Articles posted March 7, 2003

Golden Shaheen Candidates Work

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping, International

Disturbingthepeace, Captain Squire and Avanzado turned in quick works in southern California Friday as they prepare for a possible journey to Dubai later this month for the Golden Shaheen Sprint.

Tin Man Out With Virus, to Miss San Luis Rey

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing

San Luis Obispo (gr. IIT) winner The Tin Man will not run in the Mar. 15 San Luis Rey Handicap (gr. IIT) and will likely miss the remainder of the Santa Anita meet. Trainer Richard Mandella says River God, Pleasantly Perfect and Kudos are ready for action.

Sightseek Brings Gas to Stellar 'Margarita Cast

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping

Sightseek is the lone speed in Sunday's $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I), which drew a small but stellar cast of six older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita.

Frankel Can Add Florida Derby to His Empire

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping, Triple Crown

With three straight Eclipse Awards, Brooklyn-born trainer Bobby Frankel has been the master of all he has surveyed. Last year, his runners earned more than $17.7 million and he won 14 grade I races. But one has always eluded him: the Florida Derby.

Mott, Bailey Old Hands at Winning Canadian Turf

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping

The Bill Mott-Jerry Bailey combination is a potent force in Gulfstream Park grass stakes, so it will be no surprise if Live Oak Plantation's Miesque's Approval goes off a short price in Sunday's $100,000 Canadian Turf Handicap (gr. III) at 1 1/16 mile.

Horsemen, Breeders: Not All Support Pennsylvania Bill

• By Tom LaMarra
• March 7, 2003

Organizations that represent Thoroughbred horsemen in Pennsylvania have voiced opposition to racetrack gaming legislation because the return to purses and breed development is insufficient in their view.

Aqueduct Scraps Saturday Card; Loses All But First on Friday

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing

Aqueduct announced Friday afternoon that Saturday's 10-race program had been cancelled because of unsafe track conditions. Friday's card was scrapped after the first race.

Monmouth Oaks Left Off Stakes Schedule

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing

Led by the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap on August 3, Monmouth Park will offer $3.25 million in graded stakes during its upcoming meeting, which opens May 24. However, the Monmouth Oaks (gr. II), which previously has produced Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner Spain and Unbridled Elaine, has been eliminated.

Virginia Derby Highlights Colonial Downs Slate

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing

Across the board purse increases in stakes races along with the return of the $500,000 Virginia Derby highlight Colonial Downs' 2003 Thoroughbred stakes schedule

OBS Day of Champions Entries to be Taken March 10

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing

Entries for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Day
Of Champions race card will be taken Monday, March 10 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. EST.

Badge of Silver Draws Outside Post in Sunday's La. Derby

• March 7, 2003
• Triple Crown

A field of 10 hopefuls will attempt to advance along the trail toward the Kentucky Derby Sunday when they face off in the $750,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds.

Fighting EPO Use Proving a Tough Fight

• By Victor Ryan
• March 7, 2003
• Horse Health

Though testing for the blood-doping agent erythropoietin (EPO) remains in its infant stages, a view into the prevalence of the drug on North America's backstretches is beginning to come into focus.

NTRA Promotes Pair

• March 7, 2003

Peggy Hendershot has been promoted to vice president of corporate communications, and Ayse Nahum has been elevated to the position of vice president of information systems, it was announced Friday by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA).

War Threat Will Not Derail Dubai World Cup

• March 7, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing, International

Organizers of the Dubai World Cup are confident that the threat of conflict in the Gulf region will not affect the upcoming lucrative race meeting.

Anna G. Brunetti, Mother of Hialeah's John Brunetti, Dead

• March 7, 2003

Anna G. Brunetti, whose son John owns Hialeah and Red Oak Farm near Ocala, Fla., died March 5 in Miami after a brief illness

Dubai World Cup Abandons World Racing Series

• March 7, 2003
• International

The Dubai World Cup will no longer be part of the World Series Racing Championship, officials for the fledgling 14-race series announced.

Judge Rejects Request to Halt Simulcasting at Mountaineer

• March 7, 2003

An attempt by the West Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to halt simulcast wagering at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming was rejected by a federal judge Thursday.

Farish on Dubai World Cup: 'It's Going to be a Very Tough Decision'

• March 7, 2003
• International

William S. Farish, the owner of Lane's End Farm and U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, says the possibility of a military conflict between the United States and Iraq brings into question the status of the $6-million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 29.