You’d have to think trainer Sam David Jr.’s career apex came May 2, 1997, when he sent out Blushing K. D. to win the Kentucky Oaks. But Sunday at Fair Grounds turned out memorably, too.
David entered five horses on the eight-race Fair Grounds card. One of them was an also-eligible and was scratched. The other four came home winners.
“My brother told me I’d won three and had a second once, but I don’t think I’ve ever won four in a day,” David said.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Venti Valentine, like many of the stakes performers from last Saturday’s Aqueduct card, will head to Florida in the coming days, but her connections are already plotting the New York-bred filly’s next race to be in New York.
Venti Valentine, second to Nest in the Grade 2 Demoiselle, will be pointed to the $250,000 Busher Stakes on March 5 at Aqueduct, trainer Jorge Abreu said. The Busher, a one-turn mile, does offer its winner 50 points toward the Kentucky Oaks on May 6 at Churchill Downs.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Many New York-based jockeys typically head out of town for the winter to ride in good weather while hoping to find their next big horse, preferably a 3-year-old that can lead to the Kentucky Derby.
After spending the last five winters riding at Gulfstream Park, New York regular Jose Ortiz has opted to make Aqueduct his base for the winter and travel to Florida or wherever on an as-needed basis.
CYPRESS, Calif. – Sir London, the 10-length winner of a maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds at a mile on Saturday at Los Alamitos, is scheduled to begin his 2022 campaign in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 6 at Santa Anita.
“We can give him a little time and most likely point for the Bob Lewis,” trainer Simon Callaghan said Sunday.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Sir London disputed the early pace in the maiden race and pulled clear through the stretch to win as the 3-10 favorite.
Hot Rod Charlie, one of the nation’s leading 3-year-olds and the fourth-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, is scheduled to start in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.
The $200,000 San Antonio Stakes could be Hot Rod Charlie’s only start in California this winter. The colt is under strong consideration for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 26, with the possibility of a prep race in that country in advance, trainer Doug O’Neill said Sunday.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Saffie Joseph Jr. and Paco Lopez were the stars of Saturday’s Claiming Crown card, the former sending out three winners and narrowly missing a fourth, the latter posting a five-bagger on the day, four of those victories coming in Claiming Crown races.
CYPRESS, Calif. - Earlier this year, Eda was a disappointing fifth as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs, fading from contention after setting a fast pace.
Eda has not lost in three subsequent starts, and was part of a record-equaling win for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and owners Charlie and Susan Chu in Saturday’s Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Los Alamitos.
Eda was the third consecutive win in the Starlet for the Chu-Baffert team, preceded by Bast in 2019 and Varda last year.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The last Grade 1 race of the year on the New York Racing Association circuit is not the only reason to pay attention to Aqueduct on Saturday.
Following a parade of longshot winners Friday at Aqueduct, there is a $729,611 pick six carryover into Saturday’s Cigar Mile Day card.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While trainer Michelle Nevin sends out two of her hard-knocking, stakes-winning New York-bred sprinters in Sunday’s $150,000 Thunder Rumble division of the New York Stallion Series, she appears to have a top-quality sprinter for the open-company stakes to be run in New York this winter.
Happy Medium, a 3-year-old gelding by Runhappy, has gone 2 for 2 this fall since returning from a six-month layoff. On Sept. 30, he won a six-furlong maiden race over a fast Belmont main track by 9 1/4 lengths, earning a 103 Beyer Speed Figure.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Pete Fitzgerald, who has worked on and off at the New York Racing Association since 1978, is retiring following Sunday’s card. Fitzgerald has spent the last nine years as the paddock judge at NYRA’s three tracks.
Fitzgerald, 68, said he felt it was just a good time to leave.
“I’m going to put my feet up and not be on the Belt Parkway,” Fitzgerald said.
