Wed, 07/28/2021 - 10:50

Sutherland enjoying solid meet after four-win day

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Chantal Sutherland celebrates atop Key Biscayne after winning the Monroe Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Chantal Sutherland is enjoying a rejuvenated riding career. Best known for her feats in Southern California and her native Canada, Sutherland rode four winners Saturday at Gulfstream and is now well ensconced in the top 10 at the spring-summer meet in both wins (30) and earnings ($891,487).

Sutherland capped her big day by winning the $75,000 Monroe on Key Biscayne, who rallied from well back to win the off-the-turf race by a neck. The four-win day is one shy of her personal record of five, set on Aug. 9, 2008, at Woodbine. Sutherland has won four in a day on multiple occasions.

Wed, 07/28/2021 - 10:50

Risenhoover to ride at Remington

Benoit Photo
Sasha Risenhoover will be represented by agent Bill Castle at Remington.

Jockey Sasha Risenhoover, who has ranked as one of the top female jockeys in Texas, plans to ride at Remington Park when the Oklahoma City meet opens Aug. 20, said her new agent, Bill Castle. Currently, Risenhoover has riding engagements at Louisiana Downs and Prairie Meadows.

“I look forward to the opportunity to work with her,” Castle said. “She rides a very smart race.”

Wed, 07/28/2021 - 10:50

Mandatory payout in Rainbow 6, Florida Sire Stakes top Saturday card

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Gulfstream Park will have a forceout of its Rainbow 6 pool on Saturday.

Gulfstream Park will host a mandatory forceout of its popular Rainbow 6 wager on Saturday, when the opening legs in the Florida Sire Stakes will anchor a card expected to be run amid dry conditions.

Wed, 07/28/2021 - 10:46

Ellis Park maintenance staffer ‘Heavy' Watson dies

The driver whose tractor damaged the inner rail on the Ellis main track Friday during a routine resurfacing later died from the medical emergency that caused the accident.

Ellis released a statement Tuesday that said Dorris “Heavy” Watson, a member of the track maintenance staff for nearly a quarter-century, subsequently died at a local hospital. The press release said Watson began his tenure at Ellis in 1997 and “was a constant and beloved presence, particularly on the backside track area. ‘Heavy’ will be missed by all of us that were blessed to know him.”

Wed, 07/28/2021 - 10:46

Landeros finding success with busy schedule

Lauren King/Coglianese Photos
Chris Landeros has won 53 races so far in 2021.

Chris Landeros has ridden at Churchill Downs, Canterbury Park, Thistledown, Delaware Park, Indiana Grand, Saratoga, Colonial Downs, and Ellis Park.

And that’s just in a recent 30-day span.

Indeed, from June 23 to July 23, Landeros was legged up at all eight of those tracks – all while contending for the top spot at what currently qualifies as his “home” track, Ellis in western Kentucky.

Wed, 07/28/2021 - 10:06

Texas commission approves 2022 racing dates

Coady Photography
Sam Houston is scheduled to resume simulcasting out of state on Friday.

The Texas Racing Commission on Tuesday approved a state racing calendar for 2022.

The Thoroughbred racing season will open Jan. 6 at Sam Houston in Houston. The meet will run for 50 dates through April 9. The season includes eight dates from Retama Park near San Antonio, which will only conduct a Quarter Horse meet in 2022.

The other Thoroughbred meet in Texas will be a 48-date season at Lone Star Park near Dallas. It will run from April 28 through July 24.

Wed, 07/28/2021 - 10:00

Mojo Man back at Arlington after Indiana Grand stakes win

Coady Photography
Mojo Man scored his first stakes win last week in the Send It In Army at Indiana Grand.

Mojo Man knocked out the first stakes win of his career last week at Indiana Grand and is now back home at Arlington Park with his next move to be determined, trainer Jimmy DiVito said.

Mojo Man won the $66,000 Send It In Army Stakes on July 21. He darted home 2 1/4 lengths in front, and for covering six furlongs in 1:09.35 earned one of his best Beyer Speed Figures, a 92.

Mon, 07/26/2021 - 15:26

Knicks Go, By My Standards preparing for Whitney in Kentucky and Virginia

Coady Photography
Knicks Go is training for the Whitney with Brad Cox's division at Ellis Park.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Knicks Go and By My Standards each put in sharp, long workouts over the weekend out of town as they prepare for a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes here on Aug. 7.

On Sunday at Ellis Park, Knicks Go worked six furlongs in 1:12.20. Trainer Brad Cox said the work was delayed a day due to the closure of the track for training Saturday following Friday’s incident when a stricken tractor driver damaged the inside rail on the dirt course.

Mon, 07/26/2021 - 15:26

Joseph's meet on the line this weekend

Barbara D. Livingston
Drain the Clock breezes Monday morning in preparation for the Grade 2 Amsterdam on Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Saffie Joseph Jr. went 3 for 4 at Aqueduct with two stakes wins, including the Grade 1 Carter Handicap. Joseph went 8 for 28 at the Belmont Park spring/summer, highlighted by Drain the Clock’s victory in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens.

What type of meet will Joseph have at Saratoga? Ask him Sunday.

“This week’s our meet,” said Joseph, who has gotten off to a 1-for-7 start through the first nine days at Saratoga.

Mon, 07/26/2021 - 15:10

Venezia Memorial Award finalists announced

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockeys Junior Alvarado, Julien Leparoux, Deshawn Parker, Gerard Melancon, and Scott Stevens are the finalists for the Mike Venezia Memorial Award, the New York Racing Association announced Sunday.

Named after the rider who died as a result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988, the Venezia Award is given to a jockey who displays extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship.