Horse Racing News on January 21, 2011

Live racing was canceled at Aqueduct Friday because track officials feared the effects of an overnight storm might cause damage to the inner track. It was the third weather-related cancellation of the winter meet.

Strike Again and Gran Estreno, the one-two finishers in the Fair Grounds meet's first turf-route stakes for older males, the Dec. 4 Diliberto Memorial, are back for the Grade 3, $100,000 Colonel Bradley Handicap on Saturday.

On Saturday, Smiling Tiger will be expected to perform at a championship level when he makes his 2011 debut in the $150,000 Palos Verdes Stakes over six furlongs.

Short fields have been dominated by heavy favorites or second choices. On paper, at least, Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Toboggan Stakes scheduled for six furlongs over Aqueduct's inner track has some appeal.

Miesque, the first two-time winner of a Breeders' Cup race and a champion in both Europe and America, was euthanized Thursday due to the infirmities of old age at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky.