Champagne Room scheduled to make three-year-old debut in Las Virgenes
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Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Champagne Room, favored to win an Eclipse Award in the two-year-old filly division, is scheduled to make her three-year-old debut in the Grade II, $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at one mile on Feb. 5, trainer Peter Eurton said.
“As far as getting the Eclipse, I think she’s a stone favorite,” Eurton said of Kentucky-bred Broken Vow filly, who registered a 33-1 upset under Mario Gutierrez in the Juvenile Fillies.
“But I don’t take anything for granted until I hear them call her name and we walk up there.”
Voting deadline for the Eclipse Awards is Jan. 3. The 46th annual Eclipse Awards dinner will be held Jan. 21 at GulfstreamPark.
EDWIN MALDONADO BACK AFTER FOUR MONTHS
Edwin Maldonado was back at the races Wednesday for the first time in nearly four months after suffering horrifically painful injuries in a morning accident at Del Mar on Sept. 4.
“I had six broken ribs and a collapsed lung,” said the Ohio native who turned 34 Dec. 1.
“I’m ready to ride. I’ve never been more ready. I’m like a little kid. This is my first day back. I’m excited.”
Maldonado will be represented by agent Joe Griffin.
NEIL FRENCH PROGRESSES FROM SERIOUS INJURY
Neil French was a sight for sore eyes at Clockers’ Corner Wednesday. He was walking with the aid of only a cane.
The 64-year-old trainer had been using a riding cart to traverse through Santa Anita’s vast stable area since suffering an injury to his left leg in a fall at his barn in September of 2014.
“A new doctor and new medication,” French said in explaining his shucking of the cart.
French also has endured rheumatoid arthritis for years and at one point was bedridden for seven months, three months in a hospital and four in a rest home.
Flying beneath the national publicity radar throughout his career of 41 years, French has five horses in training at Santa Anita, where he is making the rounds slower these days but assuredly happier.
DRESS YOUR VERY BEST ON OPENING DAY MONDAY
Opening day Monday, Santa Anita will host a contest to discover how many of its loyal fans have true enthusiasm for prize-worthy, race-day attire. Males and females 18 and over are eligible and encouraged to partake in this FREE trackside event.
The Grand Prize winner will take home a $2,500 Gift Certificate to Mathis Brothers Furniture and gain entrance into the VIP seating area of the Craft Brew & Cider Trackside event for the remainder of the day.
Nine runners-up will each receive a $250 Gift Certificate to Mathis Brothers Furniture.
FINISH LINES: Shane’s Girlfriend, 13 1/4–length winner of the Delta Princess on Dec. 4 in track record time of 1:37.98 for a mile at Delta Downs, could face males in the Sham Stakes on Jan. 7. “Either that or the Santa Ynez (for fillies on Jan. 8),” said Dennis O’Neill, brother of Doug, who trains Shane’s Girlfriend for his brother, W.C. Racing and ERJ Racing, the latter nom de course of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson, currently sidelined with a broken right fibula . . . Santa Anita will be dark Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 27 and 28, and resume live racing Thursday, Dec. 29 at 12:30 p.m.
Source: Santa Anita Park
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