Wed, 08/07/2013 - 14:58

Hastings: Go for Guinness plans quick return for Canadian Derby

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Dave Forster was impressed enough by Go for Guinness’s 6 1/4-length win over Mark in the B.C. Cup Stellar’s Jay on Monday that he is planning to bring him back in just 12 days to run in the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby on Aug. 17 at Northlands Park.

Go for Guinness finally lived up to the potential he had shown in his two previous route attempts, where he was just a bit too much on the muscle early and failed to finish the way he did in the Stellar’s Jay.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 14:24

Churchill Downs: On Fire Baby slated to work for Personal Ensign at Saratoga

Tom Keyser
On Fire Baby is scheduled to work twice before she runs in the Aug. 25 Personal Ensign.

On Fire Baby is scheduled to breeze Saturday at Churchill and then once more before leaving for Saratoga to start in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on Aug. 25.

Trainer Gary Hartlage said he is pleased with how On Fire Baby, a Grade 1 winner with $720,308 in earnings, has progressed since being hospitalized in mid-June after spiking a high fever.

“We really thought about running in the Gardenia, but this was the better option,” said Hartlage.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 14:09

Monmouth Park: If allowed to start, Orseno filly is ready

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Joe Orseno ran into unanticipated hurdles when he entered P J’s Superego in the $55,000 allowance feature Friday at Monmouth Park.

Assuming the remaining barrier is cleared, P J’s Superego will be a major factor in the second-level optional $16,000 claimer for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares at six furlongs.

P J’s Superego is part of an entry with P J Hooker. Paco Lopez is named to ride both Orseno trainees.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 14:04

Ellis Park: Groupie Doll must answer question in Gardenia

Tom Keyser
Groupie Doll will run in the Gardenia off a layoff of more than eight months.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Buff Bradley’s main concern with Groupie Doll is a simple one.

“Sometimes horses don’t come back the same way they left the racetrack,” said Bradley. “I just want her back with that same fire.”

Groupie Doll, the filly-mare sprint champion of 2012, will make her long-awaited return to action Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Gardenia Stakes, the annual showcase race at Ellis Park in western Kentucky. Groupie Doll has not raced in more than eight months, and it has taken a lot of time and effort to get her back into racing shape.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 14:02

Evangeline Mile draws strong field

OPELOUSAS, La. – Two of the Midwest’s higher-profile outfits are sending in raiding parties to Evangeline Downs on Saturday night with the prize being the meeting’s richest event, the $125,000 Evangeline Mile Handicap.

Steve Asmussen will be represented by starting highweight Sabercat at 118 pounds and Brethren, who was assigned 117 pounds by Evangeline racing secretary Coleman Lloyd.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 13:53

Delaware Park: Suspended trainer Roberson appears before stewards

Donald Roberson, a Delaware trainer who was suspended as of July 17 following a search of his barn, appeared before the Delaware Park stewards Tuesday for a hearing into the results of the search, according to Delaware officials and his legal counsel.

The stewards have yet to issue a ruling as a result of the hearing but are expected to do so by the end of the week, according to John Wayne, executive director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission. Wayne declined to comment on details of the hearing.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 13:36

Woodbine: Dance for Cole stepping up Friday off sharp maiden score

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Dance for Cole, a hot horse from a live family, should be prominent Friday at Woodbine in the featured eighth race, an Ontario-sired allowance scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

Dance for Cole wintered in south Florida with trainer Katerina Vassilieva, who sent him out to finish fourth in a maiden special weight race on grass at Gulfstream on March 22. He didn’t start again until June 9, when he faltered here in another open maiden special weight route on the lawn.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 13:31

Northlands Park: Chandlers Heart goes for fifth win at meet

Chandlers Heart will be shooting for her fifth win at the Northlands Park meet when she runs in an $8,000 claiming race that will serve as Friday’s feature. The one-mile race for fillies and mares drew eight horses and goes as the seventh race.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 13:25

Del Mar: Tasty Treat story continues in Daisycutter

Benoit & Associates
Tasty Treat returned from injury and won this Del Mar allowance race on July 18.

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DEL MAR, Calif. – Jeranimo might be the best-known horse in trainer Mike Pender’s barn, but it would be hard to top Tasty Treat as the most courageous. Tasty Treat, a 4-year-old filly, has worked her way back to the races after being seriously injured earlier this year. When she won an allowance race at Del Mar on July 18, “there were tears flowing,” Pender said.

Wed, 08/07/2013 - 13:14

Hastings: Stratify gets class relief in sprint feature

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Stratify will appreciate the class relief when he runs in a $25,000 claiming race that headlines a seven-race card Friday night at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses and goes as the fourth race. Post time for the first race is 7:15 p.m. Pacific.