Racing

In only his fourth career start, 5-year-old Spirit of Makena made short work of five rivals as he stalked well-fancied Forbidden Kingdom to the top of the lane and sprinted clear for a decisive 1½-length score in Saturday’s $200,000 San Carlos (G3) at Santa Anita. Owned by his breeder, Bruce Chandler, Spirit of Makena, who […]

Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc.’s Frank’s Rockette won like a 2-5 favorite should in Saturday’s $125,000 Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream Park, breezing to an easy eight-length victory. The Hurricane Bertie, a 6½-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares, headlined a 12-race program that also featured the $100,000 Captiva Island, a five-furlong turf sprint for […]

Even-money favorite Shantisara chased pacesetter Scotish Star throughout the $200,000 Hillsborough (G3) for older fillies and mares Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, then dueled that rival in early stretch before edging away late for a 1¼-length triumph. A 4-year-old Clousty mare bred in Ireland, Shantisara was winning for the sixth time in 13 career starts […]

Skippylongstocking rebounded with aplomb from a lackluster performance in his previous start when scoring a convincing victory in the $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes (G3) Saturday on the Festival Day card at Tampa Bay Downs. The 4-year-old Exaggerator colt, seventh in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) January 28, was ready to win Saturday. He pressed […]

Working after the renovation break Saturday morning at Oaklawn Park, Iowa-bred sensation Tyler’s Tribe moved closer to his 3-year-old debut by recording a five-furlong bullet (1:00 flat) for co-owner/trainer Tim Martin of Hot Springs. The clocking was the fastest of 32 timed moves at the distance. Tyler’s Tribe, under regular rider Kylee Jordan, breezed with […]

In her shocking 38-1 upset victory against Eclipse Award Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Wonder Wheel four weeks ago in the Suncoast Stakes, trainer Gerald Bennett’s Florida-bred Dreaming of Snow displayed a tenacity through the stretch that reminded him of his childhood pet, a mongrel dog named Skip. “My brother Carmen and I had the only two […]

One-two finishers when last they met, Irish-bred Duvet Day and Queen Ofthe Temple head a field of nine older fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles on turf in the Grade 3, $100,000 Santa Ana Stakes this Sunday at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Far back early going 1 1/2 miles on turf in the […]

A trio of Oaks-dreaming connections have woken up to the fact that their fillies might be better suited to the turf. Chop Chop, Hang the Moon, and Hayunevano, all recent participants in Kentucky Oaks points races, are entered in Saturday’s 16th running of the $75,000 Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe Memorial Stakes. The female edition of […]

It’s a prep that could pass for the main event. Millionaire Grade 1 winners Clairiere and Secret Oath are among eight horses entered in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles Saturday at Oaklawn. The Azeri headlines a 10-race program that begins at 12:35 p.m. Probable post time […]

Sometimes waiting for things makes them even sweeter. Trainer Jerry O’Dwyer has certainly been patient when it comes to having a runner at the Dubai World Cup meeting. The Irish-born, US-based, handler flew to Dubai in 2020 to run Shotski in the G2 UAE Derby, only for the meeting to fall victim to the Covid-19 […]