The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today the broadcast schedule for “Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA” to air on the ESPN networks beginning Saturday, July 25. The series will provide comprehensive, live coverage of Grade I summer racing fixtures from three of America’s most loved racing venues.
Beginning with the Grade I, $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes on the turf from Del Mar, “Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA” will take viewers from coast to coast as it showcases some of racing’s biggest stars—many of whom will go on to compete in the November 6-7 Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
On August 8, the scene shifts to Arlington Park outside Chicago for the Grade I Arlington Million, which annually attracts top grass runners from around the world for its seven-figure purse. The Arlington Million also serves as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
The series concludes on August 29 with the $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes from Saratoga. Known as the “Mid-Summer Derby”, the 2009 Travers could bring together all three winners from this year’s Triple Crown events—Derby winner Mine That Bird, Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes victor Summer Bird.
“We are very pleased to once again partner with ESPN in bringing racing fans key summer contests from three of the sport’s showpiece racetracks,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA. -- NTRA
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Superfecta players get more action
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board today enacted new directives that lay the groundwork for more Superfecta wagering opportunities for both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing fans.
“Superfectas are popular with some racing fans because if you’re lucky enough to hold a winning ticket, the payoff can be a princely sum,” Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini said. “We are looking constantly for ways to help the fans, the tracks and the horsemen. When we rewrite guidelines in a way that have a positive impact on overall handle, everyone comes out a winner.”
Winning a Superfecta bet requires having the first four finishers of a race in the correct sequence.
Under the new directives, which are effective immediately, the Racing and Wagering Board is authorizing the conduct of Superfecta wagering with fewer betting interests. In other words, the Board is reducing the number of horses that must start a race in order for tracks to offer Superfecta betting. The new directives also correct inequities that had existed in Superfecta wagering in New York.
For Thoroughbred racing, the Board is permitting Superfecta Wagering where there are seven programmed betting interests. The Superfecta will still be viable if six betting interests remain in the event of a scratch after the horses have left the paddock.
For harness racing, the Board is permitting Superfecta wagering where there are eight programmed betting interests. The Superfecta will still be viable if seven betting interests remain in the event of a scratch in the paddock or on the track. --NYSRWB
“Superfectas are popular with some racing fans because if you’re lucky enough to hold a winning ticket, the payoff can be a princely sum,” Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini said. “We are looking constantly for ways to help the fans, the tracks and the horsemen. When we rewrite guidelines in a way that have a positive impact on overall handle, everyone comes out a winner.”
Winning a Superfecta bet requires having the first four finishers of a race in the correct sequence.
Under the new directives, which are effective immediately, the Racing and Wagering Board is authorizing the conduct of Superfecta wagering with fewer betting interests. In other words, the Board is reducing the number of horses that must start a race in order for tracks to offer Superfecta betting. The new directives also correct inequities that had existed in Superfecta wagering in New York.
For Thoroughbred racing, the Board is permitting Superfecta Wagering where there are seven programmed betting interests. The Superfecta will still be viable if six betting interests remain in the event of a scratch after the horses have left the paddock.
For harness racing, the Board is permitting Superfecta wagering where there are eight programmed betting interests. The Superfecta will still be viable if seven betting interests remain in the event of a scratch in the paddock or on the track. --NYSRWB
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Rachel in summer quarters at the Spa
Scarcely 12 hours after her record-setting victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose at Belmont Park, Rachel Alexandra stepped onto a van that carried her up the Northway to Saratoga Race Course, which will be the base for her summer campaign.
“She ran a big race,” said trainer Steve Asmussen of the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who set a stakes record of 1:46.33 for the nine furlongs, along with establishing the largest margin of victory (19¼ lengths) in the 53-year history of the race. “I think (jockey) Calvin (Borel) said it best – she’s not normal.”
Asmussen, still wearing one of the 10,000 pink “Rachel Alexandra” bracelets that were given away on Saturday, said he had watched the replay of the Mother Goose several times, and was still bowled over by the ease of her victory.
“The best way to describe it is that she’s got an extremely high cruising speed,” said Asmussen of the filly, co-owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormick. “But obviously, we’ve known that about her for a long time.”
Rachel Alexandra, who extended her record to 9-2-0 from 12 starts with earnings of $1,798,354, arrived at Saratoga mid-morning and took up residence in Curlin’s former stall in Asmussen’s barn near the Oklahoma training track.
“She shipped great,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who accompanied Rachel Alexandra to Saratoga. “She’s settled into Curlin’s old stall, which is now her stall, right next to my office.
“She recovered very well,” added Blasi. “She seemed strong yesterday and was starving when we fed her last night, and ate everything this morning, as well.”
Several possibilities exist for Rachel Alexandra’s next start, including the Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for three-year-old fillies at 1¼ miles at Belmont Park on July 25, the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy for three-year-olds at nine furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 1, and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational, also for three-year-olds, at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2.
Following one of those, the scenario could next include the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes for three-year-old fillies at 1¼ miles on Saturday, Aug. 22, the $1 million Shadwell Travers for three-year-olds going 1¼ miles on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course, or even the Grade 1, $400,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going 1 1/4 miles on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Asmussen declined to engage in any speculations.
“I’m well-versed in that with the Curlin-Big Brown thing last year,” he said. “I’m just going to worry about her health and happiness, and then we’ll sit down and decide what’s best for her.” -- NYRA
“She ran a big race,” said trainer Steve Asmussen of the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who set a stakes record of 1:46.33 for the nine furlongs, along with establishing the largest margin of victory (19¼ lengths) in the 53-year history of the race. “I think (jockey) Calvin (Borel) said it best – she’s not normal.”
Asmussen, still wearing one of the 10,000 pink “Rachel Alexandra” bracelets that were given away on Saturday, said he had watched the replay of the Mother Goose several times, and was still bowled over by the ease of her victory.
“The best way to describe it is that she’s got an extremely high cruising speed,” said Asmussen of the filly, co-owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormick. “But obviously, we’ve known that about her for a long time.”
Rachel Alexandra, who extended her record to 9-2-0 from 12 starts with earnings of $1,798,354, arrived at Saratoga mid-morning and took up residence in Curlin’s former stall in Asmussen’s barn near the Oklahoma training track.
“She shipped great,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who accompanied Rachel Alexandra to Saratoga. “She’s settled into Curlin’s old stall, which is now her stall, right next to my office.
“She recovered very well,” added Blasi. “She seemed strong yesterday and was starving when we fed her last night, and ate everything this morning, as well.”
Several possibilities exist for Rachel Alexandra’s next start, including the Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for three-year-old fillies at 1¼ miles at Belmont Park on July 25, the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy for three-year-olds at nine furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 1, and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational, also for three-year-olds, at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2.
Following one of those, the scenario could next include the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes for three-year-old fillies at 1¼ miles on Saturday, Aug. 22, the $1 million Shadwell Travers for three-year-olds going 1¼ miles on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course, or even the Grade 1, $400,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going 1 1/4 miles on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Asmussen declined to engage in any speculations.
“I’m well-versed in that with the Curlin-Big Brown thing last year,” he said. “I’m just going to worry about her health and happiness, and then we’ll sit down and decide what’s best for her.” -- NYRA
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
One singular sensation
She walks like a supermodel and runs like an Olympic champion, and Saturday afternoon, Rachel Alexandra will make her New York debut when she puts her six-race winning streak on the line in the 53rd running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park.
The leggy bay daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who will be making her first start since beating the boys in the May 16 Preakness Stakes, arrived at Belmont Tuesday afternoon to the snapping of camera shutters, and was bedded down at trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn in stall No. 5, the same one occupied by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.
Not surprisingly, there were more people on hand for her arrival than will be horses facing her in the nine-furlong Mother Goose – just four others were entered in the one-turn race: Alan Brodsky’s multiple stakes-winner Don’t Forget Gil, off the board just once in eight starts; Godolphin Stable’s Flashing, with a three-race win streak of her own; Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer, who has won her last two starts by a combined margin of 20¼ lengths, and Linda Sullivan and Gerald Procino’s Hopeful Image, who is coming off a 1 3/4-length victory in an optional claimer in the mud here on June 12.
Whether any of them are up to the challenge of upsetting Rachel Alexandra, who her jockey, Calvin Borel, calls “the best horse in the country” remains to be seen.
“We’re all kind of in the same boat, with Rachel Alexandra being in the race, of looking at a Grade 1 stakes placing,” said Rick Mettee, the North American racing manager for Godolphin Stable, which won last year’s Mother Goose with Music Note. “Besides Rachel, the other three are pretty good fillies, and they’re all in form. Flashing is doing exceptionally well – after her victory in the (Grade 3) Nassau County (May 2) it was felt this would be a logical spot for her.
“Apparently,” he added, “they thought it was a logical spot for Rachel Alexandra, as well.”
Indeed. After her historic victory over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness, her new owners, Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick, considered entering Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6. After much consideration, they felt it would be asking too much of her and aimed instead at the Mother Goose, whose roster of victors fillies such as Sky Beauty, Go for Wand, Davona Dale, Ruffian, Shuvee and Dark Mirage, all of whom went on to championship honors.
“This,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi of the Stonestreet Stable miss, “is a stepping-stone, hopefully, to bigger things.”
Rachel’s reign began last Nov. 29, when in her first start for Borel she ran off to a 4 ¾-length victory in the Grade 2 Goldenrod Stakes at Churchill Downs. She piled up impressive victories in the Mount Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks and the Grade 2 Fantasy, also at Oaklawn, but it was her 20¼-length tour de force in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks that catapulted her to superstar status.
“Pretty impressive,” said Mark Hennig, trainer of Don’t Forget Gil. “In fact, very impressive.”
Don’t Forget Gil, a New York-bred daughter of Kafwain, owns a pair of stakes victories in the restricted East View Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year, but finished a disappointing eighth in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico the day before the Preakness.
“She got sick a few days after the race, so maybe she was coming down with something,” said Hennig of Don’t Forget Gil. “She’s had a busy year and a few miles on the van, and it kind of made us choose to stay home. This will be her first time running at her home track since she broke her maiden, so we’re coming back to a place where she’s had success.”
Malibu Prayer, a daughter of Malibu Moon, will be making her stakes debut in the Mother Goose after just four starts, including a 13-length maiden victory at Aqueduct on April 17 and a 7¼-length allowance win at Philadelphia Park on June 2.
“The race seems to be more about Rachel Alexandra, but Malibu Prayer is a filly that on her own merit probably deserves a chance,” said Jonathan Thomas, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Hopeful Image, a daughter of Gulch, has three victories in 13 starts, with her best finish in a graded stakes race a third behind Justwhistledixie in the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park on March 27. Her most recent stakes appearance was a sixth-place finish behind Gozzip Girl in the Grade 2 Sands Point on May 30. -- JENNY KELLNER / NYRA
The leggy bay daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who will be making her first start since beating the boys in the May 16 Preakness Stakes, arrived at Belmont Tuesday afternoon to the snapping of camera shutters, and was bedded down at trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn in stall No. 5, the same one occupied by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.
Not surprisingly, there were more people on hand for her arrival than will be horses facing her in the nine-furlong Mother Goose – just four others were entered in the one-turn race: Alan Brodsky’s multiple stakes-winner Don’t Forget Gil, off the board just once in eight starts; Godolphin Stable’s Flashing, with a three-race win streak of her own; Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer, who has won her last two starts by a combined margin of 20¼ lengths, and Linda Sullivan and Gerald Procino’s Hopeful Image, who is coming off a 1 3/4-length victory in an optional claimer in the mud here on June 12.
Whether any of them are up to the challenge of upsetting Rachel Alexandra, who her jockey, Calvin Borel, calls “the best horse in the country” remains to be seen.
“We’re all kind of in the same boat, with Rachel Alexandra being in the race, of looking at a Grade 1 stakes placing,” said Rick Mettee, the North American racing manager for Godolphin Stable, which won last year’s Mother Goose with Music Note. “Besides Rachel, the other three are pretty good fillies, and they’re all in form. Flashing is doing exceptionally well – after her victory in the (Grade 3) Nassau County (May 2) it was felt this would be a logical spot for her.
“Apparently,” he added, “they thought it was a logical spot for Rachel Alexandra, as well.”
Indeed. After her historic victory over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness, her new owners, Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick, considered entering Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6. After much consideration, they felt it would be asking too much of her and aimed instead at the Mother Goose, whose roster of victors fillies such as Sky Beauty, Go for Wand, Davona Dale, Ruffian, Shuvee and Dark Mirage, all of whom went on to championship honors.
“This,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi of the Stonestreet Stable miss, “is a stepping-stone, hopefully, to bigger things.”
Rachel’s reign began last Nov. 29, when in her first start for Borel she ran off to a 4 ¾-length victory in the Grade 2 Goldenrod Stakes at Churchill Downs. She piled up impressive victories in the Mount Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks and the Grade 2 Fantasy, also at Oaklawn, but it was her 20¼-length tour de force in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks that catapulted her to superstar status.
“Pretty impressive,” said Mark Hennig, trainer of Don’t Forget Gil. “In fact, very impressive.”
Don’t Forget Gil, a New York-bred daughter of Kafwain, owns a pair of stakes victories in the restricted East View Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year, but finished a disappointing eighth in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico the day before the Preakness.
“She got sick a few days after the race, so maybe she was coming down with something,” said Hennig of Don’t Forget Gil. “She’s had a busy year and a few miles on the van, and it kind of made us choose to stay home. This will be her first time running at her home track since she broke her maiden, so we’re coming back to a place where she’s had success.”
Malibu Prayer, a daughter of Malibu Moon, will be making her stakes debut in the Mother Goose after just four starts, including a 13-length maiden victory at Aqueduct on April 17 and a 7¼-length allowance win at Philadelphia Park on June 2.
“The race seems to be more about Rachel Alexandra, but Malibu Prayer is a filly that on her own merit probably deserves a chance,” said Jonathan Thomas, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Hopeful Image, a daughter of Gulch, has three victories in 13 starts, with her best finish in a graded stakes race a third behind Justwhistledixie in the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park on March 27. Her most recent stakes appearance was a sixth-place finish behind Gozzip Girl in the Grade 2 Sands Point on May 30. -- JENNY KELLNER / NYRA
Monday, June 22, 2009
Rachel completes work toward return
Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick’s Rachel Alexandra, winner of the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) and the Preakness (GI), worked four furlongs in :49.80 at Churchill Downs on Monday in preparation for her scheduled return to racing in Saturday’s $300,000 Mother Goose (GI) at Belmont Park.
Exercise rider Dominic Terry was in the saddle as the 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro covered the distance over a “fast” track in fractional times of :13, :25 and :37.40. Her half-mile work ranked as the 17th fastest of 51 at the distance and the Steve Asmussen-trained filly galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.40.
“The filly went beautiful this morning,” said Asmussen. “She looked very happy. Scott (assistant trainer Scott Blasi) and Dominic have done a great job keeping her happy.”
Rachel Alexandra will face 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose, which will be her first race since her win over Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird and 11 other males in the Preakness (GI) on May 16 at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course.
The filly will ship to New York on Tuesday for Saturday’s race. Rachel Alexandra figures to be an overwhelming favorite in the Mother Goose, although she could face such accomplished foes as graded stakes winners Justwhistledixie and Don’t Forget Gil in the race.
“That’s why they’re Grade I’s,” said Asmussen. “We’re not looking to trade her with anyone.”
Her Preakness victory lifted the career record for Rachel Alexandra to 8-2-0 in 11 races with earnings of $1,618,354. -- CDI
Exercise rider Dominic Terry was in the saddle as the 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro covered the distance over a “fast” track in fractional times of :13, :25 and :37.40. Her half-mile work ranked as the 17th fastest of 51 at the distance and the Steve Asmussen-trained filly galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.40.
“The filly went beautiful this morning,” said Asmussen. “She looked very happy. Scott (assistant trainer Scott Blasi) and Dominic have done a great job keeping her happy.”
Rachel Alexandra will face 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose, which will be her first race since her win over Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird and 11 other males in the Preakness (GI) on May 16 at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course.
The filly will ship to New York on Tuesday for Saturday’s race. Rachel Alexandra figures to be an overwhelming favorite in the Mother Goose, although she could face such accomplished foes as graded stakes winners Justwhistledixie and Don’t Forget Gil in the race.
“That’s why they’re Grade I’s,” said Asmussen. “We’re not looking to trade her with anyone.”
Her Preakness victory lifted the career record for Rachel Alexandra to 8-2-0 in 11 races with earnings of $1,618,354. -- CDI
A bad (and cold-blooded) call at NYRA
Fran La Belle, who literally grew up on the backstretches of racetracks from Saratoga to Hialeah Park and spent the last 12 years working for the New York Racing Association in its press office, was dismissed without notice on Friday, a move that sent waves of shock, anger and disbelief well beyond Belmont Park.
Officially, NYRA does not comment on personnel decisions. La Belle, who is a longtime friend of many in every area of racing, has been a loyal and dedicated employee at NYRA and prior to that the Daily Racing Form and newspapers in Florida. NYRA has been beneficiary of his dedication, experience, work ethic and vast network of contacts. The the industry and NYRA's press office will be decidedly poorer for his absence as will those who cover the sport in New York.
This is neither the first nor last bad decision at NYRA but as cold-blooded as any we can recall. La Belle reacted with dignity and has begun preparation to return to his native Saratoga Springs. -- PM
Officially, NYRA does not comment on personnel decisions. La Belle, who is a longtime friend of many in every area of racing, has been a loyal and dedicated employee at NYRA and prior to that the Daily Racing Form and newspapers in Florida. NYRA has been beneficiary of his dedication, experience, work ethic and vast network of contacts. The the industry and NYRA's press office will be decidedly poorer for his absence as will those who cover the sport in New York.
This is neither the first nor last bad decision at NYRA but as cold-blooded as any we can recall. La Belle reacted with dignity and has begun preparation to return to his native Saratoga Springs. -- PM
Friday, June 19, 2009
Belmont notes: Rachel's foes line up
Rachel Alexandra will make her first start since her historic Preakness victory next Saturday at Belmont Park, but her presence in the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose isn’t scaring everyone away.
Trainer Mark Hennig has the Mother Goose under serious consideration for Alan Brodsky’s Don’t Forget Gil, while Kiaran McLaughlin is also mulling a start in the nine-furlong race for West Point Thoroughbreds’ Justwhistledixie. Of the other 22 nominated to the race, Godolphin Stable’s Flashing and Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer are considered probable.
“Mainly, she’s training well, and she loves Belmont,” said Hennig of Don’t Forget Gil, who broke her maiden impressively here last fall and went on to win the East View Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs. “She’s a pure route horse. Obviously, there’s Rachel Alexandra, but we’re going into the race with our eyes wide open. I’d rather race her here than ship elsewhere, and she could get a Grade 1 placing if she’s lucky enough to hit the board.”
If the weather would cooperate, McLaughlin would be more committed to running Justwhistledixie, a multiple-graded stakes winning daughter of Dixie Union, in the Mother Goose.
“We’re trying to get a work into her,” said McLaughlin of Justwhistledixie, second as the favorite in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 6. “If we can’t, we’re up in the air.”
McLaughlin added that Stewart Armstrong’s Dream Play, winner of the Dearly Precious and the Grade 2 Comely, would warrant a start only if there were a small field.
“If there’s a three-horse field and a chance for black type, maybe,” said McLaughlin.
Asiatic Boy, second in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster to Macho Again in his American debut, could make his next start at Belmont Park on July 4.
Kiaran McLaughlin, who assumed the training of Asiatic Boy on April 23 for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Maktoum, said the Grade 2, $400,000 Suburban Handicap was under consideration for the 6-year-old Argentine-bred, a winner of more than $3 million.
In Dubai, Asiatic Boy won the 2007 United Arab Emirates Derby, and the Al Maktoum Challenge - Round 3 this year at Nad al Sheba Racecourse before finishing 12th in the Dubai World Cup. Last year, he was a distant second to Curlin in the World Cup.
Trainer Christophe Clement has been first or second in the standings ever since the second day of Belmont Park’s spring/summer meet, but that position is becoming increasingly tenuous with every passing weather report.
Heading into Friday’s card, Clement was tied with Barclay Tagg and Gary Contessa for first with 12 victories, of which 11 have come on the turf. With 60 races having been taken off the turf through Friday, and rain forecast for at least the next week, Clement has good-naturedly resigned himself to the prospect of relinquishing his lead, for the time being.
“They’re all catching up to me,” said Clement, who has saddled three winners over the past four weeks, most recently scoring with Laureate Conductor last Saturday. “When we get a break with the weather, when it gets better, maybe we can win a few races.”
On Saturday, the Clement-trained Skagerrak is scheduled to make his American debut in the first race, a one-miler claimer at a mile on the Widener Turf, while Belle Allure (IRE), impressive winner of an allowance here on May 21, is entered in the Grade 2, $150,000 New York on the inner turf. Clement’s three entries Friday were scratched when the races came off the turf.
Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird is on schedule for his appearance in the Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, Aug. 29, trainer Tim Ice reported Friday from Louisiana Downs.
“He’s doing great,” said Ice of Summer Bird, who will use the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitation at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2 to prepare for the 1¼-mile “Mid-Summer Derby.” “I think he misses being up there.”
Ice said he plans to work the son of 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone four times before the Haskell, with his first move set for next weekend.
“I was going to work him tomorrow (June 20) but I canceled that,” said Ice. “We’ll give him an extra week to keep him fresh, and let him be a happy horse.” -- NYR
Trainer Mark Hennig has the Mother Goose under serious consideration for Alan Brodsky’s Don’t Forget Gil, while Kiaran McLaughlin is also mulling a start in the nine-furlong race for West Point Thoroughbreds’ Justwhistledixie. Of the other 22 nominated to the race, Godolphin Stable’s Flashing and Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer are considered probable.
“Mainly, she’s training well, and she loves Belmont,” said Hennig of Don’t Forget Gil, who broke her maiden impressively here last fall and went on to win the East View Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs. “She’s a pure route horse. Obviously, there’s Rachel Alexandra, but we’re going into the race with our eyes wide open. I’d rather race her here than ship elsewhere, and she could get a Grade 1 placing if she’s lucky enough to hit the board.”
If the weather would cooperate, McLaughlin would be more committed to running Justwhistledixie, a multiple-graded stakes winning daughter of Dixie Union, in the Mother Goose.
“We’re trying to get a work into her,” said McLaughlin of Justwhistledixie, second as the favorite in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 6. “If we can’t, we’re up in the air.”
McLaughlin added that Stewart Armstrong’s Dream Play, winner of the Dearly Precious and the Grade 2 Comely, would warrant a start only if there were a small field.
“If there’s a three-horse field and a chance for black type, maybe,” said McLaughlin.
Asiatic Boy, second in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster to Macho Again in his American debut, could make his next start at Belmont Park on July 4.
Kiaran McLaughlin, who assumed the training of Asiatic Boy on April 23 for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Maktoum, said the Grade 2, $400,000 Suburban Handicap was under consideration for the 6-year-old Argentine-bred, a winner of more than $3 million.
In Dubai, Asiatic Boy won the 2007 United Arab Emirates Derby, and the Al Maktoum Challenge - Round 3 this year at Nad al Sheba Racecourse before finishing 12th in the Dubai World Cup. Last year, he was a distant second to Curlin in the World Cup.
Trainer Christophe Clement has been first or second in the standings ever since the second day of Belmont Park’s spring/summer meet, but that position is becoming increasingly tenuous with every passing weather report.
Heading into Friday’s card, Clement was tied with Barclay Tagg and Gary Contessa for first with 12 victories, of which 11 have come on the turf. With 60 races having been taken off the turf through Friday, and rain forecast for at least the next week, Clement has good-naturedly resigned himself to the prospect of relinquishing his lead, for the time being.
“They’re all catching up to me,” said Clement, who has saddled three winners over the past four weeks, most recently scoring with Laureate Conductor last Saturday. “When we get a break with the weather, when it gets better, maybe we can win a few races.”
On Saturday, the Clement-trained Skagerrak is scheduled to make his American debut in the first race, a one-miler claimer at a mile on the Widener Turf, while Belle Allure (IRE), impressive winner of an allowance here on May 21, is entered in the Grade 2, $150,000 New York on the inner turf. Clement’s three entries Friday were scratched when the races came off the turf.
Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird is on schedule for his appearance in the Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, Aug. 29, trainer Tim Ice reported Friday from Louisiana Downs.
“He’s doing great,” said Ice of Summer Bird, who will use the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitation at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2 to prepare for the 1¼-mile “Mid-Summer Derby.” “I think he misses being up there.”
Ice said he plans to work the son of 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone four times before the Haskell, with his first move set for next weekend.
“I was going to work him tomorrow (June 20) but I canceled that,” said Ice. “We’ll give him an extra week to keep him fresh, and let him be a happy horse.” -- NYR
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Rachel to start in Mother Goose at Belmont
Rachel Alexandra, will race in the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 27. She is expected to arrive at Belmont Park on Tuesday, June 23. The race will mark the first competition for the super filly since defeating the colts in the Preakness Stakes. Her last race against fillies was her 20-length romp at the Kentucky Oaks last month.
"Rachel is rested, healthy and ready to run," said co-owner Jess Jackson. "On Monday, she turned in a very strong six furlong work galloping out seven furlongs around the clubhouse turn in 1:24.80."
Rachel Alexandra has won eight of 11 career starts. In addition to the Preakness and Kentucky Oaks wins, Rachel Alexandra's major victories include the Golden Rod Stakes (2008), Martha Washington Stakes (2009), Fair Grounds Oaks (2009), and Fantasy Stakes (2009).
Foaled in 2006, Rachel Alexandra is out of Lotta Kim, a daughter of Claiborne Farm's multiple stakes winner, Roar. Rachel Alexandra was sired by Medaglia d'Oro, a multiple Grade I winner who retired with career earnings in excess of $5.7 million. -- STONERSTREET STABLE RELEASSE
"Rachel is rested, healthy and ready to run," said co-owner Jess Jackson. "On Monday, she turned in a very strong six furlong work galloping out seven furlongs around the clubhouse turn in 1:24.80."
Rachel Alexandra has won eight of 11 career starts. In addition to the Preakness and Kentucky Oaks wins, Rachel Alexandra's major victories include the Golden Rod Stakes (2008), Martha Washington Stakes (2009), Fair Grounds Oaks (2009), and Fantasy Stakes (2009).
Foaled in 2006, Rachel Alexandra is out of Lotta Kim, a daughter of Claiborne Farm's multiple stakes winner, Roar. Rachel Alexandra was sired by Medaglia d'Oro, a multiple Grade I winner who retired with career earnings in excess of $5.7 million. -- STONERSTREET STABLE RELEASSE
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