Fri, 03/19/2021 - 13:16

McCarthy enjoying strong meet, with big things ahead

Barbara D. Livingston
Trevor McCarthy celebrates aboard Weyburn after winning the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct. He is expected to ride Weyburn back in the April 3 Wood Memorial.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Personally and professionally, this has been a good winter for jockey Trevor McCarthy.

Personally, McCarthy got married to fellow jockey Katie Davis last December. Professionally, McCarthy has enjoyed a solid winter meet at Aqueduct, winning 33 races from 226 mounts including the meet’s richest race, the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes. He ranks fifth in wins and in purse money won ($1,848,658).

“Really, this last month, things have gone super well,” said McCarthy, 26. “I’m just delighted.”

Fri, 03/19/2021 - 13:06

Greatest Honour expected to have at least nine rivals in Florida Derby

Leslie Martin
Greatest Honour has won the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth and can complete a sweep in next Saturday’s Florida Derby.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – At least 10 3-year-olds are confirmed for the Florida Derby next Saturday, with Greatest Honour sure to be a heavy favorite in the annual Gulfstream Park signature event.

Fri, 03/19/2021 - 10:40

Robertson springs another Rebel Day upset

Barbara D. Livingston
Carlos L. (right) holds off Lone Rock by a neck to win the 1 1/2-mile Temperence Hill at 47-1.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Mac Robertson has had some significant Rebel Days at Oaklawn. His latest came March 13, when he saddled Carlos L. to a 47-1 upset in the $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes. Robertson won the main event in 2009, when Win Willy captured the Rebel at 56-1.

“It’s been a good day for me a couple of times,” Robertson said. “Anytime you win a race it’s [great]. When they win big, it’s got a little more oomph.”

Fri, 03/19/2021 - 10:40

Fires will base his year-round training operation in Arkansas

Barbara D. Livingston
For the first time since 1961, Jinks Fires will not have a string of horses at Churchill Downs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Jinks Fires will be making a notable circuit change after the Oaklawn Park meet ends in May.

Fires said Thursday that he plans to remain in Arkansas and will base at a Hot Springs training center rather than set up his usual division at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. He’s been a Churchill regular every year since 1961.

Thu, 03/18/2021 - 18:45

Santa Anita to allow limited number of fans starting April 2

Emily Shields
Santa Anita is hoping for approval to allow spectators, beginning in April.

Santa Anita will begin hosting a limited audience on April 2.

The track announced Thursday that customers will be allowed to attend that day, but must make advance reservations. Walk-up or general admission tickets will not be sold, per California government guidelines for reopening outdoor sporting venues.

Thu, 03/18/2021 - 17:37

New Ontario-sired stakes series for 3-year-olds set for Woodbine, Fort Erie

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

Ontario Racing and its Thoroughbred Improvement Program Committee have announced the inaugural Ontario Sire Heritage Series, an eight-leg stakes series for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds that will be conducted at Woodbine and Fort Erie this year.

With a total purse structure of $750,000, the Heritage Series will feature four races – three opening legs and one final – for both 3-year-old males and 3-year-old fillies eligible to the Ontario-sired program.

Thu, 03/18/2021 - 13:00

Gotham winner Weyburn favored at 3-1 in Queen's Plate winter book

Barbara D. Livingston
Weyburn (right) wins the Gotham. He could start next in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Grade 3 Gotham Stakes winner Weyburn has been named the 3-1 winter-book favorite for the $1 million Queen’s Plate, which is scheduled to be run Aug. 22 at Woodbine

The Queen’s Plate winter book, compiled by Ron Gierkink and Alex Campbell of Daily Racing Form, assigns hypothetical odds to all 125 nominees for this year’s Canadian Triple Crown.

Wed, 03/17/2021 - 16:09

Former trainer Dominick Imperio dies at age 78

Dominick Imperio, a former Thoroughbred trainer mostly on the New York circuit, died Tuesday in a hospital in Ocala, Fla. due to complications from cancer. He was 78.

According to Equibase, Imperio won 177 races from 1,812 starters from 1976 to 1992. His son, Michael Imperio, a current owner on the New York circuit, said his father trained and won races in the 1960s as well.

Wed, 03/17/2021 - 15:46

Los Alamitos to allow fans ontrack starting April 2

Los Alamitos will resume hosting customers at its evening meeting beginning on April 2, the track announced on its website.

The decision comes after Santa Anita announced last weekend that it plans to reopen for customers on the same day, following guidance for outdoor sporting events during the pandemic from government officials.

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Wed, 03/17/2021 - 14:56

Godolphin helps propel Stidham to the top

Coady Photography
Michael Stidham has two his Godolphin stars, Proxy and Mystic Guide, running in major races ove the next two weeks.

NEW ORLEANS – Mike Stidham on the morning of March 15 periodically stroked a handsome black and white cat sprawled over the desk in his Fair Grounds barn office. Stidham through the years has disdained pets. Allergies, he claimed. Something has changed; the cats have become beloved. What has not changed, according to the man himself, is the general manner Stidham goes about training the racehorses in his care. This is year 40 in the training career of 63-year-old Stidham, who struck out on his own during the summer of 1980 with a couple horses at Louisiana Downs.