Articles posted February 10, 2007

NTRA President: Status Quo Won't Cut It

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 10, 2007

National Thoroughbred Racing Association president Alex Waldrop said the organization continues to be relevant, but industry stakeholders must commit to its long-term health.

Holthus, Ritchey, Von Hemel Honored in Arkansas

• By Tom LaMarra
• February 10, 2007

Trainers Bob Holthus, Don Von Hemel, and Tim Ritchey were honored by the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Eastlake Avenue Swims to California Oaks Win

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

Eastlake Avenue wore down her Jerry Hollendorfer-trained stablemate Glorification in the stretch and earned a 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields Saturday.

Rags to Riches Writes Las Virgenes Success Story

• By Jack Shinar
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

The $1.9 million filly Rags to Riches staged a dramatic come-from-behind rally to win the $250,000 Las Virgenes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita Saturday.

Sugar Shake Registers Sweet Santa Maria Win

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

Stronach Stables' 4-year-old filly Sugar Shake provided 65-year-old trainer Bobby Frankel with his first victory in the $250,000 Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) for older fillies and mares Saturday with a sharp front-running victory at Santa Anita.

Jonesboro, Son of Mom's Command, Wins Essex

• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

Michael Langford's Jonesboro was gunned right to the lead by Calvin Borel from his outside post, and was never challenged as he raced to a 5 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Essex Handicap (gr. III) before a crowd of 16,602 on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Summer Doldrums Shakes Loose in Whirlaway

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown

Lawrence the Roman, who had crushed his opposition by nearly 30 combined lengths in three previous starts, gave a severe jolt to the Derby plans of his connections when he beat only one horse in the $70,070 Whirlaway, a race for 3-year-olds won handily by second choice Summer Doldrums Saturday at Aqueduct.

Christmas Kid Delivers in Davona Dale

• By Jack Shinar
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

Edward P. Evans' homebred Christmas Kid stalked from second early in Saturday's $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) Saturday at Gulfstream Park, took command into the far turn, and drew clear to score by four lengths over High Again in the one-mile test for 3-year-old fillies.

Cloudy's Knight Rains On Devilment's Parade

• By Jack Shinar
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

Cloudy's Knight created a mild surprise in the $198,500 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the turf Saturday, slipping through between rivals to win by a neck over Devilment under a well timed ride by Ramsey Zimmerman.

Notional Gets Lucky Trip in Fall-Marred Risen Star

• By Jack Shinar
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown

J. Paul Reddam's Southern California shipper Notional turned in an impressive effort in winning Saturday's $300,000 Risen Star (gr. III), a race marred by a fall that spoiled whatever chance the heavy favorite Circular Quay had of winning the 3-year-old test at Fair Grounds.

'Zophie Finds Distance Appealing in Silverbulletday

• By Jack Shinar
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's favored Appealing Zophie, a grade I winner, turned away an erratic Total in the stretch to run away with Saturday's $200,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at Fair Grounds.

Dream Rush Creates Nightmare for 'Anna

• By Jack Shinar
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

Dream Rush spoiled the return of the previously undefeated juvenile filly champion Dreaming of Anna in her 3-year-old debut Saturday -- the $150,000 Old Hat (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.

Master Command Sails in Mineshaft Win

• By Jack Shinar
• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing

Odds-on choice Master Command left the tiring Purim approaching the eighth pole and cruised to victory in the $194,000 Mineshaft Handicap, the first of four successive grade III races on the Fair Grounds program Saturday.

Jockey Guild Effort to Recover Purse Called 'Ridiculous'

• By Jack Shinar
• February 10, 2007

The head of California's trainer association labeled "ridiculous" a Jockeys' Guild petition seeking payment on a rider's behalf from a trainer whose winning horse was later disqualified because of a positive drug test.

Street Sense at 6-1 Midway Through Derby Pool 1

• February 10, 2007

Individual stars such as juvenile champion Street Sense and Nobiz Like Shobiz continued to receive strong support, but the wagering interest that includes "all other 3-year-olds" remained the favorite at the mid-point of Pool 1 of Churchill Downs' 2007 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Street Sense at 6-1 Midway Through Derby Pool 1

• February 10, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown

Individual stars such as juvenile champion Street Sense and Nobiz Like Shobiz continued to receive strong support, but the wagering interest that includes "all other 3-year-olds" remained the favorite at the mid-point of Pool 1 of Churchill Downs' 2007 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.