Horse Racing News

Thumbnail for “Rachel” Out of Belmont Stakes; Borel to Ride “Bird”

“Rachel” Out of Belmont Stakes; Borel to Ride “Bird”

Elmont, N.Y. –  Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra will skip the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6, freeing jockey Calvin Borel to ride Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the 1½-mile “Test of the Champion.” “After careful consideration, we have decided not to run Rachel Alexandra in the […]
Thumbnail for Eye of the Leopard Nips Southdale in Plate Trial

Eye of the Leopard Nips Southdale in Plate Trial

Toronto, ON – Sam-Son Farm’s impeccably-bred Eye of the Leopard collared Southdale in the final jump to win Sunday’s featured $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine. Spotting his rival more than a length, after Southdale had opened a clear lead in mid-stretch of the mile and one-eighth contest, Eye of the Leopard, ridden by Eurico Rosa […]
Thumbnail for Robert King Named 2009 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award Recipient

Robert King Named 2009 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award Recipient

Toronto, ON – Robert King, who has worn many different hats throughout his enduring horse racing career, was today named the 2009 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. Born May 14, 1964 in Ottawa, Ontario, King notched his first riding win on November 6, 1982, before switching to the training ranks in the 1990’s. He […]
Thumbnail for Final Works for Belmont Stakes Postponed

Final Works for Belmont Stakes Postponed

Continued wet weather in the New York metropolitan area has left the final serious works of several contenders for the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6 up in the air. Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Dunkirk and Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren’s Charitable […]
Thumbnail for Ontario Racing Industry Announces New Pilot Program

Ontario Racing Industry Announces New Pilot Program

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Thoroughbred horse racing industry today announced a new Use of the Whip Initiative. The Initiative asks all jockeys in the first two races of every card at Woodbine from Wednesday, June 3, 2009 through Sunday, June 28, 2009 to use a Lite Touch Whip. Jockeys will have the option of using the […]
Thumbnail for OVC Opens Large Animal Isolation Unit

OVC Opens Large Animal Isolation Unit

A state-of-the-art large-animal isolation unit that will set a new standard in patient housing and infection control opened today at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College. In the isolation facility, potentially infectious animals will be separated from other patients, especially horses that are being admitted for elective medical/surgical evaluations or other procedures. Animals showing […]
Thumbnail for Rachel’s Belmont Status Up in Air

Rachel’s Belmont Status Up in Air

A decision on whether Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra will start in the $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6 won’t be made until early next week, majority owner Jess Jackson said this morning at Churchill Downs after the filly breezed in her first serious move since winning the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown. Under […]
Thumbnail for Sterwins and Husbands up in time in Connaught Cup

Sterwins and Husbands up in time in Connaught Cup

Toronto, On – Sterwins rallied late to defeat reigning turf champion Rahy’s Attorney in Sunday’s Grade 3, $173,300 Connaught Cup at Woodbine. The Melnyk Racing Stables homebred completed the 1 1/16-mile E.P. Taylor Turf event in 1:38.99, breaking a 14-year-old course record by about one-fifth of a second (Jet Freighter, 1:39 1/5, June 4, 1995). The […]
Thumbnail for Sutherland sends Sans Sousi to Lady Angela Winner’s Circle

Sutherland sends Sans Sousi to Lady Angela Winner’s Circle

Toronto, ON – Jockey Chantal Sutherland teamed with Sans Sousi to take the 28th running of the $125,000 Lady Angela Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine. Sent off as the 4-1 second choice in the seven-furlong feature, Sans Sousi, who has never finished lower than fourth in 11 career starts, rallied late to net her first added-money victory. […]
Thumbnail for Canada’s turf champion returns in Connaught Cup

Canada’s turf champion returns in Connaught Cup

Toronto, ON – Last year’s Champion Male Turf Horse Rahy’s Attorney makes his seasonal bow in Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Connaught Cup Stakes at Woodbine. Owned by Ellie Boje Farm, Read Peters and Jean and Jim MacLellan, the gelding captured last year’s Connaught Cup and the $1 million Woodbine Mile, credentials which vaulted him to the […]
Thumbnail for Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Announces Inductees

Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Announces Inductees

Toronto, ON – The incomparable Somebeachsomewhere did what he has been doing for the past two seasons when he led seven other inductees into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Joining the world-record pacing colt in the class of 2009 will be Gustav Schickedanz, one of North America’s leading breeders the past 10 years, Canadian […]
Thumbnail for Field Commission Pulls Off Vigil Shocker

Field Commission Pulls Off Vigil Shocker

Toronto, ON – Field Commission, a four-time winner in 2008, made his second start of the season a winning one, defeating some big-name rivals in Holiday Monday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Vigil Stakes. Despite a third-place finish, just a half-length back of Disfunction in the Jacques Cartier Stakes on April 25 at Woodbine, Field Commission was considered […]
Thumbnail for Opening Day at Ajax Downs Postponed

Opening Day at Ajax Downs Postponed

The Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (QROOI) wishes to notify all its members due to information received from Ajax Downs, that all Stakes Races will be postponed for two (2) weeks from the original published commencement date of May 23, 2009 to June 6, 2009. The exception is the Jackpot Stakes Race which will […]
Thumbnail for Smart Surprise makes the grade in the Hendrie

Smart Surprise makes the grade in the Hendrie

Toronto, ON – Favorite Smart Surprise was no surprise in Sunday’s $158,600 Hendrie Stakes at Woodbine. The Grade 3 event was the five-year-old mare’s third stakes score in her past five starts. More importantly, for such a well-bred filly, the contest was her first graded stakes tally. Smart Surprise is trained by Josie Carroll and is […]
Thumbnail for Stuck in Traffic flows to New Providence score

Stuck in Traffic flows to New Providence score

Toronto, ON – Stuck in Traffic, known for his early speed, took a decidedly different route to win Saturday’s $125,000 New Providence Stakes at Woodbine. Eurico Rosa da Silva, who partnered Main Executive to victory in last year’s New Providence, rated the son of Kiridashi outside of pacesetter Drunken Love in the early going. Sent off […]