Get Storm wins at Keeneland October 19th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Get Stormy took the lead in midstretch and pulled away to a 1 1/2 -length victory Sunday in the $125,000 Grade 3 Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland.

Ridden by Javier Castellano, Get Stormy won for the third straight time in running the one mile on the yielding turf in 1:37.49 on Sunday. He received $75,000 for the win, increasing his career earnings to $207,559 for Mary A. Sullivans Sullimar Stables.

Rescue Squad rallied from next-to-last in the field of eight 3-year-olds to finish second, a length in front of favored Kinsella.

Get Stormy, a son of Storm Atlantic, paid $13, $5.60 and $3.40 as the fourth choice in the wagering. Rescue Squad returned $5.40 and $3.80 and Kinsella paid $3.40 to show.

Blue Chagall wins Santa Anita feature October 19th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Blue Chagall got through an opening in midstretch and went on to a 3 1/2 -length victory Sunday in the $65,980 Lure Stakes at Santa Anitas Oak Tree meeting.

Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Blue Chagall ran a mile on the turf course in 1:34.14 and paid $6.80, $4 and $3.20.

Australia-bred Gothic Samurai survived a photo finish for second and third and returned $7.60 and $2.80. Yacht Spotter was another head back in third and paid $5 to show.

When we turned for home, I was able to slide right up inside of the four (Gothic Samurai), and my horse really responded fast, Gomez said. He was real handy. He ran great.

France-bred Blue Chagall was 0-for-7 before winning his first race in the United States two months ago at Del Mar, beating Gothic Samurai by 1 lengths.

Since hes become a gelding, hes a different horse, trainer Julio Canani said. I gelded him three races back, and hes been a nice horse since.

The victory, worth $40,000, increased Blue Chagalls career earnings to $162,708, with four wins in 15 starts.

Jockey Kyle Kaenel retires from riding October 19th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Jockey Kyle Kaenel has retired because of extensive injuries the 21-year-old rider sustained in an accident.

Kaenel said Sunday that he was quitting after five years because he broke his right collarbone and shoulder blade and pinched a nerve in his back in a spill at Fairplex Park in Pomona on Sept. 27.

It was a fun career, and I will miss it terribly, he said.

Kaenel is the son of former jockey Cowboy Jack Kaenel, who became the youngest rider to win a Triple Crown race when he rode Alomas Ruler at age 16 in the 1982 Preakness Stakes.

I already broke my neck and back in two places, and each time doctors have told me thats it, as far as riding is concerned, the younger Kaenel said. Ive got a family now, so I feel lucky if I can walk away from this one. It wouldnt be fair to them for me to ask them to push me around in a wheelchair.

Etched wins Meadowlands Cup October 17th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Etched held off Kiss the Kid by a neck Friday night to win the $300,000 Meadowlands Cup at the Meadowlands Racetrack in stakes-record time.

Etched ran the 1 1-8 miles on the sloppy, sealed track in 1:45,93, shading the stakes mark of 1:46 set by K. J.s Appeal in 1998.

Etched, a 4-year-old trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Alan Garcia for the Darley Stable, improved to 5 for 6 with the biggest win of his career. He is unbeaten in five starts in the U.S. The lone defeat came in Dubai last year.

Etched closely followed Great Debater, a rabbit entered by trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. to ensure a quick pace to aid entrymate Anak Nakal. Etched put away Great Debater on the turn and held off a strong stretch bid from Kiss the Kid, making his final start before retiring to stud.

While Kiss the Kid concluded his career, Etched could be on to bigger things like the Breeders Cup next month at Santa Anita.

The way he ran here tonight, I wouldnt be surprised, assistant trainer Andrew St. Lawrence said. Thats for Kiaran and Darley to decide.

Etched earned $180,000, paying $5.40, $4 and $3.40 as the 8-5 favorite. Kiss the Kid returned $6 and $3.60. Anak Nakal rallied for third, paying $3.

Racketeer was fourth followed by Cool Coal Man, Good and Lucky, Its a Bird and Great Debater.

Former jockey Gary Stevens saddles winner October 17th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Former Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens saddled his first winner as a trainer, with Higher Incentive winning the third race at Santa Anita on Friday.

Stevens retired in 2005 with more than 5,000 victories as a rider and opened his California-based stable in August. He was 0 for 6 before Rafael Bejarano rode Higher Incentive to a neck victory in the $32,000 claiming race on the turf.

Higher Incentive paid $15.40.

Stevens cell phone rang about 10 seconds after his horse crossed the finish line with his father, longtime trainer Ron Stevens, calling.

It was pretty special, he said. He was very emotional and so was I.

Ron Stevens saddled his sons first riding winner at Les Bois Park in Idaho, when Gary was 16 in 1979.

My first win as a jock was nothing like this, he said. I havent had this kind of emotion ever, ever.

Stevens continues to work as a racing commentator for HRTV. He won three Kentucky Derbies and eight Breeders Cup races during his 27-year career.

Keeneland gets Peb collection October 16th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Some 4,000 original cartoons and caricatures drawn by the famed equine artist Pierre Peb Bellocq have been donated to the Keeneland Library, officials from Daily Racing Form and Keeneland announced Thursday on Peb Day at the Lexington, Ky, track.

The collection of Pebs works, which have entertained and amused countless racing fans and participants since 1955, represents the second major collection donated by the Form to the Keeneland Library, following the 2000 donation of its entire archival collection of newspapers. The Keeneland Library is widely recognized as a world-class treasure of racing publications, photographs, and other memorabilia.

Pebs keen eye, sharp wit, and artistry have told the stories of the Thoroughbred for over half a century, said John Hartig, chief executive officer of Daily Racing Form.

Peb has been called The turf worlds Michelangelo, said Keenelands president, Nick Nicholson.

Peb signed autographs during the day, was presented with a plaque naming him as a Kentucky Colonel, and was to be toasted following the races at a private reception in the Keeneland Library. A cartoon that Peb drew especially for the day appeared on the cover of a commemorative Keeneland program.

Missinglisalewis wins Belmonts feature October 16th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Missinglisalewis has edged Separatist by a neck in the $46,000 allowance feature for New York breds on the turf at Belmont Park.

A 4-year-old trained by Carl Domino, Missinglisalewis rallied Thursday for his first win in nine races this year, improving to 3 for 16 overall. Javier Castellano was aboard as Missinglisalewis ran the 1 1-8 miles in 1:49.91 on the firm turf.

Missinglisalewis paid $13.40, $6.30 and $3.10. Separatist returned $4.30 and $2.80. Hangingbyathread, the 8-5 favorite, earned $2.40 to show.

Cutback should suit Jungle Wave October 16th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Jungle Wave, coming off a fourth-place finish in the $1 million Woodbine Mile, deserves top billing in the Grade 2, $500,000 Nearctic, a supporting stakes on Canadian International Day Saturday at Woodbine.

The six-furlong turf dash is a Breeders Cup Win and Youre In event, and the winner receives an automatic berth into the Nov. 7 BC Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

Jungle Wave was claimed for $62,500 in May by trainer Sid Attard, who sent him out to win the seven-furlong Play the King and the allowance prep for that Grade 2 stakes in August.

Jungle Wave pressed a lively pace in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile before being caught on the wire for third place by Sterwins. He ended up four lengths behind the winner, Ventura.

I thought he ran a good race, said Attard. They were tough horses. I really think hes best from six to seven furlongs. Hes got speed, and you dont have to hold him back so much at six furlongs.

Field Commission, the sixth horse in the Woodbine Mile, was a fast-closing second in the Play the King after getting sandwiched between rivals early in the stretch.

I thought that our path got taken away turning for home, said trainer Danny Vella. It wasnt that dramatic, but it was enough to stop our momentum, and we had to wait for an opening. I think it changed the outcome of the race.

Bogue Chitto, a 5-year-old who had tendon issues during his formative years, has evolved into one of Woodbines better sprinters this year. He won his lone turf start from off the pace, taking the six-furlong optional claimer over a field that included Atticus Kristy and Timely Advice.

I thought he ran great on the grass, said trainer Ian Howard. He ran as well as he did on the Poly. Its not the toughest $500,000 race, and its worth taking a shot. He came out of his last race very well. He hasnt done much wrong all year. In some ways, I think he benefited from not doing much at 2 and 3.

American shippers Chamberlain Bridge, Little Nick, Heros Reward, Silver Z, and Karakorum Elektra are also in the lineup.

Chamberlain Bridge won the $250,000 Turf Monster Handicap at Philadelphia Park over Little Nick Sept 7. For running five-eighths on the grass in 57.14 seconds, he was awarded a Beyer Speed Figure. of 102.

Heros Reward took the 2007 Nearctic, and was fourth last year, Nearctic but has lost a step this year at age 7.

Coronet of a Baron wins Santa Anita feature October 15th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Coronet of a Baron won the $43,556 Silver Music Purse by a neck Wednesday in a three-horse photo finish at Santa Anitas Oak Tree meeting.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Coronet of a Baron covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.26 to win for the first time since his maiden debut 15 months ago.

Coronet of a Baron paid $6.60, $3.40 and $3. Charm N Chuck returned $6.60 and $4.20, and Monolingual was another neck back in third and paid $2.60 to show.

Coronet of a Baron had been sidelined since finishing third last year in the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. He twice finished fifth in races at Del Mar.

The victory, worth $25,200, increased Coronet of a Barons career earnings to $237,600, with two wins in seven career starts.

Four horses die on opening day of Wetherby meet October 15th, 2009 | Horse Racing news | No Comments »

Four thoroughbreds have died on the opening day of Wetherbys first meet of the jump season.

Marrel and Divex were humanely destroyed after they were injured in the feature race, the Bobby Renton Chase. The same happened to Nut Hand following the first race and Miss Giboa broke a leg when falling in the last.

Wetherby was criticized for inconsistent ground last season but course clerk Jonjo Sanderson said Wednesday: Its awful news and not the start we wanted. The trainers are not blaming it on the ground, or at least they havent said that to me. The head groundsman is absolutely devastated. The course inspector was here today and everyone seemed happy with it.