Horse Racing News by Jack Shinar

The first race at Golden Gate Fields Feb. 15 was declared a no-contest when, because of a malfunction, the starting gate couldn't be moved off the track in time for the one-mile event to be completed.

With sub-zero wind chills anticipated from a severe winter storm, the New York Racing Association canceled live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack Feb. 16, including the scheduled $100,000 Evening Attire Stakes.

Favored Merry Meadow turned what was shaping up as a match race with More Than a Party on the turn into a romping 9-1/2-length victory in the $150,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes Feb. 14 at Gulfstream Park.

Metaboss, coming from well off the pace with a powerful wide move, went from maiden winner to Triple Crown prospect with his victory in the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby Feb. 14 at Golden Gate Fields.

Convincing Smarty Jones winner Far Right is one of 11 promising 3-year-olds seeking to advance on the road to the Triple Crown in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes.

The El Camino Real Derby, one of only three North American stakes on this year's "Road to the Kentucky Derby" contested on a synthetic track, drew a good field of 10 with Conquest Typhoon installed as a lukewarm favorite.

The showdown everyone wanted to see produced a clear verdict for Shared Belief over reigning Horse of the Year California Chrome in the $500,000 San Antonio Invitational Stakes Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.

Odds-on choice Dortmund, passed in upper stretch by rival Firing Line, fought back gamely along the inside to score a determined head victory in the $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.

Horse of the Year California Chrome put in the final major drill for his 4-year-old debut when breezing five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 Feb. 1 at Los Alamitos Racecourse.

Lord Nelson spoiled the 3-year-old coming-out party for Texas Red in the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park Feb. 1, nipping the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner by a neck in a terrific finish.