OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Betsy Blue and Piece of My Heart, who finished first and second for trainer Linda Rice in Saturday’s $97,000 Interborough Stakes, are likely to remain in New York but run in different races for their next starts.

Rice isn’t exactly sure which race she would point Betsy Blue to, but has the option of the $100,000 Broadway for New York-breds on Feb. 12 or the $100,000 Correction on March 11. Her primary New York target is the Grade 3, $150,000 Distaff Handicap on April 7. Rice said she could consider the Grade 3, $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap on Feb. 18.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Arctic Arrogance on Sunday at Belmont Park had his second workout with blinkers, and trainer Linda Rice indicated the equipment is achieving the desired effect as he prepares for a start in the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes on Feb. 4.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Pirate Rick was visually impressive winning a third-level allowance race Sunday at Aqueduct by seven lengths. Given his affinity for wheeling horses back on short rest, trainer Lynn Cash did not take offense when asked if he would run Pirate Rick back in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan Stakes here.

“It’s a fair question,” Cash said, still standing in Aqueduct’s makeshift winner’s circle.

He didn’t rule it out, though twice previously he’s wheeled Pirate Rick back on six days’ rest and the horse didn’t run well either time.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream Park officials released a statement Sunday afternoon confirming an equine herpesvirus positive in Barn 21 at the track. The result had an immediate impact on Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational when the entry of Super Corinto, a horse who resides in that barn with trainer Amador Sanchez, was withdrawn from the race shortly before the post-position draw.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – At 7 a.m. here Sunday, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was asked where he’d like to see his Florida Derby winner White Abarrio draw when post positions were pulled later that afternoon for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

“Seven,” Joseph replied emphatically.

Veteran trainer Neil Pessin celebrated a successful Saturday afternoon with a rollicking Saturday night in New Orleans. Pessin won the Louisiana Stakes with the improving Happy American and sent out first-time starter Sweet Alyssa to a 3-year-old filly sprint maiden score in Saturday’s second race. Maiden 3-year-old Baseline Beater rallied from a mile back to finish second in race 10, a two-turn maiden. And then things really got wild.

“I was at the barn until 8, then I got fast-food drive-thru, went home, and went to bed,” Pessin said.

Push a 3-year-old too early in the year, and you won’t have a horse left for the Kentucky Derby. Don’t push enough, and your horse might not have sufficient qualifying points to make the 20-horse Derby field.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Arabian Knight, romping debut winner last fall at Keeneland and among the most highly regarded 3-year-old colts in California, will ship to Oaklawn Park for his 2023 debut in the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes on Jan. 28.

Trainer Bob Baffert on Sunday confirmed plans to ship the $2.3 million Uncle Mo colt to the Southwest, a 1 1/16-mile race he has won five times including in 2022 with Newgrange. Plans call for Arabian Knight to ship Tuesday to Oaklawn.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Michelle Giangiulio was suspended 10 calendar days and fined $1,000 for an overage of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone in the post-race sample of Eight and Sand, who won the ninth race at Aqueduct on Dec. 11.

Giangiulio, who waived her right of appeal, began serving the suspension Friday. The ban runs through Jan. 29. 

Eight and Sand was disqualified and ordered unplaced in the order of finish. Her owners, Ten Strike Racing, had to forfeit the $19,250 first-place purse.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Junior Alvarado posted the 2,000th victory of his outstanding riding career Saturday when Broadway Force won the fifth race at Gulfstream Park.