National Horse Racing news and notes (January 13th)
January 13, 2009 by Jarrod Horak
Filed under Breeding, California Racing, Horse Racing History, Horses, Jockeys, Kentucky Derby, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Synthetic Tracks, Trainers, Triple Crown
ARKANSAS:
The 2009 Oaklawn Park meet kicks off on Friday (1-16-09)
CALIFORNIA:
Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker) scorched five furlongs in :57-3/5 on Jan 11th. Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby hopeful is expected to contest the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) on Feb 7th.
Fleet filly Indyanne was unable to recover from a sesamoid injury which occurred in the La Brea on Dec 27th. It was hoped that she would be saved for broodmare duties, but she had to be put down on Jan 13th.
Carla Gaines trainee Point Encounter (Point Given), an impressive opening day debut winner at Santa Anita, suffered …read more
Breeders’ Cup Classic preview: Saturday, October 25, 2008
October 25, 2008 by Jarrod Horak
Filed under Breeders' Cup, California Racing, Handicapping, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Synthetic Tracks, Trainers
Below are post positions, morning line odds, and notes for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic, to be run at ten furlongs over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface on October 25, 2008.
Santa Anita Race 9: Grade 1 BC Classic, 3up, 10f
(1) Go Between (8-1) – Fresh synthetic specialist is training well for this. Garrett Gomez chose this one over Colonel John.
(2) Casino Drive (10-1) – Japanese runner is 3-3, and the $950k purchase is well-bred and has a world of potential.
(3) Tiago (15-1) – Mike Smith/John Shirreffs teamed up to win yesterday’s Ladies’ Classic with Zenyatta. He finished 2nd …read more
Breeders’ Cup Classic notes (October 20th)
October 21, 2008 by Jarrod Horak
Filed under Breeders' Cup, California Racing, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Synthetic Tracks, Trainers
Curlin breezed four furlongs in :49.60 on October 20th, and his stablemate Student Council continues to impress in morning drills, this time getting a half-mile in :48.18 while full of run. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride the latter.
Pyro, the 3rd member of the Steve Asmussen express, worked a pedestrian 4f in :51.17. Julien Leparoux has picked up the mount.
In other Classic news, Mast Track developed a quarter crack on Monday and has been eliminated from Cup consideration. The Frankel trainee was expected to set the pace in the Classic.
Robert Frankel will be represented in the Classic …read more
Breeders’ Cup Classic notes: Colonel John works; Casino Drive to race Sunday
October 9, 2008 by Jarrod Horak
Filed under Breeders' Cup, California Racing, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Synthetic Tracks, Trainers
Three-year-old Colonel John, last seen winning the Travers Stakes by a scant nose, breezed four furlongs in :46.80 over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface on Oct. 8th. The entire sophomore division could be in trouble versus older company, but the Colonel, an improving son of Tiznow, clearly enjoys synthetic footing and should give a good account of himself.
Casino Drive has returned from Japan, and his unorthodox walking/galloping routine continues at Hollywood Park. He shipped to the states and nabbed the Peter Pan in May, but a stone bruise kept him from competing in the Belmont Stakes. He was expected to …read more
