Wednesday, November 21 2012

Johnny Canoe ‘Shows’ He Belongs

Retired Thoroughbred Ready for Dec. 8 Horse Show in Plantation

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL - Johnny Canoe was meant to have a stellar career on the racetrack with Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito. Or, just maybe, the well-bred Thoroughbred is right where he belongs – in Southwest Ranches, Fla. with Diane Donofrio.

Audre Cappuccitti passes away at age 66

TORONTO, November 20 - Audre Cappuccitti, one of Woodbine’s most popular and successful trainers, who had been around horses her entire life, has passed away at the age of 66.

CHURCHILL DOWNS STAKES ADVANCE

SHACKLEFORD FACES NINE RIVALS AS 120-POUND HIGHWEIGHT IN FRIDAY’S CLARK HANDICAP

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012) – Shackleford, a multiple Grade I winner of more than $2.8 million, will seek to end his career on a high note when he makes his final start in Friday’s 138th running of the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (GI) at Churchill Downs.

Tuesday, November 20 2012

GULFSTREAM ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL - Gulfstream Park will open Saturday, Dec. 1 with more than $1 million in customer-friendly improvements including a new 25-table restaurant overlooking the walking ring and 32 box suites overlooking the finish line.

The cost of the off-season improvements exceeded $1 million.

Monday, November 19 2012

EASY WIN FOR GOING FOR A SPIN IN CAT’S CRADLE

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (November 18, 2012)—Going for a Spin, the 2-second choice, rallied in the center of Cushion Track to defeat Cayanna and five other California bred females in the $78,200 Cat’s Cradle Handicap Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Owned by breeders Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC and trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, the 4-year-old daughter of Ministers Wild Cat completed the 7 ½ furlongs in 1:31.62.

JERANIMO SEEKS CITATION HANDICAP REPEAT

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (November 18, 2012)—Jeranimo will try to become the third repeat winner of the $250,000 Citation Handicap when the Grade II is run for the 35th time Friday at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Scheduled for 1 1/16 miles over the grass, the Citation helps kick off the three-day Turf Festival. The Festival features five graded stakes, topped by a pair of $250,000 Grade I events Sunday – the Matriarch for older fillies and mares at one mile and the Hollywood Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 ¼ miles.

NEW YORK-BRED WILLET SEEKS GRADE 2 GLORY IN GO FOR WAND

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Five fillies and mares will be shopping for a graded stakes victory Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack when they go postward in the Grade 2, $200,000 Go for Wand Handicap.

New York-bred Willet will make her first foray into graded stakes company in the one-mile race. A rousing 9 ¼-length winner of the Iroquois at Belmont Park on New York Showcase Day, the 4-year-old Jump Start filly has been no worse than third in seven lifetime starts, including a pair of victories at the Big A last year for trainer and co-owner Jimmy Iselin.

BAFFERT SENDS OUT QUARTET IN HOLLYWOOD PREVUE

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (November 18, 2012)—Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is likely to add to his record total of victories in the $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes when the Grade III is run for the 31st time Thursday.

Restricted to 2-year-olds and run at seven furlongs over Cushion Track, the Prevue is the first of nine races on the Thanksgiving program. Post time is 11 a.m. Track gates will open at 9:30 a.m.

Cat’s Cradle Handicap

Jockey Quotes

RAFAEL BEJARANO, GOING FOR A SPIN, Winner: “When I saw a lot of speed in the race, I just tried to place her in a spot where she would be comfortable. I expected her to come running at the end, and she did. It helps when all the horses start bunching up on the turn.”



Trainer Quotes

DAN WARD (Assistant trainer Jerry Hollendorfer), GOING FOR A SPIN, Winner: “Jerry’s not here today because he has a bunch of horses running up north (Golden Gate Fields). We lost her and claimed her back (for $40,000) because she does everything; turf, main, short, long. I think this may be her best distance and the track was playing for her today. The (On Trust Handicap Saturday) was the same type of race. I think she’s getting better all the time.”

CHURCHILL DOWNS STAKES ADVANCE

BRUSHED BY A STAR, JOYFUL VICTORY REMATCH IN THANKSGIVING DAY’S FALLS CITY HANDICAP

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012) – Brushed by a Star and Joyful Victory were separated by only a head in the Chilukki (Grade II) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3 and those two will hook up again in the 97th running of the $150,000-added Falls City Handicap (GII) on Thanksgiving Day.

AQUEDUCT RACETRACK NOTES

• Groupie Doll confirmed for G1 Cigar Mile
• Decision on Shackleford’s status for Cigar Mile due Monday
• Heineken Holidayfest works

FALL HIGHWEIGHT HIGHLIGHTS BIG A’S THANKSGIVING CARD

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Horses will join many people in packing on a few extra pounds this Thursday as a field of six goes to post for the 99th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Fall Highweight Handicap, the traditional Thanksgiving Day feature at Aqueduct Racetrack.

First race post time will be 11:25 a.m., with the nine-race card set to conclude at 3:10 p.m.