Archive for the ‘Horse Racing news’ Category
January 26, 2009
Johnny Eves led from the start and won the $150,000 Palos Verdes Handicap by 1 3/4 lengths Sunday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Johnny Eves ran the six furlongs in 1:08.56, paying $7.20, $3.60 and $2.80. Devoted Magic returned $3.40 and $2.40, and Halo Najib paid $4.40.
The win brought $90,000, increasing the earnings of Johnny Eves to $581,120 from a lifetime record of 7-4-0 in 20 races.
Earlier, Foxysox edged favored Gotta Have Her by one-half length in a driving finish to capture the $100,000 Tuzla Handicap for fillies and mares at one-mile on turf.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Foxysox covered the mile in 1:36.44 and paid $11.20, $5.20 and $4. Gotta Have Her returned $3.80 and $3 while Charming Legacy paid $5.20.
Foxysox earned a $60,000 payoff.
—-
One Step Ahead wins Big A feature
One Step Ahead beat My Dinah by three-quarters of a length Sunday in the $46,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at Aqueduct.
The 4-year-old trained by Bruce Levine and ridden by Rajiv Maragh earned a second straight win, improving to six for 12 overall. The time was 1:43.97 for the one mile, 70 yards in 1:43.97 on the fast track.
One Step Ahead paid $3.80, $3.1o and $2.10 as the 4-5 favorite. My Dinah returned $7.20 and $3.90. Bourbon Maid paid $2.50 to show.
January 26, 2009
Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Ventura, prepping for her 2009 debut in Saturdays Grade I Santa Monica Handicap at seven furlongs. Worked five furlongs on Santa Anitas Pro-Ride Sunday in 1:00.20 under Goncalino Almeida.
She went very well, said Humberto Ascanio, assistant to Bobby Frankel. Were looking forward to her first race back.
Bob Baffert was undecided on champion Indian Blessings participation in the Santa Monica after the La Brea Stakes winner worked five furlongs Sunday in 1:00.80. I dont know what Im doing yet, Baffert said of Indian Blessing, who has the $2 million Golden Shaheen in Dubai on March 28 as her long-range objective.
Also working for the Santa Monica was Shes Cheeky, who went five furlongs in 1:00.40 under regular rider Alex Solis.
She worked well today, trainer Peter Eurton said of the 4-year-old daughter of Black Minnaloushe, who has never been out of the money in eight career starts and who has won her last three races. She worked as well as she possibly could. It looks like a small field, and for us, the smaller the better.
Probable for the 52nd Santa Monica: Baroness Thatcher, Joe Talamo; Shes Cheeky, Alex Solis; So Long Sonoma, Mike Smith; and Ventura, Garrett Gomez.
WOMAN FULFILLS DYING WISH WITH TRIP TO SANTA ANITA
Sherry Allice had one dream when she learned she had inoperable cervical cancer: a trip to Santa Anita. This is my favorite track, said the Omaha, Nebraska, resident following a winners circle ceremony after Fridays second race.
When my son learned I had cancer, he asked if there was any trip on my wish list, like Hawaii, or some exotic vacation spot, and I told him, Santa Anita.
Explained Sherrys cousin, Jackie Jordan: After the shock of the terrible news wore off, Sherry was determined to plan her own bucket list. The top item was to visit Santa Anita before she dies. Her children arranged for the trip through this weekend.
There are two jockeys she has followed for years. She knew Garrett Gomez when he raced at Ak-Sar-Ben, and Mike Smith is a good friend of her cousins.
Sherrys grandfather owned race horses from the 1940s and she has three cousins who were/are jockeys. She worked at Ak-Sar-Ben until they closed the track (in 1995). Now she attends simulcasting several times a week, so this trip to Santa Anita is a lifelong dream.
Garrett was a baby rider when I knew him, Sherry said before hugging Gomez on a reunion in the winners circle, and Mike Smith rode at Ak-Sar-Ben. My grandfather, V.O. Hunter, ran horses out there. My whole familys been in horse racing. I love it.
FREE FRIDAYS ATTRACTING MORE FANS TO SANTA ANITA
The introduction of Free Fridays by Santa Anitas marketing department has been a step forward despite an economic downturn.
They have been pretty much a home run so far, said Santa Anitas Vice President of Marketing Allen Gutterman. The crowds generally have been twice as big on Fridays this year than on the comparable Friday last year. No doubt the free admission, the free box seats and the $1 hot dogs, beer, soft drinks and popcorn have struck a nerve in this difficult economy.
You know, what you bet is your business but at least we can make a day at the races very inexpensive in a very competitive metropolitan Los Angeles entertainment environment. Were seeing young people and families here on Friday and thats always good news for a racetrack.
HRTV FEATURES LAMBERT, HOFMANS, UNUSUAL HEAT TONIGHT
Retired jockey Jerry Lambert and his link to the great Native Diver, the resilient career of noted trainer David Hofmans, and the success of California-based sire Unusual Heat are features on HRTVs popular newsmagazine show, Inside Information, which airs tonight at 6 p.m.
It was four-plus decades ago when Lambert made his debut en route to becoming a fixture on the Southern California circuit. Lamberts biggest wins came when he piloted the great California gelding, Native Diver, to three straight Hollywood Gold Cup victories (1965-67). Although hes been retired for many years, Lamberts passion for horses remains keen and he currently works at the training center at Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, breaking young horses.
He vividly remembers the day Native Diver succumbed to colic. I was just in shock, Lambert recalled. It really didnt hit me for three or four days then I cried like a baby.
Hofmans has fashioned a successful training career in Southern California, with three Breeders Cup wins and a 1997 Belmont Stakes triumph by Touch Gold on his resume. It wasnt always smooth sailing, and earlier in his career, Hofmans was able to salvage and maintain his stable despite losing clients, and their horses.
Trainer Barry Abrams followed Unusual Heats career, and when the opportunity arose to obtain the hard-knocking claimer, he convinced longtime client Madeline Auerbach and her late husband, Jim, to follow through. The decision has paid off handsomely. Now standing at Old English Rancho, Unusual Heats progeny brilliantly distinguished themselves in 2008, eclipsing Cees Tizzys former California-based record.
THE PAMPLEMOUSSE DEBUTS ON WHITES KENTUCKY DERBY TOP 10 In the wake of The Pamplemousses two-length victory in last Saturdays Grade III San Rafael Stakes, he has made his way onto the weekly Kentucky Derby Top 10 compiled by Jon White, a commentator for HRTV and Santa Anitas simulcast network.
My main concern at this point regarding The Pamplemousse and the Kentucky Derby is that his grandsires (Cherokee Run and Rubiano) both were Eclipse Award-winning sprinters, White said. But its clear that hes a very talented colt going in the right direction for a very good trainer in Julio Canani. And talent can take a colt a long way despite concerns about a possible lack of stamina in a pedigree.
Here is Whites current Top 10 list: (1) Pioneerof the Nile, (2) Old Fashioned, (3) I Want Revenge, (4) Chocolate Candy, (5) Stardom Bound, (6) Square Eddie, (7) The Pamplemousse, (8) Hello Broadway, (9) Notonthesamepage, (10) Friesan Fire.
The Pamplemousse is scheduled to make his next start in Santa Anitas Grade III Sham Stakes at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 28.
The Sham will be a good test for The Pamplemousse in terms of his stamina, White said.
Chocolate Candy remained at No. 4 on Whites list after winning the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields last Saturday.
FINISH LINES: CashCall Futurity winner Pioneerof the Nile, prepping for his 3-year-old debut in the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 7, was one of 191 workers on Santa Anitas Pro-Ride Sunday morning, going six furlongs for Bob Baffert in a bullet 1:10.60, breezing. He worked great, like he always does, Baffert said. Bittel Road, another Lewis candidate, worked five furlongs for Todd Pletcher in 1:00.20, while Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies champion Stardom Bound went six furlongs for Bobby Frankel in 1:12 as she readies for her 3-year-old debut in the Grade I Las Virgenes Stakes on Feb. 7. Frankel trainee Champs Elysees, a contender for the Santa Anita Handicap on March 7, went six furlongs in 1:13.40 Former All-Pro quarterback Billy Kilmer will be interviewed by Kurt Hoover and Caroline Conley on HRTVs Race Day America next Sunday between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Kilmers Washington Redskins ran second to the undefeated Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins 36 years ago in a 14-7 loss at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The result would have been different if Jake Scott hadnt been my primary receiver, joked Kilmer Martin Pedroza is undergoing physical therapy twice a day at Arcadia Methodist Hospitals rehab center. Hell be there two more weeks, agent Richie Silverstein said of the 43-year-old rider who suffered a fractured pelvis in a post parade mishap in the ninth race on Jan. 11. After that, its up to nature. Nicholas Bachalard, assistant to Christophe Clement, said In Summation would be given a breather after his fifth-place finish as the $2.10-1 favorite in Saturdays Sunshine Millions Sprint. He had one thing on his mind with the blinkers, Bachalard said: Go. Bachalard added that Sir Beaufort Stakes winner Gio Ponti will make his next start in the Grade II Strub Stakes for 4-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 7 Probable for next Sundays Grade III, $100,000 La Habra Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf: Acting Lady, Rafael Bejarano; Pisar Silbano, Mike Smith; Real Fancy Runner, Joe Talamo; and Starlarks, Alex Solis According to Barry Abrams, a breeder and the trainer of Spenditallbaby, the 5-year-old mare sustained two fractured sesamoids early in the running of Saturdays Sunshine Millions Distaff and will be evaluated at Abrams barn for the next four to five days. It is hoped she can be stabilized and can be operated on to repair her ankles when she is ready Garrett Gomez has been suspended three days (Feb. 1, 4 and 5) for causing interference entering the clubhouse turn on Commandeered in Saturdays 10th race Corey Nakatani and his wife, Lisa, are the proud parents of a baby girl, Lilah Marie, born at 11:42 p.m. Thursday at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. She weighed seven pounds, one ounce, and was 19 inches long. It was a somewhat bittersweet time for the 37-year-old jockey. His mother, Marie, was in a Covina hospital being treated for a problem with her heart, which had an accelerated rate that reached 170. Its been stabilized, Nakatani said, and thankfully, shes doing better.
January 26, 2009
A strong workout on the grass course Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park solidified plans for Phipps Stables Pick Six as a contender for the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) next Sunday.
Trainer Shug McGaughey was on the lookout for a solid performance in the half-mile breeze as he seeks an improvement on a ninth-place finish in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes here on Jan. 10 by the 5-year-old homebred son of Dynaformer.
That looked good to me, said McGaughey moments after Pick Six checked in with a 53 1/5 clocking well out on the crown of the track around traffic cones or dogs.
McGaughey was disappointed by the dull finish in Pick Sixs last race and said the horses schedule didnt fall into place in time.
His training got kind of messed up a bit in terms of when I could get him on the grass, he said. I had to put some works into him in a hurry and he wasnt all the way there.
Pick Six will be bidding for his first career stakes victory. He finished second in the Four Bases Stakes at Aqueduct in November and has a maiden and two allowance race wins to his credit in 15 career starts.
Jambalaya Not Quite Ready for Gulfstream Park Turf Return
The comeback story for Kingfield Racing Stables 7-year-old turf star Jambalaya wont include a chapter about earning a second title in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) next Sunday as the 2007 winner of that race is not quite ready for his first start in 17 months.
Hes getting there, but its still just a little too soon, said trainer Catherine Day-Phillips. Hes been breezing every week and hes starting to turn back into a racehorse. Hes just about rid of the pot belly and looking more like an athlete.
Jambalaya, a gelded son of Dynaformer, emerged from his victory in the 2007 Arlington Million (G1) with a deep bone bruise. He was working toward a return last winter in Florida, but was hampered by a pulled muscle in his hind end.
Day-Phillips has been shuttling between Ocala and Gulfstream Park where Jambalaya has been drilling since mid-December. The daughter of Canadian racing Hall of Fame horseman Jim Day admits its been a learning process figuring out how to help her star pupil get back on his game.
Its a different feeling getting one horse to come back like this, said Day-Phillips. Weve been feeling and working our way through it. We couldnt really keep him at Woodbine as the track got frozen there. We figured sending him here would give him the right opportunity to think hes a racehorse again. Its a bit of a juggle because weve got 40 horses in Ocala, but it seems to be working well.
Jambalayas latest breeze was a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 flat on the main track Sunday morning, confirming for Day-Phillips what she had been seeing in the horses previous workouts.
Hes also been away so long we need to take him to the gate again. That will be the next step.
While the Gulfstream Park Turf has been ruled out, Day-Phillips indicated Jambalaya should be ready for his comeback in the $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (G3) at one mile Feb. 28.
Einstein Posts Handy Workout in Final Move Ahead of Donn
Midnight Cry Stables multiple Grade 1-winner Einstein posted his last drill Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park before taking a swing in Saturdays $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1), the premier main track race of the season for older horses.
The 7-year-old Brazilian-bred son of Spend a Buck worked five furlongs in a bullet 1:00 flat with jockey Julien Leparoux aboard for trainer Helen Pitts-Blasi.
The winner of the 2006 and 2008 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) remains on target for the dirt attempt. He won the Clark Handicap (G2) on the Churchill Downs main track in his last start on Nov. 28.
Bruce N Autumn Added to Holy Bull Challengers
Zayat Stables Bruce N Autumn will get another test of his credentials for the Triple Crown trail when the 3-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid starts in Saturdays $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Bruce N Autumn a sharp half-mile in 47 2/5 for trainer Dale Romans Sunday morning at Gulfstream and will look for his charge to bounce back from a fifth-place effort in a stakes caliber allowance race here Jan. 8.
He worked good and will get the shot, said Romans of Bruce N Autumn, who is 1-for-3 with his lone victory coming on the turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 26. Were going to test him to see if he needs to go back to the turf or if he can compete with the top 3-year-olds on dirt.
The Holy Bull is the headliner in the sophomore division Saturday and shares the marquee with the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1) for older horses, both races run at 1 1/8 miles
Talent Search to Return in Wednesday Allowance Feature
Ken and Sarah Ramseys 6-year-old homebred Talent Search ranked high among the nations sprinters in 2007, and is entered to return to competition to in Wednesdays optional/allowance feature at 6 furlongs after making only one start in 2008.
Jockey Julien Leparoux is named to ride the son of Catienus in his first start for trainer Mike Maker. Talent Search was trained by Mark Shuman in 2007 when he finished second in the Vosburgh Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, third behind Midnight Lute in the Breeders Cup Sprint (G1) at Monmouth Park and second in the De Francis Memorial (G1) at Laurel Park.
In his only start last year for trainer Bobby Frankel, Talent Search finished a game second in the Phoenix Stakes (G3) on Polytrack at Keeneland. He has posted a steady series of workouts over the Gulfstream track over the last month in preparation for another campaign.
However, Talent Search is not in a soft spot for his return. The field of eight also includes M375 Thoroughbreds and Suarez Tracings Golden Spikes and Robert LaPentas Cool Coal Man, both 4-year-olds with Grade 2 stakes wins last year. Jockey John R. Velazquez rides Golden Spikes as the son of Seeking the Gold bids to bounce back from a dull try on the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita, finishing seventh in the Malibu Stakes (G1) on Dec. 26.
Trained by Marty Wolfson, Golden Spikes was considered a potential Triple Crown race prospect early last year when second in the Illinois Derby (G2), but found his best stride when turned back to sprint distances over the summer, scoring his biggest victory in the Carry Back Stakes (G2) in July at Calder.
Jockey Jose Lezcano gets the call on Cool Coal Man for trainer Nick Zito in his first start since finishing fifth in the Jerome Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park on Oct. 5. The son of Mineshaft won the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) here in late February, but failed to show his best when ninth in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and 15th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Completing the field for Wednesdays feature are Windmill Manor Farms Knights Cross, Cornelio Velasquez; David and Teresa Palmers Storm in May, Juan Leyva; E. Paul Robsham Stables Gold Trippi, Javier Castellano; Lawrence Carrolls Bold Start, Kent Desormeaux; and Rose Family Stables Rexsons Rose, Wesley Henry.
December 18, 2008
The Breeders Cup has reversed its decision to cut financial support for certain stakes races at about 40 North American tracks after getting a barrage of complaints from the industry.
While the organization is making no long-term commitment to the stakes program, which currently affects 121 races, a news release Wednesday announced it would continue at least for one more year.
Breeders Cup chairman William S. Farish Jr. said the organization would tap into its reserve funds to contribute the $4.5 million that it announced last week would be cut from the program due to budget concerns.
Since then, we have been urged by a number of leading nominators and trustees to reconsider, Farish said. Given the economic circumstances of our breeders, and with our goal of being responsive to our nominators, we have listened.
The reduction wouldnt have affected the two-day Breeders Cup, scheduled for November at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. The stakes program was established essentially as a way to provide Breeders Cup support to other races in North America throughout the year, and it has had the effect of boosting the purses and the stature of many of them.
Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher said the Louisville track, which will host the Breeders Cup in 2010, received about $225,000 this year from the stakes program and is expecting a similar amount next year for five of its races. The Kentucky Derby was not one of the races affected.
The subsidy from the stakes fund was a significant contributor to the success of those races, Asher said. I think Churchill Downs, along with a lot of other racetracks across the country, is going to breathe a little easier.
Hill n Dale Sales Agencys John Sikura, who was among the Breeders Cup members vocally opposed to the cuts, said the organization really had no choice but to restore the funding. Several tracks are in financial jeopardy and were counting on the stakes support, Sikura said.
There has been a real firestorm over this cut, great opposition to it, Sikura said. In these days and times, everybody needs everything they have.
December 18, 2008
Standout trotter Deweycheatumnhowe and award-winning trainer and co-owner Ray Schnittker were unhurt when their pickup and trailer flipped on an icy road in north-central Pennsylvania.
Schnittker told The Associated Press that his truck hit an icy patch near Jersey Shore, Pa., Wednesday morning. The truck and horse trailer carrying the Hambletonian champion flipped and slid about 30 feet down an embankment.
Schnittker was unhurt in the crash, but his wife, Dr. Janet Durso, hurt her shoulder.
Dr. John Egloff of Vieux Carre Farm in Gettysburg, where Deweycheatumnhowe was taken following the accident, said the horse sustained minor abrasions.
Schnittker and the trotter were on their way to Lexington, Ky.
December 18, 2008
One Track Mind led all the way and won the $39,800 feature race at Hollywood Park by 1 3/4 lengths over 13-10 favorite Nimas Pad on Wednesday.
One Track Mind, ridden by Martin Pedroza and carrying 117 pounds, covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.85. As the third favorite in a field of seven, One Track Mind paid $10.80, $4.20 and $3. The win was worth $23,400 for the 3-year-old son of Mach One.
Nimas Pad returned $2.60 and $2.40. Dadsalittleunusual, third in the allowance optional claiming race for 3-year-olds and up, paid $2.80 to show.
October 23, 2008
Most teenagers can’t wait to get out of high school. Lyndie Wade, on the other hand, is eager to get back to class.
Wade, a 17-year-old apprentice jockey, said Tuesday that he has stopped riding and will head back to high school in hopes of earning his diploma in a couple years.
His last mount came Saturday when he rode Really Rob to a seventh-place finish in the 10th race at Hawthorne Race Course.
His decision to quit riding was mostly the result of his growing frame, he said. He is 5 foot 8 inches and he anticipates growing further, making him question if he could manage his weight in the years ahead.
“I don’t want to be 20 and be like, what do I do now?” he said. “I want to be able to get into something. I am at the point where I want more than the racetrack. I want to finish high school and get a regular job.”
Although his riding career ended early, he can consider himself fortunate. He rode 120 winners from 1,095 mounts over his two-year career, and survived a frightening spill at Hawthorne last fall that resulted in him being placed in a medically induced coma to prevent his brain from swelling.
He recovered and experienced a rewarding summer, capped by finishing second in the Ellis Park rider standings behind Victor Lebron.
Things began to slow for him at Hawthorne this fall, with Wade winning just 5 races from 74 mounts. He said his quiet meet was not the reason for handing up his tack.
“It wasn’t a last-minute decision,” he said. “I’ve been gradually thinking about it, even when I was doing good. I can’t blame it on not going good.”
Wade said he will miss being around racehorses, but acknowledged that the rigors of being a jockey at 17 years of age had worn thin.
“Some people want it and some don’t,” he said. “I did want it . . . I don’t anymore.”
Chihulykee has the edge
A full field of 12, plus one also-eligible, has been assembled for Thursday’s featured ninth race at Hawthorne, a $32,000 third-level allowance with an optional $40,000 claiming condition.
A 5 1/2-furlong turf dash, the ninth race plays to the strength of Chihulykee, an accomplished grass sprinter who finished second in the Don Ciccio Stakes at Hawthorne in his one start this meet. Before that race, he had won a $50,000 claimer going five furlongs on turf at Arlington.
Francisco Torres rides for trainer Wayne Catalano and owner Frank Calabrese.
If inclement weather results in the race being moved to the main track - and the forecast as of Tuesday afternoon called for a threat of showers on Thursday - Castles in the Sky, riding a three-race win streak over dirt and synthetic tracks, could prove dangerous.
October 23, 2008
Carla Gaines could not finish the handwritten letter from a heartbroken fan. Who had fallen in love with the best filly Gaines has trained.
The letter started, “I’m sure Nashoba’s Key was rooting for Zenyatta from heaven the other day . . . .”
Gaines choked up. “Oh my god, I just started crying, I couldn’t see through the tears to read . . . I still haven’t read the whole letter yet. Every time I start reading it, I cry.”
One year ago, Nashoba’s Key was 7 for 7 going into the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf, and one of the most popular California-based horses in training.
“Nashoba had a fan base - I had no idea how large it was,” owner-breeder Warren Williamson said.
Nashoba’s Key ran fourth in the Breeders’ Cup, lost in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf in January, then returned to form in March by crushing the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita. And then she was gone.
On May 28 at Hollywood Park, the 4-year-old filly fractured a hind leg in her stall and was euthanized, almost on the spot. The sympathy cards and letters that poured in to Gaines and Williamson keep coming, along with a flood of emotions.
Gaines admits “I still can’t handle it very well,” and this week at Santa Anita she fought back tears recounting an emotional 2008 that was marred by deaths of her older brother and best horse, only days apart.
“How much can a girl handle?” Williamson said. But he already knows. Gaines has trained Williamson horses for 18 years - “She cares for them like they are her children,” he said - and Friday at Santa Anita they start longshot Tiz Elemental in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint.
“I don’t know how many digits they’ll put behind the 2 or the 3, but it’ll be a price,” Williamson said. “You don’t have the same monkey on your back at 30-1 that you have at 3-2.”
Yet the cheerful Gaines still carries an emotional load that began when her brother Martin, 58, committed suicide in May. Gaines spent a week with her family in Alabama before returning home to Pasadena with a heavy heart.
“I remember wanting to go see [Nashoba's Key],” she said. “We had freshened her up, and she was starting her gallops. Our focus was for this coming Breeders’ Cup.
“She comes out of the stall and was just beautiful. She’d put on a bunch of weight, her coat was all shiny, she galloped beautifully, and I remember feeling almost guilty because she made me feel so good.
I’ll never forget - it was like, I have something to live for, because I was devastated by my brother’s death. And the next morning at 5:30 she was dead. I was like, ‘What have I done wrong? What did I do to deserve this?’ ”
Gaines went into a tailspin, and at one point in July she won with just 2 of 42 starters.
“A couple times at Hollywood Park, I had horses running and I didn’t want to go,” she said. “I remember sitting there watching on TV like I wasn’t even in the race. I think my horses suffered.”
“She was grieving,” Williamson said. “It wasn’t just Carla, it was the whole barn. They get into a sort of rhythm, and it busted the rhythm up. I felt bad for myself, but I felt worse for Carla because of what she had gone through.”
Tiz Elemental ran the worst sprint of her career during the funk, finishing fifth in the Grade 2 A Gleam on June 28. Gaines does not know exactly when or how things improved, but in summer they did. She won a race the second day of the Del Mar meet, finished the meet 6 for 29, and Tiz Elemental missed by only a nose in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo.
“I’m lucky that I’m busy - I can’t think about things,” Gaines said. Not with 40 horses including Tiz Elemental, comeback stakes horses Lucky J.H., Foxysox and Tiz a Blend, and Nashoba’s Excess, a half-sister to Nashoba’s Key.
“You get excited having her sibling, but you think, how can you ever have another one like her? She was once in a lifetime,” Gaines said.
Williamson would have loved for Nashoba’s Key to face a filly like Zenyatta on Friday in the Ladies’ Classic.
“It’s doubly tragic, because the Mosses have Zenyatta this year,” he said. “You learn to live with it. I’m not sure you ever get over it.”
The longshot Tiz Elemental will not embarrass herself Friday, even if she is a double-digit price against the likes of Indian Blessing and Ventura.
Gaines, meanwhile, looks forward to turning the calendar page. The winter racing season will not arrive a day too soon.
“I’ve been through the best and the worst year of my life,” she said. “Santa Anita is going to be strong for us.”
October 23, 2008
Goldikova looks like the hot one. Irish-bred stretch-runners drew the bookends in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile, with Shakis on the fence and Whatsthescript on the far outside of an 11-horse field. An Irish-bred front-runner, Daytona, will break from middle of the field in post 5, and will help push along the pace. And right next to Daytona, in post 4, is the Irish-bred, French-based 3-year-old filly Goldikova, who just may be the star of the whole shebang.
It is not the deepest race in the Mile’s long history, and the 11-horse field will be the shortest since the same number ran in 1989. A couple of factors cut into field size this year. First, the Dirt Mile attracted a horse who might have run in the Mile. The Dirt Mile is being run on an all-weather surface, which turf horses generally handle better than dirt. The Irish-based Lord Admiral had the turf Mile listed as his first preference, but was entered instead Tuesday in the Dirt Mile.
Secondly, the decision by the connections of top Euro milers Raven’s Pass and Henrythenavigator to try the Classic rather than the Mile cost this race two top contenders. But one man at Santa Anita certainly was pleased that those two tigers will test Curlin and the other Classic horses rather than run in the Mile.
“We were between the Filly and Mare Turf and the Mile, and when those two went in the Classic, we went to the Mile,” said Freddie Head, Goldikova’s trainer.
Goldikova will try to become the first female Mile winner since Six Perfections took the race over this very course in 2003. Goldikova lost the first three races of her 3-year-old season, beaten twice by the super-filly Zarkava, but she comes to California with three straight one-mile triumphs, the last two in Group 1 company. Asked Tuesday morning if he had concerns about Goldikova’s draw on the tight-turned Santa Anita course, Head shook his head, no.
“I don’t care,” he said. “She’s fast. She can get her place.”
From post 4, Goldikova figures to race in the second flight of horses in behind fast-paced Daytona and Thorn Song. Thorn Song, wire-to-wire winner of the Shadwell Turf Mile in his most recent start, will break from post 10, and should make a beeline for the lead under Robby Albarado.
“Hopefully, he can clear everybody and try and open up before the first turn,” trainer Dale Romans said.
Kip Deville, last year’s Mile winner, will break from post 2, and he typically takes up a stalking position a couple lengths from the early leaders. That is the same trip likely for the mare Precious Kitten, who is drawn between Kip Deville and Goldikova in post 3.
Despite all the Irish-breds in the race, this year’s European contingent is only two-strong, with tough-to-figure U S Ranger - more a sprinter in his overseas races - the only trans-Atlantic shipper other than Goldikova.
October 23, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere draws outside post in Messenger. Somebeachsomewhere was drawn outside of his five rivals and made the 1-2 early favorite on Tuesday for Yonkers Raceways Messenger Stakes.
Somebeachsomewhere, the fastest 3-year-old in harness history, will be driven by Paul MacDonell. The 53rd Messenger, the final race in pacings Triple Crown, is Saturday.
Shadow Play, who won the Little Brown Jug earlier this year to keep Cane Pace winner Art Official from making a run at the Crown, was drawn just inside Somebeachsomewhere in the fifth post.
Moving inside, the rest of the field was Santanna Blue Chip, Dali, Brother Ray and Legacy N Diamonds.
—-
Curlin installed as heavy favorite in Breeders Cup Classic.
Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin has been tabbed as a heavy favorite to defend his crown in the Breeders Cup Classic.
Curlin, the fabulous 4-year-old who won the 2007 Preakness Stakes, was installed as a 7-5 morning-line favorite for Saturdays $5 million Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.
North Americas all-time leading money winner with earnings of more than $10 million, Curlin drew the ninth post in the 12-horse race.
Curlin will be ridden by Robby Albarado, who was on board at Monmouth Park last year when the colt roared to a 4 3/4-length victory.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Curlin could receive a challenge from Ravens Pass, who will start from the eighth post at 6-1.
Starting from the rail is Go Between (8-1), who will be ridden by Garrett Gomez. Casino Drive (10-1) drew the second post while Duke of Marmalade (10-1) will start from the fourth and Henrythenavigator (10-1) will break from the fifth.
Also at 10-1 was Fairbanks, who will start from the 10th post.
Tiago and Champs Elysees both opened at 15-1 and will start from the third and 12th posts, respectively. Student Council (20-1) will start from the seventh and Colonel John (20-1) will break from the 11th.
The biggest long shot is Smooth Air (50-1), who will break from the sixth post.
