HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Monomoy Girl emerged from her runner-up finish in the Apple Blossom Handicap in fine fashion, trainer Brad Cox said Monday. She was beaten a nose after a hoof-to-hoof battle with Letruska, giving that one six pounds while earning the same Beyer Speed Figure, a 102.
“Monomoy Girl came out of the race good,” Cox said. “She’s shipping to Churchill Downs.”
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The 2021 Woodbine meet was postponed from its scheduled April 17 opening due to a province-wide stay-at-home order declared by the Ontario government that was recently extended from May 6 to May 20. It is a potentially dire situation for the largest track in Canada, which could see its horse population shrink as horses leave for the United States due to the uncertainty regarding when the meet will begin.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Swiss Skydiver, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2020, emerged from her third-place finish in the Apple Blossom Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn in good order, trainer Ken McPeek said Monday.
The filly finished 6 1/2 lengths behind winner Letruska and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92. One start prior, Swiss Skydiver was a dominant winner of the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita.
“She’s fine,” McPeek said. “It’s a bit of a head-scratcher. We’re trying to wrap our heads around why she didn’t run well.”
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Things have gone so well for Luis Saez this spring in Kentucky that the star jockey seriously considered sticking around beyond the Kentucky Derby.
Upon further review, however, Saez and his agent, Kiaran McLaughlin, have decided to return to Belmont Park in New York, where the 28-year-old jockey has made his primary base since 2013.
“We did talk about riding the Churchill Downs meet after the Derby, but no, we’re going back to New York,” McLaughlin said. “We do really like the way it’s gone here this month, though.”
Harvest Moon, fourth behind two 2020 champions in her last two starts, will have an easier assignment in Saturday’s Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita.
Harvest Moon is unlikely to have many rivals at all in the $200,000 race for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles. The race drew eight nominations.
Trainer Jonathan Wong said Keeper Ofthe Stars may be held out of the Santa Margarita in favor of the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares on May 31. Keeper Ofthe Stars won the 2020 Gamely.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Silver State emerged from his win in the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap in fine fashion, trainer Steve Asmussen said Sunday, as his connections are now tasked with determining the next move for the horse who has won his last five races.
Silver State went over $1 million earnings in the Oaklawn Handicap, for which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101.
“He came out of the race great,” Asmussen said Sunday. “Obviously, we’re extremely proud of how he ran yesterday and the winning streak that he has put together.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Trainer Fausto Gutierrez had Letruska out grazing on a beautiful Sunday morning at Oaklawn Park, and was enjoying time with the mare who a day earlier added her name to a long list of outstanding winners of the Apple Blossom Handicap.
She also established herself as one of the top members of her division.
Churchill Downs
Weather: Cloudy
Temp: 51
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE, KY. - Mandaloun may have stolen a little thunder from his undefeated stablemate and Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality with an extremely impressive six-furlong workout in 1:11.47 early Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.
Rock Your World, the undefeated winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 3, worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday in advance of a start in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1.
Trained by John Sadler, Rock Your World galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.80, according to Santa Anita clockers.
