Wed, 03/16/2022 - 10:56

Interstatedaydream has several rich options after flashy allowance win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Early favorite for Woodbine Oaks?

Interstatedaydream was an outstanding winner of her two-turn debut Sunday at Oaklawn and she’s been nominated to both the Grade 3, $600,000 Fantasy here April 2 and the Grade 1, $600,000 Ashland on April 8 at Keeneland.

“We’ll see how they come up,” said owner Staton Flurry.

Wed, 03/16/2022 - 10:56

Dream Lith should have easier time in Fantasy

Coady Photography
Dream Lith wins the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill last November.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Dream Lith, who is the last horse to defeat the win-streaking Secret Oath, is headed for the Grade 3, $600,000 Fantasy on April 2 at Oaklawn, trainer Robertino Diodoro said Tuesday.

The 1 1/16 miles race offers Kentucky Oaks points on a scale of 100-40-20-10.

Wed, 03/16/2022 - 10:56

We the People takes big step up to Arkansas Derby

Coady Photography
We the People earned an 89 Beyer winning a March 12 allowance at Oaklawn by five lengths.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The unbeaten We the People is set to make his stakes debut in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby, said Elliott Walden, president and racing manager for co-owner WinStar Farm.

The 1 1/8 miles race has a new earlier date of April 2. It offers its first four finishers Kentucky Derby points on a scale of 100-40-20-10.

Tue, 03/15/2022 - 14:43

Arlington Million, three other graded stakes will be run at Churchill on special Aug. 13 card

Coady Photography
Two Emmys upsets the Mister D. Stakes at 27-1 in August. He will begin his 6-year-old season at a much lower price in the E.R. Bradley.

Churchill Downs in Louisville will run nine stakes races this year previously staged at Arlington Park outside of Chicago, including four on a special Aug. 13 live-racing program, the track announced on Tuesday.

The Aug. 13 program, which will take place outside of Churchill’s customary racing dates, will include four races that were previously held on Arlington’s biggest race day of the year, including the $1 million, Grade 1 Arlington Million, the $500,000, Grade 1 Beverly D., the $300,000, Grade 2 Secretariat, and the $200,000, Grade 3 Pucker Up, Churchill said.

Tue, 03/15/2022 - 13:00

Un Ojo will go in Arkansas Derby

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Un Ojo rallies up the rail to win the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Un Ojo will make his next start in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on April 2 at Oaklawn Park, trainer Ricky Courville said Tuesday.

The connections of last month's Rebel winner at Oaklawn had been leaning toward a start in the Blue Grass at Keeneland, but in the last week have made the decision to target the Arkansas Derby. The one-eyed horse is based in Louisiana.   

Tue, 03/15/2022 - 11:46

Saratoga stakes will include three run out of one-mile Wilson chute

Debra A. Roma
The Runhappy Travers, won last year by Essential Quality (left, above), is once again the highlight of the Saratoga meet and will be run Aug. 27 with a $1.25 million purse.

While the heart of the Saratoga stakes schedule remains the same, there are a number of changes relating to distances, dates, names, and purses to the program that will offer 77 stakes worth $22.635 million this summer.

The 40-day Saratoga meet runs from July 14 through Sept. 5.

Mon, 03/14/2022 - 14:50

Ramon Vazquez thinking of riding in Southern California

Coady Photography
Ramon Vazquez rides Miss Bigly to victory in the Bayakoa at Oaklawn in February. He is fourth in the standings there.

Jockey Ramon Vazquez, among the 20 leading riders in the nation in purse earnings, is “seriously considering” a move to Southern California this spring, according to his agent, Bill Castle.

Mon, 03/14/2022 - 14:20

Cox sending Zozos to La. Derby, Cyberknife to Ark. Derby

Coady Photography
Zozos is 2 for 2, including this 10 1/4-length romp in his first try against winners.

Zozos, an impressive Oaklawn Park allowance-race winner, will start March 26 in the $1 million Louisiana Derby. And Cyberknife, an impressive Fair Grounds allowance winner, will start April 2 in the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby.

Trainer Brad Cox hinted last week that would be his plan with these two Triple Crown hopefuls, and after both colts turned in Fair Grounds works over the weekend, Cox confirmed it Sunday.

Mon, 03/14/2022 - 14:20

Mullins sending some horses to Gulfstream

Benoit Photo
Jeff Mullins has six horses at Gulfstream and is sending six more.

Jeff Mullins, who ranks among the top 10 trainers in wins at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, is moving a dozen horses to Gulfstream Park.

Mullins said on Sunday that six horses have arrived in South Florida from California and another six were scheduled to be flown there in the middle of the week. Mullins said the move will give the horses additional race opportunities.

Mon, 03/14/2022 - 14:20

Edgeway heading to Keeneland for Madison Stakes

Benoit Photo
Edgeway wins the Las Flores by seven lengths on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Edgeway, winner of two sprint stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita this year, will face her toughest test since November in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland on April 9.

Trainer John Sadler confirmed in a text message on Monday that the $500,000 Madison for fillies and mares at seven furlongs is an early spring goal for Edgeway, who is owned by Hronis Racing.