Saturday, May 25 2013

JUDY THE BEAUTY HEADLINES COMPETITIVE EDITION OF THE WINNING COLORS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 24, 2013) – Wesley Ward’s Judy the Beauty, runner-up in last year’s Prioress (Grade I) and an easy winner this spring at Keeneland, tops a competitive field of seven fillies and mares entered for the 10th running of the $100,000-added Winning Colors (GIII) on Memorial Day at Churchill Downs.

Arlington International Racecourse Barn Notes

Barn Notes: Friday, May 24, 2013

In Today’s Notes:

• Block and Janks Dominate Purple Violet Nominees

BLOCK AND JANKS DOMINATE PURPLE VIOLET NOMINEES

Next weekend’s Purple Violet Stakes has drawn a healthy amount of nominees from local trainers, including three each from Chris Block and Christine Janks. Veterans to Illinois racing, both Block and Janks have previously proven victorious in the eight-furlong main track event for Illinois-restricted 3-year-old fillies – Block in 2003 and 2009, and Janks in 1997.

Thursday, May 23 2013

Churchill Downs Race Day Notes: Thursday, May 23, 2013

LUKAS STILL SMILING AFTER ‘GRATIFYING’ VICTORY BY OXBOW

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, May 23, 2013) – Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas was still in high spirits at his barn at Churchill Downs on Thursday, five days after Oxbow’s 1 ¾-length victory in the Preakness (Grade I) at odds of more than 15-1.

Arlington Classic, Arlington Matron, Hanshin Cup

GRADED RACE TRIPLEHEADER KICKS OFF LUCRATIVE 2013 ARLINGTON STAKES SLATE

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (May 22, 2013) – A trio of Grade III stakes races on Saturday will not only kick off the Memorial Day holiday weekend at Arlington International Racecourse, but will also serve as the curtain raisers on the track’s 25-event $5.5 million stakes slate. Two of Saturday’s main events will be run over the Polytrack while the third will be contested over Arlington’s grass course.

052313-Barn Notes:  Thursday, May 23, 2013

• Nates Mineshaft off the Shelf for the Hanshin
• Peitz Prepares Live Longshots for Weekend Graded Stakes

NATES MINESHAFT OFF THE SHELF FOR HANSHIN

Windy Hill Farm’s Nates Mineshaft, one of the premier American handicap horses last year, returns to the track this weekend in the Grade III Hanshin Cup over one mile on the Arlington International Racecourse Polytrack.

Orb Returns to Track; McGaughey Pleased

ELMONT, N.Y. – Kentucky Derby winner Orb returned to the Belmont Park main track Thursday morning for the first time since his fourth-place finish in the Preakness, galloping a mile and leaving Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey happy with what he saw.

Calder Barn Notes

RULE NUMBER SIX LOOKS TO GROW IN MEMORIAL HANDICAP

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (May 23, 2013) – Emmy Gaffney and Jessica Savin’s Rule Number Six may be the smallest horse in size in trainer Ronald Gaffney’s barn, but his career success has grown exponentially and has become the stable star among Gaffney’s horses at Calder Casino & Race Course.

Wednesday, May 22 2013

“Homegrown” Hessonite Facing International Field in Sheepshead Bay

ELMONT, N.Y. – New York-bred Hessonite, who became a graded stakes winner last time out, takes on an internationally flavored field of seven other turf fillies and mares for Saturday’s 55th running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay at Belmont Park.

“New Owners Luncheon” Set for June 2 at Belmont Park

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Bruce Levine and Jena Antonucci will be among the industry speakers participating in The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s (NYRA) next “New Owners Luncheon” at Belmont Park on Sunday, June 2.

OBVIOUSLY STRETCHES OUT IN AMERICAN HANDICAP

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 22, 2013)—A double Grade II winner in 2012, Obviously will seek his first victory of 2013 in the $150,000 American Handicap Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park.

A Grade II for older horses at one mile on turf, the American Handicap is the third of nine races. Post time Saturday is 1 p.m. Gates at Betfair Hollywood Park will open at 9:55 a.m. for simulcasts.

Churchill Downs Stakes Advance

DARK COVE TOPS FIELD OF NINE ENTERED FOR SATURDAY’S LOUISVILLE HANDICAP

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, May 22, 2013) – Dark Cove, 4 ¼-length winner of the Elkhorn (Grade II) in his most recent start, tops a field of nine 3-year-olds and up entered for Saturday’s 76th running of the $100,000-added Louisville Handicap (GIII) at 1 ½ miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course at Churchill Downs.

GRADED TRIPLEHEADER KICKS OFF LUCRATIVE 2013 ARLINGTON STAKES SLATE

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (May 22, 2013) – A trio of Grade III stakes races on Saturday will not only kick off the Memorial Day holiday weekend at Arlington International Racecourse, but will also serve as the curtain raisers on the track’s 25-event $5.5 million stakes slate. Two of Saturday’s main events will be run over the Polytrack while the third will be contested over Arlington’s grass course.