Fri, 06/07/2013 - 14:32

Los Alamitos: Five Bar Cartel may have timing edge

It will take more than five hours to run the 14 time trials for the Ed Burke Million Futurity at Los Alamitos on Sunday evening.

Five Bar Cartel starts in the first race for trainer Danny Montes, and he is one of two runners on the evening for the 33-year-old trainer. The colt won his career debut in a 300-yard maiden race in a quick 15.39 seconds at Los Alamitos on May 19, giving Montes confidence for Sunday’s race.

The hard part will be waiting through the evening for the other results.

“It will be a long day,” Montes said.

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 14:31

Golden Gate: Trainer Billy Morey suspended for medication violations

The Golden Gate Fields stewards suspended trainer Billy Morey for 30 days and fined him $3,000 for an overage of the bronchodilator albuterol in the horse Picture Perfect, who tested positive after winning the first race at Golden Gate Fields on Jan. 1.

Fifteen days of the suspension, which begins on June 10, were stayed as part of a stipulated agreement. Morey will be placed on probation through June 5, 2014.

The 39-year-old Morey was fourth in the trainer standings entering Friday’s racing at the Golden Gate Fields meeting with 39 winners from 139 starters.

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 14:16

Hastings: Herbie D has the speed in Sir Winston Churchill

Four-Footed Fotos
Herbie D was voted the champion sprinter in British Columbia in 2012.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Herbie D will attempt to carry his exceptional speed around three turns in the $50,000 Sir Winston Churchill at Hastings on Sunday.

[HASTINGS: Get PPs, watch Sunday’s full card live]

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 13:49

Golden Gate: Surfcup the 'now' horse in Silky Sullivan

Shigeki Kikkawa
Surfcup's victory in the Snow Chief will make him a heavy favorite in the Silky Sullivan on Sunday.

The timing of Sunday’s $100,000 Silky Sullivan for California-bred 3-year-olds at one mile on the turf at Golden Gate Fields couldn’t be better for Surfcup, who enters the race at the top of his game.

A son of Unusual Heat, Surfcup will try to match the effort of Unusual Way, a daughter of Unusual Heat who won last week’s Campanile, a California-bred turf stakes race for 3-year-old fillies.

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 13:02

Churchill Downs: High Dollar Kitten tries to retain form for new trainer in turf feature

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A certain dilemma presents itself when a trainer contemplates claiming a horse away from Mike Maker, whose dominance on the Kentucky circuit has hit unprecedented heights in the last couple of months.

“You’re pretty sure you’re not going to move one up on him,” said Bill Denzik, who went against that grain when he recently claimed a 3-year-old colt named High Dollar Kitten for the full-retail price of $50,000 from Maker and owner-breeder Ken Ramsey.

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 12:27

Fort Erie meet off to spirited start

FORT ERIE, Ontario – Fort Erie is only three days into its 116th year of operation, but the vibes could not be much better, as fans are helping to make a successful beginning to a season that many thought would never happen.

The onsite handle has been up on all three days.

Tuesday’s first twilight card of the meet attracted a large crowd, and it was evident that a post-workday starting time allowed for the increased attendance.

Adding to the excitement of the evening’s eight-race card were the Horns from Hell. Following the last race, the group took to the bandstand.

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 09:41

Woodbine: Pyrite Mountain, at home on Polytrack, heads Plate Trial

Michael Burns
Pyrite Mountain was a troubled fourth in a grass allowance race at Gulfstream in March, and was second in an April 13 allowance race over Keeneland’s Polytrack.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Pyrite Mountain reaffirmed his fondness for Woodbine’s Polytrack when he took the May 5 Wando Stakes from off the pace. He should be favored in Sunday’s $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes, a nine-furlong event that is restricted to 3-year-olds who are eligible for the $1 million Queen’s Plate Stakes on July 7.

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 09:24

Woodbine: Spring Venture back on the grass

Tom Keyser
Spring Venture won her career debut at seven furlongs and her second start, the Grade 2 Natalma, at a mile on grass.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Spring Venture disappointed in her local seasonal debut, finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Selene at 1 1/16 miles.

On Sunday Spring Venture will be looking to redeem herself as she moves back to the turf for the Alywow Stakes, an open 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies that attracted a field of nine.

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 09:08

Woodbine Oaks to see clash between Spring in the Air and Nipissing

Michael Burns
Spring in the Air won the May 4 Fury Stakes at seven-furlong.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Reigning Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Spring in the Air and the long-winded Nipissing will clash Sunday in the 58th running of the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks. The duo will be the top two betting choices in the nine-furlong test for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies, which will go as the eighth on a superb 10-race card.

Thu, 06/06/2013 - 16:04

Belmont Park: Rydilluc targets Virginia Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Rydilluc is undefeated in four turf starts, including the Penn Mile.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Rydilluc, regarded as the top 3-year-old turf horse in the United States, will point to the $500,000 Virginia Derby going 1 1/4 miles at Colonial Downs on July 13.

Rydilluc is undefeated in four turf starts, having won the inaugural Penn Mile last week and the Grade 3 Palm Beach at 1 1/8 miles earlier this year.