NEWS - Wednesday, August 9, 2006

[PaceAdvantage]

Two Yearlings Hit $1 M at Saratoga; Hot Market for Fillies
The opening session of the 86th annual Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale was one for the ladies, as a strong market for fillies led the way Tuesday evening in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Three of the eight highest-priced yearlings that sold for $500,000 or more were fillies, including the session topper -- a $1,150,000 daughter of first-year sire Sky Mesa. A colt by Distorted Humor later sold for $1 million. Blood-Horse

Court Ruling Could Invalidate Florida Slots Vote
A lawsuit challenging voter approval of a state constitutional amendment permitting slot machine gambling in two South Florida counties was reinstated Tuesday by an appellate court. Blood-Horse

Motion Sizes Up Arlington Festival Races
Trainer H. Graham Motion has a contender in two of the three big races at Arlington Park's International Festival of Racing, so he's in a good spot to assess the relative quality of Saturday's fields. Blood-Horse

Showing Up shoots for Grade 1 glory in Secretariat
In a five-race career that began a little less than six months ago, Showing Up has rapidly compiled an impressive résumé that includes two track records, a Grade 2 win on dirt, and a turf victory in a $1-million race. Thoroughbred Times

Travers Flashback: The Strange Saga of Jim French
The story of Jim French, one of the most indestructible, indefatigable horses of the modern era, has faded into history, taking with it the colt's remarkable feats of durability on the racetrack and the notorious final chapter of his career, in which the Travers favorite was impounded by the Saratoga County sheriff's office and not permitted to run. Blood-Horse

Valenzuela hospitalized, agent says
Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who was sidelined on July 16 due to back pain, has been hospitalized since late July, the jockey's agent, Tom Knust, told Daily Racing Form. Thoroughbred Times

Record Derby Weekend, Strong Business in Louisiana Boost Churchill Downs Inc.
Churchill Downs, Inc. reported net earnings from continuing operations for the second quarter of $33.4 million, or $2.45 per diluted share, significantly higher than the $22.7 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, earned during the same period in 2005. Blood-Horse

NTRA Mystery Mutuel Vouchers Worth $2 Million Mailed Nationwide
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Aug. 8 that vouchers worth nearly $2 million, including a $1 million grand prize, had been mailed to more than 325,000 consumers as part of the NTRA Mystery Mutuel Voucher promotion Aug. 12. The voucher giveaway is the NTRA's 12th such promotion dating back to August 2000. The vouchers are redeemable for cash Aug. 12 at participating racetracks and OTBs. Blood-Horse