Fri, 09/20/2013 - 16:53

Emerald Downs: Madame Pele has turf in her future

AUBURN, Wash. – With the 75-day meeting winding down to its final few days, some horses have already been shipped out for winter campaigns in Oregon, California, or Arizona. Others, such as recent stakes winner Madame Pele, are still stabled at Emerald Downs but have simply run out of races.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 16:41

Santa Anita notes: Caracortado set to return in Eddie D Stakes

Shigeki Kikkawa
Caracortado, with Rafael Bejarano riding, wins the Daytona.

ARCADIA, Calif. – A foot injury that has kept Caracortado from racing for nearly 20 months appears to be in the past.

Next Friday at Santa Anita, trainer Mike Machowsky will learn whether the 6-year-old gelding can regain the form that led to five stakes wins. Caracortado will be entered in Friday’s Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes over about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course on the opening day of the track’s autumn meeting. A win could lead to a start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint here Nov. 2.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 16:39

Belmont Park: Discreet Force's style may offer edge in Sunday allowance

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Discreet Force wins a first-level allowance race for New York-breds at Belmont Park on June 23.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Discreet Force got the better of Make the Moment after a spirited stretch battle in a first-level allowance race for New York-breds at Belmont Park on June 23.

Sunday, the two 3-year-old fillies will hook up again in the day’s featured race, a $77,000 second-level allowance for New York-bred fillies and mares, 3 years old and up, going six furlongs at Belmont.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 16:32

Hastings notes: Arabella’s Muse pointing to Fantasy on closing day

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The 2013 Hastings meet is coming to a close in just over three weeks and the closing-day card on Canadian Thanksgiving, Oct. 14, should be a good one with four stakes races on the menu. The main course will be the Grade 3, $100,000 Premiers for 3-year-olds and up going 1 3/8 miles, and Title Contender is expected to take on a strong field of older horses. Title Contender won the Grade 3 Ohio Derby and is coming off a convincing win in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby. Complementing the Premiers is the Grade 3 Ballerina for fillies and mares.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 16:28

Louisiana Downs: Departing's Oklahoma Derby itinerary set

Amanda Weir/Hodges Photography
Super Derby winner Departing is scheduled to work Sunday for the Sept. 29 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.

Departing is scheduled to work Sunday at Louisiana Downs in what will be his final prep for the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, trainer Al Stall Jr., said Friday. The 1  1/8-mile race at Remington Park is to be run next Sunday, Sept. 29.

Departing has remained at Louisiana Downs, where Stall has a division, since his win in the track’s Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby on Sept. 7. The meet closes Sunday. Stall said Departing would have a “very easy half-mile” breeze, then ship to Oklahoma City later Saturday, Sept. 28.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 16:10

Penn National training champ Thompson dies at age 75

Harry F. Thompson Jr., a trainer who won 2,671 races and took the Penn National trainer’s title seven times in a nine-year period, died on Tuesday in a Hershey, Penn., hospital, according to Penn National. Thompson Jr. was 75, the track said.

About 80 percent of Thompson’s career wins came at Penn National, the track said. A Virginia native, Thompson moved his stable to Penn National in 1989, and he took the trainer’s title at the year-round track from 1995-97, from 1999-2000, and from 2002-03, according to the track.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 16:02

Indiana Downs: C.J. McMahon suspended for threatening a racing official

Jockey C.J. McMahon has been suspended until at least next week by the Indiana Downs stewards.

McMahon had a confrontation with the Indiana Downs starter Johnnie Jamison and an assistant starter Tuesday before the first race. McMahon made threatening remarks to both individuals while his mount, Dr.Kimble, was loading.

Security was called and McMahon was taken off his remaining mounts Tuesday and asked to leave the grounds.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 15:35

Thistledown: Caviar N Champagne seeks fourth straight win

Caviar N Champagne will try to make it four in a row against statebred company at Thistledown on Sunday in the $50,000 Scarlet and Gray.

A 4-year-old filly, Caviar N Champagne won the Mike Mackey Memorial on June 8 going six furlongs. In her next out June 30, she won the J.W. Petro Memorial going 1 1/16 miles. In her most recent outing Sept. 1, Caviar N Champagne won the DeBartolo Memorial, also going 1 1/16 miles.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 15:17

Belmont Park: Shanghai Bobby's comeback win may lead to Breeders' Cup start

Barbara D. Livingston
Shanghai Bobby (left) outfinishes Slan Abhaile to win his comeback race at Belmont Park on Friday.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Shanghai Bobby, last year’s 2-year-old champion male, put himself in the picture for a return to the Breeders’ Cup with a neck victory in Friday’s $100,000 Aljamin Stakes at Belmont Park.

Fri, 09/20/2013 - 15:15

Barretts at Fairplex: Gryder dressed for success

Barbara D. Livingston
Aaron Gryder is riding this season at Hastings in Vancouver, British Columbia.

POMONA, Calif. – Have saddle, will travel.

One problem: Jockey Aaron Gryder did not have a saddle. He also did not have riding pants.

Gryder, currently third-leading rider at Hastings Park and among the most well-liked jockeys locally, was home visiting in Southern California last week when he was offered the chance to ride a weekend card in the Virgin Islands.

That would be a challenge without tack. Gryder turned to a friend, jockey Mike Smith, and told him his riding equipment was up at Hastings. Smith asked what Gryder needed.