UPI Horse Racing Roundup – September 8, 2015
September 8th, 2015By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
Liam’s Map plotted another leg of his trip to the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a handy win at Saratoga during the long holiday weekend as some of the potential stars of next year’s Triple Crown also started to twinkle.
There were significant races on the turf and sprinting on all surfaces — all with an eye on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, now just seven weeks over the horizon.
Sadly, that event will run without two-time U.S. Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who was retired Monday with yet another injury while preparing for the Woodbine Mile.
And truly, winter is coming. Del Mar and Saratoga are done.
Internationally, Jack Hobbs and Prince Gibraltar moved a step closer to the Arc with weekend victories. Hong Kong’s season opened with a big and enthusiastic crowd and Turkey’s big weekend of racing also was big for Godolphin.
It’s a big bag of goodies, so let’s dive in.
Classic
Liam’s Map appeared on the path to stardom in Saturday’s $600,000, Grade I Woodward at Saratoga. The 4-year-old Unbridled’s Song colt led the field through relatively soft fractions early in the race, then held sway without much problem in the lane, winning by 4 3/4 lengths over stablemate Coach Inge. Wicked Strong was third. Liam’s Map, with Javier Castellano up, got 9 furlongs in 1:47.44. The gray Todd Pletcher trainee, who just missed holding off Honor Code at the end of last month’s Grade I Whitney, now has five wins and two seconds from seven starts.
Pletcher noted Liam’s Map, despite the early fractions, picked things up nicely in the late going. “It was a pretty serious race,” he added. “He’s got that style where, if you chase, you’re in trouble.” Pletcher said he has yet to decide which direction Liam’s Map will take. “He’s a brilliant miler. We’ll see if we want to try the mile and a quarter.”
Turf
Ironicus circled all six rivals in the late stages of Monday’s $250,000, Grade II Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga and got clear late to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Grand Tito was second, a nose in front of All Included. Ironicus, a 4-year-old colt by Distorted Humor, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm going in course-record time of 1:38.54 with Javier Castellano in the irons. The colt worked his way up the allowance ranks and jumped up to win the Grade II Dixie Stakes at Pimlico in May. In his last previous start, he was second in the Grade II Fourstardave at the Spa, beaten just a neck by Grand Arch.
“It was a little bit of a throw away,” said winning trainer Shug McGaughey, “because after the Fourstardave I didn’t plan on running him here again. But he came out of his race good and he hasn’t really been running that much, so I thought we might as well give him a chance.”
Castellano added, “I’m looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup.”
The favorites didn’t show up in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade III Saranac Stakes for 3-year-olds at Saratoga and that left it for 9-1 long shot World Approval to rally by 13-1 chance Money Multiplier for the head victory under jockey Joel Rosario. Go Around had to go around most of the field to rally for third and the favorite, Hall of Fame winner Takeover Target, finished a dull sixth. World Approval, a Northern Afleet gelding, ran 9 furlongs on firm going in 1:45.39, just 0.17 second off the course record. World Approval picked up his fourth win from nine starts, bouncing back from a closing, fourth-place finish in the Hall of Fame.
“You can’t even say enough about the ride,” said Norm Casse, assistant to winning trainer Mark Casse. “The ride made a big difference. This horse is a very tricky horse to figure out and ride. You can’t give up on him and when you ask him, he’ll go.”
Om led all the way to a 2 1/4-lengths upset win in Sunday’s $250,000, Grade II Del Mar Derby. Thirty-to-1 shot Royal Albert Hall rallied from last of seven to take second away from the favorite, Prospect Park. Om, a Munnings colt, ran 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:47.79. It was his first graded stakes win after finishing third in the Grade III Affirmed at Santa Anita and second in the Grade II La Jolla Handicap earlier in the Del Mar meeting.
“He’s what I would call a really old-school horse,” said winning trainer Dan Hendricks. “He’s just a coarse, tough, good-feeling horse and it worked out just the way we’d talked about for two weeks.”
Designed For War won a nice 1 1/16-miles allowance race for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Saratoga but it would be wise to keep an eye on Tale of Life. The Japanese-bred colt by Deep Impact, making his first start outside France, rallied between horses in deep stretch to get home first but was set down to fourth for making the room between horses. He finished first and second in his first two starts, then didn’t fire in the Group 1 French 2,000 Guineas in May. He was making his first start for Graham Motion.
Filly & Mare Turf
She’s Not Here was right there at the finish of Sunday’s $200,000, Grade II Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar, outfinishing the favorite, Prize Exhibit for a 1/2-length victory. Lady Pimpernel finished third. She’s Not Here, a 4-year-old Street Cry filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.66 with Mike Smith aboard. It was her second straight win at Del Mar.
“I didn’t think there would be as much pace because there was only one speed horse,” said winning trainer Victoria Olivier. “But they went pretty quick up front. She had to circle wide, but she likes being on the outside and Mike rode her perfect.”
White Rose saved ground behind the leaders into the stretch turn in Saturday’s $200,000, Grade III Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga, came off the hedge to vie for the lead and prevailed by 3/4 length over Eastern Belle. Regardez was third and the favorite, Goldy Espony, faded to finish last of nine. White Rose, a 5-year-old Tapit mare, won for the first time since last October at Keeneland. She covered 1 3/8 miles on firm turf in 2:11.46 with Shaun Bridgmohan in the irons.
“She had a ground-saving trip the whole way. It was beautiful,” said winning trainer Bill Mott. “I thought, even down the backside, maybe he’ll tip her out and go outside of Goldy Espony, but he went inside. He cut the corner the whole way, so really it was a great trip.”
Strict Compliance put a nose in front of pacesetting Isabella Sings at the wire in Saturday’s $100,000, Grade III Boiling Springs Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Pine Needles was third, 3 lengths farther in arrears. Strict Compliance, an Into Mischief filly, ran 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:46.68. She had been fourth in the Grade I Belmont Oaks and third in the Grade II Lake Placid at Saratoga in her two previous starts.
“I had to move a little earlier than I wanted,” said winning jockey Joe Bravo. “Paco (jockey Lopez aboard Isabella Sings) did a great job slowing things down up front. Going into the race, I thought I couldn’t lose. At the eighth, pole I wasn’t as sure. But when you ride for Chad Brown you know you’re sitting on a good horse and this filly really kicked it in when it mattered.”
Turf Mile
Wise Dan is retired. The two-time Horse of the Year and two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, was found to have a tendon issue just as he was preparing to return from another injury in this weekend’s $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile. “He’d been training lights out,” trainer Charlie LoPresti said Monday. “But we noticed some filling in his tendon this morning when we were giving him a bath. The vet suggested we scan it and it turns out he has a tear on the outside edge of his tendon … We were trying to get to the Breeders’ Cup and we thought Woodbine was the perfect place to get started. We were so excited about coming but it wasn’t meant to be.” The 8-year-old Wiseman’s Ferry gelding goes to the bench with 23 wins from 31 starts and earnings of $7,552,920 for his owner and breeder, Morton Fink. He won Grade I events on both turf and dirt and earned four other Eclipse Awards in addition to the Horse of the Year statuettes for 2012 and 2013.
Tourist led all the way in Saturday’s $300,000 More Than Ready Mile at Kentucky Downs and held off the favorite, international traveler Undrafted, for a 3 3/4-lengths victory. Skyring was third. Tourist, a 4-year-old Tiznow colt, ran 1 mile on firm turf over the undulating, European-style course in 1:36.17. Jockey Florent Geroux, one of the sport’s young rising stars, completed a sweep of the day’s stakes triple and scored five wins on the card. Tourist was second in the Grade I Secretariat at Arlington Park last summer but had not raced since finishing 13th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Undrafted, by contrast, was coming off a win in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Turf Sprint
Pure Sensation battled with Mongolian Saturday all the way through Monday’s $300,000, Grade III Turf Monster Handicap at Parx Racing, finally finishing with a nose in front of that rival. Sharp Sensation made a late move to finish third, 1 length farther back. Amelia’s Wild Ride, Ben’s Cat and Tightend Touchdown followed in that order. Pure Sensation, a 4-year-old Zensational gelding, ran 5 furlongs on firm turf in 55.81 seconds under Kendrick Carmouche. It was his second straight win and first in a graded stakes. Ben’s Cat won this race in 2011 and 2012, finished third in 2013 and second last year.
Richie’s Sweetheart led all the way to a 2-lengths victory over Joya Real in Monday’s $200,000 Turf Amazon Handicap for fillies and mares at Parx. Inspired by Grace chased the pace and lost second in the final jumps. Richie’s Sweetheart, a 4-year-old, Illinois-bred filly by Bring the Heat, ran 5 furlongs on firm going in 56.36 seconds with E.T. Baird in the irons for co-owner, co-breeder and trainer Larry Rivelli, who trains the filly at Arlington Park.
Sprint
Big Macher had not run since finishing a close fifth in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March at Meydan, drew the outside gate for Monday’s $100,000 Pirate’s Bounty Stakes at Del Mar AND bobbled at the start. Still, the 5-year-old Beau Genius gelding was way too much for his 11 rivals, closing five-wide and drawing clear to win by 4 3/4 lengths. Cherubim was best of the rest with Athens third. Big Macher, with Rafael Bejarano up, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.18.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Cavorting rallied well wide through the stretch to score a popular victory in Sunday’s $300,000, Grade II Prioress Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga. With Irad Ortiz Jr. at the controls, the Bernardini filly drew clear late, winning by 3 lengths over Bar of Gold. Fusaichi Red was third. Cavorting ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.47. It was her third straight win and fifth from seven starts.
“She was sitting close from the start and there was enough speed up front so it worked out well,” said winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “We’ll train her up to the Breeders’ Cup from here because she likes a little more space between races.”
Living the Life drove by pacesetting favorite Leigh Court in deep stretch to win Monday’s $400,000, Grade II Presque Isle Downs Masters by 3/4 length. Miss Mischief finished third. Living the Life, a 5-year-old, Irish-bred daughter of Footstepsinthesand, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:15.17 with Joe Bravo riding.
Dirt Mile
Florida Won, unhurried early, moved up around the stretch turn in Sunday’s $200,000 Presque Isle Mile, then edged clear in the final sixteenth to win by 3/4 length over Midnight Cello. Decisive Moment was third. Florida Won, a 4-year-old Birdstone colt, ran 1 mile on the all-weather course in 1:36.64 with Patrick Husbands in from Woodbine to take the mount. Florida Won was coming off a win in the Grade III Seagram Cup at Woodbine.
Marathon
Neck ‘n Neck raced neck and neck with Majestic Harbor through the entire 1 1/2 miles of Monday’s $200,000, Grade III Greenwood Cup at Parx Racing, with never much more than 1 length between them. At the wire, it was Neck ‘n Neck by 1/2 length with For Greater Glory 2 1/2 lengths back in third. Neck ‘n Neck, a 6-year-old son of Flower Alley, got home in 2:33.64 over a fast track with Paco Lopez up.
Juvenile
With two top juveniles in the barn, trainer Doug O’Neill sent Ralis from California for Monday’s $350,000, Grade I Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. The move paid off — on both coasts. Ralis got the party started, rallying from a close stalking position to draw off in the stretch and win by 5 3/4 lengths. The favorite, Magna Light, showed the way early and held second, 3 lengths better than Uncle Vinny. Ralis, a Square Eddie colt, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.30 with Javier Castellano up. In California, the colt posted a single win from four starts but did finish second in the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar in his last previous outing.
“He had a great post outside to take a bit of a nice hold and to see how the race developed in the first quarter,” Castellano said. “He had a great position outside. It was perfect. It was a perfect trip … I think that is the kind of horse we are looking for, for next year. I’m looking forward to next year.”
Back home on the “left coast,” Nyquist prompted the pace in Monday’s $300,000, Grade I Del Mar Futurity, got by the leader entering the stretch and ran on nicely to win by 3 3/4 lengths. Swipe was next, 4 1/4 lengths better than Blameitonthelaw. Nyquist, an Uncle Mo colt trained by Doug O’Neill, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.28 with Mario Gutierrez up. He’s now 3-for-3 after winning at first asking at Santa Anita, then taking the Grade II Best Pal Stakes earlier in the Del Mar meeting.
“I thought we had the perfect trip and Mario did a great job,” O’Neill said. “This is a super horse and, like any great athlete, it’s a matter of staying healthy and if he stays that way, he’ll do some big things.”
Riker jumped quickly to the lead in Saturday’s $125,000 (Canadian) Swynford Stakes on the Woodbine all-weather course and cruised home first, 2 1/2 lengths to the good of Tizzarunner. Majestic Slew was third. Riker, an Include colt, ran 7 furlongs in 1:23.39 with Jesse Campbell in the irons. He remains undefeated in three starts.
“As we trained him and breezed him and watched him gallop out, Jesse emphasized the fact he’s just not a one-dimensional speed horse,” said winning trainer Nick Gonzalez. “If and when the time comes when we’ve got to do something else, I’m confident we can.”
Sunny Ridge came wide into the stretch in Sunday’s $100,000 Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park and held sway, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over the favorite, Full Salute. Pinnacle Peak was 6 1/2 length farther back in third. Despite setting a sluggish pace, Majestic Robert faded to finish fourth. Sunny Ridge, a Holy Bull gelding, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:39.80 with Nik Juarez up. He won at first asking at Monmouth earlier in the meeting, then finished seventh in the Grade III Sanford at Saratoga in July.
“I always thought he’d be better going longer,” said winning trainer Jason Servis. “We’ll look for a 2-year-old stakes somewhere around the country for his next start.”
Smokey Image dueled for the lead in Friday’s $150,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for Cal-bred 2-year-olds, then kicked clear in the stretch run, winning by 4 1/4 lengths. Found Money contested the early pace but could find no more in the lane and settled for place, 5 3/4 lengths to the good of Viviendo El Sueno. Smokey Image, a Southern Image colt, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.60 with Juan Hernandez aboard.
Juvenile Turf
Cajun Schill lagged behind most of the field early in Saturday’s $300,000 Calumet Farm Juvenile at Kentucky Downs, moved boldly five-wide entering the long, long stretch run and got home first by 1 3/4 length over the pacesetter, John Q. Public. Good Intent finished third. Cajun Schill, an Artie Schiller colt, ran 7 furlongs in 1:24.20 with Florent Geroux up for trainer Bill Kaplan.
Hollywood Don tracked the pace in Saturday’s $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf, came three-wide to the lead at mid-stretch and inched clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Hot Ore was second and the favorite, I’malreadythere, finished third. Hollywood Don, a Tapit colt trained by Peter Miller, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.46 with Brice Blanc in the irons. He remains undefeated in three starts, all at Del Mar.
“He’s got a big long stride, he’s a beautiful Tapit colt that covers a lot of ground,” Miller said, adding the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf “makes a lot of sense for him. I think he’s got that quality.â€
Tribal Drama was always close in Saturday’s $300,000 Florida Sire Affirmed Stakes at Gulfstream Park, battled to the lead in the stretch and held on gamely to win by a neck over Abercorn. Li’l Meatball was third, a neck in front of the fading favorite, Dream of Me. Tribal Drama, a Big Drama colt, ran 7 furlongs on a sloppy, sealed track in 1:25.61 with Eddie Castro riding. It was his second win in as many starts.
Juvenile Fillies
Songbird dueled with Pretty N Cool through the early furlongs of Saturday’s $300,000, Grade I Del Mar Debutante, then took flight, winning by 5 1/4 lengths over that previously undefeated rival. Land Over Sea rallied down the lane to get show money. Songbird, an imposing Medaglia d’Oro filly, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.65 with Mike Smith up. She’s 2-for-2 after winning easily at first asking earlier in the Del Mar meeting. Pretty N Cool won the Grade II Sorrento in her last outing.
“For such a big mare, things just come so easy for her,” Smith said.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer added, ““She ran very spectacular today. You always worry coming down the lane a little but he had a lot of horse left and Mike rode her beautifully.”
Martin Garcia, who rode Pretty N Cool, said she might have wheeled back a little too soon after the Sorrento.
Rachel’s Valentina made it 2-for-2 with a rally to victory in Saturday’s $350,000, Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga. The first offspring to race from champion mare Rachel Alexandra, by Bernardini, got home by 1 length over Tap To It after stalking the early pace. She ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.10 under John Velazquez.
“I felt like turning for home, knowing her style and watching her train, that she was going to keep coming,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “I’ve always felt like the farther she goes, the better she gets. And I think that’s proven to be true.”
He said Rachel’s Valentina is likely to resurface in either of two Grade I events — the Alcibiades on Oct. 2 at Keeneland or the Frizette the following day at Belmont Park.
Ballet Diva was quickly on the lead in Saturday’s $300,000 Susan’s Girl Division of the Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Park, held well and splashed home first, 1 length to the good of Silent Prayer. It’s High Time finished third and the favorite, Big Thrill, faded from contention, finishing eighth. Ballet Diva, a daughter of Hear No Evil, finished 7 furlongs on a sloppy, sealed track in 1:26.12 with Jose Caraballo in the irons. It was her third win from four starts and followed a fourth-place showing in the Desert Vixen Division of the FSS, won by It’s High Time.
Hi Holiday rallied from next-last of seven to score an upset win in Sunday’s $75,000 Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park, beating Crystal Rosario by a neck. The odds-on favorite, Island Saint, was third, 1 1/2 lengths farther back. Hi Holiday, a daughter of Harlan’s Holiday, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:12.40 under Trevor McCarthy.
Juvenile Fillies Turf
Ruthless Quality shadowed pacesetting Mom’s Choice early in Saturday’s $300,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies, went to the lead in the long stretch and held off that stubborn rival to win by 1 length. Lilly’s Dream completed a rare 14-13-12 trifecta that returned $372 for $1. Ruthless Quality, a daughter of Elusive Quality bred by Darley and owned by Godolphin, ran 7furlongs on firm turf in 1:24.90 with Florent Geroux in the irons. She is 2-for-2 after an easy win in her first start over the Arlington Park turf last month for trainer Eoin Harty.
Jakaby Jade, making her first U.S. start and only the third of her career, found room along the rail in Monday’s $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, shot through and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths over One Last Shot. Gomo was third and the favorite, Imflatoutsweet, was a sour fifth. With Flavien Pratt aboard, Jakaby Jade ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:37.63. The Royal Applause filly raced previously in England, dwelling in her first start and losing all chance, then winning handily going 5 furlongs at Lingfield.
Doug O’Neill, winning another one, said, “She has adjusted to the U.S. very quickly and very well. We got a great ride from Flavien getting through on the inside like he did.â€
Pratt added, “Dream trip.”
International
England
Twilight Son emerged as a budding sprint star with a narrow win Saturday in the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock. The 3-year-old son of Kyllachy, undefeated in four previous starts lower on the class ladder, surged to the lead late in Saturday’s feature and just did hold off Strath Burn by a short head. Magical Memory was third. Jockey Fergus Sweeney scored his first Group 1 win while trainer Henry Candy took the Sprint Cup for the second time. Candy said the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot next month might be the only dance remaining on this year’s card for Twilight Son. But he said he expects him back next year.
Jack Hobbs, the heavy favorite, was an easy winner Saturday in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton on the all-weather. The 3-year-old Halling colt, racing for Godolphin, scored by 3 1/4 lengths, never in danger. He now has won four of six starts, beaten only by Golden Horn in both the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York and the Epsom Derby. Trainer John Gosden said it’s likely the colt will be sent directly to the Arc without a further prep. British bookmakers reckon him among the favorites for the French Classic.
Germany
Prince Gibraltar has been a candidate all along for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, at least in the mind of his trainer, Jean-Claude Roget. The form, however, hadn’t quite matched that function — at least until the Rock of Gibraltar colt came flying in the final furlong Sunday to capture the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden by 1 3/4 lengths over Nightflower. Sirius was third, followed by Palace Prince and Goldstream. Prince Gibraltar, with Fabrice Veron scoring his first Group 1 victory, ran 1 1/2 miles on good turf in 2:31.48. Previously, the colt was third in the Group 2 Skybet York Stakes, second in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly and sixth in the Group 1 Prix Ganay. Rouget said Prince Gibraltar will go under the hammer at the Arc Sale on the eve of the race and, whatever the outcome, the trainer opined he might be a good candidate for Australia.
Turkey
Connecticut whizzed past pacesetting Sanzatu in the late going in Sunday’s Group 2 International Bosphorus Cup at Veliefendi in Istanbul and outfinished Maftool to win by 1/2 length. Fly By Me also ran well late to take third. Connecticut, a 4-year-old New Approach colt, won his first Group race for trainer Luca Cumani.
Toormore took the lead 2 furlongs out in Sunday’s Group 2 International Topkapi Trophy and held sway, winning by 2 1/2 length from Perfect Warrior. Vildirembey was third. Toormore, a 4-year-old son of Arakan racing for Godolphin, earlier won the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.
On Saturday, another Godolphin denizen, Local Time, captured the Group 3 International Istanbul Trophy for fillies and mares, beating Rekdhat by 1 length.
Hong Kong
The first day of the new season in Hong Kong found more than 72,000 fans at Sha Tin and turnover at a new high for opening day of HK$1.147 billion. Appropriately, I’m In Charge won day’s feature, the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive’s Cup. Reigning champion jockey Joao Moreira and 13-time champion Douglas Whyte each rode a triple, auguring a tough season for the rest of the jockey colony. But it appears there’s nothing to fret about for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“We are satisfied with what we view as being a more than resilient start to the season,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, HKJC CEO. He noted that while the opening day turnover was only up 1 percent from last year’s, the year-ago figure was a 10 percent increase over the previous year. The big and enthusiastic turnout on a hot day “shows the attractiveness of our racing product, and the value of the investment we have made through our marketing initiatives, Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
Elsewhere and otherwise:
Saratoga
Royal Posse shadowed Saratoga Snacks through most of Friday’s $100,000 Evan Shipman Stakes for New York-breds, then hooked up with that one in a long stretch duel before prevailing by a nose. It was 2 1/2 lengths back to Empire Dreams in third and the favorite, Zivo, checked in fourth. Royal Posse, a 4-year-old Posse gelding out of the Cryptoclearance mare Struckbylightning, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.91 under Javier Castellano.
Gulfstream Park
Josdesanimaux rallied by pacesetting Katie’s Kiss in deep stretch to win Saturday’s $150,000 Florida Sire Jewel Princess Stakes for eligible 3-year-old fillies by a neck. It was another 18 3/4 lengths back to Cardinal Cove in third. Josdesanimaux, a daughter of Leroidesanimaux, ran 1 mile on good turf in 1:42.46.
By the seventh race, rain had forced the $75,000 The Vid Stakes off the grass with a flock of resulting scratches. Of those left, Johnny Handsome came from the back of the field and won by a neck over Rizwan. Rompin Reid was third. Johnny Handsome, a 5-year-old Zanjero gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy main track in 1:47.50 with Luca Panici in the irons.
The $75,000 Wasted Tears Stakes for fillies and mares was also washed off the turf Saturday but it mattered little to Can’t Explain, a 5-year-old Not For Love mare who led most of the way to a 1 1/2-lengths victory. Latique and Street of Gold filled out the trifecta. Can’t Explain ran 1 1/16 miles in the slop in 1:45.01, also toting Panici.
Twotwentyfive A survived a three-horse stretch battle to win Saturday’s $150,000 Florida Sire Prized Stakes for eligible 3-year-old colts and geldings, finishing a neck in front of Southern Barbecue as Niconellie slipped from the lead to finish third. Twotwentyfive A, an Awesome Of Course colt, ran 1 mile on the sloppy main track in 1:37.87 with Jose Caraballo up. This race also came off the turf.
Huasca surged to a daylight lead in Sunday’s $75,000 Uanme Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and survived a late bid by Savingtime to win by 1 length. Distinta was third and the odds-on favorite, Dogwood Trail, trailed home in fourth. Huasca, a Tiz Wonderful filly, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.37 with Eddie Castro in the irons.
Del Mar
Uzziel was off a bit slowly in Sunday’s $80,000 C.E.R.F. Stakes for fillies and mares but made up the ground in the late going and went on to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Ben’s Duchess finished second, another 1/2 length in front of Amaranth. Uzziel, a 4-year-old Harlington filly, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.08 with Kent Desormeaux up.
Suffolk Downs
It’s so nice to see an historic track battle back from the brink of oblivion.
Miss Wilby, the prohibitive favorite, ran to her odds in Saturday’s $50,000 African Prince Stakes for Massachusetts-bred 3-year-old fillies, taking the lead on the turn and kicking away to a 4-lengths victory. Sociano’s Phantom was second, 2 1/4 lengths better than Lucky Sociano. Miss Wilby, a daughter of Imperialism, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:12.47 under Tammi Piermarini.
Worth the Worry, another prohibitive favorite, caused no worried for his backers in Saturday’s $50,000 Rise Jim Stakes for state-breds, drawing off smartly in the lane to win by 12 1/4 lengths. Thepresidentallion beat the other five with Victor Laszlo third (insert “Casablanca” reference here). Worth the Worry, a 5-year-old Hook and Ladder gelding, ran 6 furlongs in 1:10.74 with Jose Baez up.
Navy Nurse, the even-money mutuel pick, led from the early jumps in Saturday’s $50,000 Isadorable Stakes for Massachusetts-bred fillies and mares and went on to win by 12 lengths over Doublicious. Malibu Ice was third at a cool price. Navy Nurse, an 8-year-old daughter of Service Stripe, ran 6 furlongs in 1:12.04 with Piermarini riding.
Monmouth Park
Mei Ling dueled past pacesetter Checkupfromzneckup in the stretch run to win Monday’s $75,000 Lighthouse Stakes for fillies and mares by 3/4 length. Blue Violet was third. Mei Ling, a 4-year-old Empire Maker filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.56 with Nik Juarez up.
Ellis Park
Key to Power was last of nine midway through Monday’s $50,000 Cliff Guilliams Handicap, came eight-wide around the leaders and powered home to win by 2 lengths. One Touch finished second, a head better than Evan’s Calling. The favorite, Rerun, finished sixth, fading from the lead in the lane. Key to Power, a 6-year-old son of A.P. Indy out of the Rahy mare Exotic Wood, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.00 with Brian Hernandez Jr. in the irons.
Northlands Park
Kristofferson opened a big lead in the stretch run in Saturday’s $50,000 (Canadian) Birdcatcher Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings and held on to win by 1/2 length over Awesome Slate. N.Y. Smoke was well back in third. Kristofferson, a Rock Hard Ten colt, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:19.15 with Rico Walcott riding.
Bootlegger’s Wife tracked the pace in Friday’s $50,000 (Canadian) Bird of Pay Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, took over in the stretch and won by 2 3/4 lengths. Raise a Dancer held second. Leena and Beswick completed the order of finish. Bootlegger’s Wife, a Florida-bred filly by Leroidesanimaux, got 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:19.27 with Shannon Beauregard in the irons.
Golden Gate
Alert Bay pressed the pace set by G.G. Ryder in Monday’s $50,000 Rolling Green Stakes, took over the lead outside that rival and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths. G.G. Ryder held second, 1 1/4 lengths better than Outside Nashville. Alert Bay, a 4-year-old City Zip gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.23 with Russell Baze in the irons.
