Railbird 2004–2019

Horses Archive

Monday Evening Notes

– The loss of his apprentice bug on Saturday hasn’t slowed Joe Talamo: The rider had three wins on Sunday, two more today at Del Mar, giving him seven wins for the meet’s first five days (LA Times).
– Rags to Riches, pulled up during a Sunday workout, is sound, veterinarian Steve Allday said after examining the filly this morning, but she’ll be sent to New Bolton for a complete physical anyway. “Although everything seems to be fine, in order to be thorough she will have a complete physical done,” said trainer Todd Pletcher (Blood-Horse).
– “One of the biggest contests at Saratoga Race Course has nothing to do with the finish line” (Saratogian).
– Red Giant, the longest shot on the board at 37-1, won the Virginia Derby in a photo finish with lucky leading Colonial Downs rider Horacio Karamanos aboard (WashPost).

Posted in Horses on July 23, 2007

Friday Morning Notes

– The two best stakes races this weekend are at Colonial Downs on Saturday, where both the Virginia Oaks and the Virginia Derby drew full fields. In the Oaks, Dreaming of Anna, coming off a win at Arlington in the Double Delta Stakes, will try to regain her graded stakes form. The 9-5 morning line favorite, she’ll face Ashland Stakes winner Christmas Kid and trainer Barclay Tagg’s Bit of Whimsy, who finished in a dead heat with Rutherienne after a difficult trip in the Sands Point. In the Derby, Circular Quay tries turf for the first time. “This isn’t necessarily a permanent thing, but we thought it was a good option at this stage. We thought it would be worth taking a shot,” said trainer Todd Pletcher (DRF). Well, Circular Quay does have that late kick … maybe he’ll find that gear more useful on the grass than it’s been on the dirt.
– Street Sense worked a brilliant five furlongs in :57.4 at Churchill on Thursday. “I had him on cruise control,” said rider Calvin Borel. “He’s got so much power to him now it’s just unbelievable” (BRIS). The Kentucky Derby winner is scheduled to start next Saturday in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
– One Hot Wish, the two-year-old daughter of little-known sire Bring the Heat who set a world record winning her debut at Keeneland this April, returns to the track today in Del Mar’s seventh (LA Times). Never mind: One Hot Wish will be scratched (DRF). She may start next Wednesday. Is it just me, or is getting hard to follow horses with all these scratches and retirements lately?

Posted in Horses on July 20, 2007

Discreet Cat Jogging

Cigar Mile winner Discreet Cat, found to have a throat abcess after his last place finish in the Dubai World Cup, is back on track. “He’s jogging sound and we’re real happy with him,” said Godolphin assistant trainer Rick Mettee. “He’ll probably start galloping by the time we get up to Saratoga” (DRF). No plans yet for Discreet Cat’s next start.

Posted in Horses on July 18, 2007

Rags to Riches out of Oaks

Never mind that bit about Rags to Riches working this morning or her exciting return to the races next Saturday: The Belmont winner is out of the Coaching Club American Oaks, trainer Todd Pletcher announced today, owing to a slight fever. “Her temperature was 101 degrees, which is not high, but a little beyond the normal range,” said Pletcher. “She hasn’t quite seemed herself the last couple of days. We won’t breeze her without her being 100 percent.” Rags to Riches will be pointed to the Alabama at Saratoga on August 18 (ending speculation that she might start in the Travers) and the Breeders’ Cup.

Posted in Horses on July 16, 2007

Belmont Loves the Ladies

Rags to Riches and Curlin at the wire in the Belmont Stakes. Photo Adam Coglianese/NYRA.
Superfilly Rags to Riches is scheduled to work Monday morning at Belmont in preparation for her start in the Coaching Club America Oaks next Saturday, which will likely draw a short field despite the 23 nominations the race attracted since few trainers are eager to test their fillies against the Belmont winner. For Rags to Riches’ first race since her historic victory, NYRA is offering free admission to women on Saturday and ESPN is bumping the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar to show the Oaks. “Rags to Riches is a story,” explained ESPN producer David Miller (DRF). The San Diego will air live on TVG instead, to the disappointment of Del Mar officials (North County Times, hat tip to LATG).

Posted in Horses on July 15, 2007