Rockport Harbor

Rockport Harbor will not participate in Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby, one of the final preparatory races for next month's Kentucky Derby. The 3-year-old Rockport Harbor, who has been hampered by a series of ailments, including foot problems and a blood clot in his neck, completed a 7/8-mile run in 1:25.6 at Oaklawn Park on Sunday before the decision was made by trainer John Servis. Horse bettingRockport Harbor instead will start the $325,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Race Track on April 23.

Young Chicago Drivers

Maywood, IL --- A new generation of horsemen are making an impact this season on the Chicago circuit, headed by a trio of young men -- Ryan Anderson, Ross Leonard and John Roberts. Each is making his presence felt early on in the Maywood Park driver’s race.
Through March 24, Leonard was in fifth place in the standings with 25 winners, Anderson was close behind in the sixth spot with 23 triumphs, while Roberts had 20 victories, putting him in eighth place.
What all three young drivers have in common is their age, background and self-confidence.
Ryan is the son of Joe Anderson, perennially among the nation’s winningest trainers. Ryan burst on the national season last year at the age of 20 and gained national recognition after he guided Popcorn Penny to victory in the $783,484 Breeders Crown Final for three-year-old filly pacers and became the youngest winning driver in the 17-year history of the series. He’ll reach his 21st birthday on June 21.
John is the son of veteran trainer Ronnie Roberts, a fixture on the Chicago circuit whose stable is currently second in victories in the Maywood Park trainer standings. John won’t be 21 until Nov. 1.
Ross is a third-generation Leonard horsemen. His grandfather Bud is a member of the IHHA’s Hall of Fame. His late uncle Gary spent many years driving and training in Illinois, as did Ross’ father Terry, who manages the family farm in Harvard, Illinois.
Ross is the elder statesman of the trio. He became 22-years-old on Feb. 21.
Each young driver is fulfilling a childhood dream, competing every night on the Chicago circuit. And while their processors had Illinois racetracks like Quad City Downs or Fairmont Park to gain valuable driving experience, there are no longer any “B” tracks left in the state for this and future generations to hone their skills. Instead these youngsters have had to compete on a nightly basis at Maywood and Balmoral against some of the very best drivers in all of North America.
What is obvious watching these youngsters in action nightly is that each is not intimated by matching their young skills against the likes of Hall of Famer Dave Magee; two-time national champion Tony Morgan; Andy Miller, winner of over 1,500 the last three seasons; and Dale Hiteman, who is less 130 victories away from the coveted 6,000 win plateau.
“My dad always told me don’t let these guys run you around,” said Ross Leonard. “You’ve got to hold your position, make your stand and make your presence felt. Confidence is the key to having success.”

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Maywood, IL --- A new generation of horsemen are making an impact this season on the Chicago circuit, headed by a trio of young men -- Ryan Anderson, Ross Leonard and John Roberts. Each is making his presence felt early on in the Maywood Park driver’s race.
Through March 24, Leonard was in fifth place in the standings with 25 winners, Anderson was close behind in the sixth spot with 23 triumphs, while Roberts had 20 victories, putting him in eighth place.
What all three young drivers have in common is their age, background and self-confidence.
Ryan is the son of Joe Anderson, perennially among the nation’s winningest trainers. Ryan burst on the national season last year at the age of 20 and gained national recognition after he guided Popcorn Penny to victory in the $783,484 Breeders Crown Final for three-year-old filly pacers and became the youngest winning driver in the 17-year history of the series. He’ll reach his 21st birthday on June 21.
John is the son of veteran trainer Ronnie Roberts, a fixture on the Chicago circuit whose stable is currently second in victories in the Maywood Park trainer standings. John won’t be 21 until Nov. 1.
Ross is a third-generation Leonard horsemen. His grandfather Bud is a member of the IHHA’s Hall of Fame. His late uncle Gary spent many years driving and training in Illinois, as did Ross’ father Terry, who manages the family farm in Harvard, Illinois.
Ross is the elder statesman of the trio. He became 22-years-old on Feb. 21.
Each young driver is fulfilling a childhood dream, competing every night on the Chicago circuit. And while their processors had Illinois racetracks like Quad City Downs or Fairmont Park to gain valuable driving experience, there are no longer any “B” tracks left in the state for this and future generations to hone their skills. Instead these youngsters have had to compete on a nightly basis at Maywood and Balmoral against some of the very best drivers in all of North America.
What is obvious watching these youngsters in action nightly is that each is not intimated by matching their young skills against the likes of Hall of Famer Dave Magee; two-time national champion Tony Morgan; Andy Miller, winner of over 1,500 the last three seasons; and Dale Hiteman, who is less 130 victories away from the coveted 6,000 win plateau.
“My dad always told me don’t let these guys run you around,” said Ross Leonard. “You’ve got to hold your position, make your stand and make your presence felt. Confidence is the key to having success.”

Young HorseUnderstand your horse -

Millionaire Fourstars Allstar Dies in England.

Fourstars Allstar, a star attraction in both New York and Ireland, was euthanized last month after breaking his neck, according to the Racing Post. The 17-year-old son of Compliance, due to stand at Astley Grange Farm Stud this season, was receiving veterinary treatment in Newmarket, England, for a urinary tract problem when he became distressed and injured himself.
Astley Grange bought Fourstars Allstar from Irish-based Coolmore Stud late last year.
Fourstars Allstar's racing career coincided with that of his millionaire full brother Fourstardave. Leo O'Brien trained the two popular runners in New York for breeder/owner Richard Bomze.
Fourstars Allstar won seven graded stakes in North America and was New York-bred Horse of the Year in 1991 and '93. His biggest claim to fame, however, came when he become the first American-trained horse to win a European classic. His victory in the Airlie Coolmore Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) for Bomze and partner Philip DiLeo came just a week after a triumph at Belmont Park. Fourstars Allstar returned to New York shortly after.
At Saratoga, where Fourstardave has a grade II turf stakes run in his honor, Fourstars Allstar captured two runnings of the Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) and the Saratoga Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIIT). Fourstars Allstar ended his career in 1995 with 14 wins from 59 races and earnings of $1,596,760. He was sent to Coolmore for stud duty.
Fourstars Allstar, who was produced from the Bold Arian mare Broadway Joan, sired English group II winner Jardines Lookout. His also sired two hurdle stakes winners.
Copyright © 2005 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Pleasantly Perfect Muscles Up for Breeders' Cup

Pleasantly Perfect is in prime condition for the defense of his Breeders' Cup Classic crown at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, on Saturday.
The favorite, who also won the $6 million Dubai World Cup in March, worked over the weekend at Santa Anita in California, scene of the 2003 series, impressing trainer Richard Mandella.
He told the Breeders' Cup Web Site his champion had never been better.
Mandella said: "This was his big one. We've built up to it over the last month to this point and the rest will kind of taper off from here.
"Because he hasn't raced in a while, I had to give him something similar to a race."
Pleasantly Perfect is quoted as 7-4 favorite for a successful defense of his crown ahead of 11-2 chance Birdstone, the Belmont and Travers Stakes winner.
Birdstone worked at Lone Star Park on Sunday when connections played down a rash visible on the horse's rump and flank.
Reynaldo Abreu, assistant to trainer Nick Zito, said: "It's already dried out and dead. There's just no hair there. There's nothing wrong with his blood or inside of him. Actually, it looks a lot better than it did a week ago."
Exercise rider Maxine Correa said: "He went fine. He was looking around, checking out the surroundings. He's really, really good. Mentally and physically he's gotten fuller. He knows his business now and he's very focused."
The $4 million Classic is the highlight of the eight-race $14 million series which is being held in Texas for the first time since its inception in 1984.
Lone Star Park opened only seven years ago and the event is a 51,000 sell-out.
A 12-strong contingent from Europe is gathering and features English and Irish Oaks winner Ouija Board who also finished third in this month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The three-year-old was flying out from England on Monday. A decision on whether she contests the Filly and Mare or the tougher Turf race will be made on Wednesday, the day of final declarations and post-positions draw.

Eyes of Texas are upon them

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - This may be Lone Star Park, but more than a few stars big and bright will be deep in the heart of Texas on Oct. 30 for the 21st Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
Five previous Breeders' Cup race winners and two winners of Triple Crown races were among the 101 horses pre-entered Wednesday in the eight Breeders' Cup races, including Pleasantly Perfect, who won last year's Classic and heads an outstanding field for this year's $4 million Classic. The Classic also attracted Funny Cide, the popular winner of last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and Birdstone, who spoiled Smarty Jones's Triple Crown bid in this year's Belmont Stakes, then won the Travers.
Birdstone, Funny Cide, and Pleasantly Perfect could capture Horse of the Year with a victory in the 1 1/4-mile Classic, as could Ghostzapper and Roses in May, both of whom are unbeaten this year. The mare Azeri was pre-entered in both the Classic and Distaff, and though the Distaff was listed as her first choice, owner Michael Paulson on Wednesday said no decision had been made. If Azeri were to capture the Classic, she too could be Horse of the Year.
"We'll look at both fields and see how the races size up," Paulson said on a conference call. "Right now, we're pretty much sitting on the fence. We're looking at both races with a lot of scrutiny."
Azeri won the Distaff in 2002. If she goes in the Distaff this year, she will face Storm Flag Flying, who won the Juvenile Fillies in 2002 and is seeking to become the first horse to win two different Breeders' Cup races.
In addition to Pleasantly Perfect, both Mile winner Six Perfections and Sprint winner Cajun Beat will be back to defend their 2003 titles.
The 101 pre-entries equals the number of pre-entries last year at Santa Anita, this despite only 11 pre-entries from horses who made their last start in Europe, and a record low for the Juvenile of only eight 2-year-old colts. However, the Breeders' Cup did attract an entry from Japan, the 3-year-old colt Personal Rush, who is in the Classic.
"The quality is befitting of a world championship," D.G. Van Clief Jr., the president of the Breeders' Cup, said at a Wednesday morning news conference. "The Classic is one of the most competitive and entertaining we've seen in awhile."
Seven of the horses, including Azeri, were pre-entered in two races, so there are 108 total entries. Eight horses were not originally nominated to the Breeders' Cup, and thus must be supplemented to their respective races. The supplemental fees total $1.1 million, on top of the $14 million guaranteed in the eight races.
Bobby Frankel, the trainer of Ghostzapper, and Todd Pletcher, who trains Sprint favorite Speightstown, have the most pre-entries among trainers, with six each.
Wednesday's pre-entry stage is the first of a two-step entry process. On Wednesday, final entries are taken, at which time horses pre-entered in more than one race must be entered in just one race. Post positions are then drawn.
Three of the races - the Juvenile Fillies, Mile, and Sprint - attracted more than the maximum of 14 horses. In those cases, seven horses received berths based on points earned in graded stakes during the year, and seven more were chosen by an international panel of racing officials.
Those who did not make the cut - including five horses in the Mile - were placed on an also-eligible list, in order of the panel's preference. Those horses can get into the race only if a horse now in the main body of the race defects before entry time on Wednesday. Once final entries are taken, there is no also-eligible list.
This will be the first Breeders' Cup held in Texas. Lone Star Park only began conducting racing in 1997. It is the youngest track to host the Breeders' Cup, and its selection is an endorsement of the well-regarded staff here, led by track president Corey Johnsen. "This puts Lone Star and Texas racing and breeding on the international map," Johnsen said.
"We've spent $8.5 million on permanent and temporary improvements," Johnsen said. Included in that figure are some 39,000 temporary seats for the Breeders' Cup, which brings the capacity to more than 51,000 for race day. The event is a sellout.
It was unseasonably warm here on Wednesday, with temperatures creeping into the low 90's. The heat is expected to dissipate over the weekend, and high temperatures in the mid-70's are forecast through the middle of next week.
Several horses already are on the grounds, including Roses in May, Turf favorite Kitten's Joy, and the top Juvenile Fillies contender Sense of Style. Most runners are expected to arrive the early part of next week.
Pleasantly Perfect is the 3-1 favorite in the 13-horse Classic on the early line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form's national handicapper. Other early favorites are Azeri (6-5) in the Distaff, Sweet Catomine (5-2) in the Juvenile Fillies, Nothing to Lose (4-1) in the Mile, Speightstown (3-1) in the Sprint, Ouija Board (8-5) in the Filly and Mare Turf, Roman Ruler (2-1) in the Juvenile, and Kitten's Joy (9-5) in the Turf.
Pleasantly Perfect "couldn't be any better," according to his trainer, Richard Mandella, who set a Breeders' Cup record with four victories last year. "He's smarter and better in his racing. It's more than a person could ask."
Mandella said that if Pleasantly Perfect comes out of the Classic in good shape, he will race again next month in the Japan Cup Dirt in Tokyo. That schedule is among the reasons Pleasantly Perfect has not raced since his victory in the Pacific Classic on Aug. 22. Mandella said he also wanted to judiciously manage Pleasantly Perfect following his victory in the Dubai World Cup in March.
"The trip to Dubai is a taxing trip," he said. "It's hard on horses. But I don't agree that you can't come back and be as good. You just can't overrace."
Birdstone also has been lightly raced the second part of the year. The Classic will be only his second start since the Belmont.
"He's a little horse. He needs lots of time," said Marylou Whitney, who bred and owns Birdstone with her husband, John Hendrickson. Whitney said she is desirous of racing Birdstone next year at age 4, but first wants to see how he comes out of the Classic.
Roses in May galloped 1 1/2 miles at Lone Star on Wednesday morning after arriving Tuesday. The only other Classic runner here is Dynever, who merely jogged Wednesday.
Funny Cide for the second straight day had a scheduled workout postponed by wet weather at Belmont Park. "With all the rain in New York, we haven't been able to get a work in," said Jack Knowlton, who manages the Sackatoga Stable partnership, which owns Funny Cide. Funny Cide ran poorly in last year's Classic, but the decision to run was made at the 11th hour. This year, Funny Cide is coming off a victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
"He's coming into this race on an up note," Knowlton said.
Classic (Grade 1) 1 1/4 miles Purse: $4,000,000
HORSE
TRAINER
COMMENT
ODDS
Ghostzapper
R. Frankel
It could well be he is simply the best horse here
7-2
Pleasantly Perfect
R. Mandella
Won this last year, but not off a 69-day layoff
3-1
Roses in May
D. Romans
If he runs back to his Whitney, he'll be a handful
6-1
Birdstone
N. Zito
Travers winner has had 63 days to get ready
6-1
Dynever
C. Clement
Has a chance to be the underlay of this race
10-1
Funny Cide
B. Tagg
I'll give him this, he has heart, and a lot of it
8-1
Newfoundland
T. Pletcher
Close to Funny Cide, nowhere vs. Ghostzapper
15-1
Perfect Drift
M. Johnson
You have to wonder if he will ever win again
12-1
Azeri
D. W. Lukas
Likely to run in Distaff; has no chance to win this
12-1
Fantasticat
B. Barnett
World of difference between Super Derby, this
30-1
Freefourinternet
M. Maker
Beat Perfect Drift last time; everyone does that
50-1
Bowman's Band
H. A. Jerkens
Winless this year; the owner picked a nice spot
50-1
Personal Rush
K. Yamauchi
Performs at minor tracks in Japan; overmatched
50-1

UBA Technology Markets Betting Exchange Software

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 2004--UBA Technology Inc. (UBTA.PK), a leading software development company, has commenced marketing its proprietary Betting Exchange software to qualified gaming industry licensees.
Betting exchanges act as online intermediaries between individual bettors, allowing them to bet against each other, usually only taking a small commission from the winner. During the last four years, betting exchanges have revolutionized the market of sports betting in the United Kingdom, and have successfully captured a large market share from traditional bookmakers.
A recent report by Media & Entertainment Consulting Network predicts "the total annual volume of bets matched by betting exchanges in Europe will grow from US$16 billion in 2004 to US$159 billion by 2008. Odds offered by betting exchanges on average are about 20% better than those offered by traditional bookmakers."
UBA's software is a turn-key solution providing cutting edge gaming technology and secure financial transactions over the Internet. Rather than initially compete with the large UK-based betting exchanges, such as Betfair, which reportedly handles more than US$100 million in bets each week, UBA has adopted a Mini-Ubet exchange model to provide select event betting to licensees worldwide.
UBA will privately brand a betting exchange site to suit every licensee's requirements. UBA, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ubetanything.com, will provide all functionality and back-end support to qualified licensees. The software is supported with secure online payment systems, database management, multi currencies and languages, and customer service, for a complete solution. The individual licensees will be responsible for their own marketing in order to attract, build and maintain their client base.
Forward-Looking Statements:
With the exception of historical information, this news release and accompanying information may include forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various risks. There are numerous factors that could contribute to such differences, therefore such projected events and anticipated results are not warranties or guarantees that such events will occur or that the Company will achieve such results. For more information about this corporation, please see these companies' websites.

Balletto should get pace she needs

ELMONT, N.Y. - Balletto got closer to Sense of Style than anyone has yet. With Sense of Style racing out of town, Balletto figures the one to beat in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Frizette at Belmont Park.Balletto will be a slight favorite in the Frizette, a 1 1/16-mile race that drew a field of eight and should produce a few runners for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30.Balletto, a daughter of 1994 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Timber Country, won her first two starts, both at Saratoga. In the Matron, Balletto encountered some traffic trouble around the turn and in the stretch, but still closed well to be beaten just one length by Sense of Style, who is undefeated."There was a strong headwind that day and the pace was slow, and we sat closer to the pace than I expected her to, but she was running so easily," said trainer Tom Albertrani. "Being on the inside, she couldn't keep her momentum going around the turn. Turning for home she had a little traffic trouble. She finally got clear and she found her best stride late."I feel if she puts in the same effort as her last race, I think she should be right there. She certainly could be the one to beat."Corey Nakatani rides Balletto from the rail.The pace should be swifter in the Frizette than in the Matron. Sis City, a 16-length winner of a minor stakes at Monmouth on Sept. 12, and J P Jewel, a front-running maiden winner going seven furlongs at Saratoga, are likely to be part of the early pace.Play With Fire and Ready's Gal appear to be the stiffest challengers to Balletto.Play With Fire finished three-quarters of a length behind Balletto when third in the Matron. Trainer Mark Hennig said he felt Play With Fire may have faltered late after taking first run at Sense of Style around the far turn.Though Play With Fire is a daughter of Boundary, Hennig says she can get the 1 1/16 miles."There's certainly plenty of pedigree on the bottom side to warrant she could run on," said Hennig, who won the 2000 Frizette with Raging Fever.Ready's Gal won two races at Saratoga despite breaking poorly in both races. She made up more than 12 lengths to win a five-furlong race Aug. 5, before overcoming another bad break to win a 6 1/2-furlong entry-level allowance race by two lengths Aug. 30."I think the good thing about both of those races is that she got an education in them," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "A lot of times you win first time out, but you're on the lead the whole way and you never really overcome any adversity. And when things don't go your way in a bigger race down the road, it can work against you. In this filly's case she's only had two starts, but she's had a fair amount of seasoning in both of them."Darn That Girl had a foot injury when fourth in the Schuylerville, and she bled when fourth in the Matron. Trainer Rick Violette said Darn That Girl had a clean endoscopic examination Thursday.Comacina returns to facing fillies after finishing last in the Futurity. Shebelongstoyou, who won her maiden by 6 1/2 lengths with Lasix added, was cross-entered in Friday's Alcibiades at Keeneland.