Horse Racing News

Jockey Garrett Gomez has hired veteran agent Tony Matos to manage his book, Gomez said March 24.

Seeking a change of fortune, his trainer, Greg Fox, has brought Battle of Hastings here to Fair Grounds, hoping that a new turf course and a switch in riders will bring out the best Saturday in the Grade 2, $400,000 Mervin Muniz Memorial Handicap.

A field of 11 three-year-old fillies was entered on Wednesday for Saturday's $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks, the highlight of the Spiral Stakes undercard at Turfway Park, and the winner just may earn a spot in the starting gate for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks.

Snow Fall, one of the 3-year-old fillies entered in the Grade 2, $500,000 Fair Grounds Oaks on Saturday, will be scratched from the race after seeing her temperature spike to 104 degrees.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation intends to continue evaluating about 1,200 ex-racehorses in its program after a reported decision by the study's sponsor to cut off funding, according to a TRF board member.

Santa Anita jockey Garrett Gomez, who led the nation in purse earnings four of the past five years, will hire a new agent in coming weeks.

Bound for the winner's circle after Juniper Pass's hard-fought victory in Sunday's $150,000 San Luis Rey Stakes, owner Robert Irvin was understandably full of enthusiasm.

German-bred filly La Luna de Miel, making just her second start in the United States, collared Giants Play at the sixteenth pole and held on for a one-length win in the $150,000 Orchid Stakes on the Gulfstream Park grass March 20.

Chief of Affairs established himself as one of the top choices for next month's Grade 3, $200,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park when he won the $75,000 Hot Springs on Sunday in a meet-best time of 1:08.56 for six furlongs.

The Factor dominated from the start Saturday when winning by daylight in the 51st running of the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.