Ever So Lucky entered, but could scratch from Hutcheson

Brisnet.com — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:15:56 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Ever So Lucky (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

Grade 2-placed Ever So Lucky is the top draw in Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park as he makes his three-year-old bow in the seven-furlong contest off a near three-month break.

However, that seasonal debut may be pushed back after a less-then favorable final breeze, according to Jonathan Sheppard. The trainer's confidence in Ever So Lucky's preparedness was slightly shaken by a five-furlong move in 1:01 3/5 over Gulfstream's sloppy track on Monday.

2012

‘All Others’ Strong Overall Favorite, Algorithms Favored Individual in First Futures Pool

John Asher — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:35:21 +0000

Source:

Churchill Downs

2012kyderbylogo.jpg

The first of three pools of Churchill Downs’ 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”) begins its three-day run on Friday, Feb 10, and the bet’s opening scenario is very similar to each of its opening pools since the wager was created in 1999: the Mutuel Field, or “All Others”, looms as a very strong favorite.

2012

Junebugred works for Southwest

Brisnet.com — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:54:01 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Junebugred and Reckless Jerry (far side) are likely to renew rivalry in the Southwest (Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography)

Junebugred, who stepped up off an Aqueduct maiden win to capture the January 16 Smarty Jones Stakes, worked at Oaklawn Park on Sunday in preparation for the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes on February 20.

Under exercise rider William Hollick, the nominal leader of the three-year-old pack at Oaklawn went five furlongs in 1:02, the 10th-fastest of the 52 training at that distance on the crisp morning and fast track. He had a target in workmate Isabull, who finished his breeze in 1:03.

2012

Dixie 'strikes' in Florida Oaks

Brisnet.com — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:39:11 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Dixie Strike (Tom Cooley Photography

Dixie Strike (Dixie Union), the lesser half of an entry bet down to 4-5, saved chalk players with a strong stretch rally in Saturday's $105,000 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs.

Owned by John Oxley and trained by Mark Casse, Dixie Strike was ridden here by Jose Lezcano.

"I think Dixie Strike could be a Kentucky Oaks filly," Casse said. "We're going to have to map out a plan to get there."

2012

Alpha could contest Gotham or wait for Wood

Brisnet.com — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:25:29 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Alpha could race once or twice more before the Derby (NYRA/Adam Coglianese)

Sporting a brand-new New York Giants cap in honor of their appearance in Sunday night's Super Bowl XLVI, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported that Alpha returned from his Withers CXXXII victory in good order and would likely take the next step to the Kentucky Derby in New York.

"We'll look at the Gotham/Wood, talk to (Godolphin racing manager) Simon Crisford and see if we want to run him two more times, or one more time," said McLaughlin, referring to Aqueduct's Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham on March 3 and the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial on April 7.

2012

Kickoff to Kentucky Derby 138!

trevordodd — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:18:44 +0000

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2011

I'll Have Another pulls stunner in Lewis

Brisnet.com — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:50:00 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

I'll Have Another was making his two-turn debut off a five-month layoff (Benoit Photos)

Reddam Racing's I'll Have Another turned the Southern California three-year-old division upside down with a 43-1 shocker in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. The 3-2 favorite Liaison was beaten on the far turn, clipped heels in the stretch, and unseated rider Rafael Bejarano.

2012

Battle Hardened breaks maiden in Sam Davis

Brisnet.com — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:19:25 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

(Tom Cooley Photography)

Battle Hardened rallied to the lead in deep stretch and posted his first career victory in Saturday's $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, winning the Grade 3 test for three-year-olds by a comfortable 1 1/4-length margin. The Eddie Kenneally-trained colt completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:44 2/5 with jockey Julien Leparoux.

2012

Alpha continues to impress in Withers

Brisnet.com — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:28:53 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Photo by Adam Conglianese

Alpha made it two straight easy wins over the Aqueduct inner track this winter, cruising to a 3 1/4-length decision in Saturday's $200,000 Withers Stakes, and the Godolphin-owned colt continues to enhance his credentials as a serious contender for this year's Kentucky Derby. The bay son of Bernardini pocketed $120,000 in graded earnings for the Grade 3 win.

2012

On Fire Baby skipping Martha Washington

Brisnet.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:04:36 +0000

On Fire Baby (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

With the ultimate goal being a race at some point on May 4 or 5 at Churchill Downs, trainer Gary 'Red Dog' Hartlage says he will point dual Grade 2 victress On Fire Baby toward stakes for both colts and fillies, but he won't aim her for next Saturday's $75,000 Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park.

Hartlage says rainy weather on Friday in Hot Springs, Arkansas, put off the latest workout by the Smoke Glacken three-year-old filly to Monday morning, all but ruling out any chance of racing five days later in the one-mile contest on the road to the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes.

2011

Casse invades Tampa with filly duo in Florida Oaks

Brisnet.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:34:25 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Northern Passion (WEG/Michael Burns Photography)

Trainer Mark Casse will invade Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday with a trio of three-year-olds looking to take the next step on the road to Churchill Downs. Sovereign Award finalist Prospective, a son of Malibu Moon, will go in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes while Northern Passion and Dixie Strike will line up in the $150,000 Florida Oaks for three-year-old fillies on turf.

2011

State of Play tests dirt in Sam F. Davis

Brisnet.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:18:28 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Prospective captured the Pasco at Tampa (Tom Cooley Photography)

After teaming up to win last year's Kentucky Derby with Animal Kingdom, Team Valor International and trainer Graham Motion are back on the trail with another potential contender in State of Play, an accomplished performer on turf. But unlike Animal Kingdom, who did not race on dirt until the Derby itself, State of Play will get an early test on America's traditional surface in Saturday's Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

2011

Hansen, Union Rags tied at 126 atop Experimental

Brisnet.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:05:08 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Hansen and Union Rags were separated by a head in the BC Juvenile (Breeders' Cup Ltd. Photo)

Hansen, last year's undefeated champion two-year-old male and winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and Union Rags, who won the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes and finished second to Hansen in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, have received the high weight assignment of 126 pounds on The Jockey Club's 2011 Experimental Free Handicap, released Thursday by The Jockey Club.

The filly division is headed by last year's champion two-year-old filly and undefeated Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, My Miss Aurelia, at 124 pounds.

2011

Phantom Fury takes on Maker duo in W.E.B.N.

Brisnet.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Trainer Mike Maker

Phantom Fury, who has won his past two by a total of nearly 19 lengths, makes his stakes debut in Saturday's $50,000 W.E.B.N. Stakes at Turfway Park.

Reminiscent of champion Hansen's showy performances at Turfway last fall, the gray Phantom Fury has run his rivals off their feet. The Michael Lauer pupil dominated a maiden before romping in an entry-level optional claimer at this same one-mile distance over the Polytrack.

2011

Kentucky Derby Report

James Scully — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:02:57 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Photo by Adam Conglianese

Sunday was Todd Pletcher day at Gulfstream Park as the 2010 Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner unleashed a pair of rapidly rising prospects in El Padrino and Algorithms. Pletcher also sent out Broadway's Alibi, who romped by 16 3/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Forward Gal Stakes for fillies.

2011

Mr. Prankster romps to WEBN victory

Brisnet.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Mr. Prankster (Pat Lang Photography)

Thomas F. Conway and Mike Maker's Mr. Prankster trailed in last from his outside post during the opening quarter of Saturday's $50,000 WEBN Stakes at Turfway Park, but steadily made up ground to challenge after six furlongs, take command and easily draw off to score by 7 1/2 lengths under jockey John McKee. In the process, the It's No Joke colt took another step forward to the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes on March 24 while emphatically answering the two-turn question.

2012

Liaison, Rousing Sermon meet again

Brisnet.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:54:03 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

liaison12-17,2.jpg

Separated by less than a length in two stakes at Hollywood Park last fall, Liaison and Rousing Sermon will renew acquaintance in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita, a 1 1/16-mile heat which marks the season debut for both classic contenders.

2012

Alpha is a formidable presence in Withers

Brisnet.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:58:08 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Photo by Adam Conglianese

Alpha opened his three-year-old season with a 2 1/2-length score in the January 7 Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct and will remain on the inner track for Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Withers Stakes, which has been moved up on the calendar and extended to 1 1/16 miles this year. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained colt tops a field of seven Kentucky Derby hopefuls, including Gulfstream Park Derby third-placer King Kid and multiple New York-bred stakes hero Swag Daddy.

2011

Broadway's Alibi puts on a show in Forward Gal

Jennifer Caldwell — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:50:56 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Broadway's Alibi (Adam Coglianese Photography)

Broadway's Alibi ran lights out in the slop at Gulfstream Park on Sunday when dominating the Grade 2, $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes under jockey John Velazquez. The dark bay daughter of Vindication was making her stakes bow in the seven-furlong contest and frolicked home a 16 3/4 length winner over the sealed dirt for trainer Todd Pletcher.

"She's fast," Pletcher stated. "I don't know about distance. I guess we'll have to find out at some point."

2011

Algorithms dismisses Hansen in Holy Bull

Brisnet.com — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:08:30 +0000

Source:

Brisnet Editorial

Algorithms proved too tough a problem for Hansen to solve (Adam Coglianese Photography)

Newly-crowned champion Hansen lost his perfect record in his first start as a three-year-old in Sunday's Grade 3, $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, as Starlight Racing's Algorithms blew by him and went on to romp by five lengths on the sloppy, sealed track. Hansen, who got off to a bad start before rushing to the lead, just managed to save second from the late-running My Adonis.

2011