The Handicapper's Edge: Racing Headlines

May 2008 - Posts

• Medaglia d'Oro's first winner sparkles at Calder
  May 31 2008, 06:09 PM

  Multiple Grade 1 star and $5.7 million earner MEDAGLIA D'ORO (El Prado [Ire]) got off the mark as a freshman sire on Saturday, courtesy of his juvenile daughter Renda's spread-eagling the field in her debut in the 6TH race at Calder. Read More... Post Reactions

• Therapeutic riding students to be featured at River Downs
  May 30 2008, 07:33 PM

  Twenty-five new riders will take to the track at River Downs on Saturday. All of them are winners, but none of them jockeys. They are the students of Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship and they will be performing for the 20th consecutive year... Post Reactions

• Fit to Fight euthanized
  May 30 2008, 05:31 PM

  Fit to Fight, one of only four horses in history to sweep New York's famed handicap triple of the Metropolitan, Suburban and Brooklyn Handicaps in a single season, was euthanized Friday due to the infirmities of old age at Blue Ridge Farm in Virginia... Post Reactions

• Harlem Rocker listed at even-money on Plate Trial morning line
  May 30 2008, 05:30 PM

  Three weeks ago, undefeated Withers S. (G3) hero HARLEM ROCKER (Macho Uno) was being discussed as a potentially formidable challenger to Kentucky Derby (G1) conqueror Big Brown (Boundary) in the Preakness S. (G1). Instead of aiming for the second jewel... Post Reactions

• Elastikon Research Award goes to project on track surfaces
  May 30 2008, 03:27 PM

  The second annual Elastikon Equine Research Award, funded through a grant made by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company to Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, has been awarded to Dr. Wayne McIlwraith of Colorado State University and Dr... Post Reactions

• Eight fillies set for Sands Point; Harlington returns
  May 29 2008, 08:04 PM

  Saturday's feature at Belmont Park, the $150,000 Sands Point S. (G3) on the inner turf, has attracted an intriguing group of eight sophomore fillies who could boost their credentials for the July 5 American Oaks Invitational (G1) at Hollywood Park... Post Reactions

• Cleary honored at Calder
  May 29 2008, 02:58 PM

  Assistant horse trainer Robin Cleary, who was paralyzed in a horse training accident at Calder in 1996, will be honored Friday at Calder's Turf Club for raising more than $1 million for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis' spinal cord injury research... Post Reactions

• Zenyatta tops Milady; Tiago and Heatseeker resume rivalry in Californian
  May 28 2008, 09:38 PM

  Unbeaten ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]), a smashing 4 1/2-length winner of the Apple Blossom H. (G1) in her last outing, is clearly the one to beat in Saturday's $175,000 Milady H. (G2). The 1 1/16-mile event will share the spotlight at Hollywood Park... Post Reactions

• Elite Squadron eyes Aristides
  May 28 2008, 08:37 PM

  The speedy ELITE SQUADRON (Officer) looms as a top threat in Saturday's $125,000 Aristides S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The four-year-old has thrived recently for conditioner James Baker and will carry top weight of 124 pounds in the six-furlong dash... Post Reactions

• Smooth Air, Z Fortune return in Ohio Derby
  May 28 2008, 08:37 PM

  SMOOTH AIR (Smooth Jazz) and Z FORTUNE (Siphon [Brz]) were both no factor in the Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing 11th and 10th, respectively, but the three-year-old colts will have the opportunity to pick up a consolation prize when they return to the... Post Reactions

• Former Maryland Jockey Club handicapper Florio dies at 78
  May 28 2008, 06:35 PM

  The Maryland racing community lost one of its most colorful characters earlier this week when former Maryland Jockey Club handicapper Clem Florio passed away Sunday night due to cancer. He was 78. Read More... Post Reactions

• NYRA launches Belmont Stakes video game
  May 27 2008, 03:38 PM

  The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and Horse Racing Simulation LLC have launched an interactive horse racing simulation game that will feature four Grade 1 races associated with Belmont Stakes Day, including the 2008 Belmont S. (G1) in which BIG BROWN... 1 comment(s)

• Rodriguez sidelined for at least six weeks
  May 26 2008, 08:10 PM

  Jockey Erick Rodriguez is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks after suffered two broken ribs and a punctured lung in a spill in Sunday's 6TH race at Pimlico. Read More... Post Reactions

• Curlin drills six furlongs at Churchill
  May 26 2008, 05:06 PM

  Memorial Day was a working holiday for Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike), who drilled six furlongs in 1:12 1/5 on the fast track at Churchill Downs. Read More... Post Reactions

• Peace Rules' first winner, Trifecta King, reigns over Cinderella
  May 25 2008, 09:48 PM

  When Trifecta King cruised to victory in Sunday's $84,175 Cinderella S. at Hollywood Park, the juvenile filly handed her freshman sire, multiple Grade 1 hero and $3 million earner PEACE RULES (Jules), his first winner in grand style. Read More... Post Reactions