Hall of Fame jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Gary Stevens may be a combined 95 years old, but they are looking toward the Del Mar autumn meeting that begins Friday with the enthusiasm of 20-somethings.
Both approach the meeting with something to prove.
Hall of Fame jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Gary Stevens may be a combined 95 years old, but they are looking toward the Del Mar autumn meeting that begins Friday with the enthusiasm of 20-somethings.
Both approach the meeting with something to prove.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A do-over in the Clark Handicap for the principals in the Breeders’ Cup Classic scrum would be fantastic for racing fans, although the liklihood of it actually occurring appears iffy at best.
Churchill Downs officials acknowledged Wednesday that an attempt to attract any or all of Bayern, California Chrome, and Shared Belief to the Nov. 28 Clark is being discussed within the company, although they were unwilling to divulge any particulars.
Michael S. Ferraro, who has won 18 training titles at Finger Lakes, is closing in on 3,000 career wins. Through Tuesday, Ferraro had won 2,998 races from 12,148 starters, a 25 percent win average. Ferraro is third in the Finger Lakes trainers’ standings with 61 wins.
Rider Daniel Vergara currently has 998 career victories. Vergara is seventh in the Finger Lakes jockeys’ standings with 59 wins.
Jockey Carol Cedeno’s career has taken a lot of twists and turns since she came to the United States from her native Puerto Rico in 2007.
She came to the United States after winning her fifth race, and officially beginning her apprenticeship, at Hipodromo Camarero. She started out at Parx Racing; had a successful stint in New York – she is 42 for 416 at Aqueduct; married fellow rider Angel Serpa, and had two children, Angelika and Dylan. In August 2013, she fractured vertebrae in a spill at Penn National, which sidelined her until last February.
Hardest Core’s journey to California for the Breeders’ Cup Turf did not turn out as planned. He ended up too close to a hot pace, took the lead five furlongs from home, and was swallowed by the pack in upper stretch.
The good news is that he came out of the race in fine shape and will race again as a 5-year-old. As a matter of fact, as a gelding, he should have a lot of racing in front of him.
All that is familiar about Del Mar will be new when the track opens its 15-day autumn meeting Friday.
Famous for its summer meeting, Del Mar has added a four-week meeting this month, replacing racing dates previously held at Hollywood Park, which closed last December. For racing fans, horsemen, track executives, and everyone else, the autumn meeting starts with questions.
Little Ms Protocol was a sweeping 3 1/4-length winner of the $100,000 Magnolia at Delta Downs last Friday night. She is now being pointed for the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies at Fair Grounds on Dec. 13, said her trainer, Patrick Devereux Jr.
The win in the Magnolia came in Little Ms Protocol’s first start since July.
“She needed the rest,” Devereux said. “We freshened her, gave her some spa days. She had a backlog. She cashed them in.”
Little Ms Protocol, an earner of more than $700,000, is owned by her breeder, Coteau Grove Farms.
Sunbean’s powerful win in last Saturday night’s $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta Downs has opened up a couple of different race options for Brittlyn Stable and trainer Ron Faucheux. Sunbean was making his first start in more than two months in the Gold Cup, and after stalking the pace took quick command on the final turn and went on to a 4 3/4-length win. Sunbean earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
Gulfstream Park West will host eight stakes for Florida-breds on Saturday in a program of races intended to produce starters for the Sunshine Millions card at Gulfstream in January. Each of Saturday’s stakes are worth $100,000, led by the Millions Classic Preview.
Trainer David Fawkes will be active on the card, with Daring Kathy expected to start as one of the top choices in the Filly and Mare Turf Preview.
“She’s won five out of eight and is placed in two graded stakes,” Fawkes said. “She’s a nice filly.”