Tag: Top News

Following Serious Fall At Gulfstream, Exercise Rider Bahena Upgraded To Stable Condition

Following a serious fall at Gulfstream Park earlier this week, exercise rider Bulfrano Andres Bahena was upgraded from critical to stable condition per his wife, Monica Garcia, on Friday. Bahena suffered serious back as well as various other injuries in the fall and underwent successful surgery Wednesday at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami to stabilize his back. Unfortunately he suffered significant nerve damage according to Garcia and faces a very long road of physical therapy and recovery according to his doctors. She said the long-range prognosis remains “unknown” at the present time.

Better known as Chano to his many friends on the backstretch, Bahena was aboard an unraced 2-year-old, Halverson (Audible), for trainer Bob Hess when the horse stumbled and rolled over the fallen rider. Halverson suffered no apparent injuries from the incident.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Bahena and his family. Donations can be made here.

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Smile Happy To Whitney; Rattle N Roll To Wait For JCGC Or Pacific Classic

Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed Lucky Seven Stable's Smile Happy (Runhappy) for next Saturday's GI Whitney S. at Saratoga Race Course, but his stablemate for the same owner, Rattle N Roll (Connect), will take his show on the road.

Both horses last raced in the GI Stephen Foster S. July 1 at Ellis Park. McPeek said Rattle N Roll will target either the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga or the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Both races are run at 10 furlongs September 2 and are “Win and You're In” qualifiers for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.

Smile Happy, who captured the GII Alysheba S. May 5 at Churchill Downs, got his first glimpse of the Oklahoma training track Friday.

“He galloped really well this morning over the Oklahoma track,” McPeek said. “This was his first day here. We stood him in the gate, backed him out and gave him some gate schooling. He did well.”

Smile Happy last breezed July 22 at Churchill Downs, completing a half-mile move in 49 seconds.

“We've had plenty of work into him at Churchill. He had a work days ago with a long, strong gallop and I don't know that we'll breeze him at all,” McPeek said.

McPeek described the 4-year-old as a quirky horse that likes doing things his own way.

“He's a bit of an alpha. He wants to run the show, but the talent is unquestioned,” McPeek said.

McPeek said Smile Happy will be ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr.

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Nest Targets Personal Ensign For Next Start

Last year's champion 3-year-old filly Nest (Curlin) will make her next start in the GI Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga Aug. 25. Part-owner Mike Repole of Repole Stables announced the news via social media Friday morning. Not seen since an off-the-board finish as the favorite in last Fall's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, Nest made a triumphant return to the races with a 2 1/4-length win over MGISW Clairiere (Curlin) in last Sunday's GII Shuvee S.

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Delaware Joins Growing List Of Track Cancellations Due To Heat

Joining an ever-growing list of tracks to cancel their programs to start the weekend, Delaware Park will follow suit and reschedule their Saturday live racing card due to the excessive heat forecasted for the region, the track said in a release Friday.

Acting upon the recommendation of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) veterinarians, the entire July 29 live racing card will be transferred to Friday, Aug. 4. The national weather service has predicted temperatures in the 90s with a heat index of value approaching the mid-100s. Live racing is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, August 2nd. First race post time is 12:30 p.m. E.T.

Elsewhere out of an abundance of caution, Woodbine Racetrack outside of Toronto cancelled its Thursday and Friday slate. The Mid-Atlantic heat caused Laurel Park to move its Friday card, while Ellis Park in Kentucky will shift its Friday and Saturday programs to Monday and Tuesday of next week. Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio also scratched its Friday racing and Colonial Downs, which announced it was cancelling its Friday card Wednesday, additionally postponed its Saturday card.

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