The Handicapper's Edge: Racing Headlines

August 2008 - Posts

• Kelly Leak bids for redemption in Del Mar Futurity
  Aug 31 2008, 07:28 PM

  KELLY LEAK (Runaway Groom), who was disqualified from an apparent victory in the Best Pal S. (G2) for causing interference, will try to make amends in the 61st running of the Del Mar Futurity (G1) on Wednesday. The highlight of the closing day card, the... Post Reactions

• Curlin comes back well following Woodward
  Aug 31 2008, 04:23 PM

  It was a mellow Sunday morning at trainer Steve Asmussen's barn at Saratoga following champion CURLIN's (Smart Strike) 1 1/4-length victory over PAST THE POINT (Indian Charlie) in the Woodward S. (G1) Saturday afternoon. Barbara Banke, wife of... Post Reactions

• Desert Party aims to remain perfect in Hopeful
  Aug 30 2008, 08:50 PM

  Sanford S. (G2) winner DESERT PARTY (Street Cry [Ire]) will try to extend his record to a perfect three-for-three in Monday's $250,000 Hopeful S. (G1). Eight juveniles will line up in the historic seven-furlong test, one of four stakes events on the... Post Reactions

• Penn National plans resurfacing
  Aug 29 2008, 06:08 PM

  Live racing and training at Penn National Race Course will be suspended following the racing program on September 20 for the commencement of a resurfacing project of the entire racetrack cushion. The project is expected to last until the end of October... Post Reactions

• Churchill cuts stakes purses for Fall Meet
  Aug 29 2008, 06:08 PM

  Due to a decline of purse money earned from wagering sources during its 2008 Spring Meet, Churchill Downs Racetrack has been forced to reduce $975,000 from its stakes program for the upcoming 2008 Fall Meet through purse reductions in 11 stakes races... Post Reactions

• Smooth Air installed as 7-2 choice in full Pennsylvania Derby field
  Aug 29 2008, 06:08 PM

  Multiple Grade 2 winner SMOOTH AIR (Smooth Jazz), last seen rolling to a four-length decision in the Ohio Derby (G2), rates as the 7-2 favorite on the morning line for Monday's $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G2). The 29th running of the 1 1/8-mile... Post Reactions

• Jardin, Mani Bhavan to have showdown in Spinaway
  Aug 29 2008, 05:07 PM

  The rousing winners of Saratoga's two juvenile filly fixtures are among a field of eight who will face-off in Sunday's $250,000 Spinaway S. (G1) over seven furlongs. JARDIN (Montbrook), who captured the Schuylerville S. (G3) in the slop by four... Post Reactions

• Evita Argentina tops cast of 12 in Del Mar Debutante
  Aug 28 2008, 08:36 PM

  Unbeaten Sorrento S. (G3) heroine EVITA ARGENTINA (Candy Ride [Arg]) tops a 12-filly field entered in Monday's $250,000 Del Mar Debutante S. (G1), the Labor Day feature at the seaside track. The John Sadler trainee will clash once again with Sorrento... Post Reactions

• Curlin installed as 3-5 favorite over seven Woodward rivals
  Aug 28 2008, 08:36 PM

  Reigning Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike) will make his Saratoga debut when he faces seven rivals in Saturday's $500,000 Woodward S. (G1). Read More... Post Reactions

• Dark Equation captures New York Turf Writers Cup
  Aug 28 2008, 07:35 PM

  Beverly Randolph Steinman's DARK EQUATION (Polish Numbers) was content to sit near the back of Thursday's $159,300 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase H. (NSA-G1) at Saratoga but came with his rally in the stretch to post a half-length victory... Post Reactions

• Peppers Pride sets out to make history in Lincoln
  Aug 28 2008, 06:33 PM

  The undefeated PEPPERS PRIDE (Desert God) will attempt to set a modern North American record on Sunday when she goes for her 17th straight triumph in the $67,500 Lincoln H. at Ruidoso Downs. The New Mexico-bred won her 16th in a row in the April 26 Russell... 1 comment(s)

• Gio Ponti seeks third straight in Del Mar Derby
  Aug 28 2008, 04:30 PM

  GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat), two-for-two so far this season with victories in the Hill Prince S. (G3) and Virginia Derby (G2), will try to keep his perfect campaign going in Sunday's $350,000 Del Mar Derby (G2). Read More... Post Reactions

• Benny the Bull retired with ankle injury
  Aug 27 2008, 07:54 PM

  Multiple Grade/Group 1 winner BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel) has been retired because of an ankle injury, according to owner IEAH Stables' Michael Sherack. Read More... Post Reactions

• CDI board elects McDonald, Rankin to director positions
  Aug 27 2008, 06:53 PM

  The board of directors of Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) has elected James McDonald and Alex Rankin to the positions of director to serve until the 2010 annual meeting of the company's shareholders. The company's shareholders will be given an opportunity... Post Reactions

• NTWA to honor McCarron, Kruytbosch and Wall
  Aug 27 2008, 02:39 PM

  Retired Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron, late track announcer Luke Kruytbosch and multiple Media Eclipse Award-winning turf writer Maryjean Wall will be honored later this year with awards presented by the National Turf Writers Association (NTWA).... Post Reactions