Sun, 01/30/2022 - 18:55

Dr. Schivel's next start will be Golden Shaheen, Glatt says

Debra A. Roma
Dr. Schivel (right) couldn’t hold off late-running 11-1 shot Aloha West in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and was beaten a nose. He won his other three starts this year.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Dr. Schivel, second by a nose in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar in November, but last of seven in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, is bound for Dubai this spring.

Trainer Mark Glatt said Sunday that Dr. Schivel will make his next start in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 26. The $2 million Golden Shaheen is run at six furlongs.

“I think it works out good, timing-wise, and it’s two million bucks,” Glatt said.

Sun, 01/30/2022 - 18:45

Slow Down Andy works five furlongs for Risen Star Stakes

Benoit Photo
Slow Down Andy (No. 5), with Mario Gutierrez riding, wins the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity by a length over Messier.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Slow Down Andy, winner of the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity in December, will have his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 19, trainer Doug O’Neill said Sunday.

Slow Down Andy was under consideration for the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday until owners and breeders Paul and Zillah Reddam and O’Neill opted for the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. O’Neill said that uncertainty regarding flights to Oaklawn was one reason he and the Reddams decided to send Slow Down Andy to Fair Grounds.

Sun, 01/30/2022 - 16:51

Ce Ce drills half-mile for Santa Monica Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Ce Ce gana de manera inobjetable la Filly and Mare Sprint G1

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ce Ce is set to make her first start since her victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita.

The Santa Monica, like the Filly and Mare Sprint, is at seven furlongs.

Ce Ce worked a sharp half-mile in 47 seconds Sunday morning for trainer Michael McCarthy. She is a finalist for an Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter.

Sun, 01/30/2022 - 16:44

Messier, Sir London prep for showdown in Robert Lewis Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Messier wins the Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Messier, runner-up in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 11, and Sir London, a romping maiden winner at Los Alamitos in his last start Dec. 4, both worked Sunday morning for an anticipated meeting one week later in the Grade 3, $200,000 Robert Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita.

The Lewis offers 17 qualifying points overall, including 10 to the winner, toward the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

Sat, 01/29/2022 - 14:03

Aqueduct cancels Sunday card due to winter storm

Barbara D. Livingston
Aqueduct will resume racing as scheduled on Friday without fans on-site.

Sunday’s nine-race card at Aqueduct has been canceled due to the winter storm that dumped approximately a foot of snow on the New York City area Saturday. The storm was to continue through 4 p.m.

It is the fifth cancellation of the meet.

The $100,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes for 3-year-olds scheduled for Sunday will be rescheduled for Feb. 6.

Aqueduct was to be open for simulcasting on Sunday.

Fri, 01/28/2022 - 13:20

Aqueduct cancels Saturday card in advance of nor'easter

Jim Sewastynowicz
The anticipated storm will bring heavy snow, high winds, and low wind chills to the area east of New York City.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Aqueduct’s nine-race Saturday card was canceled due to a nor’easter that was expected to bring significant snow, strong winds, and low wind-chill values to the New York metropolitan area throughout the day.

A decision on whether Aqueduct will be open for simulcasting will be made Saturday morning.

Training at Belmont Park was canceled for Saturday. The racing office will not take entries for Saturday for Thursday as per the regular schedule. Instead, double entries will be taken Sunday for the Thursday and Friday cards.

Fri, 01/28/2022 - 12:56

Talented trio pointing to Holy Bull

Barbara D. Livingston
Tiz the Bomb trains at Gulfstream on Jan. 23. He closed out last year with three turf races but will switch back to dirt for the Holy Bull.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Mo Donegal, Giant Game, and Tiz the Bomb are among the accomplished 3-year-olds expected next Saturday when Gulfstream Park kicks off its annual Road to the Florida Derby series with the Grade 3, $250,000 Holy Bull.

Mo Donegal was scheduled for a final pre-race breeze this weekend at trainer Todd Pletcher’s winter base at Palm Beach Downs. It was to be the sixth timed work for the Uncle Mo colt since he won the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct in early December.

Fri, 01/28/2022 - 11:16

Maglev seeks a better trip in Baffle Stakes

Benoit Photo
Cabo Spirt (left) gets a clear trip to hold off Maglev (right) in the $102,000 Eddie Logan Stakes.

The final three furlongs of the $102,000 Eddie Logan Stakes was a mess for the European import Maglev, who overcame traffic on the turn to finish second after closing along the inside.

Cabo Spirit won the race by 1 1/4 lengths, benefiting from a trouble-free wide trip. Trainer Mark Glatt was left to wonder what Maglev would have done with a better journey.

Asked Thursday if Maglev could have won, Glatt was quick with a response.

“I’m a little biased,” he said. “I think so.”

Thu, 01/27/2022 - 12:30

Gabriel replaces Panza at NYRA

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Frank Gabriel Jr. has been appointed senior vice president of racing operations for the New York Racing Association, replacing Martin Panza, the company announced in a press release Thursday. Gabriel will assume his new duties on Feb. 3.

Panza and NYRA parted ways last fall after eight years.

Wed, 01/26/2022 - 14:36

10-year-old Backsideofthemoon to continue his career at Parx

Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Backsideofthemoon wins the 2020 Queens County. He will turn 10 on Jan. 1 and under a rule instututed earlier this year will not be allowed to race or stable at NYRA tracks.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Backsideofthemoon was forced to leave the grounds of Belmont Park on Wednesday, owing to a rule the New York Racing Association put in place last April that forbids horses age 10 or older to stable or race at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, or Saratoga. Backsideofthemoon officially became a 10-year-old on New Year’s Day.