Fri, 08/23/2013 - 09:19

Woodbine: Go Blue Or Go Home back to turf prepping for Woodbine Mile

Coady Photography
Go Blue Or Go Home (right) has won his last three races by a combined total of 11 1/4 lengths.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Go Blue Or Go Home established himself as one of Woodbine’s leading sprinters with a dominating score on the main track in the Grade 3 Highlander Stakes. He goes back to the turf Sunday in the $200,000 Play the King, a seven-furlong stakes which serves as the prep for next month’s $1 million Woodbine Mile.

The Reade Baker-trained Go Blue Or Go Home has won his last three races by a combined total of 11 1/4 lengths. He covered five furlongs on the grass at Churchill in a rapid 56.77 seconds in capturing a second-level allowance Nov. 8.

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 09:15

Fort Erie: Crawford a rider determined to stay the course

FORT ERIE, Ontario – Shortly after leaving the gate in last Sunday’s sixth race, jockey Juan Crawford noticed that his first-time starter, Hot in Any Way, was running greenly and being bothered from dirt being kicked back into his face.

Crawford, 34, decided to ease his horse to the outside to relieve the kickback, and the 4-year-old began to relax. Turning for home, Hot in Any Way was in midpack, off the rail, and beginning to close.

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 17:20

Saratoga notes: Due Diligence, impressive debut winner, now with Pletcher

Tom Keyser
Due Diligence earned a 73 Beyer Speed Figure for his debut win.

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The 2-year-old colt Due Diligence, a 7 1/2-length debut winner here on Aug. 12, was purchased privately by the Coolmore connections of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier and has been turned over to trainer Todd Pletcher.

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 17:02

Saratoga: Alpha, Golden Ticket still going

Barbara D. Livingston
Alpha and Golden Ticket dead heat in the 2012 Travers.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Alpha and Golden Ticket, who dead-heated for win in last year's Travers Stakes, are still in training as 4-year-olds, with mixed results.

Alpha has lost all six of his starts since the Travers, most recently finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Whitney Invitational. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he didn't think the Whitney was that bad a race for Alpha, who was compromised by a slower-than-expected pace.

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 16:58

Saratoga: Royal Delta faces four in Personal Ensign

Jenny Burgos
On Fire Baby (left) loses to Authenticity in the La Troienne.

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - On Fire Baby, winner of the Grade 1 Apple Blossom in April, and Authenticity, winner of the Grade  3 Shuvee last out, head the list of competitors scheduled to face Royal Delta in Sunday's Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign Invitational at 1 1/8 miles.

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 16:40

Emerald Downs: Lucarelli's new filly, Ms P K Blue, has chance in feature

AUBURN, Wash. – Frank Lucarelli can further his bid for a third consecutive Emerald Downs training title when he sends out two starters, including recent acquisition Ms P K Blue, in Saturday’s feature race. Claimed out of her last start for $25,000, Ms P K Blue will challenge four rivals over 6 1/2 furlongs in a $25,000 claimer for older fillies and mares. First post time for the nine-race card is 2 p.m. Pacific.

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 16:01

Columbus: Spice Swirl going for third straight Maturity/Matron Stakes

Spice Swirl can be expected to rule a heavy favorite to win her third straight Columbus Maturity/Matron Stakes when she heads a compact field of five older Nebraska-bred fillies and mares going six furlongs at Columbus on Saturday evening.

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 15:59

Whited in induced coma; prospects for recovery good

Trainer David Whited was in an induced coma at a Shreveport, La., hospital on Thursday, but prospects for his recovery from brain trauma suffered earlier in the week were good, a family member said.

The bleeding on Whited’s brain has almost stopped, said his brother, trainer Danny Whited, while the percentage of swelling in his brain is lower than what is typical of patients with similar injuries. He is hospitalized at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport.

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 15:47

Saratoga: Pletcher's trio for King's Bishop all have a shot

Barbara D. Livingston
Todd Pletcher's three runners for the King's Bishop include Forty Tales, winner of the Amsterdam Stakes early in Saratoga's meet.

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It almost doesn’t seem fair. Not only does trainer Todd Pletcher have the favorite for Saturday’s $500,000 King’s Bishop at Saratoga in the red-hot Forty Tales, he also has entered two other potential win candidates, Capo Bastone and Overanalyze, for the Grade 1 fixture to be decided at seven furlongs as a lead-in to the afternoon’s main event, the Travers.