http://www.kentucky.com/302/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2008 Kentucky.com Horse Racing 60 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:20:52 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench webmaster@kentucky.com http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/480433.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/480433.html Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:02 EDT
Associated Press

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. . Wesley overtook front-running long shot Thou Swell in the final strides Monday to win the $159,600 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Javier Castellano rode the gray colt, whose victory for trainer Mark Hennig was his first in stakes company and second in as many races on the inner turf.

Last of seven for most of the 11.8-mile race for 3-year-olds, Wesley moved strongly on the stretch turn despite being forced to take a wide path and won by a half-length. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/480419.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/480419.html Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:02 EDT
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. . Jockey Edgar Prado and trainer Carl Nafzger, who between them have three Kentucky Derby wins, led a group of six new inductees into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on Monday.

Inducted with Prado and Nafzger were retired jockey Ismael Valenzuela and three horses: Manila, Inside Information and Ancient Title.

.I want to thank God for making me 5-foot-3 and 114 pounds so all this could happen,. Prado said to an appreciative, capacity crowd gathered at the Hall across the street from Saratoga Race Course.

Prado, 41, is best known for having ridden the ill-fated 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro. He was also aboard when Barbaro broke down two weeks later in the Preakness. The horse ultimately had to be destroyed as a result of the injuries. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/479492.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/479492.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:54 EDT
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. . Red Giant overtook Stalingrad in the final strides to score a neck victory in the $150,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday.

John Velazquez rode the Todd Pletcher-trained 4-year-old, which ended a 10-month absence from competition with the win on a turf course softened by a brief but heavy storm that hit the area shortly before post time.

Velazquez, while saving ground, rated Red Giant behind a strong pace set by Inca King. He found himself in tight quarters briefly inside the eighth pole when caught behind the tiring front-runner but found room, altered course and caught Stalingrad with a late surge.

Red Giant ran 11.16 miles in 1:41.93, paid $10.60 and earned $90,000 for Peachtree Stable, the owner. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/479472.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/479472.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:33 EDT
OCEANPORT, N.J. . No, not again. Midway on the stretch turn, the Haskell Invitational began to look like a replay of the Belmont Stakes.

Kent Desormeaux asked Big Brown for his best, and a front-running long shot trained by Nick Zito spurted away. A roar went up from the Monmouth Park crowd of 45,132. Was the Alpha male of the 3-year-olds about to go down again?

The horse who annihilated overmatched fields in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness had to do something he'd never done: catch a horse who showed no signs of stopping. Trainer Rick Dutrow was not optimistic.

.I was concerned at the three-eighths pole, and I thought we were beat turning for home,. Dutrow said Sunday. .But he got down on his belly and he won.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/479434.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/479434.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:54 EDT http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478603.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478603.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:59 EDT
For the most part, Rick Dutrow has kept a low profile since Big Brown's inexplicable last-place finish in the Belmont Stakes nearly two months ago.

The time has arrived for Big Brown's return . in Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park . and the trainer was chattering again this week. While exuding his usual confidence, Dutrow's tone was far from boastful.

.From what happened in his last start, it's kind of hard to feel as confident as I was for the Derby and those other races,. Dutrow said. .But I feel as confident as I can be that he's going to run his race..

Big Brown was made the 1-2 favorite in the field of seven 3-year-olds entered Thursday. His chief competition could come from 4-1 second choice Cool Coal Man, trained by Nick Zito, who played the spoiler's role in the Belmont when his Da' Tara pulled an upset. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478604.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478604.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:59 EDT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. . Deweycheatumnhowe was all business Saturday in winning the $1.5 million Hambletonian.

The colt named for a comedy routine about a crooked law firm became the first unbeaten winner of the 3-year-old trotting classic, which has been run since 1926.

Ray Schnittker, the driver, trainer and co-owner, was thrilled with the victory at Meadowlands Racetrack, although he suspected it would happen differently.

.I probably would have come from behind,. he said. .After I looked around and saw everyone was ducking, I said .OK, if we're going to get beat, we'll get beat on the front.' You have no excuses then.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478762.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478762.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:04 EDT
CHESTER, W.Va. . Ready Set withstood a charging Web Gem and a claim of foul to win the $750,000 West Virginia Derby on Saturday.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Ready Set covered the 11.8-mile course at the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack . Resort in 1:52.03.

Web Gem's jockey, Jorge Chavez, alleged interference on the part of Ready Set with 3. furlongs remaining, but the claim was rejected.

Owned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stables and trained by Michael Matz, Ready Set paid $11.20, $5.80 and $5.20. Web Gem paid $17.80 and $11.40, and third place Real Appeal paid $14.20. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478106.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478106.html Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:31 EDT
The Breeders' Cup, Thoroughbred racing's world championships, is taking a hard line on anabolic steroids, but it isn't clear what final impact new rules announced on Friday can have.

The organization said it will ban for one year any trainer with a horse that tests positive for steroids after a championship race; three violations will result in a lifetime ban from championship races.

Breeders' Cup, which is headquartered with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association in Lexington, also wants to force states and tracks to play by the same rules if they want any of about $6 million in purse money for affiliated races.

But it is uncertain what, if any, enforcement action Breeders' Cup could take. A trainer can appeal a .positive. drug test and that .challenge could drag out through the next year's races. Until a drug ruling is resolved, trainers generally can keep racing. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478132.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478132.html Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:54 EDT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. . Deweycheatumnhowe will bid to become the first undefeated winner of harness racing's most prestigious race Saturday in the $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands Racetrack. He puts a 14-race winning streak on the line against nine rivals in the 1-mile contest for 3-year-old trotters.

Trainer and co-owner Ray Schnittker will drive Deweycheatumnhowe, the 2-5 favorite, from the rail in the quest for Hambletonian history.

.I think I've got the best horse,. Schnittker said. .He's on his game..

ASSOCIATED PRESS ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/482747.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/482747.html Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:10 EDT
Drawing the inside post is the 2-1 morning-line favorite Archipenko, who leads the European contingent. Owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum and Dr. A. H. Parker. Archipenko will be ridden by Kevin Shea.

The four-year-old won Hong Kong's Audemars Picquet Queen Elizabeth II Cup last April 27. Returning to Great Britain, Archipenko won the Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot on July 12. Overall Archipenko, trained by Michael DeKock, has won four of 13 career starts for $1.9 million.

The 5-2 second choice in the program is another runner from Europe, Mount Nelson. Trainer Aidan O'Brien will go after his second Arlington Million crown having won in 2005 with Powerscourt. John Murtagh has the riding assigment and the pair will break from post seven.

The four-year-old, owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Magnier has earned $798,169 in an eight race career with three wins. Tabor won the Million in 1997 with Marlin.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/481904.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/481904.html Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:08 EDT
Primary among the cancelled stakes is the $300,000 De Francis Dash.

"This is terribly disappointing, but these are serious times," said Tom Chuckas, President and CEO of the MJC. "We remain hopeful that the playing field between Maryland and our neighbors to the west, north and east will be leveled and that we will be able to resume running this prominent race in the future."

The other races cut from the schedule are the Laurel Futurity and Selima Stakes, for two-year-olds, the Safely Kept Stakes, John Schapiro and the Sonny Hine.

Only state-bred or state-sired stakes races, including the 23rd running of the Maryland Million on Saturday, October 4, will be conducted during the 17-week Laurel Park meeting which runs from September 4 to December 27. A 10-day summer meeting at Laurel gets underway this Friday and concludes on Thursday, August 21.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/480819.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/480819.html Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:38 EDT
"We condsidered many options," Jackson stated, "but, this is the best place to display his talent. He is very happy (in Saratoga)."

The Woodward will be conducted on Saratoga's main track at 1 1/8 miles.

Jackson said two other races under consideration were the $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday, August 24 at Del Mar and this week's Arlington Million on the turf.

On his Stonestreet Farms website, Jackson solicited input from fans as to where they would like to see Curlin run next. The final results showed 51- percent favored the colt staying on turf, while 33-percent wanted to see a return to dirt. There was also 10-percent that preferred Curlin run on a synthetic surface, while another 6-percent favored retirement.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/480949.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/480949.html Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:01 EDT
Jess Jackson announced Tuesday that the reigning Horse of the Year will next run in the $500,000 Grade I Woodward on Aug. 30.

Curlin made his turf debut last month, finishing second in the Man o' War Handicap at Belmont Park. Jackson said he considered sending Curlin out on another grass track for his next race but decided to keep the horse closer to home and on a more familiar surface - at least for now.

"We decided this is the best place to show his talent," Jackson said. "Race him in America. Race him on a surface he's already a champion, and put it in a historic venue where we can add to his legend."

Curlin has been training at Saratoga in upstate New York this summer.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/479975.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/479975.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:43 EDT
Inducted with Prado and Nafzger were retired jockey Ismael Valenzuela and three horses: Manila, Inside Information and Ancient Title.

"I want to thank God for making me 5-foot-3 and 114 pounds so all this could happen," Prado said to an appreciative, capacity crowd gathered at the Hall across the street from Saratoga Race Course.

Prado, 41, is best known for having ridden the ill-fated 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro. He was also aboard when Barbaro broke down two weeks later in the Preakness. The horse ultimately had to be destroyed as a result of the injuries.

During his acceptance speech, Prado thanked Barbaro's connections, "for giving me the best trip of my life."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/479736.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/479736.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:53 EDT
Renowned equine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dean Richardson, who led the team that treated Barbaro, was the guest speaker at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The new members are jockeys Edgar Prado and Ismael "Milo" Valenzuela, trainer Carl Nafzger along with former champion thoroughbreds Manila, Inside Information and Ancient Title.

Ismael Valenzuela, better known as Milo during a career that included 2,545 wins, was inducted in a special ceremony at Santa Anita on Sunday, June 22.

Valenzuela, 73, was unable to travel to Saratoga Springs for the annual induction ceremony because of illness. The Santa Anita ceremony was the first since the Hall of Fame was formed in 1955 to be held outside of Saratoga Springs, according to a statement from the Hall.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/479200.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/479200.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:51 EDT
After a too-close-for-comfort victory in Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, there could be more questions than answers about Big Brown's future.

Yes, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner bounced back from his last-place finish in the Belmont Stakes eight weeks ago. But no, the win was far from overpowering against six weak rivals who had combined for two graded stakes wins.

Neither trainer Rick Dutrow nor co-owner Michael Iavarone would commit to Big Brown's next race after his 1 3/4-length victory over Coal Play, but Dutrow all but ruled out the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 23. Both were noncommittal about possible races next month before a planned career-ending run in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

"I think right now Rick will evaluate him and we'll plan a sensible campaign," said Iavarone, co-president of IEAH Stables, majority owner of Big Brown. "The Breeders' Cup Classic is the ultimate goal."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/479222.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/479222.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:21 EDT
Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown gave his backers a moment of anxiety when it appeared he was going to suffer his second straight defeat. After breaking sharply from the gate Big Brown relinquished the lead to Coal Play as the field headed into the clubhouse turn.

Coal Play, ridden by Joe Bravo, set the pace up the backstretch with Big Brown about a length back in second. Running in third was Atoned with Magical Forest fourth.

Around the final turn Coal Play remained on the lead as Big Brown, under urging from Desormeaux, offered no challenge. Magical Forest moved into third and Nistle's Crunch gained fourth.

In mid-stretch, the 41st Haskell seemed to belong to 20-1 longshot Coal Play. Big Brown was not able to cut into the lead. With about 100-yards to run Big Brown finally responded to Desormeaux and rallied to overtake Coal Play near the wire.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/478470.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/478470.html Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:25 EDT
Leading the American contenders is Einstein, owned by Midnight Cry Stable and trained by Helen Pitts. The six-year-old won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day, May 3, and the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap on February 23.

Einstein has finished second in his last two starts, the Stephen Foster behind Curlin and the Firecracker Handicap to Thorn Song. In a 20-race career he has eight wins and better than $1.3 million.

Robby Albarado is scheduled to be aboard Einstein for the Arlington Million.

The group of foreign-based Arlington Million contenders is led by Archipenko. Owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum and Dr. A. H. Parker. Archipenko won Hong Kong's Audemars Picquet Queen Elizabeth II Cup last April 27.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/476534.html http://www.kentucky.com/550/story/476534.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:36 EDT
"It's been wonderful to be around such a great champion," trainer Doug O'Neill after the decision was finalized. "He'll be missed, but I'm going to put in my vote for him to be our stable pony."

Steve Kenly of STD Racing stated that Lava Man had X-rays taken at the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in California which found significant changes of the gelding's front ankles from X-rays taken earlier in the year.

"When we heard about the results of the X-rays," said Kenly, "the decision was easy. It was time to call it a day."

Lava Man, in 46 lifetime starts, earned $5.2 million with 17 wins. In 2006 he became the first horse to sweep the three major handicap races in Southern California in the same year: Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/304/story/475036.html http://www.kentucky.com/304/story/475036.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:28 EDT
The fallout came down almost immediately and hasn't let up since.

From the moment jockey Kent Desormeaux eased Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown in the stretch of the Belmont Stakes, ending his Triple Crown bid, the strapping bay colt has found himself in arguably the biggest fall from grace by an athlete not named Roger Clemens this year.

In one dismal 11/2-mile outing, the horse many deemed a lock to join the annals of racing history was cast off as a bust.

This Sunday, Big Brown finally gets to have his say as to whether that first Saturday in June was an aberration or a sign of things to come. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/482506.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/482506.html Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:55 EDT
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. . Archipenko took the No. 1 post position in Wednesday's draw for the Arlington Million and was installed as the 2-1 favorite for Saturday's race at Arlington Park.

The 4-year-old drew the spot Wednesday from a field of eight for the 1.-mile race.

The horse has raced in the Middle East and Europe so far this year.

Mount Nelson from Ireland is listed as the 5-2 second-choice and will break from the No. 7 post. Mount Nelson is coming off a win in the Group I Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park in England. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/481704.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/481704.html Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:25 EDT
Jess Jackson still believes Curlin has the potential to be a champion on the turf. But for now, the reigning Horse of the Year is going back to the surface where he is a proven winner.

Curlin, second in his career turf debut in the Grade I Man o' War Stakes on July 12, will return to dirt for his next start . the Grade I, $500,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Racetrack on Aug. 30 . majority owner Jackson announced during a national teleconference Tuesday.

Prior to Curlin's run in the Man o' War, where he finished second to former Breeders' Cup Turf winner Red Rocks, Jackson had been seriously thinking about sending the 4-year-old son of Smart Strike to France for a start in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 5.

Although Jackson has not deemed the turf experiment completely over, he said his champion's current top conditioning and the lure of winning at the historic Spa prompted them to pick the 11.8-mile Woodward. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478130.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/478130.html Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:54 EDT
Kentucky Derby fifth-place finisher Recapturetheglory will head a field of 12 3-year-olds in the Grade III West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Racetrack on Saturday.

Recapturetheglory, the Illinois Derby winner, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the 11.8-mile race.

The Louie Roussel III-trained colt will break from the sixth position with James Graham aboard.

Recapturetheglory is the son of Cherokee Run, who also sired Zanjero, last year's West Virginia Derby winner. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/477284.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/477284.html Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:49 EDT
Big Brown was made the 1-2 favorite in the field of seven 3-year-olds entered Thursday for Sunday's 11.8-mile Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

His chief competition could come from 4-1 second choice Cool Coal Man, trained by Nick Zito, who played the spoiler's role in the Belmont when his Da' Tara pulled an upset.

.Big Brown is the story and rightfully so, and we hope our horses come to play and see what happens,. Zito said.

Zito will also send out Coal Play, with the rest of the field comprised of Alaazo, Atoned, Magical Forest and Nistle's Crunch. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/477285.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/477285.html Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:49 EDT
Trainer Todd Pletcher and UK basketball coach Billy Gillispie will coach a group of jockeys as they take on a 6th-grade AAU team in a charity battle, Bloodhorse.com reported Wednesday. The event will raise money for The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

The Texas Titans feature Grant Troutt, son of WinStar Farm co-owners Kenny and Lisa Troutt. The boys placed second in the 2008 Division I AAU Boys Basketball National Tournament. The jockeys, whose team will include Robby Albarado, John Velasquez and Kent Desormeaux, defeated the group last year, when they were 5th-graders.

The game will be held Aug. 7 at Saratoga Springs High School in New York.

herald-leader staff report ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/476122.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/476122.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:37 EDT
Big Brown's Haskell Invitational run at Monmouth Park on Sunday will help out retired racehorses.

ReRun Inc. announced on Wednesday that IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. will donate a portion of Big Brown's purse earnings to the non-profit adoption program, .Running for ReRun..

ReRun helps rehabilitate and find homes, an alternative to slaughter, for horses coming off the track.

The news release did not specify how much the organization will receive from the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/476270.html http://www.kentucky.com/302/story/476270.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:52 EDT
Lava Man, a multiple Grade I winner on dirt and turf and earner of $5,268,706, has been retired.

Steve Kenly of STD Racing Stable, co-owner of the 7-year-old gelded son of Slew City Slew, made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. The decision was made following initial examinations at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, Calif.

Kenly said he was told by the center's staff that X-rays taken of the horse's front ankles were significantly different from those taken earlier this year. That was a negative, Kenly said.

.When we heard about the results of the X-rays, the decision was easy,. the soft-spoken Kenly said, adding, .It was time to call it a day. ]]>