Thu, 07/23/2015 - 13:16

South American stakes winner Kung Fu Mambo retired

Shigeki Kikkawa
Kung Fu Mambo wins an optional claimer at Santa Anita on Thursday, his first start in 2 1/2 years.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Kung Fu Mambo, a Group 1 winner in Peru in 2012 who won his only start in the U.S. at Santa Anita last month, has been retired because of a recurring tendon injury, trainer Peter Miller said.

The decision to retire Kung Fu Mambo was made in recent days. Kung Fu Mambo was nominated for Saturday’s $200,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar and was considered a potential starter as recently as last weekend.

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Thu, 07/23/2015 - 12:16

American Pharoah gives Baffert goose bumps with Thursday work

Benoit & Associates
American Pharoah works six furlongs in 1:11 Thursday at Del Mar.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Triple Crown winner American Pharoah gave trainer Bob Baffert goose bumps with his work Thursday at Del Mar, a drill officially timed in 1:11 for six furlongs, with American Pharoah always into the bit, eagerly looking to do more in his penultimate work for the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2.

“He’s getting faster. I’m getting goose bumps,” Baffert said after American Pharoah completed the work, which came just five days after a demanding work Saturday.

Thu, 07/23/2015 - 12:06

Palace on the fence for Vanderbilt

Barbara D. Livingston
Palace is likely to make his return in either the Grade 1 Vanderbilt next Saturday or the John Morrissey for New York-breds next Thursday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Although he is the defending champion and is ready to run off a four-month layoff, Palace is not certain to race next Saturday in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt, said trainer Linda Rice.

Palace rallied to a one-length victory over Happy My Way in the 2014 Vanderbilt and followed that win with an even better performance four weeks later, drawing away to a 3 1/2-length triumph in the Grade 1 Forego here. He has not won in his three subsequent starts, including a sixth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Thu, 07/23/2015 - 09:40

Rossi taken to Indianapolis hospital with spinal injuries

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - Jockey Oriana Rossi was transported from a local hospital to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Wednesday after being injured in a spill at Indiana Grand earlier in the day. Two other riders injured in the spill, Francisco Torres and Alejandro Contreras, were released from Major Hospital in Shelbyville Wednesday night.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 15:41

Summer meet draws big fields for big purses

Barbara D. Livingston
Wise Dan will make his next start in Saturday's $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It might be difficult to outshine a Belmont Park meet at which the first Triple Crown in 37 years was accomplished, but the New York Racing Association hopes to do just that when the 147th Saratoga season opens Friday.

With the highest daily purses in the country, a lucrative stakes program, and the prestige of Saratoga, this 40-day meet brings together the top horses and horsemen from all over.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 15:16

Valdez placed on probation after drug test

Erin Palmer/Emerald Downs
Jockey Felipe Valdez has been ordered to submit to drug testing with California Horse Racing Board officials after he tested over the permitted level of the pain killers hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone in a random drug test at Santa Anita on June 13.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Felipe Valdez has been placed on probation for testing in excess of the permitted levels of three prescription medicines, according to a ruling issued by Del Mar stewards on Sunday.

In addition, Valdez was fined $500 for excessive use of the whip in a separate ruling issued Sunday.

Valdez, 37, has been ordered to submit to drug testing with California Horse Racing Board officials after he tested over the permitted level of the pain killers hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone in a random drug test at Santa Anita on June 13.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 15:16

Beholder puts in final major work for Clement L. Hirsch

Benoit & Associates
Champion Beholder wins the Adoration Stakes on June 13 at Santa Anita.

DEL MAR, Calif. – It took a little longer than expected, but Beholder, the two-time champion, had her final major workout on Wednesday for the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Aug. 1 at Del Mar.

Working in company with Grade 2 winner Moulin de Mougin, Beholder worked a mile in 1:40.20, a time that reflected the deep nature of the Del Mar main track Wednesday morning.

“It’s pretty tiring,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 14:51

Diana distance the challenge for Tepin

Barbara D. Livingston
Tepin wins the one-mile Just a Game at Belmont Park. She has to run a furlong farther in the Diana on Saturday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though she has won all three of her starts in 2015, including the Grade 1 Just a Game, Tepin still has questions to answer in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Diana Stakes at Saratoga.

Primarily, can she get the 1 1/8 miles the Diana requires?

In six career starts on turf, Tepin has three wins and a second. Her two bad efforts on turf have come in races at 1 1/8 miles.

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Wed, 07/22/2015 - 14:36

Stevens has chance for redemption with Catch a Flight

Shigeki Kikkawa
Catch a Flight wins the Californian on May 30 at Santa Anita.

DEL MAR, Calif. – When Catch a Flight finished third as the 8-5 favorite in the $501,500 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 27, the most frustrated person involved with the horse was jockey Gary Stevens.

Looking back, Stevens wished he had not urged Catch a Flight to the lead in early stretch and had waited longer before making a move.

“I went to the lead too early, and they went by me,” Stevens said. “I didn’t like my ride. I’d like a do-over.”

Wed, 07/22/2015 - 14:16

Lanerie enters meet one hot jock

Barbara D. Livingston
Corey Lanerie, here aboard Molly Morgan following a win in the La Troienne at Churchill Downs, has five mounts on opening day of the Saratoga meet.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Corey Lanerie, who won his eighth Churchill Downs riding title during the spring-summer meet, will be a regular here for the second summer in a row. Lanerie is looking to get off to a fast start with five mounts on opening day, including One Minute for trainer Steve Asmussen in the Grade 3 Schuylerville and Lady Zuzu for D. Wayne Lukas in the Grade 2 Lake George.

Lanerie will be represented for the first time this summer by jockey agent Matt Muzikar.