Wed, 05/29/2013 - 14:03

Churchill Downs: Agent Di Nozzo in fine form for Friday allowance

Coady Photography
Agent Di Nozzo, named for a television character on "NCIS," earned a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure last out.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fans of the popular CBS television series “NCIS” now have a racehorse they can enjoy watching, too.

Agent Di Nozzo, a 4-year-old gelding, has won four of his last six starts and earned a career-high 101 Beyer Speed Figure in his most recent outing, a runner-up effort in an allowance race during Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill Downs.

Wed, 05/29/2013 - 13:49

Monmouth: Glass Art looks to continue Sacco's early success in turf feature

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Glass Art is another runner trainer Greg Sacco hopes will turn a disappointing winter for the stable into a productive summer at Monmouth Park.

A 5-year-old gelding, Glass Art makes his season debut Friday in the $44,000 feature, a second-level optional $32,000 claimer on the turf at 1 1/16 miles.

This is the first Friday card of the meet as Monmouth shifts to a Friday through Sunday schedule from now until the Labor Day weekend. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

Wed, 05/29/2013 - 12:50

Evangeline Downs: Sittin At the Bar back with Louisiana-breds for Acadiana

OPELOUSAS, La. – After squaring off against graded stakes company in two of her last three starts, Sittin At the Bar returns to a more friendly environment Friday night as she takes on seven Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies in the $50,000 Acadiana Stakes at Evangeline Downs.

The Brett Brinkman-trained Sittin At the Bar will likely go favored in the seven-furlong race.

Wed, 05/29/2013 - 12:33

Woodbine: Yellow Boat making local debut off strong comeback race

Tom Keyser
Yellow Boat had not raced in 19 months when she resurfaced in a seven-furlong allowance on Keeneland’s Polytrack on April 20, finishing second.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Yellow Boat makes her Woodbine debut in Friday’s headliner and will likely be a short price in the seven-furlong allowance for fillies and mares.

Yellow Boat, a Robert Evans homebred by Lemon Drop Kid, started twice two years ago at 2. She wound up second in her six-furlong opener at Saratoga and then graduated in a seven-furlong maiden special at Belmont Park.

Tue, 05/28/2013 - 17:40

Belmont Park: No plans for Discreet Marq after Sands Point win

Tom Keyser
With her victory in Monday’s Sands Point, Discreet Marq is now 3 for 8 with two stakes wins.

Discreet Marq came out of her three-quarter-length victory in Monday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Sands Point Stakes in good order, said trainer Christophe Clement, who added he has not thought ahead to where the 3-year-old filly may run next.

“A mile and a sixteenth on turf, no problem,” Clement said. “Would she like to go further? I don’t know. She looked in complete control every step of the race, let’s see how she trains. Most races are going a mile and a sixteenth.”

Tue, 05/28/2013 - 17:29

Belmont Park: Midnight Lucky targets Saratoga

Barbara D. Livingston
Midnight Lucky gives his trainer, Bob Baffert, his third Acorn victory in five years.

Midnight Lucky, the 6 1/4-length winner of Monday’s Grade 1 Acorn, will head back to Southern California in the coming weeks, but her racing schedule will include at least one, if not two, Grade 1 races this summer at Saratoga.

While the Grade 1 Test on Aug. 24 is the main summer objective for Midnight Lucky, trainer Bob Baffert said the Prioress, at six furlongs on July 27, is also possible.

Tue, 05/28/2013 - 17:16

Belmont Park: Tiz Miz Sue may try Delaware Handicap again

Barbara D. Livingston
Joe Rocco Jr. signals victory aboard Tiz Miz Sue in the Ogden Phipps.

Steve Hobby and his newly-minted millionaire and Grade 1 winner Tiz Miz Sue were headed back to Churchill Downs Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours after winning the Ogden Phipps Handicap by a half-length over Authenticity at Belmont Park.

Hobby said Tiz Miz Sue came out of the race in good shape and that a start in the Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap on July 20 is under “serious consideration.”

“The timing’s good, she does run well over that racetrack, and it’s a lot of money,” Hobby said.

Tue, 05/28/2013 - 16:17

Belmont Park: Met Mile winner Sahara Sky found in unlikely spot

Tom Keyser
Next-out plans for Sahara Sky, winner of the Metropolitan Handicap, are uncertain, though the Breeders’ Cup Sprint seems likely a year-end goal.

Kim Lloyd, part-owner of Sahara Sky, was headed to Broadway Tuesday night, one day after the thrilling nose victory by his horse over Cross Traffic in Monday’s Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

Naturally, the show he was going to see was called “Lucky Guy.”
Lloyd, as well as his co-owner and Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer felt quite fortunate after Sahara Sky got his nose down on the wire in the final jump to beat the remarkably game Cross Traffic in the 120th Met Mile.

Tue, 05/28/2013 - 15:34

Hollywood Park: Comma to the Top aimed at Breeders' Cup Sprint

Benoit & Associates
Comma to the Top is next headed for the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap, a Grade 1 over seven furlongs on June 29.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Last October, Comma to the Top won the minor Big Bear Handicap on a weekday at the Santa Anita autumn meeting. This fall, there is a much greater goal for the 5-year-old gelding.

After Comma to the Top won Monday’s $100,250 Los Angeles Handicap for the ninth stakes win of his career, trainer Peter Miller said the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in November is a long-term goal.

“You’ve got to dream,” he said.