Wed, 06/05/2013 - 15:05

Belmont Stakes: Frac Daddy to gun it from the rail

Barbara D. Livingston
Frac Daddy, who has won just once in seven starts, has been training extremely well at Churchill Downs.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Those trainers looking for an honest pace in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes may have found themselves a new ally in Ken McPeek, who said he plans to have jockey Alan Garcia put Frac Daddy on the lead after getting the rail at Wednesday’s post position draw.

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:51

Hollywood Park: Market Quote just needs a break

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Market Quote had the flashiest win of the Santa Anita meeting earlier this year when she closed 18 lengths after a slow start to win a maiden race at a mile on turf in January.

Unfortunately, a similar scenario did not work in an allowance race on March 23, when she broke slowly, trailed by 10 lengths and finished third, beaten 2 3/4 lengths as the 4-5 favorite.

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:50

Belmont: Don't underestimate Fast Falcon in Brooklyn

Barbara D. Livingston
Fast Falcon may be a far better horse than his 1-for-13 record indicates.

ELMONT, N.Y. – With a bankroll of more than $250,000, it’s hard to believe that Fast Falcon remains eligible for a first-level allowance race.

On more than one occasion, Fast Falcon has proven to be graded stakes material, and he seeks to finally record such a victory when he runs in Friday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park.

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:44

Louisiana Downs: Johnston positioned for best summer ever

BOSSIER CITY, La. – Trainer Eddie Johnston wasted little time in getting down to business when the Louisiana Downs season began in early May. Johnston sent out a couple of winners opening weekend and has been a regular ever since – both at the entry box and in the winner’s circle.

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:22

Hastings: Sacred Delight makes local debut off Santa Anita claim

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Sacred Delight looks like the one to beat in a $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies that headlines the first Friday night card at Hastings this year. The 6 1/2-half furlong sprint attracted six horses and will kick off the seven-race card, which begins at 7:15 p.m. Pacific.

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:12

Belmont Stakes workouts: Orb gallops strongly

Barbara D. Livingston
Kentucky Derby winner Orb (left) showed good energy while galloping Wednesday at Belmont Park.

ELMONT, N.Y. – All 14 3-year-olds entered for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes were on the grounds Wednesday, with Frac Daddy and Golden Soul the last two to arrive from Churchill Downs the previous day.

For the second consecutive morning, the weather was textbook perfect for training – low humidity, with temperatures in the high 50s to low 60s, and the racetrack fast but not lightning-quick, as it was last week and into the weekend.

Wednesday at Belmont Park

59 degrees, sunny, fast

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:09

Woodbine: Sutherland begins her comeback Friday

Benoit & Associates
Chantal Sutherland is named to ride two horses Friday at Woodbine.

Jockey Chantal Sutherland, who announced her retirement here last fall but recently said that she would be making a comeback starting with the Del Mar meeting, has two mounts here Friday.

Sutherland, 37, is named on Solidus for trainer John MacKenzie in the fourth race and on As If I Care for trainer Ashlee Brnjas in the fifth.

Sutherland has enlisted the services of Don Parente, the jockey agent who represented her several years back.

“She’ll be riding here Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for now,” Parente said. “She still plans to ride at Del Mar.”

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:07

Woodbine: Martin picks up Lynch's local string after suspension

Michael Burns
Trainer Brian Lynch has been suspended indefinitely by the Ontario Racing Commission.

With the Ontario Racing Commission upholding trainer Brian Lynch’s indefinite suspension at a hearing Tuesday, Robbie Martin will be the trainer of record for the stable here.

Lynch’s suspension stems from an alleged confrontation with jockey Sunny Singh in a Woodbine parking lot on May 24. Lynch was charged May 25 with uttering death threats and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:03

Belmont Stakes: Post draw, wet weather add variables

[bc_video_id:294423:]ELMONT, N.Y. – The weather forecast for the 145th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park has worsened as the week has progressed, but as far as Tom Albertrani is concerned, “It’s getting better and better for us every time.”

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 13:59

Prairie Meadows: Hawkeyes Handicap distance will test Ginger Added

ALTOONA, Iowa – Ginger Added, already a two-time sprint winner this meet, is the key to Friday night’s $75,000 Hawkeyes Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile event for Iowa-bred fillies and mares.

Ginger Added, the longstanding stable star for trainer Dick Clark, is 7 for 12 lifetime, all at Prairie Meadows, for earnings of $298,871. Throughout her career, she has excelled at sprinting and is just 1 for 4 around two turns.