Notes - Jan 4

- I was looking pretty smart midstretch when 11-1 Dug Up opened up a couple of lengths in the 7th at Gulfstream on Wednesday. But he couldn't last, and it's worth noting he was caught four wide on the first turn. The winner, Vanquisher, is a Bill Mott-trainee making his first start on the turf.

Two winners for the Todd Pletcher barn provided an immediate reminder of what a farce his suspension is. Fairbanks, back in allowance company after an unsuccessful stakes try, paid a bit more down towards his $1.85 million purchase price, but the four-year old still has around a million to go to break even.

Three winners and a second place finisher on the card came from Woodbine. Let's keep an eye on horses that have been training there and at other tracks with artificial surfaces.

The races were not carried by New York OTB's, and Florida HBPA Executive Director Kent Stirling sounds like they're in for the long haul. “We figure that a lot of this business will be picked up anyway as players in New York bet through NYRA [New York Racing Association] outlets.” [Thoroughbred Times]