Mon, 04/19/2021 - 13:36

Lake Lio sizzles in first local juvenile race

Lake Lio won the first 2-year-old race of the local season in very impressive fashion Friday, leading throughout to register a 3 1/2-length victory for trainer Jena Antonucci.

Mon, 04/19/2021 - 13:06

Soothsay will indeed skip Kentucky Oaks

Benoit Photo
Soothsay (right) has not quite bounced back enough out of this victory in the Santa Anita Oaks to run back in the Kentucky Oaks, trainer Richard Mandella said.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Soothsay, winner of the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks on April 3, is staying in California this spring and will not start in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on April 30 at Churchill Downs

Trainer Richard Mandella cautioned that Soothsay was not a definite runner for the Kentucky Oaks immediately after the Santa Anita Oaks, and said Sunday that the unbeaten filly will be pointed to the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks on May 30 at Santa Anita.

“She’s coming back to where she was,” Mandella said Sunday. “To get her completely back and ship her is too much.”

Mon, 04/19/2021 - 13:00

Art Collector nearing first breeze with eye toward start at end of Churchill meet

Barbara D. Livingston
Art Collector will get some time off before gearing up for a 4-year-old campaign in 2021.

Art Collector is back in steady training in the quiet environs of the Skylight training center just east of Louisville. Owner-breeder Bruce Lunsford said the 4-year-old Bernardini colt will soon have his first breeze for trainer Tommy Drury, with a return to the races perhaps coming toward the end of the Churchill spring meet.

Mon, 04/19/2021 - 12:56

Velazquez regains mount on Malathaat for Kentucky Oaks

Coady Photography
Malathaat alcanza a tiempo en el Ashland G1

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez has regained the mount on Malathaat, one of the likely favorites for the April 30 Kentucky Oaks, after missing the ride on the unbeaten filly in the April 3 Ashland Stakes.

Mon, 04/19/2021 - 11:58

Monomoy Girl heading back to Churchill

Coady Photography
Monomoy Girl (left) finishes second by a nose to Letruska in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

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.” 

Mon, 04/19/2021 - 11:48

Extended stay-at-home order adds to uncertainty at Woodbine

Michael Burns
Mighty Heart scores a 7 1/2-length, front-running win in the 2020 Queen's Plate at Woodbine.

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.

Mon, 04/19/2021 - 10:54

Swiss Skydiver in good shape, will regroup after Apple Blossom loss

Barbara D. Livingston
Eclipse Awards champion Swiss Skydiver shipped cross-country following a four-month layoff to begin her 4-year-old season in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile.

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.” 

Mon, 04/19/2021 - 09:56

After blockbuster Keeneland meet, Saez returning to New York

Barbara D. Livingston
Jockey Luis Saez will move his tack back to Belmont Park after the Kentucky Derby.

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.”

Sun, 04/18/2021 - 19:58

Harvest Moon should have easier spot in Santa Margarita Stakes

Emily Shields
Harvest Moon, a 3-year-old, beat older rivals in the Zenyatta (above) at Santa Anita and finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland.

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.

Sun, 04/18/2021 - 15:27

Silver State's next race yet to be determined

Coady Photography
Silver State earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101 for his triumph in the Oaklawn Handicap.

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.