OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The way he won a third-level allowance race the opening week of Aqueduct's inner-track meet, Sunray Spirit looked like he could be the top sprinter in New York this winter.
But in January, Sunray Spirit was eased as the second choice in the Paumonok Handicap and hasn't raced since. Sunday, Sunray Spirit returns to the races in a $52,000 classified allowance race over Aqueduct's main track.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Bold Merit is going for his fifth straight win Sunday in the $50,000 Rainbow Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and he looks imposing both on paper and in the flesh. The six-furlong race for 3-year-old Arkansas-breds is one of two restricted stakes on the card. The $50,000 Rainbow Miss is for 3-year-old fillies bred in Arkansas.
With another dull race on Friday at Fair Grounds, the stalwart Louisiana-bred grass horse Coach Rags might have seen his last of the racetrack. But owner Vickie Krantz and trainer Gary Palmisano already have a successor in the barn.
has won 6 of her 9 career starts, finishing second two other times, and for all that accomplishment, the 4-year-old filly still appears to be scratching the surface of her ability. There might be more to come Sunday - closing day at Fair Grounds - when Destiny Calls starts as a heavy favorite in the Red Camelia Handicap.
It was a slow recent weekday afternoon at Fair Grounds, and early in the card, in a low-level claiming race, the jockey James Graham was glued to the inside rail. Exactly what he had been practicing - scrape paint as long as possible.
But now, Graham had plenty of horse and no place to go. Ahead of him, the veteran rider Gerard Melancon was a half-path off the rail, baiting Graham into the narrow gap between Melancon's horse and the fence. Once there, Melancon would close the hole; Graham would check sharply and lose.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Kentucky Derby hopefuls Read the Footnotes, Eddington, Swingforthefences, and Farnum Alley are among the 19 3-year-olds nominated to next Saturday's Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream Park. But barring any last-minute change of plans, none of those horses will start in the race despite its $250,000 purse and attractive spot on the calendar, four weeks out from the big dance.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Eye of the Tiger was one of four horses previously based with trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in northern California who have been transferred by owner John Gunther to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
McLaughlin also picked up 3-year-old fillies Wildwood Flower and Bending Strings, as well an unstarted 3-year-old. All four horses are currently stabled at Keeneland, but McLaughlin said Eye of the Tiger could run next in the Grade 1, $350,000 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct on April 10.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The champion Storm Flag Flying was successful in her return to the races off a 265-day layoff last month at Gulfstream Park. The water gets deeper Saturday when Storm Flag Flying meets Randaroo in the Grade 2, $150,000 Distaff Breeders' Cup Handicap at Aqueduct.
Though is a multiple graded stakes winner at the Distaff distance of seven furlongs and is 2 for 2 at Aqueduct, including a victory in the Grade 2 Top Flight Handicap last November. As a 2-year-old, Randaroo won the Valley Stream Stakes at Aqueduct.
ARCADIA, Calif. - The cream eventually rises to the top, but it may take a while Saturday at Santa Anita. Eight fillies and mares entered the Grade 2 Santa Ana Handicap, and wagering will focus on . Neither will set the pace; both are expected to be right there at the finish of the Santa Ana, a 1 1/8-mile turf race.
It was only one year ago when Noches De Rosa got loose and scored a 13-1 upset in the Santa Ana. Megahertz, the even-money favorite, finished three-quarters of a length back in third. On Saturday, Megahertz will be favored to avenge her defeat.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Alan Seewald got exactly what he was looking for and colleague Mark Hennig got what he feared most when entries were drawn for Saturday's $100,000 Artax Handicap.
Seewald was hoping for a lot of speed to help set up the late run of Vinemeister in the Artax. Hennig wanted anything but post position No. 1 for Gygistar, who will be the highweight and likely favorite in the seven-furlong dash.