With a solid mid-June tightener under his belt, the 6-year-old Nureyev horse Good Journey returns to stakes company as the morning-line favorite Thursday in the $250,000 Firecracker Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs.
English-bred Janet, a two-time grade I turf winner last year, faces seven rivals under top weight of 119 pounds in the $250,000 guaranteed New York Handicap (gr. IIT) at 1 1/4 miles over Belmont Park's inner turf course.
Eight-year-old millionaire Affirmed Success and beaten Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) favorite Left Bank are scheduled to square off in the July 4 Tom Fool Handicap (gr. II) at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds and up at Belmont Park.
Chester Broman's 9-year-old Antespend was euthanized in April at the owner's Chestertown Farm near Chestertown, N.Y., because of complications while foaling a Seeking the Gold filly.
The late nominations of Orchard Park, Flying Dash, and Van Minister has increased the potential quality of the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. The 1 1/4-mile turf race will be contested July 13.
<i> By Ray Paulick </i> -- At Woodbine, the model for merging slot revenues with racing, purses need to be increased for maiden and allowance races to the highest levels possible.
As Churchill Downs prepares to close out its 2002 Spring Meet on July 7, several top juveniles were on the track preparing for weekend stakes events. The Louisville track will host the Debutante Stakes (gr. III) on Saturday and Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) on Sunday.
Spain, Thoroughbred racing's all-time leading female money earner, has been retired from racing. She leaves the track with a record of 9-9-7 in 35 races with earnings of $3,540,542.
<i>By Robert R. Hill</i> -- On March 9, President Bush signed the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002, which was a real income tax benefit for U.S. businesses. Fortunately, this tax act is also a significant boon to the horse industry, benefiting both racing and breeding operations.
The Stewards of The Jockey Club have approved changes to clarify the eligibility for registration of foals resulting from certain breeding practices. The longstanding rule permits registration and listing in The American Stud Book of only those foals that have been bred by natural means.
Team Valor and Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's grade I winner Cashier's Dream, who underwent surgery June 25 for a twisted intestine, was euthanized July 1 after additional surgery revealed adhesions near the site where the bowel had been joined together.
Cashier's Dream, who had shown improvement following surgery for a twisted intestine, died Monday night at Hagyard, Davidson, McGee equine clinic in Lexington, Ky.
Pin Oak Stable's undefeated See How She Runs will return to action July 3 as the short-priced favorite for the $150,000 Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows.
The British Red Cross, Ascot's charity of the year, is staging a fundraising jockey race to help raise money for the charity work it does in the UK and abroad. Leading European riders Frankie Dettori and George Duffield have agreed to participate and need an additional eight riders to join them in the Red Cross Stakes on Blue Square Shergar Cup Day on Aug. 10.
"If he could talk, he'd say 'run me,'" trainer Bob Baffert said of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner War Emblem after the colt worked a half-mile in :48 under Dana Barnes on Tuesday morning at Santa Anita.
Prismatical, whose major win came in the Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, was euthanzied July 1 at The Ohio State University equine clinic because of complications from a neurological disorder.
A competitive field has been entered for the $150,000 American Handicap, a grade II turf event July 4 at Hollywood Park. The holiday program includes the $100,000 Landaluce Stakes, a grade III event for 2-year-old fillies.
Taking time out from the state's budget crisis, the California State Assembly honored jockey Victor Espinoza July 1 for his achievements, particularly his wins in the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes aboard War Emblem.
Grade II winner Tomorrows Cat's first winner came out June 28 at Belmont Park.
