Horse Racing News on January 8, 2015

After racing primarily as a grass horse early in his career, Lea looked like he would be a major player on the dirt in 2014, when he began a promising campaign with victories in the $100,000 Hal's Hope Stakes and the $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream.

Parranda is ready to run, and that should come as bad news to her nine rivals in the $150,000 Marshua's River Stakes (gr. IIIT) Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park.

WinStar Farm's homebred Commissioner, runner-up by a head to Tonalist in the Belmont Stakes last June, will make his first start since the classic in a 1-1/16-mile optional claimer Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park.

Opening of the 2015 meet at Oaklawn Park has been postponed until Thursday, Jan. 15, as a result of track conditions cause by cold weather.

Lochte will be loaded onto a horse van at Gulfstream Park West Jan. 10 for an eight-mile spin.

Grade 1 winner Hoppertunity returns to Santa Anita Park Jan.10 as the 4-year-old tops the field of 11 older horses in the Grade 2, $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes at 1-1/16 miles.

Richard C. Pell's Calculator, coming off two straight Grade 1 runner-up finishes, will be seeking his first career victory when he faces seven challengers Jan. 10 in the $100,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

For the second consecutive day, live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack has been canceled Jan. 8 due to extreme weather conditions, including sub-zero wind chills, according to the New York Racing Association.