In an exhibition of pure sprinting prowess, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) brought all his power to bear on his rivals on Friday to register back-to-back successes in Goodwood's G2 King George Qatar S. Despite the contrasting ground conditions to the easy turf he encountered 12 months ago and the obvious questions posed by defeat in the June 19 G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot, the bay attracted heavy support as the 8-11 favourite and was in front before he had raced two...
The 17th edition of the Claiming Crown, held Saturday at Gulfstream Park, generated total handle of $10,118,000--up 0.57% from 2014 despite rainy conditions which caused four races to be taken off the turf. Gulfstream was hosting the event for the fourth year. "We're extremely pleased with the success of Saturday's Claiming Crown," said P.J. Campo, General Manager of Gulfstream Park and Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group. "We had big fields and tremendous participation from horsemen throughout North America. We're confident the numbers would have been even more...
Fulleffort (Liam's Map), a rallying second in both of the local preps, punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby with a powerful win in Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. Favored at 9-5, the Leonatus S. and John Battaglia Memorial S. runner-up raced in ninth through fractions of :23.18 and :47.16. The gray began to wind up beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr. on the far turn, came rolling up four wide approaching the quarter pole and kept on motoring down the stretch, finishing up in a field-best :12.99 to...
Volendam (Vekoma), a $600,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by John Stewart's Resolute Racing, kicked off his career with a good-looking debut win on Jeff Ruby Steaks day at Turfway Park. The 2-1 favorite challenged for early command from his inside draw, then eased back to fourth through an opening quarter in :22.10. Caught in some traffic approaching the quarter pole, he was guided into the clear by Irad Ortiz, Jr. at the top of the stretch and came charging home to win by two lengths over Mr. Vaggio (Caravaggio). The...
Golden Tempo (Curlin), third in the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. Feb. 14, will race with first-time blinkers in Saturday's GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. The Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable homebred and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was an eye-catching, come-from-behind winner of his first two career starts, including the GIII Lecomte S. Jan. 17. He rallied from seventh to complete the trifecta in the Risen Star, finishing six lengths behind Paladin (Gun Runner). "He made a really nice run in the Risen Star and...
TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack provides analysis for Saturday's pair of GI Kentucky Derby preps--the GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds and GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. Results (Weekend of Feb. 28) - Commandment (Into Mischief) ($6.80 winner of GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth) and Class President (Uncle Mo) ($19.00 winner of GII Rebel) made it a profitable weekend at the windows for this column, both delivering wins in dramatic fashion. Hammond (Charlatan), meanwhile, was a disappointing sixth at 8-1 in the GIII Gotham. GII TwinSpires.com...