NEWS - Saturday, August 5, 2006

[PaceAdvantage]

Whitney victory would put Flower Alley in exclusive company
Three years ago, Medaglia d'Oro became the first horse to win the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), Travers Stakes (G1), and Whitney Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Flower Alley can duplicate that feat on Saturday with a victory in the $750,000 Whitney, a 1 1/8-mile race for horses three years old and older. Thoroughbred Times

Churchill, Magna to work together in bid for New York franchise
Churchill Downs Inc. and Magna Entertainment Corp., North America's two largest racetrack operators, will work cooperatively in the bidding process for the New York franchise currently operated by the New York Racing Association. Thoroughbred Times

Stormy Kiss Lasts to Wire in Honorable Miss
Lael Stable's Stormy Kiss overcame a stumble at the start to earn a front-running victory under Javier Castellano in Friday's $150,000 Honorable Miss Handicap (gr. II) for fillies and mares at six furlongs, holding off the fast closing Malibu Mint by a neck at Saratoga. Blood-Horse

Three Grade I Winners Tackle 'Ticket in Hirsch
Louisiana-bred mare Happy Ticket, out of the money just once in 17 lifetime starts, leads a field of six to the gate Sunday for the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (gr. II) at Del Mar. Blood-Horse

Artie Schiller to Rebound in Fourstardave 'Cap
Artie Schiller, yet to win in two starts this season, is the clear standout in a field of five entered for the $150,000 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) at 1 1/16 miles on the Saratoga turf Sunday. Blood-Horse

Arlington Park hires consultant for third inspection of track surface
The hiring of an innovative racetrack consultant to conduct a third inspection of the main track at Arlington Park to determine its safety was announced on Friday by the Illinois Racing Board. Thoroughbred Times

NTRA executive to appear on `Queer Eye'
National Thoroughbred Racing Association television department executive Peter Rotondo will appear on the next episode of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," which will air on Tuesday at 10 p.m. EDT. Thoroughbred Times