Saturday, April 27 2013

Westchester (G3) Quotes

Leana Willaford, assistant to Bill Mott, winning trainer of Flat Out (No 3): “He does have an affinity for this racetrack, and he showed it today. He had won going a mile before. Sometimes when you shorten them up, they finish a little stronger. [Junior Alvarado] did a great job. He was aware [Cross Traffic] was the lone speed and didn’t let him get too far away.”

Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks Update

KENTUCKY DERBY UPDATE – SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2013

BLACK ONYX (No. 12) – Trainer Kelly Breen supervised the half-mile work by Sterling Racing’s Black Onyx at 7:30 Saturday morning then headed back to New York to saddle a horse in a stakes at Belmont Park later in the day.

Friday, April 26 2013

Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks Update

KENTUCKY DERBY UPDATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2013

BLACK ONYX (No. 12) – Sterling Racing’s Black Onyx had an uneventful morning on the track, galloping 1 ½ miles after the Friday morning renovation break under exercise rider Aurelio Gomez.
Gomez said trainer Kelly Breen was traveling to Louisville on Friday and is scheduled to supervise a breeze planned for Saturday morning.
Black Onyx has won both of his starts -- including the Spiral (GIII) -- since being moved into Breen’s care this year.

ITSMYLUCKDAY DEPARTS FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (April 26, 2013) – Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa’s Itsmyluckyday, winner of the Foolish Pleasure Stakes and the Fasig-Tipton Dash at Calder Casino & Race Course in 2012 and a leading contender for this year’s Kentucky Derby off his second-place finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, cleared the Calder stable gate at approximately 5 p.m. Friday aboard a Brook Ledge van bound for Louisville where he will start in this year’s ‘Run for the Roses’ on May 4.

Barn Notes: Friday April 26, 2013

FRESH MEET: ARLINGTON WELCOMES UPSTART APPRENTICE ESQUIVAL

Throughout the history of American turf, Arlington International Racecourse has been a heralded hotbed for rising jockey stardom. Laffit Pincay, Jr., started his U.S. career at Arlington in 1966 (winning the title in 1967), while the budding Hall of Fame careers of Pat Day, Jerry Bailey and Randy Romero laid their respective foundations here. Needless to say, when a fledgling jockey starts making local waves, the Windy City takes notice of the tide.

$150,000 Elkhorn Stakes (G2) Quotes

Ken Ramsey (owner of winner Dark Cove)

“I can’t believe we’ve doubled the old record of 12 wins (in a single Keeneland meet). To win 24 is unbelievable. The low point about today is my wife (Sarah) had to be taken to the hospital yesterday. She’s not doing that well but nothing life-threatening. That’s the only sad part, that she’s not able to be here with me. But this is almost like heaven.”

Gulfstream Preparing Huge Kentucky Derby Party May 4

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL - Gulfstream Park will play host to Florida's biggest Kentucky Derby party Saturday, May 4 with giveaways, official Kentucky Derby merchandise, a women's hat contest, Mint Juleps in souvenir glasses, and five chances to win a $300 wager on the 139th running of the Run for the Roses.

Thursday, April 25 2013

$73,600 Harry Henson Stakes Jockey Quotes

GARRETT GOMEZ, SUMMER EXCLUSIVE, Winner: "I had a dream trip, really. (Trainer) Pete (Miller) and I talked a little before the race and it ended up just like we thought. I ended up in an ideal spot. They weren't flying, but there were four of them across the track and it was just a matter of waiting to see who was going to be the first one to move forward and that I was going to follow. Finally, I decided to follow (Sacred Ovation) because it looked like he was traveling the best. I slid up inside, came around and I thought I could go and get him anytime I want. I had to work a little harder than I expected. You can throw his second race out (Santa Anita Derby) so today was kind of starting from scratch with him. Hopefully, this will build his confidence back up."

$150,000 Bewitch Stakes (G3) Quotes

Graham Motion (trainer of winner Strathnaver [GB])

“I thought she was very impressive that day at Gulfstream (winning an allowance race on March 16 in her first U.S. start). Like I said to Joel, I just wasn’t sure about the mile and a half. But clearly she handled it pretty good.”

Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks Update

KENTUCKY DERBY UPDATE – THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013

BLACK ONYX – Sterling Racing’s Black Onyx (No. 12) galloped 1 ½ miles over a track labeled as “good” on a clear, crisp Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. Regular exercise rider Aurelio Gomez was aboard Black Onyx for the exercise that took place after the renovation break and during the time reserved for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks horses.

HALO DOLLY SEEKS FIRST WIN OF 2013 IN WILSHIRE

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (April 25, 2013)—Halo Dolly, who won the Fran’s Valentine Stakes in 2012 in her only previous appearance over the Betfair Hollywood Park turf course, will try for the 15th victory of her career in the $100,000 Wilshire Handicap Sunday.

TESIO AND SHINE AGAIN STAKES TOP SATURDAY CARD

BALTIMORE, 04-25-13---Pimlico Race Course will feature two stakes on Saturday afternoon, the $75,000 Federico Tesio Stakes for up-and-coming three year olds and the $50,000 Shine Again Stakes for Maryland-bred fillies and mares.