http://www.ntra.com/ Headline News from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association 2006 NTRA en-us Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:04:12 GMT support@ntra.com support@ntra.com http://www.ntra.com/images/header_logo_NTRA.gif http://www.ntra.com/ 90 63 30 OCEANPORT, N.J. - Musket Man, the third-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, is done for the year with a bone bruise. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40270 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:04:12 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40270 INGLEWOOD, Calif. - First, she was a main-track sprinter, then a turf sprinter. Now, Strawberry Tart has reinvented herself as a turf miler. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40269 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:03:03 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40269 Gold Mark Farm’s Backtalk willingly accelerated in the final furlong and scored a clear victory in the $110,500 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) on Friday at Churchill Downs. Ridden by Miguel Mena for trainer Tom Amoss, Backtalk slightly brushed Grand Slam Andre in early stretch and then unleashed a powerful turn of foot to win the six-furlong race for 2-year-olds by one length in 1:11.08 on a track rated fast. Backed as the 4-5 favorite, Backtalk stumbled at the start as Soundman was rushed to the front and clipped off fractions of :21.98 for a quarter-mile and :45.84 for a half-mile. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40256 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:37:37 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40256 The American Oaks at Hollywood Park on Sunday holds the double distinction of being the first international race of the year in America as well as one of the better betting contests held anywhere in the world this year. Although a purse cut of $300,000 to $700,000 during these difficult times has led in part to an absence of Japanese invaders, England, Ireland, and New Zealand will be represented. A mile and a quarter on turf are conditions foreign to all of the American fillies in the Oaks. However, two of the three foreign raiders, Apple Charlotte and Puttanesca, are stakes winners at the distance, while Rare Ransom has been banging heads at a tougher level of competition than any of her rivals. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40255 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:19:38 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40255 ELMONT, N.Y. - Despite his impressive record that includes 11 stakes wins and more than $1.1 million in earnings, Fabulous Strike could be vulnerable in Sunday's Grade 2, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap at Belmont Park. As the 123-pound highweight, Fabulous Strike is conceding eight to 11 pounds to serious contenders Driven by Success and Munnings. Fabulous Strike is racing at seven furlongs, a distance at which he is 0 for 3. In Driven by Success, Fabulous Strike faces a strong pace rival while Munnings looms a serious stretch threat. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40254 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:17:22 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40254 INGLEWOOD, Calif. - There is no modesty in trainer Bob Baffert's hopes for Zensational, the quick 3-year-old who makes his stakes debut in Sunday's $300,000 Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park. "I'm trying to develop him into the best sprinter in America," he said. Zensational is being asked to accomplish a lot on Sunday. The Triple Bend is a Grade 1, features a field of 14, and will be Zensational's first start against older horses. Baffert is confident the colt is ready for such a test. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40253 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:14:59 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40253 OCEANPORT, N.J. - Summer Bird was bright and alert Friday morning at Monmouth Park at the conclusion of his two-day trip from Louisiana. The same couldn't be said for Tim Ice, the trainer of the Belmont Stakes winner, who admitted to being bushed after the journey. "I'm tired," Ice said. "The trip killed me this time but he shipped great. He's full of himself. Overall, the weather was perfect for the trip. We ran into a little rain last night but it was cooling. We didn't have to travel in 90 to 100 degree heat." http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40252 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:12:38 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40252 Better Talk Now, the multiple Grade 1 winning 10-year-old gelding, will scratch out of Saturday's Grade 1 United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park after injuring a splint bone in a hind leg, trainer Graham Motion said. "I don't know that it's that serious, it's just enough to stop him from running tomorrow," Motion said Friday afternoon. "I don't want to run him if he's not 100 percent." Motion said there was a "slim window" that Better Talk Now could run back in the Grade 1 Man o' War at Belmont next Saturday, but the more likely scenario is that he would make his next start in the Sword Dancer at Saratoga on Aug. 15. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40251 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:10:23 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40251 OCEANPORT, N.J. - Ben Perkins Jr. has a long history in the Jersey Shore Stakes, having won the first edition with Surely Six in 1992 when the race originated at Atlantic City Race Course. Perkins will try to write a new chapter Sunday when he sends out Wildcat Brief in the 18th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 stakes for 3-year-olds going six furlongs. The Jersey Shore was transferred to Monmouth Park in 1997. From 1992 to 1995, the race was run at seven furlongs, positioning it early on the night card. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40250 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:06:22 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40250 ELMONT, N.Y. - The decision by the New York Racing Association to move the Man o' War from the fall to the summer continues to pay dividends. Last year, the race attracted three Breeders' Cup winners, including 2007 Classic winner Curlin, who finished second in the Man o' War in between Breeders' Cup Turf winners Red Rocks and Better Talk Now. Curlin would eventually go on to be voted Horse of the Year. Next Saturday, the $500,000 Man o' War is expected to go to post with seven Grade 1 or Group 1 winners. http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40249 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:02:54 GMT http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=40249