NTRA-National Thoroughbred Racing Association

August 2009 - Posts

• Rail Trip works quick, easy for Pacific Classic
  Aug 31 2009, 05:27 PM

  Was that fog rolling in to Del Mar Sunday night and lasting into Monday morning, or steam rising from trainer Ron Ellis? Ellis was upset after Rail Trip, the Hollywood Gold Cup winner, worked a mile in 1:36 here on Sunday morning in preparation for the... Post Reactions

• 'Rachel' has star power heading into Woodward
  Aug 31 2009, 05:23 PM

  "It's her show!" That's how trainer Nick Zito described Rachel Alexandra's attempt to defeat older males in Saturday's Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga, where the first 25,000 fans through the door will receive a free Rachel Alexandra... Post Reactions

• Zensational puts in fast final work for Pat O'Brien
  Aug 31 2009, 05:18 PM

  Watching Zensational in the afternoons is a treat, but so is seeing him breeze in the mornings. He works swiftly, but goes along so effortlessly that the times are deceiving. It was business as usual for the elite sprinter Monday morning at Del Mar, when... Post Reactions

• Woodbine Mile next for Ferneley
  Aug 31 2009, 05:16 PM

  Ferneley, winner of Saturday's Grade 2 Del Mar Mile, began his career in Ireland and England before joining trainer Ben Cecil's stable last summer. Another international trip, this time to Canada, is likely next month. Cecil has nominated the... Post Reactions

• Summer Bird soars to top of division
  Aug 31 2009, 04:44 PM

  At 7:20 a.m. Sunday, Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird were walking the shed row of the Clark Stakes barn at Saratoga. In a most appropriate order befitting the circumstances, it was Mine That Bird who was following... Post Reactions

• Kiss the Kid looks for strong finish in Red Bank
  Aug 31 2009, 04:41 PM

  Amy Tarrant hopes to send Kiss the Kid off with a flourish in his final two races, a sequence that starts Sunday at Monmouth Park with the Grade 3, $175,000 Red Bank Stakes at one mile on the turf. The Red Bank, the final graded stakes of the meet, is... Post Reactions

• Borel back on Mine That Bird
  Aug 31 2009, 01:08 PM

  Reunited and it feels so good. Calvin Borel, who guided Mine That Bird to his 50-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby, will be back aboard the gelding for his next two starts - the $350,000 Goodwood Stakes on Oct. 10 and the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic... Post Reactions

• Rachel gets in final work before Woodward
  Aug 31 2009, 01:04 PM

  Rachel Alexandra put on another good show for her throng of admirers on Monday morning, breezing an easy four furlongs in 49.09 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. Those who woke up early and endured some unseasonably chilly weather got to watch... Post Reactions

• Spring House repeats in Del Mar Handicap
  Aug 30 2009, 09:35 PM

  Spring House, continuing his love affair with 1 3/8-mile races at Del Mar, won the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Handicap for the second straight year on Sunday, but he needed every inch of the stretch to prevail. Spring House ($7.60), eighth early in the... Post Reactions

• Icon Project wins Personal Ensign by 13
  Aug 30 2009, 07:03 PM

  What appeared to be a very competitive edition of the $400,000 Personal Ensign turned into a one-horse show for Icon Project, who cruised to a Rachel Alexandra-like 13 1/2-length victory over Swift Temper for her first Grade 1 win Sunday at Saratoga.... Post Reactions

• Molly Pitcher: Luna Vega outduels Spritely
  Aug 30 2009, 06:27 PM

  Luna Vega outdueled Spritely for a 1 1/2-length victory Sunday in the Grade 2, $300,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes for fillies and mares at Monmouth Park. Last time out, they squared off in the Grade 1 Go For Wand Handicap earlier this month at Saratoga. Neither... Post Reactions

• Jockey Club Gold Cup likely next for Summer Bird
  Aug 30 2009, 12:43 PM

  Summer Bird came out of his victory in Saturday's $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes in good order and will most likely remain in New York to run in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Oct 3., trainer Tim Ice said Sunday morning.... Post Reactions

• Ferneley on top in Del Mar Mile
  Aug 29 2009, 10:34 PM

  Ferneley's 2009 season was rejuvenated on Saturday with an upset win in the $238,000 Del Mar Mile. Four months ago, Ferneley was the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 2 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields, but could only finish sixth. After the race... Post Reactions

• Jackson Bend wins Affirmed at Calder
  Aug 29 2009, 08:26 PM

  Jackson Bend is unquestionably the leader of the local 2-year-old division at Calder. But not by much. Read More... Post Reactions

• Summer Bird cruises to Travers victory
  Aug 29 2009, 07:41 PM

  He is no longer the other Bird. Summer Bird flew out from underneath the shadow of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird Saturday with a surprisingly easy 3 1/2-length victory in the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes at sloppy Saratoga. Hold Me Back,... 1 comment(s)