Peter F. Karches, former co-chairman of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), died while hospitalized in Boston, Mass. April 13 from chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most common form of adult leukemia.
Friday, April 14, 2006The 10th edition of the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) may not have been the best quality race ever staged at Nad Al Sheba but, as predicted, the Dale Romans-trained Roses in May scored a fifth win in the race for America.
Saturday, March 26, 2005Badge of Silver, ridden by Jerry Bailey, held off the steady closer Dynever to win the $100,000 Hal's Hope Handicap (gr. III) by a neck at Gulfstream Park Saturday.
Saturday, January 08, 2005A robust field of 13 is set to head postward at Gulfstream Park for Saturday's 2005 edition of the $100,000 Hal's Hope Handicap (gr. III). Multiple stakes winners Dynever and Purge lead a quality group of entrants drawn for the 1 1/8 mile affair, each looking to start the New Year on a high note
Thursday, January 06, 2005Six-year-old gelding Truly a Judge was in control from the outset of Saturday's $100,000 Native Diver Handicap (gr. III), winning his first graded stakes comfortably at Hollywood Park.
Saturday, December 11, 2004Florida invader Dynever, third in the 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), heads a field of eleven in Hollywood Park's $100,000 Native Diver Handicap (gr. III) at 1 1/8 miles Saturday.
Thursday, December 09, 2004Dynever will be flown from Florida to California Monday to compete in the $100,000 Native Diver Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park Dec. 11, trainer Christophe Clement said Sunday.
Sunday, December 05, 2004Four-year-old Dynever, last seen finishing a disappointing eighth behind Horse of the Year candidate Ghostzapper in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), faces eight rivals Sunday in the $40,000 Mel's Hope overnight stakes at Calder Race Course.
Friday, November 26, 2004Several trainers immediately began plotting strategy following Wednesday's post position draw for the $4 milllion Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), which likely will affect the two likely favorites, Pleasantly Perfect and Ghostzapper.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004Tomiro Fukami's Personal Rush, who will run in the $4-million Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I), paid his first visit to the track Tuesday morning, and it was almost an hour before he finally made his way back to his barn.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004The action was hot and heavy going into Breeders' Cup week, with 26 pre-entered horses working on Oct. 24, an influx of horses arriving from all parts of the country and Europe, and a serious injury to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) contender Ready's Gal.
Monday, October 25, 2004After a rainstorm Friday afternoon, temparatures had cooled to the low 60s and skies were overcast Saturday morning at Lone Star Park as two contenders for the Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) put in their final workouts.
Saturday, October 23, 2004Corey Nakatani, who celebrated his 34th birthday Oct. 21, has been booked to ride in all eight Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship races Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park.
Friday, October 22, 2004Marylou Whitney's Birdstone, winner of the Belmont (gr. I) and Travers (gr. I), breezed six furlongs in 1:16 4/5 over a muddy training track at Saratoga Oct. 22 in preparation for the $4-million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) at Lone Star Park Oct. 30.
Friday, October 22, 2004With only 13 of the 101 horses pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships on the grounds at Lone Star Park, there has been a paucity of activity this week by the Cup horses. In fact, an unseasonable heat wave in North Texas has been been the hottest topic of conversation around the track the past couple of days.
Friday, October 22, 2004Roses in May, hoping to cap off an undefeated season in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), and John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf hopeful Kitten's Joy were among seven Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships candidates on a flight that arrived into Dallas late Tuesday afternoon from New York and Kentucky.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004Michael Paulson, owner of Azeri, says regardless of where the former Horse of the Year runs, all the pros and cons will be carefully weighed, and the final decision will have the full backing of trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Monday, October 18, 2004by Gary Granade -- With the Breeders' Cup looming on October 30, Pletcher could elect to keep Balto Star on the dirt for the $4 million Classic (G1). The Meadowlands Cup, his first run on the main track in over a year, was a compelling argument for that course of action. On the other hand, Balto Star is a Grade 1 winner on the grass, making the $2 million Turf (G1) a viable option.
Thursday, October 14, 2004And you thought all the important preps for the Breeders' Cup Classic -- Powered by Dodge (gr. I) had been run. Well, sitting out there all by itself, virtually unnoticed among the morass of major stakes this past weekend was the $500,0000 Meadowlands Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. II), just waiting to conjure up another live Classic longshot.
Thursday, October 14, 2004Installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite, Dynever, owned by Catherine Wills and Peter Karches will face a field of seven in Friday's $500,000 Meadowlands Breeders' Cup (gr. II).
Wednesday, October 06, 2004Multimillionaire Balto Star is set to head postward in Friday night's $500,000 Meadowlands Cup (gr. II), and trainer Todd Pletcher is hoping to use the 1 1/8-mile dirt race to springboard the 6-year-old gelding by Glitterman to Lone Star Park and the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships on Oct. 30.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004Following the retirements of Sarava and Peace Rules Tuesday, there were four probable starters and two questionable runners for Saturday's $1-million Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships comes to Lone Star Park. The question is, what to expect? Most fans and horsemen don't know a thing about Lone Star, mainly the dirt surface, grass course, and any track biases. So, sit back for the next eight weeks or so and follow the world's best horses on their journey to the unknown.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004Edmund A. Gann's Peace Rules gamely outdueled Funny Cide and then held off Newfoundland to win Saturday's 118th running of the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park in New York.
Saturday, July 03, 2004Funny Cide, winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (both gr. I), and Even The Score, winner of the 2004 Meryvn LeRoy Handicap and Californian (both gr. II), head a list of 12 nominations to the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) on July 10.
Thursday, July 01, 2004Sackatoga Stable's Funny Cide, who just two weeks ago was beaten a head in the $500,000 MassCap (gr. II) at Suffolk Downs, has drawn the rail for Saturday's Suburban Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Thursday, July 01, 2004West Point Stable's Seattle Fitz held off favored Dynever on Saturday for a half-length victory in the 116th running of the $250,000 Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II).
Saturday, June 12, 2004Congrats, who is unbeaten in two starts this year, is one of seven entered for Saturday's 1 1/8-mile Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
Thursday, June 10, 2004Two grade I winners highlight a field of six that will contest the $500,000 Pimlico Special (gr. I), the major event on Friday's stakes-packed pre-Preakness Day card at Pimlico Race Course.
Sunday, May 09, 2004The Pimlico Special (gr. I), the springboard for Mineshaft toward Horse of the Year honors a year ago, is shaping up to what could be the best older horse lineup of the year.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004Trainer Christophe Clement's decision to ship Dynever to Santa Anita for the 4-year-old colt's 2004 debut turned out to be a good one when the son of Dynaformer romped to victory in the $110,600 San Bernardino Handicap (gr. III) Saturday.
Saturday, April 03, 2004Star Cross can atone for a dismal effort in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) last month, heading a field of seven in the $100,000 San Bernardino Handicap (gr. III) at Santa Anita Saturday.
Thursday, April 01, 2004Dynever, the Christophe Clement-trained colt who captured the 2003 Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream, is to make his first start this year in the upcoming Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) April 3.
Saturday, March 27, 2004As in past Breeders' Cups, there are longshots galore in this year's World Thoroughbred Championships. Finding them, however, is another matter. This year, the task will be more challenging than usual.
Friday, October 24, 2003It was 34 degrees in New York Thursday morning. The three New York-based horses for the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) – Funny Cide, Volponi, and Evening Attire -- were a bit warmer as they tried to acclimate to the unusually hot weather in Southern California.
Thursday, October 23, 2003The stage is set for an exciting start to the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I), as Medaglia d'Oro and Congaree, drew side by side, in posts eight and nine, respectively.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003Bob Baffert wishes the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) was tomorrow. Make that today. The $4-million dollar race can't come too soon for Baffert, who says Congaree is doing super after suffering a quarter crack last week.
Tuesday, October 21, 2003Two contenders for the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) turned in their final works in preparation for Saturday's World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park.
Monday, October 20, 2003Three planeloads of Breeders' Cup horses are scheduled to arrive in California next week, with Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) hopefuls Funny Cide, Evening Attire, and Volponi on a Wednesday flight out of New York.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003With the defection of Mineshaft, as well as Empire Maker, the field for the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) is up in the air, and will be for another week, until several Eastern owners and trainers decide which way to go.
Monday, October 06, 2003Martin S. Schwartz's Bowman's Band, making his first start for Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens, kicked clear in the upper stretch and went on to post a 12-1 upset in Friday night's $400,000 Meadowlands Breeders' Cup (gr. II).
Saturday, October 04, 2003The favorite hasn't won the Meadowlands Cup since Marquetry in 1993, but trainer P.G. Johnson is hoping to break that trend when he brings Volponi from New York to New Jersey for Friday's grade II test at Meadowlands. The 5-year-old finished second in last year's running of the race.
Wednesday, October 01, 2003With Empire Maker withdrawn from Saturday's Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), several trainers who had no plans to run are now reconsidering and will see how the field shapes up before deciding whether to enter on Thursday.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003Mineshaft, impressive winner of the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) in his last start, breezed five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 Monday morning in preparation for Saturday's Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Monday, September 22, 2003Headed by Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Ten Most Wanted, the connections of 12 horses have made sustaining payments for the grade II, $500,000 Super Derby XXIV at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 20.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003Ridden by Joe Bravo, Earle Mack's Grand Hombre caught pacesetter Gimmeawink at the top of the stretch and drew off to a 5 1/4-length upset victory in the $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III) at Philadelphia Park on Monday.
Monday, September 01, 2003Catherine Wills & Peter Karches' Dynever drew post position seven in a field of ten and was installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite for Monday's running of the $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III) at Philadelphia Park.
Friday, August 29, 2003Trainer Bobby Frankel said Friday that Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Medaglia d'Oro popped a pus pocket in a foot this week, a few days after finishing second to Candy Ride in the Pacific Classic (gr. I).
Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel made quick work of a rumor going around the backstretch Tuesday morning regarding Empire Maker's status for the Travers (gr. I).
Tuesday, August 19, 2003Undefeated Soto, who returned from a 7 1/2-month layoff to beat allowance foes in his sophomore debut July 19 at Philadelphia Park, has been installed as the slight 3-1 favorite in a competitive field of 3-year-olds set for the $600,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) at Mountaineer Park.
Thursday, August 07, 2003