HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Master David, who would have been one of the choices for next Saturday's $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, will not be coming for the race due to illness, trainer Bobby Frankel confirmed Friday.
"He had a temperature of 102 [Thursday]," Frankel said. "He has a high normal white blood count. I think we'll be all right in a few days.''
NEW ORLEANS - Pollard's Vision could sneak up on some people Sunday in the Louisiana Derby. That said, some people could sneak up on Pollard's Vision.
The horse's name tells his story. Red Pollard was Seabiscuit's jockey, a job made extra difficult by his lack of sight in one eye. Pollard's Vision has no vision in his right eye, though his trainer, Todd Pletcher, does not view the condition as a major impediment.
"He was supposedly born that way," Pletcher said. "He's been pretty straightforward, really. The only time it seemed to bother him was in his first start."
ARCADIA, Calif. - Pleasantly Perfect, the winner of the 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic, was expected to be scratched from Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap after he developed a temperature Friday, trainer Richard Mandella said.
The setback also threatens Pleasantly Perfect's participation in the $6 million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba in the Middle East on March 27.
As the Lane's End Stakes draws near, the list of nationally prominent 3-year-olds preparing to run in the Turfway Park showcase race begins and ends with one name: Birdstone.
"We're trying to get more horses, but right now it's hard to say whether or not Birdstone is scaring them off," said Randy Wehrman, stakes coordinator at Turfway in Florence, Ky.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - E J Harley, the popular Arkansas-bred sprinter who won his debut as a 12-year-old last Sunday at Oaklawn Park, has been retired, said his longtime trainer, David Vance.
He is to ship to a Little Rock, Ark., farm this weekend. During his career, E J Harley won 17 of 54 starts and $456,915.
"We kind of told ourselves over the winter the first time he wins, well retire him," said Vance.
ALBANY, Calif. - The general manager of Golden Gate Fields, Michael Scalzo, said he is confident the track can close out its current meeting with a bang.
"Hopefully, with good weather, a strong stakes schedule, and getting back on the turf course, we will finish strong," he said.
Risen Star Stakes winner Gradepoint leads a field of 11 horses who have been entered in Sunday's Grade 2 $600,000 Louisiana Derby at 1 1/16 miles at the Fair Grounds. Gradepoint, trained by Neil Howard, is listed as the 3-1 morning line favorite in the race along with entrymate Breakaway. Gradepoint will break from post nine with regular rider Robby Albarado aboard.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Pleasantly Perfect has risen from an outsider in the handicap division to a leader in the four months since he pulled a 14-1 upset in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic last October.
In the on Saturday, he will attempt to add to his collection of wins in legendary races. Pleasantly Perfect will be strongly favored to win the Big Cap, which is run over 1 1/4 miles and has a field of nine.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Lion Heart has proven he can run fast, and he has proven he can run far. But can he run fast and run far at the same time? That will be his assignment in Saturday's $200,000 at Santa Anita, because with the speedy Hosco drawn just inside of him, Lion Heart must show that he can ration his speed in the face of an equally fast pace rival.
