

Barbara D. Livingston
Wicked Strong training this week for a start in the Whitney Stakes.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Wicked Strong, last year’s Jim Dandy Stakes winner, worked five furlongs in 1:00.19 over Saratoga’s main track Thursday in preparation for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney Stakes on Aug. 8.

Equipped with blinkers and working at 9:30 a.m. – 45 minutes after the track reopened after renovation – Wicked Strong went his first quarter in 24.69 seconds and got his final three furlongs in 35.50. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.67 under regular exercise rider Kelvin Pahal.

Thu, 07/30/2015 - 15:26

Change of plans for Judy the Beauty

Barbara D. Livingston
Judy the Beauty will prepare for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at her home track of Keeneland.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Judy the Beauty, last year’s champion female sprinter, left Saratoga early Thursday and headed back to Keeneland, where she will prepare for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, to be run Oct. 31.

Judy the Beauty finished third to La Verdad and Street Story here Wednesday in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss.

:: Saratoga: Watch the Saratoga Video Report hosted by Mike Welsch

Thu, 07/30/2015 - 15:16

Desormeaux failed Breathalyzer test

Barbara D. Livingston
Kent Desormeaux, aboard Texas Red at the Dwyer Stakes., may face sanctions after failing a Breathalyzer test during Wednesday's program at Del Mar.

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux was removed from his final two mounts at Del Mar on Wednesday by track stewards after failing a Breathalyzer test midway through the program, steward Scott Chaney said on Thursday.

The matter has been referred to California Horse Racing Board investigators, Chaney said. The investigators may file a complaint in the matter, seeking sanctions.

Thu, 07/30/2015 - 15:05

Untapable a go for Shuvee

Barbara D. Livingston
Untapable trains this week at Saratoga for Sunday's Grade 3 Shuvee Handicap.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After going back and forth between running and passing, trainer Steve Asmussen ultimately decided to run the champion Untapable in Sunday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap at Saratoga.

The Shuvee will mark the first start at Saratoga for Untapable – last year’s champion 3-year-old filly – and marks the first meeting between her and fellow Eclipse Award finalist Stopchargingmaria, the winner of last year’s Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama Stakes at Saratoga.

Thu, 07/30/2015 - 15:01

Upstart seen as main foe for American Pharoah

Barbara D. Livingston
Upstart (right) is the 6-1 second choice on the track line for the Haskell Invitational.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Following a $750,000 purse increase Wednesday, seven 3-year-olds signed up on Thursday to face Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Upstart, whose trainer, Rick Violette Jr., committed to the $1.75 million Haskell on Wednesday, has been made the second choice on the morning line at 6-1. Track linemaker Brad Thomas made American Pharoah the 1-5 favorite.

Upstart is cross-entered in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on Saturday but is expected to race at Monmouth Park instead.