Tagg says Hello Broadway training big. October 31st, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Tagg says Hello Broadway training big. Hello Broadway wilted under the bright spotlight of the Grade 1 Champagne last month. Sunday, he will try to make amends when he runs back in an interesting renewal of the Grade 3, $100,000 Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct.

A half-brother to Nobiz Like Shobiz, Hello Broadway was a gritty neck winner of a seven-furlong maiden race at Saratoga, beating next-out winner Imperial Council. Hello Broadway jumped right into the Champagne, where he finished fifth, 9 1/2 lengths behind Vineyard Haven.

Trainer Barclay Tagg said there may have been a warning sign that Hello Broadway wasn’t going to fire his best effort when he did not train strongly the day before the race under exercise rider Simon Harris.

“Simon had gotten on him the day before and said he was very quiet,” Tagg said. “We took his temperature and he had no temperature, he ate up his dinner and all that kind of stuff. We saw no reason not to run him. We ran him and he just didn’t run his race.”

Tagg said that jockey Eibar Coa got off the horse and said “he was dull,” Tagg said. “I have no idea why.”

Tagg said that since the Champagne, Hello Broadway “has been a bear.” Hello Broadway worked four furlongs in 48.26 seconds on Wednesday over a dry Belmont main track.

The Nashua, run as a one-turn mile, could draw as many 10 horses, led by Royal Vindication, a son of Vindication who has won his last two, including the Trapp Mountain Stakes at Belmont on Oct. 13. Others expected to run include the undefeated Forty Thieves, Friesan Fire, Gone Astray, Prince Charming, Break Water Edison, and Take the Points.

NYRA may delay fall stakes announcement

The New York Racing Association might delay announcing its 2009 fall stakes schedule because of the possibility of a purse increase in the fall created by the anticipated revenue stream generated from the launch of a slots casino at Aqueduct, NYRA president and chief executive officer Charlie Hayward said Thursday.

NYRA typically in December gets approval and releases the stakes schedule for the following year. The schedule is usually printed on the NYRA calendar given to paying customers at Aqueduct on New Year’s Day. But the schedule for September through December 2009 may not be finalized to be printed on the calendars.

Delaware North was recently approved as the operator of the slots project, though it’s unclear when the machines, known as video-lottery terminals, will be installed.

“We don’t know when the VLTs are going to launch,” Hayward said. “It’s possible that we could increase the purses in late ’09, but we don’t know that we’re going to be able to do it.”

Hayward said that he and Hal Handel, NYRA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, were to meet with P.J. Campo, the racing secretary and director of racing, on Saturday to go over a draft of next year’s stakes schedule.

Hayward said some have suggested that NYRA construct a program that would compete with next year’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

“I’m not going to say we’re not going to change some things around, but we’re not doing it with any regard to the Breeders’ Cup schedule,” Hayward said. “Some people that are dirt-course advocates as opposed to said, ‘Gee, it shouldn’t be at Santa Anita two years in a row; you guys should put a bunch of races up against the Cup.’ What’s that do for anybody? It doesn’t make any sense. It’s not beneficial to us. Our goal is to run the best racing program in the country; our goal is not to pick a fight with the Breeders’ Cup.”

Hayward had previously stated his frustration because he believes that Breeders’ Cup officials reneged on a handshake agreement with NYRA that would have brought the event to Belmont in 2010. Instead, the event will be held at Churchill Downs that year. Hayward said NYRA would be interested in hosting the event in 2011.

Hostess to be sold at Keeneland

After she runs in Saturday’s Grade 2 Long Island Handicap here, Hostess will board a van Sunday to Kentucky, where she is cataloged to be sold Tuesday at Keeneland’s November breeding stock sale.

James Bond, who has trained Hostess for all 21 of her starts, would love to see whoever buys Hostess keep her in training.

“There’s a lot of racing left in her I think,” Bond said. “She’s a great filly, she’s been running with some of the best fillies all year. It’s my Christmas wish to get her back to train.”

Hostess, a 5-year-old daughter of Chester House, has a record of 4-3-7 from 21 starts and she has banked $379,418 for owner William Clifton Jr. Her victories include the Grade 3 Orchid and Grade 3 Glens Falls Handicap.

Last hurrah for three sturdy mares. October 31st, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Last hurrah for three sturdy mares. For the last four years, you could pencil in the names Pretty Jenny, Stop a Train, and Modjadji whenever an Illinois-bred stakes day came up at Hawthorne. But the long era of the three 6-year-old mares is coming to a close, with all scheduled to be retired to become broodmares in 2009.

Their last Hawthorne stakes hurrah comes Saturday, when Pretty Jenny will try to win the Powerless Handicap for the second time, and Stop a Train the Illini Princess for the second time. Modjadji, second in the Powerless last year, tries the Illini Princess this time. Four more statebred-restricted stakes also are part of Saturday’s 10-race card.

Trainer Christine Janks is the driving force behind the outgoing trio of mares. Janks has a major ownership stake in many of the horses she trains, and she is the rare contemporary horsewoman who breeds stock to race.

“We thought of selling Stop a Train, since I have her mother and her sisters and her aunts, but before we got a deal done the market fell out, so that’s on hold,” Janks said. “Pretty Jenny’s mother is dead, and Modjadji’s mother is dead; those are bloodlines I’d like to carry on.”

Janks and her crew have done expert work keeping these horses together. Pretty Jenny will be making her 31st start, Modjadji her 33rd, and Stop a Train her 30th.

“I think if they’re raced too hard and too long, it does compromise the foals they produce, but none of them have been raced hard, so I don’t think racing them at 6 has been a detriment,” said Janks.

Pretty Jenny was one of eight entered in the six-furlong Powerless, a race she easily won in 2006, and in which she finished third last year. With 1 win in 6 starts in 2008, Pretty Jenny has not had her most productive year, but she figures to appreciate the return to Hawthorne dirt from Arlington Polytrack, and Pretty Jenny has been working well. She had two swift five-furlong breezes earlier in October, and last weekend drilled six furlongs in 1:10.40.

“She actually was well within herself,” Janks said. “How do you do that when you go in 1:10?”

Secret Kin, Magnetic Miss, and Lune Rouge also look like contenders in a fairly deep edition of the Powerless.

Third in the two-turn Illini Princess last year, Stop a Train is the horse to beat again Saturday. The 3-year-old Apple Martini could prove competitive here.

High Expectations liable to improve

Janks is bullish on another 6-year-old, High Expectations, who she thinks will bounce back from a tough summer in the six-furlong Lightning Jet.

High Expectations, a 12-time winner, took the Chicagoland Handicap here in the spring, but finished third, fourth, and fifth in three Arlington starts, looking nothing like his usual self. Janks said she thinks he might outdo her other entrant, Mighty Rule, who drew somewhat poorly on the rail.

“High Expectations is doing great again, so I’m going to guess it’s going to be his turn,” Janks said. “I’m hoping all of his little problems are going to be gone.”

Mighty Rule won this race in impressive fashion last year, and also can improve on his recent form, which is all turf and synthetic.

The 3-year-old Classic R.J. has a decent chance to wire this field, and if High Expectations will be closing, so should Fort Prado, who has more than $1 million in earnings. He makes his first dirt start in more than two years, and has gone 0 for 10 in 2008, but nevertheless should be highly competitive moving from open stakes to restricted competition.

Stonehouse fits well in Bucks Boy

Stonehouse has failed to win in five Hawthorne starts, but that is not because he does not care for the local main track.

“He handles this track fine,” trainer Spanky Broussard said this week.

If Stonehouse manages to avoid a potentially negative pace scenario, he will have a good chance to win the Bucks Boy, the two-turn older-horse route race on the program. Stonehouse set the pace and missed by a neck here in the Milwaukee Avenue Cap last spring, but the horse who beat him there, Instill, is not among his seven rivals Saturday. In fact, a typical Stonehouse showing simply looks better than the average race by any of his rivals.

Three threats in Sun Power

Among the 2-year-olds, the race for males, the Sun Power, looks better than the one for fillies, the Showtime Deb. The Sun Power looks like a battle among the accomplished My Dominick James and flashy Hawthorne maiden winners Capt. Bullet Bob and Devil’s Halo.

Beaten in an allowance race here at odds of 1-5, Mamma Lina will try to make amends in the Showtime Deb.

Hollywood revenue impasse goes on. October 31st, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Hollywood revenue impasse goes on. A contract dispute between the Thoroughbred Owners of California and four account wagering providers over revenue distribution showed no signs of ending on Thursday, leaving many out-of-state bettors unable to bet on Hollywood Park races for the second consecutive day via the Internet or telephone.

The four account wagering providers are TVG, Twinspires.com, XpressBet and Youbet.com. Other account-wagering companies were not affected.

It may be a while before the two sides reach an agreement. According to the California Horse Racing Board’s chairman, Richard Shapiro, the state’s racing board cannot compel the two sides to settle their differences.

“This is something that is beyond our ability to dictate,” Shapiro said Thursday. “These are private parties entering into private agreements. I’ve met with them all. The problem is that while they have been communicating they can’t close the gap and come to a solution that must be found.

“There is still a financial gap. I don’t know how to bring them together. Our hands are tied in much of this.”

The dispute centers on how to divide revenue from bets placed through account-wagering systems from out-of-state bettors on California races. The owners’ group, which represents the state’s horsemen in purse agreements, is seeking a higher portion of revenue. Account wagering is the only growing segment of the parimutuel market.

The impact is already being felt at the track’s fall meeting. Wednesday, on the opening day of the autumn meeting, Hollywood Park announced a 6.25 percent cut to its overnight purses, effective Sunday. The cuts range from $1,000 to $5,000 per race for Sunday’s program.

Wednesday’s opening day had a preliminary all-sources handle of $5,312,580, of which $690,736 was generated ontrack.

“That was disappointing,” the track’s president, Jack Liebau, said of the handle.

The opening day of the 2007 autumn meeting had an all-sources handle of $8.1 million and ontrack handle of $1,103,950.

Pick six handle also is down. The pick six pool was $97,167 on Thursday, compared with an average of $139,221 on Thursdays last November, excluding Thanksgiving Day.

Liebau said that account-wagering handle was “down 50 percent” on Wednesday. He said TVG’s handle was not badly affected because “they have a concentration of their business in California. Twinspires was impacted the worst. They have the smallest concentration of business in California.”

He was unclear how long out-of-state customers will be shut out of account wagering, but worried about long-term ramifications.

“They’re going to bet so many dollars and they’ll bet on something other than California,” he said. “Maybe some other track became their favorite track. That’s the fear.”

Briecat wins at Hollywood Park. October 31st, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Briecat wins at Hollywood Park. Briecat led all the way Thursday in winning the $49,000 feature race at Hollywood Park by a half length over fast-finishing Wine and Dyne.

Briecat, ridden by Jon Court and carrying 116 pounds, covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:41.02 and, as the 4-1 third favorite in a field of eight, paid $10, $6.80 and $4.20.

The win was the third in eight lifetime starts for Briecat and was worth $29,400, raising the career earnings of the 3-year-old daughter of Adcat to $106,800.

Wine and Dyne, an 8-1 outsider, returned $8 and $5. Keladora, third in the allowance race for fillies and mares, paid $3 to show. Double Dip, the 5-2 favorite, was never a factor in finishing fifth.

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Ididntmeantoo wins Big A feature.

Ididntmeantoo edged Loving Vindication by a nose Thursday in the $47,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at Aqueduct.

Ididntmeantoo, a three-year-old trained by Rick Dutrow Jr. and ridden by Edgar Prado, won her second straight and third in 12 races. The time was 1:09.35 for the six furlongs on the fast track.

Ididntmeantoo paid $11, $4.40 and $2.90. Loving Vindication, the 3-5 favorite, returned $2.60 and $2.10. Ready for Fortune paid $3.10 to show.

Kafwain purchased by Tommy Town. October 31st, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Kafwain purchased by Tommy Town. California-based Tommy Town Thoroughbreds has purchased Kafwain privately from Darley Stud and will move the stallion from Darley to Alfred Nuckols Jr.’s Hurstland Farm in Midway, Ky.

Nuckols announced the sale Thursday and said the 8-year-old Cherokee Run horse will stand for $6,500 in 2009.

Kafwain is the sire of two crops to race. Massive Drama, a Grade 3 winner who also is Grade 1-placed, is his leading runner so far. He also has gotten stakes winners Yonegwa, Kadira, Rasierra, and Hartfelt among his nine stakes performers. His progeny earnings stand at more than $2.2 million.

Kafwain is out of the stakes winner Swazi’s Moment, by Moment of Hope.

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Gainesway boosts Tapit’s fee to $35K.

Tapit, whose first crop included the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, Stardom Bound, will get a hefty fee raise from $12,500 to $35,000 for 2009.

Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Ky., noted Stardom Bound’s three Grade 1 wins this year as part of the decision to boost her sire’s fee. Tapit, a 7-year-old Pulpit horse, also has sired Laragh, a stakes winner who was third in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and the Grade 3-placed Retap in his initial crop.

Tapit is the only Gainesway sire whose fee will increase next year. The farm lowered prices on all other stallions except Birdstone, who remains at $10,000.

Other Gainesway stallions and their 2009 fees are Afleet Alex, $25,000; Corinthian, $30,000; Cuvee, $6,500; Mr. Greeley, $100,000; Orientate, $17,500; Smoke Glacken, $17,500; Strategic Mission, $4,000; and Whywhywhy, $7,500.

Winner of All American tests positive for caffeine. October 31st, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Winner of All American tests positive for caffeine. State racing officials say the winner of last months All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs has tested positive for caffeine.

That could jeopardize the $1 million purse won by the owner of Stolis Winner. If the finding is upheld by the New Mexico Racing Commission, Jerry Windham of College Station, Texas, could be required to return the purse.

The positive test was first reported Thursday by the Albuquerque Journal.

New Mexico racing regulations do not allow any amount of caffeine in race horses, said Julian Luna, the racing commissions executive director. He said urine from all 10 horses in the futurity were tested after the race, and only Stolis Winner turned up positive.

Notices for a Nov. 15 hearing on the matter were sent out this week, he said. Because New Mexico has a trainer responsibility rule, trainer Heath Taylor will be served the notice to appear at the hearing.

Windham told the Journal he had heard rumors about caffeine turning up in the test, but had not officially been notified there might be a problem.

He said its ludicrous to think anyone would risk a $1 million purse by giving caffeine to a top-performing horse.

I know this, if there was any caffeine, it didnt go through his system, said Windham, a past president of the American Quarter Horse Association.

It had to be a contaminant in the test sample from another source, he said.

Caffeine has the same effect on horses as it has on humansIt jazzes them up, said Susan Vescovo, vice president of the New Mexico Horsemens Association.

Racing commission regulations list caffeine as a Class 2 substance, which has a high potential for affecting the outcome of a race, according to guidelines on which the regulations are based.

Penalties recommended for Class 2 violations including a suspension of six months to a year, a fine of $1,500 to $2,500, and loss of a purse.

Storm Play wins Big As Best of Luck Stakes. October 30th, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Storm Play wins Big As Best of Luck Stakes.
Unbeaten Storm Play dominated four rivals, winning the $63,750 Best of Luck Stakes on Wednesday in the mud at Aqueduct.

Storm Play was never seriously challenged while beating Web Gem by 6 lengths with National Pride placing third. Famous Patriot was the trailer.

Storm Play, a 3-year-old colt trained by Jimmy Jerkens and ridden by John Velazquez, stretched his winning streak to three. He ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.85, paying $3 and $2.10 as the 1-2 favorite. Web Gem returned $4.40.

There was no show wagering on Aqueducts opening day feature.

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Barretts sale falls from ’07 level.

The two-day Barretts October mixed sale in Pomona, Calif. on Monday and Tuesday showed significant declines from the corresponding sale in 2007, which was dominated by two high-profile dispersals.

This year’s sale, which did not feature a major dispersal, saw 243 horses sell for $916,100, an average of $3,770. The average fell 61 percent from last year. There were 436 horses who went through the ring, and 193 of them, or 44 percent, were bought back. There were 97 horses withdrawn.

This year’s declines were not a surprise. Sale officials said last week that the event would be a “buyer’s market” and expressed concern about the effects of a poor economy.

The sale-topper was an Exchange Rate filly purchased for $80,000 on Monday by Dennis O’Neill from the consignment of H&E Ranch. The filly is out of Our Dear Helen, a 15-year-old mare by Bates Motel who was a stakes winner at Delaware Park. O’Neill led all buyers, acquiring five horses for $118,000.

Last year’s sale featured dispersals from prominent owners Golden Eagle Farm and Stan Fulton.

Trainer Tom Albertrani had very little to be critical of when Criticism finished a hard-charging second. October 30th, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Trainer Tom Albertrani had very little to be critical of when Criticism finished a hard-charging second. To Sunshine for Life in the Grade 3 Athenia Handicap at Belmont three weeks ago.

After all, Criticism was making her first start in 10 months, running at a distance shorter than she prefers, and attempting to chase down a longshot winner who got loose on an uncontested lead.

Saturday, Albertrani hopes that experience moves Criticism forward just enough to where she can win the Grade 3, $150,000 Long Island Handicap at Aqueduct. The Long Island is run at 1 1/2 miles, a distance Albertrani feels will be more to Criticism’s liking.

“She ran very well coming off a long layoff,” Albertrani said Wednesday outside his Belmont Park barn office. “I was actually quite pleased to see her finish up so well in a race going a mile and a sixteenth. She’s going to be more suited for a mile and a quarter plus.”

Criticism, owned and bred by Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum’s Darley Stable, is a 4-year-old daughter of Machiavellian out of the multiple graded stakes winner Innuendo. In Europe, Criticism won 4 of 12 starts, including two against males. Albertrani has had her in his care since the spring, but the filly had a few setbacks and was delayed making it to the races.

“We just didn’t have an opportunity to run her sooner,” Albertrani said. “A couple of races didn’t fill earlier – we went into the Athenia. We knew it was going to be a little short for her. It was a good start for her to come back in. Hopefully, it’ll set her up for the Long Island.”

Albertrani also plans to run Sentimental Union in the Long Island. Sentimental Union won a maiden race over this course on Nov. 1, 2007, but has languished in the entry-level allowance condition since. Her best races in that condition have come in longer races, including a second-place finish behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Backseat Rhythm.

“I think she’ll run well in here,” Albertrani said. “I know she’s outclassed a little bit, but she’s run some solid figures.”

Others expected for the Long Island are J’ray, Hostess, Marzelline, Sunshine for Life, Astrologie, La Hernanda, and Shake the Moon.

Two for the Tempted as well

Albertrani also will take two shots at Sunday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Tempted for juvenile fillies with Gemswick Park and Morning Chatter.

Gemswick Park, a daughter of Speightstown, was a sharp maiden winner in an off-the-turf race at Belmont on Sept. 14 before finishing third behind Sky Diva in the Grade 1 Frizette. In the Frizette, Gemswick Park set rapid early fractions before weakening in upper stretch. She was ridden by Chris DeCarlo that day, who was subbing for an injured John Velazquez. Velazquez is scheduled to be back aboard Sunday.

“Chris wasn’t familiar with her. She came out a little too much on the bridle that day,” Albertrani said. “Johnny’s going to be back on her, and he’s got a good idea what to expect from her.”

Albertrani also plans to run Morning Chatter, who finished second, beaten just three-quarters of a length, in her only career start.

“She acts like a nice filly that’s got some talent,” Albertrani said. “Her last race gave me every indication she could be running at this level. Hopefully, we can get a little stakes-placed with her. We can always drop her back into the maiden ranks later on.”

Others expected in the Tempted, run at one mile, are Livin Lovin, Obsequious, Pull Dancer, and either Coffee in Bed or Fools in Love.

Also on Sunday is the Grade 3, $100,000 Nashua for juvenile colts and geldings. Expected to run in the one-mile race are Break Water Edison, Forty Thieves, Friesan Fire, Gone Astray, Hello Broadway, Prince Charming, Riprap, Royal Vindication, Take the Points, and Viscount.

Tin Cup Chalice scratches, Storm Play rolls

Storm Play ($3) took advantage of being the only speed in the field as he cruised to a 6 1/4-length victory n the $63,750 Best of Luck Stakes, before an opening-day crowd of 1,842 at Aqueduct. Web Gem finished second, 6 3/4 lengths ahead of National Pride. Famous Patriot was last.

Storm Play, a son of Smart Strike, improved to 3 for 3 for trainer Jimmy Jerkens and owner Edward Evans. Under John Velazquez, Storm Play carved out fractions of 24.26 seconds, 48.62, 1:12.10, and 1:36.74, and covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.85 over a muddy main track. He will most likely run back in the Grade 3, $100,000 Discovery here on Nov. 22.

Storm Play became the lone speed in the field when Tin Cup Chalice scratched because of a bruised left front foot. Michael Lecesse, the trainer and part-owner of Tin Cup Chalice, said Wednesday it was too soon to tell how long the horse will be out of action. Lecesse said if the injury heals quickly, he may run him back in the $125,000 Mountaineer Mile on Nov. 8.

Newcomers join jockey ranks

A handful of new faces have already arrived in the jockeys’ room and there will most assuredly be more on the way.

The first to make her presence felt was Maylan Studart, a 19-year-old apprentice from Brazil, who upset Wednesday’s seventh race aboard Decorated Court ($104.50). Studart, a seven-pound apprentice, began riding in the United States over the summer at Calder, where she won 10 races. She is represented by Joe Ceraulo.

Reed Saldana, a seven-pound apprentice who rode out west, is scheduled to have his first mount here on Friday in the first. Saldana has won 31 races, 11 of his wins coming at Yavapai Downs in Arizona. He is being represented by Barry Brown, a veteran agent who has returned to the game after nearly a decade away.

Victor Lebron, the fifth-leading rider in the country in wins (247), went 0 for 3 Wednesday in his Aqueduct debut. Lebron, the fourth-leading rider at Hoosier Park, is being represented by Chuck Delpreto.

Jerkens out of intensive care

Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens, who underwent heart surgery last week, had a pacemaker inserted into his chest on Tuesday, according to his son, trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

Allen Jerkens has been moved from the intensive care unit to a regular room and could be released from Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park, N.Y, as early as Monday, Jimmy Jerkens said.

Elope flies in for this spot. October 30th, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Elope flies in for this spot. Bruce Levine has had more than 8,000 starters in a 30-year training career, the vast majority coming in New York and nearby states. So when Levine went out of his way to send a filly named Elope to run Friday as the likely favorite in the feature race at Churchill Downs, there was this obvious question: Why?

“There was a plane going out of here this week to Kentucky, and the owner came across this little stake at Churchill at the exact distance he wanted for her – six furlongs,” Levine said from New York. “It all just kind of came together.”

Atlanta real-estate magnate Peter Blum is the breeder and owner of Elope, a lightly raced 4-year-old Gone West filly who brings sparkling credentials to the $61,000 Dream Supreme, an overnight handicap that anchors the Halloween card as the ninth of 10 races.

After winning her first two starts, a maiden race at Turfway Park and an entry-level allowance at Saratoga, Elope finished second to a former Eclipse champion, Indian Blessing, in her only other race, the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at Belmont Park in September.

Levine, who is winless with four starters in Kentucky in his career – three at the 1998 Keeneland spring meet, and one last fall at Churchill – said Elope arrived Tuesday at Churchill by charter plane.

“She’d been training good here,” he said. “I don’t know how she’ll handle that surface because it’s a little different than New York. But she seems to adapt. She’s a real laid-back kind of filly. We’ll hope for the best.”

Elope, with Julien Leparoux to ride, will carry 118 pounds and break from post 4 while facing seven other fillies and mares in the Dream Supreme.

Probably her top challengers are the two topweights: Adhrhythm (post 1, Kent Desormeaux, 121 pounds) and Palanka City (post 5, Rene Douglas, 120). Of those, Palanka City appears most dangerous, having won three stakes from her last five starts, the Prima Donna at Oaklawn and the Miss Preakness at Pimlico in the spring, and the Regal Rumor at Hawthorne in her most recent start Sept. 27.

Two allowances (races 6 and 8) also are carded Friday.

Churchill and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association are co-sponsoring a college scholarship raffle Friday. Ten $1,000 scholarships will be raffled off throughout the day.

Lewis Michael retired to Three Chimneys. October 30th, 2008 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Lewis Michael retired to Three Chimneys. Frank Calabreses track-record-setting homebred Lewis Michael has retired from racing and is now at Three Chimneys Farm, where he will stand at stud alongside his sire, Rahy, in 2009.

The farm will set a fee for the 5-year-old Lewis Michael in early November.

Lewis Michael is a full brother to champion Dreaming of Anna. He won the Grade 2 Washington Park and Pat OBrien Handicaps, as well as the Grand Canyon Handicap on turf. He also placed in six other stakes, five of them graded.

He established a track mark on Arlingtons Polytrack surface last year in the Washington Park Handicap, when he went the 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.17, and he set another at Del Mar this season winning the seven-furlong Pat OBrien in 1:21.17.

Lewis Michael earned $811,714 from seven wins in 23 starts. He last raced in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile, in which he finished seventh.