OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As part of his Hall of Fame career, trainer Jonathan Sheppard dominated the Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase, winning the summer staple at Saratoga a remarkable 15 times.
Beginning this year, the race will now literally have his name on it.
The New York Racing Association and the National Steeplechase Association announced Friday that the New York Turf Writers will be renamed for Sheppard beginning with this year’s running on Aug. 19.
Dream Shake will have a California-based campaign in advance of a potential start in the Kentucky Derby on May 1 at Churchill Downs.
Third in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 6, Dream Shake will start in the Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 3, trainer Peter Eurton confirmed Friday.
United, the dominant turf marathoner in California in 2020 but a disappointing eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland last November, will have his 2021 debut in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf March 20 at Santa Anita.
Trained by Richard Mandella for the LNJ Foxwoods stable of Larry, Nancy, and Jaime Roth, United will have a campaign geared toward a third appearance in the BC Turf on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. United was second at 51-1 to eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar in the 2019 BC Turf at Santa Anita.
Idol, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 6, is likely to have a two-race campaign this spring in Arkansas and California.
Trainer Richard Baltas said Friday that Idol will be strongly considered for the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 17 at Oaklawn Park. The $1 million Oaklawn Handicap is run at 1 1/8 miles and would be followed by an appearance in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles on May 31 at Santa Anita.
“I think those are the two races,” Baltas said. “Physically, he’s been doing great.”
Mystic Guide completed his major preparation for the $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 27 at Meydan Racecourse with a five-furlong breeze early Friday morning at Fair Grounds, a work trainer Mike Stidham called “a beautiful move.”
Sanenus, who would have been one of the top choices in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile on Saturday at Santa Anita, will scratch from the race after tying up, trainer Michael McCarthy said Friday morning.
Tying up is a condition in which lactic acid builds up and causes extreme discomfort, similar to cramps in humans. McCarthy said he believed not having access to the main track or training track on Wednesday and Thursday mornings – when both were closed owing to inclement weather – exacerbated the situation. The track was back open Friday.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Tax has been scratched from the $500,000 Essex Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn Park after sustaining a small puncture wound on one of his hind legs, trainer Danny Gargan said Friday.
Tax was the 120-pound highweight and probable favorite for the mile and a sixteenth race to be run on the same card as the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Irad Ortiz Jr., the superstar jockey who leads both the national and local standings in wins in 2021, will begin serving a five-day suspension Saturday, March 13, and will be inactive until he returns next Saturday at Fair Grounds for the big Louisiana Derby card.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – An arbitrator’s decision is due in the coming days following a Gulfstream stewards’ hearing held Thursday via Zoom into the controversial disqualification of Spanish Loveaffair in the Feb. 27 Herecomesthebride Stakes.
Spanish Loveaffair was disqualified from first to fourth for allegedly interfering with I Get It leaving the backstretch in the Grade 3 turf race. Casse said retired Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey was among those testifying that he believed it was the wrong call.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Prevalence earned an 86 Beyer Speed Figure when easily passing a second preliminary test Thursday at Gulfstream Park en route to joining the Kentucky Derby trail.
Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Prevalence never had a straw in his path after breaking from the outside post in a field of six 3-year-olds in the one-mile, first-level allowance. He prevailed by three lengths in 1:35.82 over a fast track, returning $2.20 as a prohibitive favorite.
