OPELOUSAS, La. – To say that jockey Colby Hernandez has dominated the first month of the Evangeline Downs meeting might be understating things a bit. The talented, young rider has won with 43 of his 110 mounts for a remarkable success rate of almost 40 percent.
By contrast, Diego Saenz, who has won multiple riding titles at Evangeline, is second in the standings with a respectable 22 trips to the winner’s circle from two more total mounts.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Diversy Harbor, who suffered sesamoid injuries when she was pulled up in the $151,000 Santa Barbara Handicap at Santa Anita on April 18, has shown progress in her recovery, according to Aimee Dollase, assistant to trainer Tom Proctor.
Diversy Harbor underwent surgery to stabilize the injury and remains at the Alamo Pintado Equine Clinic in Los Olivos, Calif.
“They’re pleased with her progress,” Dollase said. “They say she’s a good patient and is willing. Sometimes, they take care of themselves. That’s half the battle there.”
ARCADIA, Calif. – Stellar Wind, fourth as the favorite in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs last Friday, is likely to stay in Southern California in coming months.
Tuesday, trainer John Sadler said he considers Stellar Wind a candidate for the $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on June 20. A final decision will be made when the filly returns to training. The Grade 2 Summertime Oaks is run at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-old fillies.
“It’s in her own backyard,” he said. “I need to get her home and look at her.”
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – When American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby last Saturday it was the first time in the 140-year history of the race that the winer wore the No. 18 saddletowel. But it wasn’t the first time a No. 18 has won a race at Churchill Downs.
In the fifth race on Nov. 3, 2004, a filly named Irena Point, trained by the late Bob Holthus and ridden by John McKee, won as No. 18 in a $15,000 maiden-claiming sprint. The top four finishers were numbers 18-9-14-7.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ken Ramsey said Tuesday he is keeping the disagreement he had last weekend with trainer Chad Brown “a private matter” and that he would have no further comment other than “things are still being sorted out.”
Cathal Lynch had his most successful year as a trainer in 2014, winning a personal-best 79 races while scoring with a phenomenal 29 percent of his starters.
Lynch won last Saturday’s $76,500 Parx Oaks with Danzatrice, a promising daughter of Dunkirk he trains for the Gainesway Stable of Antony Beck.
Jockey Sheldon Russell, injured in a spill on the Pimlico turf course on April 25, was released from Sinai Hospital on Monday and is resting at home.
Russell fractured several ribs and a punctured lung when he was thrown from his mount, Political Farce. He underwent surgery last Thursday to repair his lung and will likely be out until at least the start of the Laurel meet in August, said Russell’s agent, Marty Leonard.
“Sheldon will take as much times as he needs,” Leonard said.
Jockey Gustavo Larrosa, injured in a spill in the fifth race at Pimlico on Sunday, has had surgery at nearby Sinai Hospital for a punctured lung, and is expected to remain in the hospital for about a week, according to his agent, Sunny Martinez.
Larrosa, 48, has ridden at Charles Town since 2003. In addition to riding, he also breeds and owns Thoroughbreds, according to Martinez.
Larossa was at Pimlico to ride 5-2 second choice Available for trainer Suzanne Dempsey in the $25,000 claiming sprint at five furlongs on turf.
Not counting the Preakness, 14 stakes, seven of which are graded, will be run at Pimlico next Friday and Saturday.
The Friday card will be drawn this Sunday, five days ahead of time. The Preakness card will be drawn next Wednesday. Purses for non-stakes races both days have been bumped up, with allowance and optional-claiming races worth between $52,000 and $55,000 and maiden races offering purses of $50,000.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Tonalist, a convincing winner of the Grade 3 Westchester Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park, and Honor Code, fifth in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes on Friday at Churchill Downs, are both being pointed to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap on Belmont Stakes Day, their connections said Monday.
