Thu, 07/18/2013 - 16:00

Calder: Horsemen threaten to block track's export of simulcast signal

The Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association intends to withdraw its consent for Calder Race Course to export its own signal to out-of-state sites if the two sides do not agree on a purse contract by July 25, the executive director of the FHBPA said Thursday.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:55

Prairie Meadows: Locals will be tested in pair of 2-year-old stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa – Saturday’s co-featured $75,000 Prairie Meadows Gold Juvenile and $75,000 Prairie Meadows Gold Lassie, both contested at 5 1/2 furlongs, offer locally based 2-year-olds the opportunity to test their class versus quality ship-in talent from around the Midwest.

The Juvenile field of six is headed by the Wesley Ward-trained Big Blue Talent, a 2 1/4-length winner of a Churchill Downs maiden race June 28. Jockey Israel Ocampo will handle the assignment.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:38

Del Mar: Unusual Hottie looks for fourth straight win in Osunitas

Benoit & Associates
Unusual Hottie is 3 for 3 this year, all at Betfair Hollywood Park, heading into Saturday’s $90,000 Osunitas Stakes at Del Mar.

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DEL MAR, Calif. – Unusual Hottie was in the midst of a six-furlong turf workout at Betfair Hollywood Park on July 12 when trainer Jeff Mullins let out an audible gasp.

The 4-year-old filly was cruising easily under jockey Joe Talamo, on her way to a quick time of 1:14.60. What Mullins saw left him impressed.

“She’s never taken a step backwards,” Mullins said that morning.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:35

Turf Paradise boosts purses for 2013-14 meeting

Turf Paradise will implement a 5 percent across-the-board purse increase with a minimum purse of $6,000 for the upcoming 2013-14 season. The Phoenix track also released a roster of 40 stakes worth $1.5 million, led by three $75,000 stakes: the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile on Jan. 18, Phoenix Gold Cup on Feb. 15, and Turf Paradise Derby on Feb. 22.

The 155-day season runs Oct. 5 through May 6, with racing conducted five days a week. While the track raced Fridays through Tuesdays the past few years, this coming season it will move to a Saturday-through-Wednesday schedule.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:31

Woodbine: Hotep looks to end skid in Nijinsky

Michael Burns
Hotep will try to end an eight-race losing streak Sunday in the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes.

There was little distance between the first four finishers in the Grade 2 King Edward Stakes here June 23 as Riding the River scored by a head over Valentino Beauty, with Hotep a neck back in third and So Long George another neck back in the one-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up.

On Sunday, all four will return and will get another furlong to cover on turf in the Grade 2, $200,000 Nijinsky Stakes.

Hotep, a 6-year-old homebred who races for Sam-Son Farm and is trained by Malcolm Pierce, is one who seems certain to benefit from the extra yardage.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:30

Saratoga: Authenticity, Eblouissante to meet in Shuvee

Barbara D. Livingston
Authenticity will avoid having to travel six hours by van in hot, humid weather and a meeting with Royal Delta in the Delaware Handicap by staying put at Saratoga for the Shuvee.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Authenticity will be given another opportunity to win a Grade 1, but it won’t be this weekend.

After giving himself the choice of running Saturday in either the Grade 1, $750,000 Delaware Handicap or the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap at Saratoga, trainer Todd Pletcher chose the latter in part because Authenticity figures to be a pretty strong favorite in the 1 1/8-mile Shuvee.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:23

Suffolk: Victor Laszlo back with Massachusetts-breds for Rise Jim

He hasn’t found the winner’s circle in almost a year, but now that Victor Laszlo is back competing against his fellow Massachusetts-breds, he looms as the heavy favorite in Saturday’s $50,000 Rise Jim Stakes at Suffolk Downs.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:21

Monmouth Park: Reporting Star seeks elusive second win in Jersey Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Vegas No Show, who has won two of 10 career starts, will be trying turf for the first time in Saturday's $60,000 Jersey Derby.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Since winning his debut last fall at Calder Race Course, Reporting Star has kept some very fast company. Unfortunately, they were all a step too fast for him.

Reporting Star has not run a poor race since his maiden victory, hitting the board in five of his subsequent seven starts, including four straight stakes. Most recently, he was second to Verrazano in the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:14

Evangeline: Devereux's duo of Touch Magic, Little Polka Dot dangerous in Matron

Filly and mare turf specialists have the spotlight Saturday night at Evangeline Downs for the $50,000 Matron Stakes. A competitive field of 10, including an entry, have been entered for the one-mile headliner that will go as the ninth of 10 races.

Trainer Pat Devereux will send out the one-two combination of Touch Magic and Little Polka Dot. Both are stakes winners and each has been enjoying solid campaigns thus far in 2013.

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 15:10

Del Mar notes: Oceanside winners may face off

Benoit & Associates
Before his Oceanside victory, Rising Legend had not started since finishing second in the Generous Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park last November.

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DEL MAR, Calif. – Rising Legend and Gervinho, largely absent from racing the first half of the year because of injury, made up for lost time with wins in divisions of the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar on Wednesday’s opening day.

Their victories could lead to a possible matchup in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap on Aug. 10 or the $300,000 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 1.