Greeley's Galaxy Displays Fitness in Thursday Workout Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

B. Wayne Hughes' Greeley's Galaxy worked a mile at Churchill Downs Thursday, displaying his readiness for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), according to 83-year-old veteran California trainer Warren Stute.
After leaving the starting gate under exercise rider Mikki Fincher, Greeley's Galaxy began the work at the eighth pole and went a mile in 1:40 3/5.
"It was a little fast," said Stute, who declared his colt fit after the work. "He's in good enough shape, if he gets beat it won't be because he's not fit."
Under the care of Stute's son Glen, the chestnut son of Mr. Greeley vanned to Churchill Downs over the weekend from Chicago's Arlington Park. Before the work, Stute said his shipper came "just perfect.
"He's a nice, big colt with a good temperament, he travels well and he's got a lot of sense about him," Stute said.
Before the workout just after the 8:30 maintenance, Stute said he was hoping for "a slow mile, and then maybe sneak in an extra quarter."
Stute said the colt would work again three or four days before the Derby, and Kent Desormeaux was booked to ride Greeley's Galaxy on race day.
Owner Hughes was happy with the performance and on hand at Al Stall's Barn 47 where Stute is setting up shop.
"He worked very nicely," said Hughes. "He had a good, hard gallop out. Warren's from the old school, and he has his own way of doing things. At this point we just hope we'll get in."
Because Greeley's Galaxy was not nominated to the Visa Triple Crown Challenge during the early or late nomination periods, he will have to be supplemented to the Derby at a cost of $200,000.
If 20 or more horses are entered in the Derby, preference will be given to horses that were Triple Crown nominees to the exclusion of Greeley's Galaxy.
After breaking his maiden in his second career start, Greeley's Galaxy won an allowance race at Santa Anita before shipping to the Midwest to take the Illinois Derby (gr. II) by 9 1/2 lengths as the favorite.

Kentucky Derby 131 Notes Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

KENTUCKY DERBY 131 WORK TAB TODAY'S DERBY WORKS Afleet Alex breezed five furlongs in :59 at CD (Track: Fast) Wednesday, April 27 - Consolidator at CD Thursday, April 28 - Sun King at Churchill Downs; Greater Good at Churchill Downs; Greeley's Galaxy at Churchill Downs TUESDAY'S TOP STORIES: * Afleet Alex Sizzles in Churchill Downs Work * Flower Alley Dons Blinkers for Gallop * Andromeda's Hero to Travel to Churchill for Work AFLEET ALEX - Cash is King Stable's Afleet Alex continued his forward preparations of the 131st Kentucky Derby by working five furlongs in :59 flat over a "fast" track Tuesday morning after the renovation break. With Derby rider Jeremy Rose up, Afleet Alex came on the track a little after 8:30 and jogged briefly in the mile chute and then once around the track accompanied by trainer Tim Ritchey on a pony. When the work commenced, Afleet Alex recorded fractions of 12.40, 24, 35.40, 46.60 and 59, with an out time for six furlongs of 1:12.40. The move was the fastest of 29 at the distance. "The work was good. Everything was exactly like we wanted it," Ritchey said. "He started out easy and finished up strong. He came out of it well, cooled out well, no problems." Afleet Alex arrived at Churchill Downs on April 20 on the heels of his victory in the Arkansas Derby (GII). "He has done well here," said Ritchey, who never has started a horse at Churchill Downs. "He settled in well and has gone to the track every day and handled the track well. I don't anticipate any problems." Rose, who never has ridden in the Kentucky Derby, was also pleased. "It was perfect. He always works well," said Rose, who headed to Delaware Park after the work, where he will ride the first two days of the meet Saturday and Sunday and then return to Louisville Sunday night and stay through the Derby. "Every track we have been to, he has handled it just as well. I think he will run on pretty much whatever you put him on. He is just one of those horses that is athletic and likes to run." Rose was asked if Afleet Alex is the best horse he has ever been on. "Easily. He's the fastest and the coolest," Rose said. "He's got his own personality, just like a person. The nice thing about him is whenever a hole opens up, we can be in and out of there before anybody knows about it." Ritchey said Afleet Alex would walk the shedrow Wednesday "probably, unless he is bouncing around the barn and if he is then we'll take him out and jog him at least once around just to keep him loose. But normally, he'll walk the day after he works, he will go back to the track the following day, jog and probably gallop lightly and just resume his normal twice-a-day pattern from there on. We may work him again Monday or Tuesday of next week. It would be a lot easier kind of work, start out even slower and just ask him to finish the last quarter of a mile. That's a long stretch. He has to get used to finishing the whole way down that stretch." ANDROMEDA'S HERO/BELLAMY ROAD/HIGH FLY/NOBLE CAUSEWAY/ SUN KING - Trainer Nick Zito's four Churchill Downs-based Kentucky Derby hopefuls galloped 1 ½ miles, while at Keeneland, Robert LaPenta's Andromeda's Hero galloped on the main track with exercise rider Megan Smillie up. Zito plans to bring Andrameda's Hero to Louisville to work Thursday or Friday depending on the weather. No Derby rider has been confirmed for Andromeda's Hero. Tracy Farmer's Sun King, who is scheduled to work Thursday, had Carlos Correa aboard for his morning exercise. Carlos Correa also handled the morning duties on Kinsman Stable's Bellamy Road and My Meadowview Farm's Noble Causeway. Maxine Correa was up on the Live Oak Plantation's High Fly. The aforementioned trio is scheduled to work Saturday, weather permitting. BANDINI/COIN SILVER/FLOWER ALLEY - Melnyk Racing Stable's Flower Alley galloped 1 ½ miles after the renovation break with exercise rider Michelle Nihei up. The Distorted Humor colt, who will be piloted by Jorge Chavez in Derby 131, was equipped in blinkers, as has been the norm the past few days. "We just want him to get accustomed to them, because he is going to run in them for the first time in the Derby," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "He's a little unfocused and we want to get him zoned in." Peachtree Stable's Coin Silver, winner of last Saturday's Coolmore Lexington Stakes (GII), walked the shedrow and is scheduled to return to the track in the morning. No rider has been confirmed on Coin Silver. Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Bandini walked the shedrow. CONSOLIDATOR/GOING WILD - Bob and Beverly Lewis' two Kentucky Derby hopefuls galloped Tuesday morning. Stacy Maker was on Consolidator and Derek Smith was on Going Wild, who returned to the track for the first time since finishing fifth in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (GII) last Saturday. Consolidator may work Wednesday. DON'T GET MAD - An expected starter in Saturday's $100,000-added Derby Trial, the son of Stephen Got Even breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 over a "fast" track on Monday. Trainer Paul J. McGee, who is overseeing the colt's training at Churchill Downs for his California-based brother-in-law Ron Ellis, said Don't Get Mad came out of yesterday's work in good order. Don't Get Mad is scheduled to gallop a mile tomorrow and 1 ½ miles on Thursday and Friday in preparation for a start in Saturday's one-mile Trial. A good effort in that race could make the B.Wayne Hughes-owned colt a "possible" starter in the Kentucky Derby (GI). Ellis is due to arrive in Louisville Wednesday evening. GREATER GOOD - Triple graded stakes winner Greater Good galloped 1 ½ miles before the renovation break with exercise rider Betsy Couch up. The Lewis Lakin-owned son of Intidab is scheduled to work six furlongs at 7 a.m. Thursday with Derby rider John McKee up for trainer Bob Holthus. GREELEY'S GALAXY - B. Wayne Hughes' Greeley's Galaxy visited the paddock and then galloped 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Mikki Fincher before the renovation break. Trainer Warren Stute is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Wednesday night with a work planned for Thursday morning. HIGH LIMIT - Gary and Mary West's High Limit galloped after the renovation break with exercise rider Jose Cuevas up. WILKO - Came out of yesterday's seven-furlong breeze at Hollywood Park in good order says trainer Craig Dollase. Tentative plans for the son of Awesome Again is to work on Saturday and board a flight bound for Churchill Downs the following day with strong gallops up to race day. KENTUCKY OAKS 131 NOTES - April 26, 2005 TUESDAY'S TOP STORY: * O'NEILL RULES SHARP LISA OUT OF KENTUCKY OAKS DANCE AWAY CAPOTE - Trainer Graham Motion said the daughter of Capote is scheduled to travel by van from Keeneland to Churchill Downs on Thursday. The winner of the Bourbonette Breeders' Cup is set to work on Friday. IN THE GOLD - The Live Oak Plantation's In the Gold galloped on the Keeneland training track with Jorge Abreu up. Trainer Nick Zito said the winner of the Stonerside Beaumont (GII) would work Thursday or Friday depending on the weather, and that the move may occur over the training track. MEMORETTE - Betty Currin's Memorette paid her first visit to the Churchill Downs main track at 7:15 Tuesday morning, galloped a mile and a half under Joe Deegan. The California-bred daughter of Memo arrived from Keeneland on Monday, where she placed third in her most recent start, the Ashland (GI) on April 9. Ignacio Correas, assistant to trainer Bill Currin, said the filly probably would work Saturday. RUGULA - Al and Saundra Kirkwood's Rugula galloped 1 ½ miles with exercise rider Bobby Warren up. Runner-up in her past three starts, Rugula is scheduled to work five furlongs on Friday with regular rider Greta Kuntzweiler up. RUNWAY MODEL - Naveed Chowhan's daughter of Petionville galloped two miles after the break. Trainer Bernie Flint said the winner of the Darley Alcibiades (GII) and Golden Rod (GII) is scheduled to work five furlongs on Thursday or Friday, weather permitting. SHARP LISA - Trainer Doug O'Neill said the winner of the Las Virgenes (GI) would not run in the Kentucky Oaks (GI). "We're staying in Southern California," he said. "We're going to give her a little break." The daughter of Dixieland Band is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Fantasy Stakes (GII) at Oaklawn Park on April 15. SIS CITY - Triple graded stakes winner Sis City returned to the track to jog a mile before the renovation break with exercise rider Michelle Nevin up. The daughter of Slew City Slew had worked six furlongs in 1:14.40 on Sunday. SUMMERLY - Trainer Steve Asmussen reported all was well with Summerly as the daughter of Summer Squall walked the shedrow a day after working six furlongs in 1:13.40. WORK TAB (Track: FAST) - Amsterdam Stakes (GII) winner Bwana Charlie breezed four furlongs in 52.60...Cherokee Path, third in Oaklawn's Dixieland Stakes (GIII) went four furlongs in 48.60, the fifth fastest of 52 moves at the distance...Cool Conductor, winner of the Hawthorne Derby (GIII), worked four furlongs in :50 ...Pocahontas Stakes winner Punch Appeal breezed four furlongs in 52.60 for Steve Asmussen... Old Forester, winner of the Canadian Turf Handicap at Gulfstream Park worked four furlongs in 50 flat...Real Dandy, second in the Risen Star Stakes (GII) went four furlongs in 52.40...2004 Cicada Stakes (GIII) winner Bohemian Lady worked five furlongs in 1:01.20...On The Acorn, third in the Bay Meadows Derby (GIII), went five furlongs in 1:04.60...Pro Prado, 13th in last year's "Run for the Roses," worked five furlongs in 1:03.60...Ready's Gal, second in the 2004 Frizette Stakes (GI), worked 1:01.40...Tempus Fugit, winner of the Likely Exchange Stakes at Turfway Park, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40, second fastest of 29 works at the distance... (Turf: FIRM, Dogs Up) - 2002 Aegon Turf Sprint (GIII) winner Testify breezed four furlongs in 49.60...Taylor's Special Handicap winner Wrzeszcz, breezed four furlongs in 52 flat...Neil Howard sent out Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap winner America Alive and Bayou Breeders' Cup Handicap (GIII) winner Shadow Cast for five furlong works in 1:00.20. They tied for the fastest works of seven at the distance...Open Mind Stakes winner Anna Em went five furlongs in 1:01 flat...Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) runner-up Rush Bay worked five furlongs in 1:00.80... Mardi Gras Handicap winner Warleigh worked five furlongs in 1:02.40.

Fletcher Bullish on Horse Industry But Notes Challenges Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher reiterated his view of horse racing and breeding in the state April 21 and acknowledged the challenges, including in-state and out-of-state competition from other forms of gambling.
Fletcher delivered his remarks at the Association of Racing Commissioners International convention in Lexington. Fletcher, who was elected in 2003, made regulatory reforms in racing a chief objective.
"We intend on staying the horse capital of the world," Fletcher said.
The governor noted how Kentucky battled back from the effects of mare reproductive loss syndrome in the spring of 2001, and said Kentucky's share of the United States Thoroughbred crop continues to grow. He also cited a recent all-time attendance record at Keeneland and completion of a $121-million reconstruction project at Churchill Downs as signs of industry health.
Among the challenges, Fletcher said, is competition from other forms of gambling, even in-state charitable games and the lottery. He stopped short of offering suggestions on how to level the playing field but indicated there's more to be done.
"It's clear Kentucky and the entire horse industry must continue to work hard to remain competitive," Fletcher said. "What we do in Kentucky to improve the horse industry will improve the horse industry in the nation and perhaps globally as well."
Fletcher has said any push for expanded gambling would have to come from the state legislature. Bills for racetrack gaming failed in 2002, 2003, and 2004, though it's widely believed 2006 will prove an active year on that front.
Fletcher touched on the state's new motto--"Unbridled Spirit"--and its relation to the horse. He said economic development as it relates to the horse industry remains a focus of the administration.
He recalled visiting Monarchos on the backstretch at Churchill the day after the colt had won the 2001 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), and tied it to the fact horses always have the right of way on the backstretch.
"Monarchos knew he had the right of way, and he had the air of a champion," Fletcher said. "That spirit of the horse is something that's contagious in Kentucky and around the world."
As for regulatory matters, Fletcher said it's imperative to foster and protect integrity in the horse business. He said no industry, particularly one that relies on gambling, can survive without the public's confidence.
He said when he took office, he was told about alleged "cheaters" and liberal equine medication rules and set out to "close loopholes." The effort has resulted in medication reform and the rewriting of many Kentucky racing regulations.

Churchill Downs Asks Judge to Prohibit Jockey Walkout Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

With the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) less than four weeks away, Churchill Downs is asking a judge to ensure the Jockeys' Guild does not direct a Derby walkout.
Churchill sued the guild last month, claiming it violated antitrust laws by orchestrating walkouts last fall at the track and at Churchill-owned Hoosier Park near Indianapolis over on-track accident insurance. The guild, a 1,200-member organization based in Monrovia, Calif., has denied it directed the walkouts.
The Churchill motion says it believes the guild will focus on Derby week activities.
"The Guild knows that a boycott on or around May 7 represents a highly effective strategy for gaining leverage by causing irreparable harm to Churchill," it says.
The March 29 filing in U.S. District Court asks for a prompt hearing. The case has been assigned to Judge John G. Heyburn II, but a hearing on the motion has not been scheduled.
Churchill cited a 1979 case stemming from a group of jockeys in Puerto Rico who attempted to get a higher cut of purse money from horse owners and refused to race when their demands were not met.
The riders were subsequently sued for breaking antitrust laws. A district court ruled against the jockeys. An appeals court supported the lower court's decision, determining the riders were independent contractors, and directed them not to boycott races.
Churchill argues the guild's actions mirror those of the Puerto Rican jockeys.
"It has contracted or conspired with the jockeys in an illegal effort to control prices through concerted action. It deserves the exact same result: an injunction against its illegal activities," Churchill said.
Kentucky is not among five states that provide workers' compensation coverage for jockeys. Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher has asked a panel to study the issue and recommend a workers' comp solution for jockeys, exercise riders, and apprentice jockeys at Kentucky tracks and training facilities by Sept. 1.
In the meantime, the state racetracks have agreed to raise their on-track accident coverage from $100,000 to $1 million. Churchill Downs will have its new policy in place by the start of the track's spring meet April 30, spokesman John Asher said.

New York Trainer DeMola Hit With 15-Day Ban Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Trainer Richard DeMola has been slapped with a 15-day suspension by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for the finding of clenbuterol in the post-race test of the winning Mr. Determined.
The best horse in DeMola's stable was the winner of the seventh race at Aqueduct on Feb. 19. Mr. Determined, who is entered to run Saturday in the second race at Aqueduct, was disqualified from that result and the purse money from the race has been redistributed.
The original ruling called for a 30-day suspension, but the ban was cut in half when DeMola waived his right to appeal. He will begin serving on April 13 and will be denied privileges to all New York Racing Association tracks through April 27.
DeMola, who runs a small stable, won two races during the Aqueduct Winter meeting.
The ruling comes as New York horsemen await the final answer on a detention barn, slated to begin for all NYRA races when Belmont opens for business on May 4.
It is unlikely a detention barn would curb the use of clenbuterol, which is used in training and administered days ahead of a race.

New York Trainer DeMola Hit With 15-Day Ban Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Trainer Richard DeMola has been slapped with a 15-day suspension by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for the finding of clenbuterol in the post-race test of the winning Mr. Determined.
The best horse in DeMola's stable was the winner of the seventh race at Aqueduct on Feb. 19. Mr. Determined, who is entered to run Saturday in the second race at Aqueduct, was disqualified from that result and the purse money from the race has been redistributed.
The original ruling called for a 30-day suspension, but the ban was cut in half when DeMola waived his right to appeal. He will begin serving on April 13 and will be denied privileges to all New York Racing Association tracks through April 27.
DeMola, who runs a small stable, won two races during the Aqueduct Winter meeting.
The ruling comes as New York horsemen await the final answer on a detention barn, slated to begin for all NYRA races when Belmont opens for business on May 4.
It is unlikely a detention barn would curb the use of clenbuterol, which is used in training and administered days ahead of a race.

Churchill Imposes Restrictions on Horses from Gulfstream, Palm Meadows Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Churchill Downs has stopped accepting horses from Palm Meadows, a Florida training facility where several horses have been diagnosed with the bacterial infection known as "strangles."
The ban, which also includes Gulfstream Park, will remain in effect until Churchill officials are satisfied that precautions are being taken to control the strangles infection in Florida, track President Steve Sexton said.
"We hope it's over in a matter of days," Sexton said. "But it's an ever-changing environment."
No strangles cases have been confirmed at Gulfstream, although five horses trained by Dale Romans at Palm Meadows have been diagnosed with the infection.
The Louisville track is not putting any restrictions on horses from Churchill-owned Calder Race Course in Miami and Payson Park, another Florida training center that feeds into the Gulfstream races.
Strangles is rarely fatal but is highly contagious and typically forces horses to leave regular training while they recover. The disease can cause lymph nodes to swell and harden, resulting in breathing difficulties.
Churchill had said six horses tested positive twice for strangles at its Trackside training center in Louisville, but revised the figure to five. The horses have left Trackside and no cases have been confirmed at Churchill Downs.
Concern about the infections comes weeks before horses are due to arrive in Louisville for Churchill's spring meet and the Kentucky Derby.
Sexton said he's not concerned about strangles affecting the Derby and said the track will continue to take precautions against the disease.
"While our intent is certainly not to penalize anyone wanting to ship up, we have to take prudent business measures given the circumstances," Sexton said.
Meanwhile, Keeneland Race Course in Lexington is allowing horses from south Florida, but requires all horses arriving on the grounds to have a veterinarian's certificate signed the same day. Keeneland's spring meet begins April 8.
The certificate must verify that the animal has not come from a barn under quarantine for strangles or been exposed to the disease.
Churchill spokesman John Asher said a horse trained by Romans was sent from Churchill to the Rood and Riddle equine clinic near Lexington over the weekend after coming down with a temperature, which can be an early sign of strangles.
Romans has elected not to train horses in that barn since then, Asher said.
Several horses owned by Romans came down with strangles at Churchill Downs in December, and his horses are isolated and being tested for the disease at Trackside.

Authorities are seeking a gunman who has killed at least four Thoroughbreds in their pastures with a small caliber rifle near Fresno, Calif., in the past week.
The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association has offered a $5,000 reward to anyone with information regarding whoever is responsible for the shootings.
Three farms in Sanger, including Old English Rancho and one owned by longtime trainer Elmer January, reported shooting incidents between March 10 and 12. Sanger is located 15 miles east of Fresno.
A fourth farm owner in the immediate area made an additional report March 15 on another horse's shooting death, a Fresno County Sheriff's investigator said, but details were unclear. If confirmed, that would bring the total of dead horses to at least six.
Old English farm manager Craig Allen confirmed that two yearling colts, both owned by the ranch, were shot to death by "some freak taking potshots at animals in our area" March 12. The shooting took place at about 4:30 p.m. (PST) as the colts grazed in a pasture with 15 other yearlings near Piedra Road, which fronts the ranch.
Allen said they were fired upon at a distance of 30 to 40 feet. A third yearling was hit, probably by a ricocheted slug, he said, but was not seriously injured. A .22 caliber round was retrieved from one of the dead animals.
Allen declined to give the parentage of the deceased yearlings at this time, citing client security concerns.
The 78-year-old January, who is a neighbor of Old English Rancho, said both of his horses -- unbroken 3-year-old Thoroughbred fillies -- were found dead near his fence line next to Piedra Road the day before the Old English shootings. He said he was not sure of the cause of death at the time and did not initially file a report with the sheriff's office. But after learning of his neighbor's misfortune, he had a veterinarian check for bullet holes.
"They were shot," confirmed January, who has 60 head on his ranch. "It worries you. I've got a pasture full of them (horses) now. I've been here 44 years and nothing like this has ever happened before."
In a third incident, which occurred March 10 at 6:30 p.m., a 6-year-old Paint was shot in the right rib cage area. The unidentified owner of the farm heard a gunshot, saw a vehicle pull in front of his residence and heard a second shot. He ran outside to check his horses and saw what he said was a minivan fleeing the scene, according to the sheriff's department.
The day after the shootings at Old English Rancho, a maintenance worker at the ranch said he heard four popping noises, which he thought were possibly gun shots, east of his residence. He observed a brown or dark colored Ford Windstar minivan of recent make traveling south on Piedra Road.
Authorities believe the shootings are random crimes and that the farms were not targeted by the killer.