Wed, 05/01/2013 - 14:31

Belmont: Kharafa makes season debut in turf allowance

The long and the short of it on Friday’s 10-race card are a pair of optional claimers with first-level allowance conditions. Race 9 is a $77,000 route scheduled for the Widener turf at 1 1/16 miles; race 4 is a $72,000 dirt sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 14:22

Thistledown: Top Ohio mare Startin Something seeks repeat in Classen Memorial

Startin Something will start her season by heading a field of nine Ohio-accredited fillies and mares in the $50,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial at Thistledown on Friday.

The 5-year-old Startin Something was named Ohio’s top handicap mare and Ohio-accredited female recently at the Ohio Breeders and Owners annual awards dinner. Trained by Tim Hamm, Startin Something won 5 of 11 last season, including four statebred stakes.

Her first win of 2012 came in the Classen, followed by a win May 28 in the Angenora. Both victories were at t six furlongs.

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 14:04

Woodbine notes: Aunt Els aims for fourth straight win in Fury Stakes

Michael Burns
Aunt Els won the Ontario Lassie on Dec. 9 in her stakes debut and aims for her fourth straight win Saturday in the Fury Stakes.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Aunt Els rose from the claiming ranks to conclude her first campaign with a victory in the 1 1/16-mile Ontario Lassie Stakes in December. On Saturday, Aunt Els will look to pick up where she left off in the $150,000 Fury, a seven-furlong stakes that serves as a major stepping-stone to the 1 1/8-mile Woodbine Oaks on June 9.

“If she stays on course and shows enough ability, she’ll go on to the Oaks,” said Norm McKnight, who trains the homebred Aunt Els for Syd Cooper’s RMC Stable.

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 13:55

Hollywood Park: Affirmed Stakes tryouts for Just Win Baby, Kid Dreams

Shigeki Kikkawa
Kid Dreams "looks to be on the improve," says trainer Neil Drysdale.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The 3-year-olds Just Win Baby and Kid Dreams may be seeing a lot of each other this spring and summer at Betfair Hollywood Park.

The two maiden race winners meet in a first-level optional $80,000 claimer over 1 1/16 miles on Friday, a race that could lead to starts in the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap on June 2. Both are held in that high of regard by their respective stables.

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 13:54

Churchill Downs notes: Trackside not a Kentucky Derby option this year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - This is the first time in many years that the nearby Trackside simulcast annex will not be open for fans wishing to avoid the hassles of attending the Oaks and Derby at Churchill. It was announced in March that the facility was being shuttered after becoming too expensive and troublesome to maintain for just a handful of business days per year.

[2013 KENTUCKY DERBY: Get PPs, contender profiles, live updates]

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 13:48

Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby and Oaks cards offer wager for every bettor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The usual abundance of wagering options will be available on the 12-race Friday and 13-race Saturday cards at Churchill, including:

[2013 KENTUCKY DERBY: Get PPs, contender profiles, live updates]

◗ Two-day wagers linking the Oaks and Derby in a daily double ($1 minimum), and the Oaks, Woodford, and Derby in a pick three (50-cent minimum).

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 13:42

Emerald Downs: Cresent McGain back in action in Friday claimer

AUBURN, Wash. – Cresent McGain, a beacon of consistency at Emerald Downs last year, will begin his 2013 season Friday in the featured sixth race, a $7,500 claimer for older horses at six furlongs. First post for the seven-race card is 6:45 p.m. Pacific.

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 13:35

Northlands: 80-day meet begins with retooled schedule

It won’t be business as usual at the 2013 Northlands Park meet. The 80-day season gets under way this Friday at 6 p.m. Mountain.

There will be no racing on Sundays this year. Instead, management is trying to expand its export business by running on Mondays. Beginning on Canada Day, July 1, Northlands will race on 10 consecutive Mondays ending on Labor Day, Sept. 2.

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 13:34

Kentucky Oaks futures overlays and underlays

Barbara D. Livingston
Midnight Lucky will be a far lower price Friday than her 16-1 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager odds.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With 10 set for the 139th Kentucky Oaks and their post-time odds fairly easy to gauge, there clearly are some overlays and underlays stemming from when Churchill Downs offered its only Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool in early March.

[2013 KENTUCKY OAKS: Get PPs, read live ontrack updates]

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 13:28

Churchill Downs: Edgewood lacks strong favorite, but offers multiple contenders

Shigeki Kikkawa
Judy in Disguise will stretch out beyond seven furlongs for the first time in the Edgewood.

Not unlike several other Friday stakes – namely, the Kentucky Oaks, Eight Belles, Alysheba, and American Turf – the Edgewood Stakes has all the makings of a terrific betting race with a very competitive finish.

The $150,000 Edgewood has a lukewarm 3-1 choice among its field of 11 3-year-old turf fillies going 1 1/16 miles, with the Shug McGaughey-trained Tokyo Time filling that tenuous favorite’s role in a cast otherwise replete with inviting options.