Fri, 08/16/2013 - 16:31

Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association pushes for expanded gaming at tracks

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association says the best way for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to increase gaming revenue is to continue using Ontario’s racetracks for enhanced gaming opportunities.

The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association released a 21-page report Friday in response to the Ontario Racing Industry Panel’s interim report on the future of horse racing in Ontario.

The panel, appointed by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, released its interim report in June and its final report is due in October.

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 16:31

Del Mar notes: Sutherland-Kruse, Baffert team up again

Benoit & Associates
Chantal Sutherland-Kruse rides the first-time starter Consecrate for bob Baffert on Sunday.

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DEL MAR, Calif. - In 2011 and 2012, jockey Chantal Sutherland-Kruse rode Game On Dude 10 times, winning five Grade 1 or Grade 2 stakes, including the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap.

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 16:17

Del Mar: Richard's Kid earns way into Pacific Classic

Benoit & Associates
Richard's Kid, with Joe Talamo aboard, ends a 10-race losing streak by scoring a half-length victory in the Cougar II Handicap.

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DEL MAR, Calif. – Richard’s Kid revived his career with a gutty win in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar on July 26. Had Richard’s Kid lost, a start in the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes on Aug. 25 would have been illogical, according to trainer Doug O’Neill.

“He had to win that,” O’Neill said. “We wanted to see it for it to make sense.”

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 15:45

Monmouth Park: San Pablo in peak form for Iselin title defense

Ryan Denver/Equi-Photo
San Pablo got a 103 Beyer Speed Figure when he won the 2012 running of the Iselin.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Defending champion San Pablo returns to Monmouth Park on Sunday to find a well-balanced, competitive field awaiting him in the Grade 3, $150,000 Phillip H. Iselin Stakes.

The 1 1/8-mile race drew a field of eight, including the duo of San Pablo and Percussion from trainer Todd Pletcher.

Pletcher indicated Friday that only San Pablo will go.

Chad Brown also entered a pair and is leaning toward running both: Last Gunfighter and Jaguar Paw.

All runners are separate betting interests.

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 15:27

Emerald Downs: Longacres Mile at the mercy of invaders

Tom Keyser
Politicallycorrect shipped from Saratoga to Emerald Downs for the Longacres Mile.

AUBURN, Wash. – The Grade 3 Longacres Mile, once dominated by the home team, will have a touristy feel for its 78th renewal Sunday at Emerald Downs. Each of three leading contenders has arrived at Emerald only recently, with the likely favorite, Politicallycorrect, making a roundabout journey from upstate New York to compete for his Kentucky connections in the richest race in the Pacific Northwest.

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 15:27

Hastings: Go for Guinness in Richmond Derby Trial after romp

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Go for Guinness took a huge step forward when he won the B.C. Cup Stellar’s Jay for British Columbia-breds on Aug. 5. If he continues his progress in Sunday’s $50,000 Richmond Derby Trial at Hastings, he’ll head into the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby on Sept. 8 as one of the favorites.

Sharing the spotlight on Sunday’s eight-race card is the $50,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club for 3-year-old fillies, which serves as the final prep for the $100,000 B.C. Oaks, also on Sept. 8.

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 15:04

Saratoga: Dayatthespa rallies to win Yaddo Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Dayatthespa, winning Friday's Yaddo Stakes at Saratoga, will compete in graded stakes the rest of the year, trainer Chad Brown said.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — It’s nice when a trainer can use a $150,000 stakes race not only as a prep for bigger and better things, but also to teach his horse a thing or two along the way. Such was the case Friday at Saratoga, where trainer Chad Brown sent out his Grade 1 winner Dayatthespa to a comfortable 1 3/4-length decision over Wholelottashakin in the Yaddo Stakes.

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 14:59

Del Mar: Reneesgotzip needs to avoid bounce in Rancho Bernardo

Barbara D. Livingston
Reneesgotzip, shown training last year, got a career-best 105 Beyer Speed Figure for winning her first start of 2013 Thursday at Del Mar.

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DEL MAR, Calif. – Reneesgotzip might have run too well when she won an allowance race at Del Mar last month in her first start since December.

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 14:21

Arlington Park: Dark Cove out of St. Leger; Stephanie’s Kitten turned out

Four-Footed Fotos
Dark Cove, who was running for a claiming tag earlier this year, has flourished since he began to focus on turf marathons..

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Dark Cove will be scratched from the $400,000 American St. Leger Stakes here Saturday because of filling in a tendon, co-owner Ken Ramsey said Friday.

Dark Cove was the 3-1 morning-line second choice behind English shipper Dandino in the long-distance turf race. Claimed by Ramsey and his wife, Sarah, for $50,000 in April 2012 and turned over to trainer Mike Maker, Dark Cove has won three straight graded 1 1/2-mile turf stakes – the Elkhorn, the Louisville, and the Stars and Stripes.

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 13:54

Emerald Downs: Distaff distance huge question mark for Exclusive Diva

Erin Palmer/Emerald Downs
Exclusive Diva is 6 for 7 in sprint stakes, but may have trouble stretching her speed to 1 1/8 miles for the Emerald Distaff.

AUBURN, Wash. – Exclusive Diva, an undeniable force in sprint stakes at Emerald Downs, will try to carry her speed over a demanding nine furlongs Sunday when she headlines the $65,000 Emerald Distaff Handicap on the Longacres Mile undercard. A victory would further Exclusive Diva’s status as the Northwest’s leading older filly or mare, while a defeat would add fuel to the notion that route distances are beyond her scope.