Mon, 09/30/2013 - 12:51

Woodbine: Goldstryke Glory meets Youcan'tcatchme in Apelia Stakes

Michael Burns
Goldstryke Glory will take on older rivals for the first time in Wednesday's $100,000 Apelia Stakes.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Quality speed will be on display in the $100,000 Apelia Stakes at Woodbine on Wednesday, when the hotshot 3-year-old Goldstryke Glory meets the aptly named Youcan’tcatchme in the six-furlong dash. Both are contenders for a Sovereign Award as Canada’s champion female sprinter of 2013.

Goldstryke Glory was one of the better 2-year-old fillies here in 2012. Following a winter layoff, she resurfaced in the spring at Hastings, where she finished second and third in a pair of dirt stakes. She subsequently joined trainer Kelly Callaghan’s Woodbine string.

Mon, 09/30/2013 - 12:34

Breeders' Cup Turf: Indy Point joins field with John Henry Turf Championship score

Michael Amoruso
Little Mike (No. 7), with Mike Smith aboard, wins the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic by a nose over Big Blue Kitten on Saturday.

Indy Point joined the list of leading contenders for the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 2 with his comprehensive win in Sunday’s $150,000 John Henry Turf Championship at the same track.

The win gave Indy Point’s backers a reason to forget his last-place finish as the favorite in the Arlington Million in August.

Mon, 09/30/2013 - 11:35

Breeders' Cup Distaff: Royal Delta 'might have a better one in her'

Barbara D. Livingston
Princess of Sylmar and Javier Castellano go past two-time champion Royal Delta en route to victory in the Grade 1 Beldame on Saturday at Belmont Park.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Royal Delta maintained her role as Breeders’ Cup Distaff favorite, though her position is less secure than before a pair of Grade 1 races Saturday at Belmont Park and Santa Anita.

In the Beldame at Belmont, Park, Royal Delta finished second to 3-year-old filly Princess of Sylmar. However, Princess of Sylmar is likely finished for the year and not expected to run in the Distaff.

In the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita, 3-year-old filly Beholder scored a decisive win over Authenticity and Joyful Victory to emerge as second choice for the Distaff.

Mon, 09/30/2013 - 11:25

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Eddie D likely to produce several starters

Shig Kikkawa
Chips All In has forced his connections to consider sending him in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint with this victory in the Eddie D on Friday.

Last Friday’s Eddie D Stakes could yield multiple starters for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. This should come as no surprise considering the Eddie D was run on Santa Anita’s unique about 6 1/2-furlong downhill turf course, the same course this Turf Sprint will be decided on. Good downhill form has been a harbinger of success in past Turf Sprints run at Santa Anita.

Mon, 09/30/2013 - 08:45

Emerald Downs: Del Rio Harbor closes meet with Gottstein Futurity win

AUBURN, Wash. - Del Rio Harbor raced to a rain-soaked 1 1/4-length victory in the $67,500 Gottstein Futurity on Sunday, laying claim to Emerald Downs’ traditional 2-year-old championship on the closing day of the meeting. Earlier on Sunday’s “getaway day” card, Dallon’s Gold splashed to an upset victory in the $48,465 Cahill Road Stakes as Emerald pulled down the curtain on a 75-day stand.

Sun, 09/29/2013 - 20:53

Hastings: Stepupforthemoney by a nose in CTHS Stakes

Four Footed Fotos
Stepupforthemoney (No. 8) beats Hopeseeker by a nose in the male division of the CTHS Stakes on Sunday.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Under a perfectly timed ride by Frank Fuentes, Stepupforthemoney upset the heavily favored Hopeseeker by a nose in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Hastings on Sunday. Stepupforthemoney paid $53.50.

Sun, 09/29/2013 - 20:45

Santa Anita: Indy Point wins John Henry to cap big weekend for Stevens

Benoit & Associates
Indy Point, ridden by Gary Stevens, wins the John Henry Turf Championship by 1 1/4 lengths Sunday.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Nine months after he came out of retirement, jockey Gary Stevens had a season-best weekend at Santa Anita on Saturday and Sunday, winning four stakes, including Sunday’s $151,750 John Henry Turf Championship on Indy Point.

The wildly successful two days led the 50-year-old Hall of Famer to dream about more success in the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 1-2.

“I didn’t think in my wildest dreams it would be like this,” he said.

Sun, 09/29/2013 - 18:59

Belmont Park: In Trouble beats Corfu in Futurity

Barbara D. Livingston
In Trouble, under jockey Joe Rocco Jr., wins the Grade 2 Futurity by 2 1/4 lengths Sunday.

In Trouble completed a banner day for Maryland-based 2-year-olds Sunday at Belmont Park when rallying from off the pace for a convincing 2 1/4-length decision over 9-5 favorite Corfu in the $200,000 Futurity.

In Trouble, stabled with trainer Tony Dutrow at the Fair Hill Training Center, followed the Bowie-based Miss Behaviour, who captured the Grade 2 Matron earlier on the card.

Sun, 09/29/2013 - 18:53

Remington Park: Broadway Empire upsets Departing in Oklahoma Derby

Dustin Orona Photography
Jockey Rico Walcott pumps his fist after crossing the wire first aboard Broadway Empire in Sunday's Oklahoma Derby.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Broadway Empire gave trainer Robertino Diodoro and jockey Rico Walcott the richest wins of their careers Sunday at Remington Park, where he upset 1-5 favorite Departing in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby.

Departing finished fourth while seeking to win his fifth stakes of the year and his third straight derby following scores in the Grade 2 Super Derby and the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby.

Sun, 09/29/2013 - 18:39

Remington Park: Montana Native by a nose in Oaks

Dustin Orona Photography
Montana Native beats Gold Medal Dancer (No. 4) by a nose Sunday in the Remington Park Oaks.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Montana Native, one race removed from a run-in with Princess of Sylmar, won a tight photo over Gold Medal Dancer in the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks on Sunday. Marathon Lady, the 4-5 favorite, finished fourth in the race, which was one of six stakes on a card featuring the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby.