Wed, 04/27/2022 - 08:39

Shahama has classic pedigree for Kentucky Oaks

Barbara D. Livingston
Shahama, training Tuesday at Churchill, is 4 for 4, including wins in the UAE Oaks and 1000 Guineas.

There are several undefeated fillies in a deep group preparing to contest this Kentucky Oaks - and of those, Shahama is flying under the radar.

The filly, a half-sister to Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky, has won all four of her starts in Dubai for KHK Racing and trainer Fawzi Nass, and has since been transferred to Todd Pletcher to target the Oaks. The filly classic will be her first U.S. start, and her first start since Feb. 18.

"She's been really straightforward," Pletcher said. "She's been super professional since she came in. She's trained impressively."

Tue, 04/26/2022 - 14:17

Pletcher considering Pimlico Special for Fearless

Barbara D. Livingston
Fearless comes off this victory in the Grade 3 Ghostzapper at Gulfstream.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Fearless, who was second in the Oaklawn Handicap last Saturday, is being considered for a start in the Grade 3, $300,000 Pimlico Special, according to his trainer, Todd Pletcher.  

Fearless raced just off the pace in the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap and finished four lengths behind winner Last Samurai. The Oaklawn Handicap was run at 1 1/8 miles, the same distance Fearless won over April 2 in the Grade 3 Ghostzapper at Gulfstream Park. For his effort in the Oaklawn Handicap, Fearless - a son of Ghostzapper - earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.  

Tue, 04/26/2022 - 13:40

Clairiere bedded down at Churchill after solid second in Apple Blossom

Barbara D. Livingston
Clairiere hasn't raced since finishing fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar last November.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Clairiere emerged from her runner-up finish in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn in excellent condition and is now settled in at Churchill Downs, trainer Steve Asmussen said Tuesday. 

Clairiere was a fast-closing second in the Grade 1, $1 million Apple Blossom last Saturday. She finished 1 1/4 lengths behind champion Letruska and a half-length in front of third-place finisher and champion Ce Ce. 

Mon, 04/25/2022 - 14:32

Greeley and Ben impresses in 20th win, is claimed from Broberg

Coady Photography
Greeley and Ben wins a six-furlong optional claimer on Sunday at Oaklawn Park.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Greeley and Ben, who was one of the winningest horses in North America in 2021, hit a milestone of 20 career wins Sunday at Oaklawn Park.

And he did it with style.

Greeley and Ben tracked the pace from the rail in a conditioned allowance that carried a $62,500 claiming option, got through along the inside in the stretch, and shuttled home to cover six furlongs in a super-quick 1:08.67. For the effort, Greeley and Ben earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 94.

Mon, 04/25/2022 - 12:26

Slipstream's summer itinerary includes Royal Ascot

Coady Photography
Slipstream reapareció ganando con solvencia el Palisades S.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Slipstream, who won the Palisades Stakes on April 10 at Keeneland in his 3-year-old debut, is being pointed to the Group 1 Commonwealth Stakes, a six-furlong race at the Royal Ascot meeting in June, trainer Christophe Clement said Sunday.

“At the moment, he is going to be trained to go there” or the Paradise Creek on May 29 at Belmont Park, Clement said. “Ascot is a much more exciting race and at the moment that would be our main goal.”

Mon, 04/25/2022 - 12:26

Longer distances planned for Unanimous Consent, Consumer Spending

Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Consumer Spending returned $6.90 in winning the Memories of Silver at Aqueduct on Sunday.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Coming off their weekend stakes wins, Unanimous Consent and Consumer Spending will both be stretched out a little farther in distance for their next start.

Unanimous Consent, who won Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile Woodhaven Stakes for 3-year-olds by 1 3/4 lengths, will most likely make his next start in the Grade 2, $200,000 Pennine Ridge at 1 1/8 miles on June 4. Unanimous Consent, a son of More Than Ready, improved his record to 3 for 3. He earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.

Mon, 04/25/2022 - 12:20

Franco-Brown connection proves potent

Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Manny Franco rides the Chad Brown-trained Unanimous Consent to victory in Saturday’s Woodhaven Stakes.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Manny Franco became a go-to rider for trainer Chad Brown during the six months racing was held at Aqueduct, winning 20 races from 46 mounts between the winter and spring meets. While many of the regular riders Brown uses will be back at Belmont following the Kentucky Derby on May 7, Brown said he still plans to keep Franco as part of his rotation.

Mon, 04/25/2022 - 11:56

Bank Sting, Make Mischief on collision course in Ruffian

Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Bank Sting wins the Heavenly Prize at Aqueduct on March 5. She worked five furlongs on Saturday at Belmont for the May 14 Ruffian Stakes.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Bank Sting and Make Mischief, two of the more talented New York-bred female runners on the grounds, are both pointing to the Grade 2, $200,000 Ruffian Stakes at Belmont Park on May 14.

Bank Sting, a daughter of Central Banker, is 7 for 9 with four stakes wins. Most recently, she won the Heavenly Prize Invitational at Aqueduct on March 5.

Tonja Terranova, assistant trainer to her husband, John, said, “Even if she gets graded stakes-placed, that would be good.”

Mon, 04/25/2022 - 11:56

Miss Brazil gets the job done in comeback and now targets Vagrancy

Barbara D. Livingston
Miss Brazil is pointing to the Vagrancy Stakes at Belmont Park on May 14.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Miss Brazil made a successful return to the races last Friday, going wire to wire in winning a third-level allowance by 1 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct. She ran six furlongs in 1:10.91 and earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

Miss Brazil, who was making her first start since she ran fifth in the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes last July 9, will now target the Grade 3, $150,000 Vagrancy on May 14.

Mon, 04/25/2022 - 10:15

Keeneland trainers race goes down to the wire

The battle for leading trainer at the Keeneland spring meet might well come down to the wire. Wesley Ward holds a 9-8 lead over Brad Cox into the final three-day stretch of the 15-day meet, with both trainers having a number of live chances through Friday, closing day.

Ward has entries in nine races, including several in which he has a stable coupling. Cox has entries in eight races, including two with a coupling. Chad Brown, who has seven wins, has a total of five entries Wednesday and Thursday but none on Friday.