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...
Curlin S. winner Smart Transition (Smart Strike) worked five furlongs in 1:00.34 with Junior Alvarado in the irons Sunday at Saratoga. The Zetcher homebred is a possible for the GI Travers S. Aug. 29, according to trainer John Shirreffs. "He looked really good," said Shirreffs. "He worked well and Junior said he felt great. He came out of the [Curlin] well and he's continued in his regular training routine. I'll talk to Mr. Zetcher a little closer to the race. He's looking forward to the Travers, so I think if...