Sunday, March 25 2012

RISKY RACHEL DELIVERS STRONG PERFORMANCE IN BROADWAY

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Juan “Manny” Coronel commenced his career on a perfect note as his first starter, Risky Rachel, delivered an on-key performance Saturday in Aqueduct Racetrack’s $75,000 Broadway, a six-furlong dash for New York-bred fillies and mares.

Risky Rachel, who left from the rail under Cornelio Velasquez, vied for the early lead inside Saltamontes through an opening quarter mile in 22.51. Velasquez angled Risky Rachel outside as they entered the far turn, and the mare took command near the quarter pole before running away to a 6 ½-length score over Big Brownie.

Wednesday, March 21 2012

TRAINER CORONEL TO BEGIN CAREER IN BROADWAY WITH RISKY RACHEL

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – On Saturday, trainer Juan Carlos “Manny” Coronel will attempt to begin his career on a winning note when he sends out Risky Rachel in the $75,000 Broadway, a six-furlong race for New York-bred fillies and mares that will likely serve as the swan song for 6-year-old mare Big Brownie.

Coronel, a 35-year-old from Argentina, competed as an apprentice jockey in his native country, and, after immigrating to the United States, assisted trainers Frank Martin, Sr. and Angel Penna, Jr. He most recently worked for H. James Bond, who trained Risky Rachel to a win in the 2011 Friendly Island Iroquois. Now on his own, Coronel at the moment has Risky Rachel as his only protégé, but said he will soon receive four or five more horses.

NYRA NOTES: Wednesday, March 21, 2012

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – WinStar Farm’s undefeated Gemologist is headed to Aqueduct Racetrack for next month’s Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed by phone Wednesday morning.

Timing was a factor in the decision to run in the April 7 Wood after the son of Tiznow cruised to a seven-length allowance win in his 2012 debut at Gulfstream Park last Friday.

Monday, March 19 2012

CAMACHO, DOMINGUEZ RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL; DOMINGUEZ DIAGNOSED WITH DISLOCATED CLAVICLE

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Jockey Ramon Dominguez and apprentice rider Samuel Camacho, Jr. were released Sunday evening from North Shore University Hospital where they were transported following a spill in this afternoon’s eighth race at Aqueduct Racetrack.

According to the NYRA Jockey Advocate, X-rays were negative on Camacho, while Dominguez suffered a dislocated, but not fractured, clavicle. Camacho is expected to ride Wednesday as scheduled; reigning Eclipse champion Dominguez will miss an unspecified amount of time.

NYRA NOTES: Sunday, March 18, 2012

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As of Sunday morning, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin appeared to be in a New York state of mind when thinking about the next starts for Godolphin stakes runners Alpha and It’s Tricky.

McLaughlin said he was leaning toward the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial on April 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack for Kentucky Derby hopeful Alpha, winner of the Count Fleet and Grade 3 Withers at the Big A earlier this year. Alpha shipped to Florida to train at Palm Meadows after his Withers victory on February 4 and a start in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on March 31 had been under consideration.

Sunday, March 18 2012

MARILYN’S GUY EARNS AN “A” FOR EFFORT IN EXCELSIOR

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Marilyn’s Guy earned his second career stakes victory Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, holding off a resurgent San Pablo to take the 100th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior by a neck.

The 6-year-old son of Yonaguska, who came off an 11-month layoff to win the As Indicated overnight stakes at the Big A on February 18, broke alertly and quickly moved up to within a half-length of San Pablo as he led the field of six through an opening quarter-mile in 24.00 seconds and a half in 48.81. Surging to the front with a little more than three-eighths of a mile to go, the big gray gelding opened up by 2 ½ lengths at the top of the stretch, and despite wearying through the final yards, was able to muster just enough to hit the wire in front.

Wednesday, March 07 2012

ANCIENT ROME LOOKS TO REGROUP IN FRED “CAPPY” CAPOSSELA

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Stakes winner Ancient Rome looks to return to winning form Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack, cutting back to six furlongs for the 111th running of the $100,000 Fred “Cappy” Capossela.

Ancient Rome, a second-out maiden winner at Delaware Park in October, capped his 2-year-old season with a nose victory in Gulfstream Park’s Spectacular Bid Stakes at six furlongs on December 3. The son of Roman Ruler made his two-turn debut in the 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream Park Derby on January 1, finishing a distant 10th and perplexing trainer Tony Dutrow.

AGAVE KISS BACK IN ACTION FOR CICADA

OZONE PARK, N.Y. –Undefeated Agave Kiss, freshened after winning the Ruthless on January 14, will be heavily favored to win her graded stakes debut in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Cicada at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The Cicada, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies, will be the fourth race on a 10-race card that will also feature the $100,000 Fred “Cappy” Capossela.

Sunday, March 04 2012

HANSEN SHOWS NEW DIMENSION IN DOMINANT GOTHAM VICTORY

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Rebounding from his only defeat, juvenile champion Hansen came from off the pace for the first time in his career and posted a decisive three-length victory in Saturday’s 60th running of the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham at Aqueduct Racetrack to reaffirm his status as one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby.

Leaving from post position 12, the near-white son of Tapit was hung out four wide going round the first turn as King and Crusader emerged to tow the field of 13 through an opening quarter-mile in 23.68 seconds. Settling comfortably off the pacesetter on the backside as the half went in 47.51 and three-quarters in 1:11.79, Hansen moved up three-wide to challenge for the lead on the turn, easily taking over once into the stretch and drawing clear for the decision over My Adonis.

NUMBERS UP ACROSS THE BOARD ON GOTHAM DAY

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Attendance, on-track handle, and all-sources handle showed increases on Gotham Day at Aqueduct Racetrack, which featured exciting victories by Hansen in the Grade 3 Gotham, It’s Tricky in the Grade 2 Top Flight, and Calibrachoa in the Grade 3 Tom Fool presented by Corona Extra.

This year’s attendance of 8,244 outpaced last year’s attendance of 7,114 by 16 percent.

CALIBRACHOA HOLDS OFF CALEB’S POSSE TO REPEAT IN TOM FOOL PRESENTED BY CORONA EXTRA

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The pattern is unmistakable when looking at Calibrachoa’s Beyer Speed Figures – big race, regression, big race, regression.

On Saturday, Mike Repole’s 5-year-old reverted to the win-machine form of late 2010, early 2011. Breaking sharply on top and then settling into an outside stalking trip behind Royal Currier and 6-5 favorite Emcee, Calibrachoa rallied strongly on the turn and then held off a relentless late run by Caleb’s Posse to win the 37th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap for 3-year-olds and up.

IT’S TRICKY RETURNS IN TOP FLIGHT STYLE

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In the days leading up to the 72nd running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Top Flight Handicap on Saturday, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he honestly didn’t know whether his star filly, It’s Tricky, could duplicate her sensational 3-year-old season, in which she won two Grade 1 races in New York and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic.

If the Top Flight is any indication, the future looks very bright for It’s Tricky. Stalking loose leader Love and Pride through a half-mile in 47.98 seconds, the Godolphin Racing-owned daughter of Mineshaft fended off a challenge on the backstretch from Bahama Bound then set sail for the front on the far turn. She caught Love and Pride at the top of the stretch and pulled away to win by 2 ¾ lengths.