Trainer Mike Mitchell believes he's got the horse to beat in Church Service, part of a well-matched field of eight for the $150,000 Sunset Handicap (gr. IIT), the closing day feature event of Hollywood Park's 60-day spring/summer stand.
Tote company Scientific Games has agreed to make a voluntary payment of $150,000 to charities benefiting horseracing causes and pay the costs of a California Horse Racing Board investigation into the quick pick wagering fiasco uncovered following this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I).
A Kentucky judge denied a motion July 10 requesting a forced sale of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, a decision that was applauded by majority owner Stonestreet Stables, which clearly stated it has no desire to sell its part of the champion horse.
Trainer Steve Asmussen said he wanted a true measure of champion Curlin's potential to compete against the best grass runners in the world, and that's what he's likely to get in the $500,000 Man o' War Stakes (gr. IT) at Belmont Park July 12.
Barry Irwin, who heads Team Valor International, is changing his strategy for acquiring horses for the racing partnerships his company puts together. And that could be good news for yearling sale consignors.
Kinsella, the $2.2-million sale-topper at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling auction, is in training with Todd Pletcher and could make his racing debut late this year.
Blood-Horse Publications has hired pedigree analyst Matt O'Neil as the new national sales manager for TrueNicks, a Thoroughbred pedigree statistics and research firm.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced July 10 it will host a Marketing Summit from Sept. 21-23 at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas.
Graded stakes winner Top Hit was represented by his first winner when a daughter, Lucayan Secret, won July 9 at Solano in her first start.
Maiden 4-year-old Cinquante Cinq (by Danehill) topped third day of trading at Tattersalls' July mixed sale in England, bringing 100,000 guineas from Australian agent Sheamus Mills.
Calder Race Course resumed sending its signal to racetracks outside Florida July 10, and started receiving its full regular menu of simulcast signals from other tracks.
The outspoken leader of Capital Play, one of the entities vying for the big Aqueduct video lottery casino deal, is stepping down.
A quality field of 11 fillies and mares will do battle in the $1-million Delaware Handicap (gr. II) July 13, but the 10-furlong event may come down to a superstars Hystericalady and Unbridled Belle, who have a combined eight graded stakes victories between them.
The Taste of Arcadia will also be offering a taste of the Breeders' Cup World Championships when more than 1,200 people are expected to attend the Sept. 22 event.
Michael Matz is expecting a big improvement from Ready Set in his next tilt, the $300,000 Barbaro Stakes (gr. III) July 13 at Delaware Park. Six 3-year-olds have been entered in the 1 1/16-mile event on the main track.
Champion Vindication, one of this year's leading second-crop sires, was euthanized Wednesday because of complications from colic.
At least two racetrack operators aren't pleased with recent developments concerning advance deposit wagering revenue, and one indicated closure of his track isn't out of the question should the conflict continue.
Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth's Tizdejavu, winner of consecutive graded turf stakes at Churchill Downs, invades from his Kentucky homebase as the 2-1 morning line favorite in the $250,000 American Derby (gr. IIT) July 12 at Arlington Park.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced July 9 that it will conduct a new owner seminar July 18 at Woodbine in Canada.
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Owner: Dogwood Stable
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
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