good-son

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Silent Soul Schools for Inglewood Handicap

Silent Soul, a 5-year-old chestnut by Afternoon Deelites, looked absolutely smashing in the paddock at Hollywood Park Saturday afternoon, where he was schooling for trainer Dave Hofmans in preparation for Sunday's $100,000 Inglewood Handicap.

In his last race, Silent Soul won a one-mile Allowance/Optional Claiming race on the all-weather track at Santa Anita Feb. 13, beating Mr. Napper Tandy. Mr. Napper Tandy subsequently ran a close second in the Grade 2 Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita.
--------- Read the full text ---------

Hollywood Park Schooler: Gale in the Vale

Gale in the Vale schools in the Hollywood Park paddock 4/25/09.

If you're watching the Sunday card at Hollywood Park, you might want to keep an eye out for this lovely 4-year-old bay filly, Gale in the Vale, who runs in the 9th race for trainer Howard Zucker. I watched her school in the paddock during the afternoon races Saturday, and she certainly looks fit.

Joe Talamo has the mount for owners Fast Lane Farm, WGAS 10 Racing Stable, Baneth, et al, in the claiming race for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 7 furlongs on the synthetic track. Gale in the Vale is a Maryland-bred daughter of Two Punch.
--------- Read the full text ---------

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Composto Sam Hecht

Por Sam Hecht.

--------- Read the full text ---------

Joe Talamo in a Live Interview at Hollywood Park

Kurt Hoover interviews Joe Talamo for "The Inside Scoop."

Jockey Joe Talamo unleashed some of his southern charm on a group of fans at Hollywood Park this morning in an interview with Kurt Hoover for "The Inside Scoop." Talamo spoke about several topics, including his mount on Kentucky Derby contender I Want Revenge, his upcoming races on the Gold Rush Day card at Hollywood Park, and his fitness regimen.

Blue skies and an ocean breeze are the backdrop for today's California Gold Rush Day, which features ten stakes races for California-breds. The stakes are all named for past California champions such as Snow Chief, Melair, Khaled, Fran's Valentine, B. Thoughtful, Tiznow, Grey Memo and Alphabet Kisses. Talamo has mounts for seven of the stakes races.
--------- Read the full text ---------

Friday, April 24, 2009

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Sharing the Stute Pride in Kentucky Derby Contender Papa Clem

Nowhere is news of Papa Clem more closely followed than right here at Clockers Corner, Santa Anita. Morning regulars gather around iconic trainer Mel Stute, hanging on every bit of current information about the California contender for the Kentucky Derby trained by his son, Gary.

Earlier today, Mel was proudly passing around this morning's article in the Los Angeles Times by well-known sports columnist Bill Dwyre. Dwyre brings attention to the story of the people behind the horse -- the "Hirsch-Stute team."

Dwyer's is the type of human interest story that gives life to the coverage of the Run for the Roses, and that inspires would-be racing fans to take a closer look at, and perhaps fall in love with, the sport that so beautifully weaves together the lives of humans and equines.

Papa Clem is trained by Gary Stute for owner Bo Hirsch. Warren Stute, Gary's uncle, trained for Bo's father, Clement L. Hirsch, for more than 40 years.

Mel Stute, who is still training at 81, also trained for Clement Hirsch in the early 60s, taking over for a couple of years when his brother tried a stint as a private trainer for Travis Kerr. Pressed for a story of one of his better runners from the period, Mel recalled Mary Mel -- a filly he claimed for Hirsch for $5,000 and who subsequently ran a close third against males in the 1963 Del Mar Derby.

With only 8 days to go until the First Saturday in May, the buzz at Clockers Corner will no doubt continue to escalate as we follow Papa Clem, Pioneerof the Nile, Chocolate Candy, I Want Revenge, and all of the "California connections" making their presence known in Louisville.
--------- Read the full text ---------