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Controversy is raging. Some professionals have found fault with the track. The course management has offered a vehement defence.
Dick Francis was a regular visitor to Aintree in Liverpool. Aintree is where the Grand National is run. The third race on Grand National day, the Aintree Hurdle, will carry the name of the legendary jumps rider. Lord Daresbury, Aintree chairman, said, “Dick loved Aintree despite Devon Loch and was a trustee in the charitable trust that saved the course in the 1980s.”
I want to refresh your memory about Lentenor. The sophomore, in Michael Matz’s barn, is Barbaro’s full brother. Lentenor broke the duck in his third start. On Wednesday, John Velasquez will ride Lentenor in an allowance (nw 2 races) in a race over 1,800 metres on the grass at Gulfstream Park. This is the road that Barbaro took to the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Matz has shown optimism. If Lentenor races well on Wednesday, the next race will be a prep race on the dirt with a view to racing in the Florida Derby on March 27.
Goldikova will be attempting to make it three in a row in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The 2010 BC races will be held at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. The five year-old mare is back at Chantilly. She wintered at Wertheimer Brothers’ Haras de Saint-Leonard (a farm) in Normandy. Trainer Freddie Head has indicated that Goldikova’s first race this year may come in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
We will look at action in the US. Monday was a public holiday. At Santa Anita, Striking Dancer, Alex Solis up, landed the $150,000 Grade II La Canada. Striking Dancer was a 13-1 chance. It was the first stakes win for Striking Dancer. Jockey Solis had Striking Dancer held up. Charging five-wide coming into the lane, Striking Dancer outpaced her rivals to win by a length and a half. The time was 1 48.48 seconds for 1800 metres. Striking Dancer’s father is Smart Strike.
Jockey Solis, one of the friendliest guys one can know, spoke: “I had an awesome trip. I was able to save ground around the first turn. At the 5/8, I moved out where I had good position. She’s an awesome filly.”
Stardom Bound, the favourite and trying to regain her 2008 form, carried 123 pounds finished seventh of 11 runners with Julien Leparoux. Unrivaled Belle, the second choice, had excellent stalking position and faded when the race took a serious turn.
In the $150,000 Grade II Buena Vista on Monday at Santa Anita, Tuscan Evening was the even money favorite in the 11-horse field. The Jerry Hollendorfer-schooled five year-old mare by Oasis Dream, was reserved off the pace and ran down the others in the stretch. The 1600-metre race was run in 1 33.47 seconds.
Trainer Hollendorfer commented. “It was a perfect ride by Rafael (Bejarano) and he did not chase the fast pace and that is what allowed him to win. No plans yet about the next race.”
Sidney’s Candy made it all in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes also on Monday at the Arcadia track. A three year-old son of Candy Ride, Sidney’s Candy, was ridden by Joe Talamo. A 2-1 chance, Sidney’s Candy covered 1,400 metres in 1 20.91 seconds.
John Sadler, the winning trainer, thought aloud about the next race. “I don’t know, at the moment, what is next. We are going to look at different races. One thing is sure, he will go around two turns.”
There is trouble in Ireland and Italy. In Ireland, the Government has made a 23% cut in funding for racing. That has resulted in a 10% cut in prize money and a projected 11% reduction in the integrity budget. Officials who man positions at courses have said that their livelihood will be affected. A strike is being planned for February 28 when Clonmel and Leopardstown are scheduled to race.
In Italy, the Governing Body and racetracks (flats and harness) are negotiating. Licensing is an issue because of disagreement over money.
Here is an item from Hong Kong. Tuesday was Chinese New Year Day. There was racing at Sha Tin. The feature was the Hong Kong Derby Trial. The race was won by King Dancer, a Danehill Dancer colt. The 1800-metre race is a prep for the 2000-metre Hong Kong Derby (Grade I) on March 14.
King Dancer raced at two in the UK, carrying the name Uramazin. Now with trainer Sean Woods, King Dancer won as an 18-1 outsider and beat Super Satin and Beauty Flash, the 4-7 favourite. King Dancer has now won five times from 12 starts. Gerald Mosse was aboard.
Trainer Woods had this to say, “I have been very confident with this horse from last year. Everything has come together well though he is still playful.”
