Thu, 09/12/2013 - 16:06

Woodbine notes: Attfield trio takes aim at Canadian Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
No Explaining will start in Sunday's Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Stakes fields of modest size, unfortunately, were the main order of the day Thursday, with six entered in Sunday’s Woodbine Mile, seven in the Northern Dancer, and six in the Ontario Derby. But the Canadian Stakes had fared better when the entry box closed Thursday, as a field of nine fillies and mares was unveiled for the Grade 2, $300,000 turf race at 1 1/8 miles.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 16:04

Finger Lakes: Miss Rubycubes has work cut out in Jack Betta Be Rite

The 3-year-old filly Miss Rubycubes, 2 for 2 since she stretched out around two turns, challenges older New York-bred fillies and mares in Saturday’s $50,000 Jack Betta Be Rite Handicap at Finger Lakes.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 15:48

Northlands Park: Stakes winner Proud Victor should move forward

Singling a couple of Greg Tracy-trained standouts might be the way to play the final pick three at Northlands Park on Saturday.

Tracy has an excellent chance of winning a $35,000 optional claiming race for 3-year-olds with Proud Victor in the seventh race. Claresmiezie figures to be favored to win a $35,000 optional claiming race for fillies and mares in the eighth. Both races will be contested over 6 1/2 furlongs. Gabe’s Pride looks like the logical favorite in the ninth but he’s vulnerable and anyone playing the pick three should consider going deep in the final leg.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 15:44

Woodbine: Asserting Bear tries to emulate sire in Summer Stakes

Michael Burns
Asserting Bear puts his head in front of Tropic of Artie to win a maiden sprint last month. They both return in the Summer Stakes on Saturday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Bear Stable, trainer Reade Baker, and jockey Jim McAleney combined to take the 2005 Summer Stakes with Bear’s Kid, and they will team up again in the Grade 2 race Saturday at Woodbine with a promising son of Bear’s Kid, Asserting Bear.

The $200,000 Summer, a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re in qualifier for the Juvenile Turf, drew 10 2-year-olds who will negotiate a mile on the grass. Two of the Summer entrants, supplements My Conquestadory and Spanish Flower, were cross-entered in Saturday’s Grade 2 Natalma for 2-year-old fillies.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 15:36

Delaware Park: Bryan’s Jewel aims to shine on event-filled Owners’ Day

Hoofprints, Inc.
Grade 3 winner Bryan’s Jewel will make her last start of the year on Sunday’s Owners’ Day card at Delaware Park, according to trainer Mac Robertson.

A tribute to retired jockey Ramon Dominguez, a book signing by Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, and a 12-race card featuring six stakes for Thoroughbreds and one for Arabians highlight the Owners’ Day program Saturday at Delaware Park.

Dominguez, 36, was the track’s leading rider five times when he rode regularly at Delaware from 1998 through 2008. Fans in attendance will be given a commemorative 8-by-10 photo of Dominguez and have the opportunity to purchase a limited edition bobblehead doll with proceeds benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 15:10

Woodbine: Casse has four for Natalma Stakes

Michael Burns
Appreciating won her career debut by 1 1/2 lengths on turf at Woodbine on Aug. 23.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine’s leading trainer, Mark Casse, has won the Grade 2 Natalma Stakes four times and will try to win it for the third year in a row Saturday with the quartet of Appreciating, Madly Truly, My Conquestadory, and Spring Likeacobra. A one-mile turf route for 2-year-old fillies, the $200,000 Natalma is a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In qualifier for the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 15:01

Arlington Park: I'm Already Sexy one to beat in Pucker Up

Four Footed Fotos
I'm Already Sexy enters the Pucker Up off a nice win but may be tested by the 1 1/8-mile distance.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Florent Geroux had ridden Solitary Ranger to victory in the Arlington-Washington Futurity about two hours earlier, but already he was looking ahead last Saturday evening to piloting another Wayne Catalano-trained stakes runner at Arlington. I’m Already Sexy had worked under Geroux that morning on the Arlington grass course, and had worked well enough to give Geroux very positive thoughts about the Grade 3, $150,000 Pucker Up Stakes here Saturday.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 14:40

Belmont Park: Summer of Fun poised for big run in Garden City

Barbara D. Livingston
Summer of Fun and jockey Joe Rocco rallied for a 1 1/2-length victory Saturday in the Auntie Mame Stakes.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer George Weaver and jockey Joe Rocco Jr. certainly had a fun summer at Saratoga, and they hope the fun continues Saturday at Belmont Park when they team up with Summer of Fun in a terrific renewal of the Grade 1, $500,000 Garden City Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park.

Weaver won nine races at the Spa, and Rocco, in his first summer riding full time there, had 15 winners, including two stakes wins for Weaver. One of those came aboard Summer of Fun, when she rallied five wide in the stretch to win the Auntie Mame Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 14:25

Kentucky Downs: Najjaar has chance for big payday in Kentucky Turf Cup

Four Footed Fotos
Suntracer should not have any trouble with the distance of Saturday's Kentucky Turf Cup.

Dan Peitz is well aware he can still run Najjaar in a second-level allowance for a purse of about $50,000. Or he could run him at Kentucky Downs for a $400,000 purse as one of the likely favorites.

That lucrative window of opportunity will present itself Saturday to Peitz and his main client, Shadwell Stable, in the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup, the annual marquee race at turf-only Kentucky Downs in south-central Kentucky.

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 14:16

Churchill Downs: Devious Intent targets another favorite

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Last month at Ellis Park, Devious Intent upset heavily favored Groupie Doll in winning the Grade 3 Gardenia, with the comebacking Groupie Doll beaten a length in third.

Saturday, matched against five rivals in the $100,000, six-furlong Open Mind at Churchill Downs, Devious Intent aims for another upset, this time of likely favorite Burban, a Churchill Downs track specialist with 4-for-7 local record.