LEXINGTON, Ky. – Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington will be open at full capacity for its upcoming fall meet in October, the track announced on Thursday.
The announcement, which was not unexpected given that Kentucky no longer has pandemic-related restrictions in place, will be welcome news to Kentucky racing fans, who have not been able to attend a Keeneland meet without restrictions since the fall of 2019. The fall meet is scheduled to run from Oct. 8-30 this year.
ELMONT, N.Y. – The Grade 1 winner Dayoutoftheoffice was under consideration for the Victory Ride on Saturday here, but was not entered and instead will train up to the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga on Aug. 7.
In two starts this year, Dayoutoftheoffice was second to Obligatory in the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill and fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Search Results in the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont on June 5.
ELMONT, N.Y. – The unbeaten Louisiana-bred Australasia will put her 6-for-6 mark on the line in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on dirt at 6 1/2 furlongs.
:: Get Mike Beer and David Aragona’s Betting Strategies for Saturday’s card at Belmont Park
ELMONT, N.Y. – Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is the leader in the clubhouse entering the final three days of the Belmont Park spring/summer meeting, but his spot atop the jockey standings is tenuous given he will miss the final week.
:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Belmont Park Clocker Report
ELMONT, N.Y. – The Irish-based trainer Aidan O’Brien has been a big supporter of the Belmont Derby and Belmont Oaks, two rich Grade 1 races for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park, often sending more than one horse to participate in each race.
This year, however, O’Brien will have just one in each. That may be all he needs.
:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Belmont Park Clocker Report
Trainer Frank Lucarelli, who moved a division of horses to Texas in January, will continue to have a presence in the region for the foreseeable future.
He said Tuesday he will be moving horses to Remington Park in Oklahoma following the close of the Lone Star Park meet Sunday, and also anticipates having a small string at the Oaklawn meet in Arkansas that opens Dec. 3.
Warrior’s Pride remained perfect on turf while running far and away the race of his life to upset the $100,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint in wire-to-wire fashion for trainer Antonio Cioffi on Sunday.
Warrior’s Pride, the only 3-year-old in the Umphrey field, had captured his grass debut using a similar modus operandi in the Texas Glitter in spring.
While out-of-towners Ce Ce and Estilo Talentoso took home the major swag, finishing first and second in Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Princess Rooney Invitational, locals earned their share of the big money up for grabs last weekend with Miles Ahead capturing the $200,000 Smile Sprint and Warrior’s Pride the $100,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint.
Trainer Brad Cox and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. opened the Ellis meet with hot hands, taking the early leads in their respective categories.
Cox won with 5 of 10 starters on the first four cards to quickly open daylight on a four-way tie for second. Meanwhile, Hernandez, also with five wins, used a four-win Friday in taking a slight lead over Florent Geroux, who has four victories. Geroux will be riding regularly at Ellis when not otherwise committed elsewhere.
Norman “Lynn” Cash is a self-professed storm chaser whose roofing company has been successful enough to allow him to chase his dreams in Thoroughbred racing.
“We operate in Wyoming and Montana,” Cash said. “When hail falls, we’re there.”
