Fri, 02/12/2021 - 14:40

Big Fish out until summer with hairline fracture

Benoit Photo
Big Fish, winner of the California Cup Derby, could return to the races at Del Mar.

Big Fish, winner of the $200,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita last month, has been sidelined with a hairline fracture of a hind ankle and will not race again until the summer, trainer David Hofmans said on Thursday.

The injury was diagnosed earlier this month.

“He’ll need a few months off,” Hofmans said. “It’s disappointing, but he will be okay. We’re pointing for Del Mar.”

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 14:20

Amundson and My Boy Tate going for second wins in Hollie Hughes

Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Amundson wins the 2020 Hollie Hughes. He will try for a repeat score Monday.

Amundson, winner of the 2020 Hollie Hughes Stakes, and My Boy Tate, winner of that stakes in 2018 and runner-up last year, are part of a five-horse field entered Friday for Monday’s $100,000 Hollie Hughes for New York-bred sprinters.

Amundson is 0 for 3 since his victory in the Hollie Hughes and is making his first start since running last of seven in the John Morrissey at Saratoga last July 30.

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 14:20

If you liked Chowda, you'll love Lobsta in Gander Stakes

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Lobsta wins a maiden race on Jan. 16 at Aqueduct.

As a restauranteur, Eddie Fazzone knows the importance of repeat customers. As a horse owner, Fazzone is hoping to pull off a rare repeat in Sunday’s $100,000 Gander Stakes at Aqueduct.

Last year, Fazzone won the Gander with Chowda, a 15-1 shot, in a six-horse field. Sunday, Fazzone will seek to win the Gander again with Lobsta, a full brother to Chowda, one of several contenders in a seven-horse field. Both Lobsta and Chowda are trained by Gary Sciacca.

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 13:24

Oaklawn cancels Friday card due to poor weather

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park has canceled its nine-race card for Friday due to “poor weather conditions,” the track announced. Earlier in the week, Oaklawn called off racing for Saturday through Monday due to a winter storm in the forecast.

Delta Downs in Vinton, La., has canceled for Monday and Tuesday because of a forecast of freezing temperatures, according to a notice from the track. The track also has called off training Monday and Tuesday.

The inclement weather in the region also led to Sam Houston Race Park in Houston canceling part of its program Thursday.

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 11:36

Jesus' Team set to start working toward Dubai World Cup

Barbara D. Livingston
Jesus' Team finished second in the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 23 and now is pointing to the Dubai World Cup on March 27.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jesus’ Team is scheduled to resume a regular work schedule next Saturday after maintaining a light training schedule following his runner-up finish in the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 23.

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Fri, 02/12/2021 - 11:30

Gulfstream hoping to allow limited number of fans for Fountain of Youth card

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
La Signare wins the Sand Springs at Gulfstrean in March. She returns from a near four-month layoff in the Suwannee River.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Billy Badgett, executive director of Florida racing operations for track owner The Stronach Group, said Gulfstream was scheduled to seek permission Friday from the city of Hallandale Beach to host ontrack fans on Fountain of Youth Day, Feb. 27. Except for the Jan. 23 Pegasus card, the general public has been barred from the track since the coronavirus pandemic began last March.

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 11:16

Prevalence stays on course for Fountain Youth or allowance

Barbara D. Livingston
Prevalence, who won his only start by 8 1/2 lengths, will probably run in an allowance race or the Fountain of Youth next.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Prevalence, one of the more exciting prospects for the May 1 Kentucky Derby, was out for serious work again early Friday, going five furlongs in 1:01 over a fast track at the Palm Meadows training center.

Thu, 02/11/2021 - 16:49

Fair Grounds cancels Thursday card due to heavy rain

Fair Grounds canceled its Thursday race card after heavy rain hit the track early in the afternoon. Horses were in the paddock for race 1 when rain intensified and after an initial delay, pushing the first post from 1 p.m. to 1:30, racing was called off.

More than two hours later, hard rain still was falling in the area. Turf racing Friday is all but certain to be abandoned, and Saturday's stakes races, if they remain on turf, are likely to be run over a course with give in the ground.
 

Thu, 02/11/2021 - 14:00

Keeneland: Gatewood Bell named vice president of racing

Anne Eberhardt Keogh
Gatewood Bell (above) has held a wide variety of positions in racing. He will replace Bob Elliston, who resigned late last year.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Gatewood Bell, the founder of Cromwell Bloodstock who has held a variety of positions in racing, has been hired by Keeneland to become its vice president of racing, the Lexington, Ky., company announced on Thursday.

Bell, part of the third generation of a prominent Central Kentucky racing and breeding family, will fill a position vacated by the resignation of Robert Elliston late last year. Keeneland said that Bell will begin at his job “later this month.”

Thu, 02/11/2021 - 13:56

Brinkerhoff injured in pre-race tussle with horse

Coady Photography
Restrainedvengence returns in the San Pasqual following a two-month freshening. He turned in a strong effort to win the Nov. 27 Zia Park Championship (above).l

When Bob’s Sniper won a $16,000 claimer in the ninth race at Santa Anita last Saturday, his trainer, Val Brinkerhoff, was absent. He was at nearby Arcadia Methodist undergoing X-rays after a bizarre and frightening incident earlier that afternoon in which the multiple stakes winner Restrainedvengence reacted angrily to having blood drawn before a scheduled start in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes.

The incident left Brinkerhoff with minor injuries.