Top Billing will miss the Florida Derby and is off the Triple Crown trail with a cannon bone injury. Stablemate Honor Code, who makes his season debut March 12 at Gulfstream, could now be a candidate for Florida's big event.
Dania Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) winner Mr Speaker breezed a half-mile at Payson Park the morning of Jan. 19 in preparation for a scheduled start in the upcoming $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
During that time of year when champions are gearing up for their new campaigns, a familiar name popped up at Payson Park. Royal Delta is back on the worktab and prepping for a start in the Feb. 17 Sabin (gr. III).
A plan to start charging rent for stalls during the non-racing season at Calder is leading to concerns among horsemen that some owners might permanently ship horses out of Florida and that some smaller stables could close.
Champion Royal Delta works six furlongs in 1:16.30 Feb. 9 at Payson Park on her way toward the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I). At Palm Meadows, Godolphin's Consortium drills a half-mile in :50.90.
Royal Delta, the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) winner and likely champion 3-year-old female, had her first official work of the year Jan. 10 at Payson Park Training Center in Florida.
Heavy rainfall in South Florida Dec. 18 forced officials at Gulfstream Park to relocate 600 horses to other area stabling facilities and the evacuation of one dormitory.
Calder Racecourse's Grand Slam III card will be short seven scratched entries as a result of a Dec. 29 decision by Florida state officials to keep the equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) quarantine in place at Payson Park Training Center.
Strangles has forced the New York Racing Association to place temporary restrictions on horses entering the grounds at either Belmont Park or Aqueduct.
Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Friends Lake breezed five furlongs Saturday morning at Payson Park in a slow 1:04 3/5 as he prepares for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) May 1.
Trainer Elliott Walden will run Frank L. Mansell's Speed Hunter in Saturday's grade 1 Fountain of Youth, after being undecided earlier this week. What made him decide?
