NEWS - Friday, August 18, 2006

[PaceAdvantage]

Reading Room Update - Joe Takach: SUCKER BETS (Part 21)

Preliminary results indicate mass in Lost in the Fog's spleen is cancerous
Champion sprinter Lost in the Fog will undergo additional testing on Friday at the University of California–Davis that most likely will determine a course of action to treat a mass in the Lost Soldier colt's spleen that is believed to be cancerous. Thoroughbred Times

Chace City Looks Special at the Spa
Chace City dueled for the early lead then pulled away in the stretch to win the Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. II) by a length at the Spa Aug. 17. King of the Roxy, who gave chase early, finished second in the $200,000 race for juveniles. Blood-Horse

Barbaro no longer using sling
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Barbaro continues to improve, and he is no longer using a sling to support his weight, according to a press release from the University of Pennsylvania, where Barbaro is recovering from a shattered right hind leg and acute laminitis in his left hind foot. Thoroughbred Times

Full Field of 10 Entered in Del Mar Oaks
Ten 3-year-old fillies, including three shippers and the 1-2-3 finishers in Del Mar's grade II San Clemente Stakes, will head to the gate Saturday for the 50th running of the grade I, $400,000 Del Mar Oaks. Blood-Horse

First Six from CCA Oaks Back for Alabama
Pine Island could very well turn out to be the best 3-year-old filly racing in Saturday's running of the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga. Blood-Horse

TVG, California Horsemen Deadlock Over Hub Fees
Account wagering in California remains mired in a dispute between horsemen and TVG over setting hub fees, officials from both sides told the California Horse Racing Board on Aug. 17, with no guarantee the stalemate will be resolved soon. Blood-Horse

CHRB seeks hair sample from hospitalized rider Valenzuela
Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, a perennial leading rider in Southern California who has a history of substance abuse problems, will not be allowed to ride races again until the California Horse Racing Board is satisfied that he has not violated the terms of his conditional license, which stipulates he is be available for testing every day. Thoroughbred Times