BookMaker Sports News - Latest US and International Sporting News

Schooling continues for Quality Road

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:17:09 GMT

The three-year-old colt has another session of school scheduled with the starting gate.

"We'll try to simulate a race scenario a little bit, and see if we can load him without incident," said trainer Todd Pletcher.

Mafaaz on the road to recovery

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:48:50 GMT

"He is back on the farm and he seems like a happy horse," said Neal McLaughlin, assistant to his brother.

"After we got him, he was gelded and then went to Saratoga the first of June. He was there about a week and got real sick. He lost muscle and started losing protein through his liver. It was pretty dangerous and we have no idea what caused it." Mafaaz spent more than three months at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

Big Sport of Turfdom Award to "Team Zenyatta"

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:10:51 GMT

"The management, conditioning and picture perfect rides had a synergetic effect that brought this true champion to light before thousands of fans throughout her career," stated TPA president John Engelhardt.

"Right up to the final start of Zenyatta's brilliant career," Engelhardt continued, "the Moss' and Shirreffs showed great sportsmanship by electing to test her against the greatest male horses in training and Mike Smith followed through with an electrifying ride in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. Throughout her undefeated career the entire group associated with this history making mare exuded

Women lead the way in 2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:51:12 GMT

Rachel Alexandra (Rachel) dominated three groups of horses in 2009.

She devastated three-year-old fillies in both the Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose Stakes.

Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel dies

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:24:28 GMT

Various publications, including the Thoroughbred Times, reported that Frankel died at his home in Pacific Palisades, California.

Frankel was a five-time Eclipse Award winning trainer and saddled six Breeders' Cup winners. He won just one Triple Crown race, though, capturing the 2003 Belmont Stakes with Empire Maker to deny Funny Cide a Triple Crown.

Zenyatta noses out 'Rachel' in final NTRA poll

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:21:55 GMT

Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, Zenyatta received 10 of 19 first-place votes with Rachel Alexandra getting the remaining nine votes. Zenyatta, trained by John Shirreffs, garnered a total of 181 points to 'Rachel's 176.

"She could run again today," said Shirreffs on Sunday morning.

Zenyatta wins Breeders' Cup Classic to make history

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:12:50 GMT

Undefeated in 14 career starts, Zenyatta was taking on male horses for the first time in the 1 1/4 mile climactic race.

Zenyatta won last year's Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic on her way to becoming 2008 champion older female.

Zenyatta captures Breeders' Cup Classic

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:23:59 GMT

Undefeated in 14 career starts, Zenyatta was taking on male horses for the first time in the 1 1/4 mile climactic race. Zenyatta won last year's Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic on her way to becoming 2008 champion older female.

She was entered in the Classic this year in an effort to have her voted 2009 Horse of the Year. Three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra did not run in the Breeders' Cup races because of Santa Anita's synthetic track.

Conduit again captures Breeders' Cup Turf

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:35:41 GMT

Ridden by Ryan Moore, Conduit was making his second career start in North America and became the second horse to win the Turf in consecutive runnings. High Chaparral won in 2002 and dead-heated in 2003 with Johar.

As expected, Presious Passion set the pace and led the field all the way around the final turn and into the stretch. Conduit drew even with 100-yards to go and went on win by a half-length over the pacesetter.

Furthest Land captures Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:37:14 GMT

Furthest Land, starting from post two, broke well from the gate and was among the leaders as the field entered the first turn.

Setting the pace was 2008 Juvenile champ Midshipman followed closely by Neko Bay, Mr.

Goldikova repeats in Breeders' Cup Mile

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:54:23 GMT

Goldikova was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the 11 horse field, breaking from the far outside post. Last year the filly was the 9-5 favorite in the race.

Setting the pace on the firm turf course was Gladiatorus followed by Cowboy Cal, Whatsthescript and Karelian. Around the final turn Cowboy Cal had the lead with Gladiatorus right behind.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile goes to Vale of York

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:09:29 GMT

Ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi, Vale of York stalked the pace that was set by Piscitelli. Piscitelli was tracked in the 1 1/16 mile race by D'Funnybone, Noble's Promise and Vale of York.

At the top of the stretch Noble's Promise had the lead followed by Piscitelli and Vale of York in the 13 horse field. Down the stretch all three horses battled and were joined by Lookin At Lucky.

Dancing in Silks prevails in Breeders' Cup Sprint

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:32:11 GMT

Cost of Freedom with Tyler Baze set the pace in the Sprint with 2008 runner-up Fatal Bullet in second and 9-5 favorite Zensational racing in third. At the top of the stretch Cost of Freedom was joined on the lead by Dancing in Silks and Gayego. Coming along the inside late was Crown of Thorns.

All four horses hit the wire virtually together. The win-photo showed that Dancing in Silks got his nose at the wire first followed by Crown of Thorns, Cost of Freedom and Gayego.

California Flag captures Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:39:11 GMT

Trained by Brian Koriner, California Flag was the 3-1 favorite in the 14 horse field. The gray gelding was first out of the starting gate and never was headed in the second running of the event.

California Flag, 10th in last year's race, posted a two-length victory over Gotta Have Her with Cannonball third and Desert Storm fourth.

Pounced rallies to win Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:06:20 GMT

Setting the pace in the one-mile turf event was Bridgetown with Becky's Kitten, Interactif and King Ledley close behind. Racing in the second flight of horses was Pounced and jockey Frankie Dettori.

Around the turn for home Bridgetown still had the lead as the field began to draw closer to the front. At the top of the stretch the leader was joined by Interactif on the outside with Pounced charging on the inside.

First day of 26th Breeders' Cup offers no major surprises

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:53:55 GMT

This is the second straight year the World Championships are being held at Santa Anita.

Friday's program consisted of six races, including all five for fillies and mares.

Life Is Sweet captures Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:09:14 GMT

Zenyatta was held out of the Ladies' Classic to run in Saturday's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic versus the males. Also absent from the race was three- year-old filly Rachel Alexandra who is on vacation till next year.

Post-time favorite Careless Jewel set the pace in the 1 1/8 mile event for fillies and mares. The three-year-old filly led by as much as 10-lengths on Santa Anita's synthetic track.

Informed Decision wins Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:19:38 GMT

Informed Decision was the 3-1 second choice behind 4-5 favorite Ventura.

The victory means that Informed Decision is perfect in seven career starts on artificial tracks.

Midday captures Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:42:14 GMT

The pace in the 1 1/4 mile grass race was set by Visit. Dynaforce was running in second with Rutherienne in third. Forever Together was racing in the rear of the eight horse field.

Around the turn for home Forever Together began her rally from the back of the pack.

She Be Wild takes Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:04:30 GMT

The two-year-old filly was ridden by Julien Leparoux for owner Nancy Mazzoni.

She Be Wild was racing second and third in the 1 1/16 mile race behind pacesetter Always a Princess and Connie and Michael. Always a Princess still had the lead around the final turn as the field began to bunch up heading into the stretch.

Tapitsfly wins Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:31:18 GMT

Rose Catherine set the pace in the one-mile turf event with Tapitsfly running in second followed by Potosina and Hatheer.

Rose Catherine, with Javier Castellano riding, had the lead around the turn for home as Tapitsfly continued in second.

Man of Iron takes Breeders' Cup Marathon to begin Championships

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:58:23 GMT

Ridden by John Murtagh, Man of Iron defeated Cloudy's Knight by a nose in the 1 3/4 mile race.

The Breeders' Cup began under sunny skies with a post-time temperature of 70 degrees.

Zenyatta Tries to Make History

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:37 GMT

That all could change this Saturday when Zenyatta hits Santa Anita searching for her 14th consecutive victory . The five-year-old mare has never been beaten in 13 starts, but this will be her first test against the boys. If she wins, she'll surpass the legendary Personal Ensign, who also began her career with 13 straight first-place finishes.

That filly did something Zenyatta has yet to accomplish and that's knocking off the colts.

Cutting Breeders' Cup picks down to size

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:12:57 GMT

This year the Breeders' Cup is again being held at Santa Anita Park just like last year. Santa Anita has a synthetic main track which has forced the owners of top thoroughbred Rachel Alexandra to put her on the shelf until 2010.

However, just about every other star racehorse in North America and many from Europe will be competing Friday and Saturday.

Zenyatta in Breeders' Cup Classic highlights championships

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:18:52 GMT

The two-day event features 14 championship races worth a total of $25.5 million. This is the second straight year Santa Anita is hosting the Breeders' Cup. Churchill Downs will be the 2010 host track.

Friday's lineup of races will consist of the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon, $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf, $2 million Juvenile Fillies, $2 million Filly & Mare Turf, $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint and $2 million Ladies' Classic. The Marathon will go off at 3:35 P.M. (et).