US RACING: Trainer of Maximum Security – Jason Servis said to cover up using performance enhancing drugs on his horses
Maximum Security is a horse both famous and infamous, and that was before Monday's bombshell unsealing of documents by the U.S. District Attorney's office in New York that claim trainer Jason Servis covered up performance-enhancing drug use in the champion colt. Servis had long been suspected of doing something to seemingly boost the talent of horses […]
US RACING: King Guillermo a 45-1 upset winner of the Tampa Bay Derby
King Guillermo tied for the biggest upset yet on the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail when crossing the wire a 45-1 winner of Saturday’s Grade 2, US$400,000 Tampa Bay Derby. And he looked much the best after sitting close to another longshot, pace-setting Relentless Dancer, before going by for a decisive score at Tampa Bay Downs. For […]
US RACING: US$1.8 million three-year-old filly Gamine makes auspicious debut at Santa Anita
Before Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old filly Gamine made her debut Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita Park, the respected clocker Gary Young told XBTV, “She’ll be 1-9, and she will run like a 1-9 shot.” That she did. The $1.8 million sales topper lived up to the expectations not just of Young but of her many backers […]
US RACING: Mischevious Alex takes the Gotham
After Mischevious Alex’s dominant effort Feb. 1 in Gulfstream Park’s Swale Stakes (G3), trainer John Servis identified Aqueduct’s Grade 3, US$300,000 Gotham Stakes as a race that would fit the speedy colt “really well.” The 3-year-old proved his trainer right Saturday when taking the Gotham by 2 ½ lengths and earning 50 points toward starting […]
US RACING: Authentic wins San Felipe Stakes for Bob Baffert
Put to the test Saturday in the Santa Anita Park stretch, Authentic didn’t dip, duck or dodge as when last seen on the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail. The Bob Baffert trainee proved he’s the real deal by winning the Grade 2, US$400,000 San Felipe Stakes. Aside from a mild bobble at the start, the Into […]
US RACING: An analysis of tomorrow’s Tampa Bay Derby
Last month, Sole Volante captured the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs with a closing rush to defeat the favored Independence Hall. With that move forward in his belt, the son of Karakontie will now attempt the next step in the Grade 2, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby this Saturday. But he did […]
US RACING: Veteran Quarter Horse jockey dies after spill
Richard Gamez, a longtime Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockey in the southwest, died early Monday as the result of injuries sustained in a Sunday spill during the fifth race at Rillito Park in Arizona. He was 67. Gamez was on the lead with favorite Drama is Overrated in a 5 ½-furlong race for Thoroughbred maidens […]
Ninth horse dies at Santa Anita since late December after being hurt in turf race
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — A ninth horse has died at Santa Anita since late December after being injured in a turf race. Chosen Vessel broke his left front ankle in the US$59,000 race on Saturday. He was pulled up by jockey Edwin Maldonado as he approached the far turn in the 1 1/8-mile race. The […]
SAUDI CUP: Jockeys Mike Smith, Irad Ortiz Jnr fined for excessive whipping
Board-hitting finishes in the US$20 million Saudi Cup weren't quite as profitable as expected for Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith and Irad Ortiz Jr., the two-time defending Eclipse Award winner for outstanding rider. Smith (second aboard Midnight Bisou) and Ortiz Jr. (fourth on Mucho Gusto) were assigned suspensions and fines on a sliding scale […]
SAUDI CUP – Maximum Security wins US$20 million Saudi Cup
Maximum Security – the first Kentucky Derby winner ever to be disqualified for an on-track incident – now has a new claim to fame: winner of the world’s richest-ever horse race. The 4-year-old New Year’s Day colt overcame Mucho Gusto in the stretch and held off a late-charging Midnight Bisou on Saturday to win the […]