Creative Cause made it 2 for 2 in his brief career and asserted himself as an early major player on the nation's 2-year-old scene with a win in the $150,000 Best Pal Stakes on Sunday at Del Mar. The odds-on favorite in a field of six juveniles, Creative Cause sat fifth in the early going, moved up to second on the turn and kicked past pacesetter I'll Have Another in the stretch, covering 6...
Jockey Mike Smith beat his former fiancee Chantal Sutherland in a match race at Del Mar on Sunday that was billed as the "Battle of the Exes." Smith and his favored mount Joker Face took the lead from the gate and beat Sutherland and Parable by 2 lengths, covering a mile on the main track in 1:36.55.
Pender Harbour held off Celtic Conviction by a nose Sunday to win the $500,000 Breeders' Stakes turf race at Woodbine Racetrack. The victory made Luis Contreras the first jockey to win all three Canadian Triple Crown events with two horses. He captured the Queen's Plate aboard Inglorious before adding the Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders' Stakes events with Pender Harbour.
Say a Novena held off Greatful Heir in the closing strides to win by a neck in the $70,000 Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday. Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. and ridden by Mike Luzzi, the 2-year-old filly ran the 5 1/2 furlongs over a fast track in 1:04 1/5 and returned $10.20, $4 and $2.60. It was the second win in four career starts for Say a Novena, who has earned $101,250.
Sean Avery survived a furious rally by heavily favored Trappe Shot to win the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap by a nose and Tar Heel Mom scored an easy win in the $150,000 Honorable Miss Handicap for fillies and mares Sunday at Saratoga Race Course. Joe Bravo rode the 17-1 Sean Avery through six furlongs in 1:08.71, earning $36.20, $10.00 and $6.30.
George Brennan isn't likely to forget Hambletonian Day 2011. Not only did Brennan have masterful drive in posting his first victory in the $1.5 million Hambletonian with Broad Bahn on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack, the 44-year-old posted the win rougly 35 minutes after guiding Bold and Fresh to an upset in the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks.
Jody Jamieson of Canada was the winner of the World Driving Championship at Yonkers Raceway on Friday, besting a field of nine other drivers from around the world. It was the second championship for Jamieson, who also won in 2001. The tournament began July 31 at Harrah's Chester outside Philadelphia, moved to Tioga Downs and Monticello Raceway in New York, as well as The Meadowlands in New...
A person familiar with the decision says the 2012 Breeders' Cup will be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because the Breeders' Cup has not announced the host track for next year's event. This year's two-day event will be held for a second consecutive year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.,...
Star British racehorse Canford Cliffs is being retired to stud after a career that included five Group One victories. Trainer Richard Hannon says the 4-year-old horse has a leg injury and it was decided to end his career rather than risk further problems. He is set to stand at Coolmore Stud in Ireland.
Eliminations winners Broad Bahn and Manofmanymissions will try to win the $1.5 million Hambletonian from the two inside posts. Broad Bahn won Tuesday's draw among the elimination winners to pick first and trainer Noel Daley went with the No. 1 post for harness racing's most prestigious race. Trainer Erv Miller took the No.