ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer David Jacobson entered Wednesday’s card just three wins shy of Todd Pletcher’s record 40 victories for a Belmont spring/summer meet.
Jacobson, whose 144 starters were 44 more than his nearest competitor, could move closer to that record Friday when he runs Sure Route in the $100,000 Magnolia Jackson Stakes, which goes as race 3 on a nine-race program that begins at 3 p.m. Eastern. The Magnolia Jackson, for fillies and mares, is run at 6 1/2 furlongs.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Nick Nosowenko, discouraged after a workout by Rackman did not go according to plan last Sunday, had said his gelding no longer was under consideration for the Queen’s Plate. But Nosowenko has reconsidered and will send out Rackman for Sunday’s 1 1/4-mile, $1 million showpiece for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds. which as of Wednesday was expected to attract a field of 12.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Jockey Lindey Wade has an understanding of racing that belies his young age of 22. As the son of two jockeys who has already made a comeback from devastating injuries sustained in a 2007 spill, he has an intimate knowledge of the ups and downs of the sport. So when Wade, who is likely to win his first Lone Star Park title on Saturday, calls his meet a “revival,” the sentiment flows from a deep place.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Multiple Grade 1 winner Dullahan, with an eye toward a repeat bid in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, will make his first start since traveling to Dubai this spring in the Arlington Handicap on July 13.
Ron Lombardi could have been content to have more than doubled his money after Tightend Touchdown was claimed from his Mr. Amore Stable for $30,000 two days after Christmas. Instead, Lombardi went right back and reclaimed the 4-year-old Tightend Touchdown a month later for $35,000.
Ten Thirty will try to get back on track when she runs in the $50,000 R.K. “Red” Smith Handicap for 3-year-old fillies Friday at Northlands Park. The one-mile race attracted six horses, and if Ten Thirty is on her best behavior, she could prove tough to beat.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Power Phil will pass up Sunday’s Queen’s Plate in favor of Woodbine’s allowance feature Friday, when he will make his first start on turf over nine furlongs against nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired opposition.
Power Phil capped his promising 2-year-old campaign with a nose loss to the talented Plate prospect Pyrite Mountain in the restricted Kingarvie Stakes on Dec. 2. After a winter vacation until April 21, Power Phil ran evenly for third over a speed-favoring track in the six-furlong Woodstock Stakes, which was won by a rejuvenated Dan the Tin Man.
OPELOUSAS, La. – For the first time since 2009, a horse other than Star Guitar is going to win Saturday night’s Louisiana Legends Classic at Evangeline Downs. The four-time reigning Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year retired shortly after winning the 2012 Classic, capping a brilliant career that saw him win 24 of 30 starts while amassing more than $1.7 million in earnings.
ALTOONA, Iowa – Friday’s $60,000 Iowa Stallion Futurity at Prairie Meadows provides a golden opportunity for 12 nominated and still-eligible 2-year-olds to scoop a big prize in their nascent careers.
With 10 combined lifetime starts amongst them, the Futurity field presents a handicapping challenge for those inclined to assess precocity and workout patterns.
OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trainer Bruce Alexander feels that Tune Me In was the wrong horse in the wrong spot when he ran the gray gelding in the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes last month. The $75,000 Elkwood Stakes at one mile on turf at Monmouth Park on Friday should be a much better fit.
“I like the way it looks,” Alexander said. “It’s certainly not a pushover for him. He’s going to have to run his best, or damn close to it.”
