Mon, 09/15/2014 - 13:44

Calgary Cat claim pays off with Bold Venture win

Michael Burns
Calgary Cat wins the Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes on Saturday at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Kevin Attard and owners Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman claimed Calgary Cat for $25,000 last November, and that claim has paid off handsomely this season, culminating in Calgary Cat’s win in the Grade 3, $160,500 Bold Venture Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

“We had two horses picked out to go look at that day, so [the owners] left the decision up to me,” Attard said. “We had two slips filled out, and I looked at them both. [Calgary Cat] was a physically good-looking individual, and we dropped the slip on him. Obviously, it’s worked out in our favor.”

Mon, 09/15/2014 - 12:46

Breeders’ Cup likely for Woodbine Mile winner Trade Storm

Michael Burns
Trade Storm wins the Grade 1, $1,053,200 Woodbine Mile on Sunday at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trade Storm, who was third in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile to Wise Dan last season, changed his fortunes in this year’s $1,053,200 edition of the race with a half-length victory over Kaigun.

Trainer David Simcock said the pace setup on Sunday – and the notable absence of Wise Dan – suited Trade Storm much better this time around.

Sun, 09/14/2014 - 13:22

Pennsylvania Derby lineup grows by three

Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Protonico makes a late move to win the Grade 3 Smarty Jones Stakes.

The field for Saturday’s Grade 2, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby continues to grow as the names Protonico, Bayern, and C J’s Awesome were added to those willing to take on Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome at Parx.

Others expected to enter Monday against California Chrome are Candy Boy, Classic Giacnroll, Noble Moon and Tapiture.

Sat, 09/13/2014 - 14:14

Sweet Reason, Noble Moon work for Parx stakes

Tom Keyser
Sweet Reason and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. score by one length in the Grade 1 Test on Saturday.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Sweet Reason, a winner of two Grade 1 races around one turn in her last two starts, prepared for her return to two-turn racing Saturday by working seven furlongs in 1:27.28 over the Belmont Park training track.

Sweet Reason worked in company with her 3-year-old male stablemate Noble Moon, who finished about four lengths behind.

Sat, 09/13/2014 - 13:16

California Chrome goes six furlongs in final work before return

CYPRESS, Calif. – Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome posted the final work of his comeback preparation Saturday morning at Los Alamitos – six furlongs in 1:13.80 as he readies for his return next Saturday in the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.

Victor Espinoza was aboard California Chrome for the 8:15 a.m. work over a track closed to all other horses. According to track clocker Russ Hudak, California Chrome went the opening quarter-mile in 25.40 seconds, a half-mile in 49.60, and five furlongs in 1:01.80.

Trainer Art Sherman was happy with the work.

Sat, 09/13/2014 - 13:00

Stablemates V. E. Day, Wicked Strong work toward Jockey Club Gold Cup

ELMONT, N.Y. – Stablemates V. E. Day and Wicked Strong, separated by a nose in the Grade 1 Travers three weeks ago, put in stamina-building workouts Saturday morning for their rematch in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 27 at Belmont Park.

V. E. Day, working by himself at 8 a.m. over the Belmont training track, went seven furlongs in 1:28.20, getting his final three furlongs in 37.39 seconds and galloping out a mile in 1:41.03. V. E. Day, under exercise rider Kelvin Pahal, started the work at the half-mile pole, which is where Pahal pulled him up.

Fri, 09/12/2014 - 15:57

Juvenile stakes winners head to Delta Downs next

Lynn Roberts/Hodges Photography
Kylie's Cutie wins the filly division of the Louisiana Stallion Stakes on Sept. 6 at Louisiana Downs.

Kylie’s Cutie and Mr. L. S. Shoe, who swept the two $100,000 divisions of the Louisiana Stallion Stakes last weekend at Louisiana Downs, are being pointed for stakes at Delta Downs on Nov. 22, said their trainer, Jim Hodges.

Hodges said Kylie’s Cutie is likely to make her next start in the $150,000 Louisiana Jewel, while Mr. L. S. Shoe is a candidate for the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy. Both races are to be run at a mile and are restricted to 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana.

Fri, 09/12/2014 - 15:57

Rebranded eyes Oklahoma Derby

Coady Photography
Rebranded wins the Colorado Derby on July 13 at Arapahoe Park.

Rebranded, who in his last two starts has won a pair of small derbies by a combined margin of 25 1/4 lengths, could run next in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sept. 28 at Remington Park, said his trainer, Justin Evans.

Rebranded won the $50,000 Ruidoso Derby by 12 3/4 lengths in his most recent outing Aug. 31. One start prior, he romped by 12 1/2 lengths in the $40,000 Colorado Derby at Arapahoe Park. The horse is based at Zia Park in New Mexico.

Fri, 09/12/2014 - 15:56

Victory Nor Defeat possible for Indiana Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Victory Nor Defeat is possible for the Grade 2, $500,000 Indiana Derby on Oct. 4 at Indiana Grand.

Victory Nor Defeat, a promising son of Unbridled’s Song who finished third in the Grade 2 Super Derby last weekend at Louisiana Downs, is being considered for a start in the Indiana Derby, said his trainer, Ralph Nicks. The Grade 2, $500,000 race will be run at Indiana Grand on Oct. 4.

Victory Nor Defeat invaded from Gulfstream Park for the Super Derby and finished third behind dominant winner Vicar’s in Trouble. For the effort, Victory Nor Defeat earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 86.

Fri, 09/12/2014 - 15:41

A. C. Avila paid fine for falsifying information

Kentucky chief steward Barbara Borden said a stewards’ investigation involving Southern California-based trainer A.C. Avila has been closed after Avila recently paid a $750 fine for falsifying information on his trainer’s application.