Thu, 08/18/2022 - 16:41

Baze's planned Thursday return delayed

Benoit Photo
Tyler Baze wins the San Juan Capistrano on June 19 aboard Breakpoint.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Tyler Baze, who was scheduled to return to action Thursday at Del Mar after taking last week off to attend to “personal matters,” was not allowed to ride because a prerace test revealed traces of a medication he was temporarily prescribed for high-blood pressure earlier this week, according to his agent, Jack Carava.

Thu, 08/18/2022 - 16:07

Two grooms arrested on drug-related felonies

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Two grooms, both employees of trainer Charlton Baker, were arrested Thursday in their dorm room on the backstretch of Saratoga Racecourse and face multiple charges related to possession of a large quantity of cocaine, according to the Saratoga Springs police department.

Jose Hidalgo, 59, and Guadalupe Montesdecoa-Aguilar, 36, were arrested and criminally charged with possession of controlled substance, 2nd degree, which is an A-II felony, and possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree with intent to sell, a B Felony.

Thu, 08/18/2022 - 14:50

McAnally to be given Laffit Pincay Jr. Award

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Ron McAnally is spending his 74th summer at Del Mar.

Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally will be honored with the Laffit Pincay, Jr., Award for service to racing in a ceremony at Del Mar on Aug. 27, the track announced earlier this week.

McAnally, 90, is in the midst of his 74th summer at Del Mar, and has a small stable at the meeting.

The Pincay Award, which is scheduled to be presented by the 75-year-old retired Hall of Fame jockey, was introduced in 2004 and recognizes individuals who have served racing with integrity, dedication and distinction.

Thu, 08/18/2022 - 14:45

Bravo will try to pull upsets in Del Mar Oaks and CTT and TOC Stakes

Benoit Photo
Joe Bravo has won 12 races at the Del Mar meet entering Thursday's card, including the La Jolla aboard Cabo Spirit on Aug. 7.

Joe Bravo is taking a low-key approach with his two stakes mounts at Del Mar on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Bravo rides the outsider Almost a Factor in the $100,000 CTT and TOC Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares. Trained by Carla Gaines, Almost a Factor was a troubled fourth in an allowance race over the same course and distance on July 28, a frustrating result for Bravo who could not overcome traffic issues at a pivotal point.

Thu, 08/18/2022 - 12:36

Dean and Patti Reeves having a meet to remember

Barbara Livingston
Dakota Gold wins the Cab Calloway on Wednesday, giving Dean and Patti Reeves their eighth winner of the Saratoga meet.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - One of the more regular sights thus far during the current Saratoga meet has been Dean Reeves and his wife Patti greeting another horse in the winner’s circle.

The couple, who race under the nom de course of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, both on their own and in partnership with other entities, have already made eight such trips this summer, including two on Wednesday, the second after their odds-on favorite Dakota Gold captured the Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion Series.

Wed, 08/17/2022 - 13:56

Moira morning-line favorite in 11-horse Queen's Plate

Michael Burns
Woodbine Oaks winner Moira (above) is the 5-2 early favorite for the Queen's Plate. Rondure is a close second choice at 3-1.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Moira has been tabbed as the 5-2 favorite by linemaker Ernie Perri for the 163rd running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate on Sunday at Woodbine.

Moira, an easy winner of the Woodbine Oaks on July 24, got post 8 in the 11-horse field and will be ridden by Rafael Hernandez in her quest to become the 38th filly to win the 1 1/4-mile event for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.

Trainer Kevin Attard, who is seeking his first Plate victory, was content with Moira’s post.

Wed, 08/17/2022 - 12:56

Matareya unlikely to race again until next year

Deb Roma
Matareya is getting some down time at Godolphin's farm in Lexington, Ky.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Matareya, the Grade 1 Acorn winner who finished third as the favorite in the Grade 1 Test on Aug. 7, is getting turned out for a few months and probably will not run again until 2023, trainer Brad Cox said.

Matareya, owned by Godolphin Racing, will get her time off at her owner’s farm in Lexington, Ky., Cox said.

“She had a long season,” Cox said. “She’s obviously a Grade 1 winner, and with what’s left on the schedule we just thought it would be a great time to give her a break and go from there.”

Wed, 08/17/2022 - 11:23

Santin targets Coolmore Mile for next start

Coady Photography
Santin solo hacia la meta en el Arlington Million G1

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Santin came out of his Arlington Million victory in good order and will make his next start in the $1 million Coolmore Mile on Oct. 8 at Keeneland, according to trainer Brendan Walsh.

Santin earned a career-high 106 Beyer Speed Figure in his 1 3/4-length triumph Saturday over Smooth Like Strait on the Churchill Downs turf. It was the second Grade 1 win this year for Santin, a 4-year-old Godolphin homebred colt by Distorted Humor, following the May 7 Old Forester Turf Classic over the same course.

Tue, 08/16/2022 - 16:26

World traveler Curatolo looks to establish roots in Southern California

Erika Rasmussen//Dubai Racing Club
Jockey Ryan Curatolo gives Mouheeb a pat after a win in the 2021 United Arab Emirates 2000 Guineas.

DEL MAR, Calif. – There are plenty of places Ryan Curatolo has been throughout his relatively young life as a jockey, but one spot he’s obviously been at home is the back of a horse.

No matter where he’s gone – and his passport has more stamps than a foreign correspondent for a newsmagazine – Curatolo has produced, and it’s been more of the same this summer at Del Mar, where he’s scratched and clawed his way to a tie for sixth in the jockey standings with seven wins from 53 mounts through Sunday.

Tue, 08/16/2022 - 08:53

Lukas says Secret Oath coming into Alabama strong as ever

Barbara D. Livingston
Secret Oath worked a half-mile in 49.02 Tuesday in her final drill for Saturday's Alabama Stakes.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - D. Wayne Lukas flashed a Cheshire cat grin when asked if Secret Oath, beaten 12 1/2 lengths by Nest in the Coaching Club American Oaks four weeks ago, was feeling the effects of a long campaign.

“Get ready,” Lukas, sitting atop his stable pony on a cool Tuesday morning in Saratoga said. “The outsiders don’t train her. I’m not making any excuses; the campaign doesn’t bother me a bit.