Standing in the winner's circle following the win by Little Mike in the $90,000 Flying Pidgeon Stakes at Gulfstream Park, trainer Carlo Vaccarezza admitted he was relieved by the solid return of his multiple grade I winner.
Four-time grade I winner Little Mike will return to the scene of his very first stakes victory when he starts in the $75,000 Flying Pidgeon Stakes at Gulfstream Park May 17.
Multiple grade I winner won't run in May 3 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, it was revealed April 29, due to owner/trainer Carlo Vaccarezza's conflict with the KHRC and Churchill over out-of-competition testing.
Riding in only his second race, apprentice jockey Michael Ritvo notched his first victory by guiding Little Daniella to a front-running tally in the second race at Gulfstream Park March 23, a $25,000 maiden claiming event.
The clock is ticking toward the final day for Gulfstream Park and Calder Casino & Race Course to reach an agreement that would prevent another bruising 12 months of head-to-head racing.
Owner/breeder Carlos Vaccarezza got his first win as a trainer Feb. 9 at Gulfstream Park with first-time starter Little Alexis.
About 100 representatives of the southeast Florida horse industry took their "Horse Racing Keeps Florida Running!" message to an Oct. 23 public workshop on possible changes in pari-mutuel and gaming laws.
Priscilla Vaccarezza's Little Mike got back on track after four consecutive losses with a narrow win in the $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr. IT) at Belmont Park Sept. 28.
If Little Mike repeats in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 17, breeder/owner Carlo Vaccarezza might use the Arlington Park winner's circle as a platform to challenge Horse of the Year Wise Dan to a match race.
After capturing three grade I victories on the turf last year, capped by a win in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, Little Mike will make his first U.S. start of the 2013 season in the United Nations Stakes.
Last year's Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner Little Mike breezed four furlongs in :50.80 June 11 on the Churchill Downs turf in preparation for a start in the United Nations Stakes (gr. IT) July 6 at Monmouth Park.
The son of Spanish Steps is Florida's horse of the year, older horse and turf male champion.
The dam of multiple grade I winner Little Mike will be bred back to Distorted Humor.
Dale Romans' grade I winners are aiming for races during the Dubai World Cup Carnival's Super Saturday March 9 as preps for group I races being run on Dubai World Cup day March 30.
There are grade I races and there are grade I races--the races trainers see themselves winning in the most pleasant of dreams. In knocking down several races from the latter category, Dale Romans won his first Eclipse Award.
Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Mucho Macho Man turned in his final pre-race move for the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic and Breeders' Cup Turf winner Little Mike got to work as well Jan. 12 at Gulfstream Park.
Carlo Vaccarezza, owner and breeder of Little Mike, said the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I) winner will be pointed to the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) March 30 at Meydan Racecourse.
Arlington Million (gr. IT) winner Little Mike upset the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) and finished a tick off a 23-year-old track record to do so, holding off Point of Entry while getting 1 1/2 miles in 2:22.83
Under a crafty front-running ride from Ramon Dominguez, Little Mike led every step of the way to claim the 30th running of the $1 million Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 18 on the Arlington Park turf.
Restaurateur Carlo Vaccarezza scores big with Little Mike. read blog
