TURF INTERNACIONAL 2008

2008-07-27T10:40:00.001-07:00

18 May. ITA. Premio Regina Elena. G3. Rome. 1.600 mts. Turf. 210.000 €
1.- LOVE OF DUBAI (D.Holland)
2.- VATTENE (N.Murro)
3.- FAIRY EFISIO (D.Vargiu)

The Clive Brittain-trained Love Of Dubai (More Than Ready) upset the locals in Rome this afternoon when running away with the G.3 Premio Regina Elena, the Italian 1,000 Guineas.

With nineteen going to post and no outright favourite it was always going to be a very open race. Italian hopes lay with Bruno Grizzetti who was running four but, again, they would be disappointed.

Lia Rumma (Monashee Mountain) was quick to break and went straight to the front followed by L’Indiscreta (Desert Prince) and Ventana (Fath). Not surprisingly the field was spread out with almost twenty lengths separating the first from last.

Fairy Efisio (Efisio) was five off the leaders, Vattene (Kendor) a couple of lengths further back and Love Of Dubai close to the rear of the field.

As they spread out coming into the run for home, Lia Rumma and L’Indiscreta held the advantage and at two out there was no obvious winner.

Coming wide towards the standside Daryll Holland found a gap and began to drive Love Of Dubai forward with a powerful run. Vattene was rallying on her inner and Fairy Efisio coming wide on her outside. With a half-furlong left Love Of Dubai quickened again and went on to win comfortably by two lengths from Vattene with Fairy Efisio a neck away in third.

During the spring Love Of Dubai had acquitted herself admirably when campaigned in Dubai, running third in the UAE 1,000 Guineas before finishing bridesmaid, again to Cocoa Beach, in the Oaks.

Coming into this race Brittain recognised her run in the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury was below par and had expected a much-improved performance today. He wasn’t disappointed.

2008-07-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

18 May. ITA. Premio Presidente Repubblica. G1. Rome. 2.000 mts. Turf. 396.000 €
1.- SADDEX (K.McEvoy)
2.- PRESSING (N.Callan)
3.- FREEMUSIC (G.Marcelli)

Saddex (Sadler’s Wells) added a second Group One to his tally this afternoon, coming out on top to lift the Premio Presidente della Repubblica at Rome, denying Pressing (Soviet Star) a second consecutive victory at the highest level.

With just nine tackling the 2000m (1¼m), there was never any urgency about the pace. Axxos (Monsun) and Shrek (Pelder) took the field along sedately followed by Sopran Promo (Montjeu) and Freemusic (Celtic Swing). Pressing ran uncovered just behind with Saddex preferring to remain off the pace near the back of the field.

Last year’s Italian 2,000 Guineas winner Golden Titus (Titus Livius) moved up to join Hattan (Halling) in mid-division as they approached the first turn.

Coming into the long Capannelle home stretch Axxos and Shrek were still out in front but Pressing came three wide and looked to have a lot of running left. Saddex began to make his move from the rear.

With two furlongs to run Pressing quickened sharply and took over the lead but Saddex and Golden Titus began to close in. Golden Titus fell away and there were just two left in the race. Under a strong ride from Kerrin McEvoy, Saddex wore down Pressing and scored by just a head at the wire.

Freemusic, who had failed to reproduce his three year-old form, took a well-deserved third ahead of Golden Titus and Selmis (Selkirk), fourth and fifth respectively.

Like so many of the German horses Saddex showed his resilience at this distance. He came into the race off a strong half-length second to Duke Of Marmalade in the G.1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp, and a return visit for the G.1 Grand Prix de Paris is not out of the

2008-07-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

18 May. GER. Badener Meile. G3. Baden Baden. 1.600 mts. Turf. 50.000 €
1.- WIESENPFAD (A.Vries)
2.- SANTIAGO (A.Suborics)
3.- WAKY LOVE (J.Lermyte)

Wiesenpfad (Waky Nao) came with a dynamic run up the inside to land the G.3 Badener Meile at Baden-Baden this afternoon.

Always dangerous over a mile, and particularly at Baden-Baden the Waldemar Hickst-trained five year-old certainly didn’t let down.

After an initial scramble for the lead, the consistent Black Out (Second Set) set a strong pace and was soon followed by Molly Max (Big Shuffle), Mharadono (Sharp Prod) and Waky Love (Royal Dragon). Favourite Santiago (Highest Honor) was content to remain towards the rear.

Coming into the stretch Black Out’s three lengths lead was soon whittled down by Terry Hellier and Molly Max but Wiesenpfad came flying up the inside and took a further 2½ length lead in a matter of strides. Santiago, running up the outside, made up ground but could never catch Wiesenpfad who won comfortably.

Waky Love finished third with Molly Max a neck further back in fourth. Smokejumper (Big Shuffle) was fifth.

2008-07-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

17 May. GER. Von Wert - Benazet-Rennen. G3. Baden Baden. 1.200 mts. Turf. 50.000 €
1.- ABBADJINN (T.Mundry)
2.- DARK ISLANDER (E.Ahern)
3.- TIZA (C.Soumillon)

There was a thrilling finish this afternoon to the first group race of the Baden-Baden May meeting. Despite the presence of two foreign group winners, the G.3 Benazet-Rennen trophy stays at home.

In the lead up to the race, all the attention was focused on ex-South African galloper Tiza (Goldkeeper) and G.2 Oak Tree Derby winner Dark Islander (Singspiel). But late money came in for Peter Rau’s Abbadjinn (Big Shuffle) and the public were duly rewarded.

After initial scrapping the field was taken along by Lucky Strike (Petong) and Gainsbury (Dashing Blade) with eventual winner Abbadjinn staying close on the leaders’ heels. Dark Islander remained in mid-division with Christophe Soumillon and Tiza opting to remain towards the rear.

Turning into the stretch the field migrated to the standside rail and Abbadjinn was quick to make a move. Eddie Ahern on Dark Islander had a clear run ahead and followed suit. Soumillon however found he was alone at the back with no room to get through and was forced to tack wide.

Dark Islander, on the rail, quickly made up ground on Abbbadjinn with Tiza coming up on the outside. Under a determined ride from Torsten Mundry Abbadjinn held on by a neck from Dark Islander. Tiza flattened out in the dying strides and could manage only third.

Matrix was fourth with Gainsbury and Lucky Strike fifth and sixth respectively.

2008-07-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

17 May. GB. Juddmonte Lockinge S. G1. Newbury. 8f. Turf. 200.000 £
1.- CREACHADOIR (L.Dettori)
2.- PHOENIX TOWER (T.Durcan)
3.- TARIQ (J.Fortune)

Creachadoir continued the great record of the Godolphin outfit in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes with a determined success in the Group 1 contest at Newbury.

Frankie Dettori was never far off the pace set by Rob Roy and his mount quickened up nicely around a furlong and a half out.

The 3-1 favourite stuck to his guns well when in front and had enough in reserve to hold Phoenix Tower and Tariq by three-quarters of a length and a neck.

Dettori said: “The race went to plan and he quickened well. He was idling a little bit in front.

“His form is rock-solid and he is a force to be reckoned with this year.

“I had the box seat and managed to get some room at the two. I pressed go and he responded immediately.”

The win is an important one for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation as it marks the first Group One success of the year in Europe.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who bagged the race three times in succession from 1998 to 2000, said: “He is a stronger horse than last year and had been working very well.

“There is no plan, but we may take him to Ascot.

“Hopefully this race will help him to settle down a little bit as he was very fresh beforehand.”

Phoenix Tower ran a fine race in defeat, losing his unbeaten record on just his fifth career start.

His trainer Henry Cecil said: “He doesn’t have the experience as he had been off a long time with his hairline fracture. He missed most of last season and only came back at Newmarket last month.

“He is improving and will get 10 furlongs in time. He is in both races at Royal Ascot (Queen Anne and Prince Of Wales’s) and we will see.

“There wasn’t much pace in the race and he will appreciate even faster ground.”

2008-07-27T09:46:00.001-07:00

17 May. USA. Preakness S. G1. Pimlico. 9,5f. Dirt. 1.000.000 $
1.- BIG BROWN (K.Desormeaux)
2.- MACHO AGAIN (J.Leparoux)
3.- ICABAD CRANE (J.Rose)

In a performance that was more like a coronation than a Thoroughbred horse race, Big Brown crushed his 11 rivals in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course Saturday afternoon by 5 1/4 lengths. The son of Boundary, who two weeks ago won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) by 4 3/4 lengths, will now head to Belmont Park for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) with a chance to become racing’s 12th winner of the Triple Crown.

The historic victory makes him one of four unbeaten horses to win both the Derby and Preakness, joining Majestic Prince (1969), Seattle Slew (1977), and Smarty Jones (2004). Only Seattle Slew was able to land the Triple Crown.

Before a crowd of more than 112,000 fans, Big Brown went off the 1-5 favorite and returned $2.40 to win as the lowest-priced winner since Spectacular Bid paid $2.10 in 1979. The final time for the 1 3/16 miles was 1:54.80.

Big Brown is owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. Just prior to the Preakness, it was announced that upon his retirement, Big Brown will stand at stud at Robert Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky.

Ridden more than confidently by Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown was tucked inside the first time by the winning post after breaking from the six-hole in the classic as Hey Byrn, Gayego, and Riley Tucker were out on the lead. The early fractions were :23.57 and :46.81. On the backstretch, Desormeaux was able to get Big Brown off the rail and to a clear spot just off the leaders. Traveling clear and wide around the final bend after six furlongs in 1:10.48, Big Brown easily caught up to the leaders.

Macho Again, who broke from the rail, inched up from eighth position down the backstretch and came with the widest move of all around the bend.

As they straightened away in the lane, Big Brown unleashed a tremendous turn of foot and put several lengths between him and his rivals in a mere 100 yards. After the devastating display of acceleration, Desormeaux eased up on the colt before they hit the sixteenth pole as he peeked behind for competition and won “under wraps.”

“He’s a freak of a horse; it was just the easiest win ever,” said Desormeaux.

Winning trainer Rick Dutrow said, “Going down the backside when Kent got him out and he was laying third on the outside, I knew it was over. I only saw him ask for run once just to separate himself, then he guided him to the wire. It was beautiful.”

Macho Again, winner of the Derby Trial, rallied to finish second at 39-1, finishing a half-length ahead of 22-1 shot Icabad Crane in third.

“He really ran great,” said trainer Dallas Stewart of Macho Again. “He hooked a superstar, you know.”

The remaining order of finish was: Racecar Rhapsody, Stevil, Kentucky Bear, Hey Byrn, Giant Moon, Tres Borrachos, Yankee Bravo, Gayego, and Riley Tucker. Behindatthebar was scratched May 16.

Big Brown paid $2.60 to place and $2.40 to show. Macho Again returned $17.20 and $10.40. Icabad Crane paid $5.60 to show. The 7-1 exacta returned $36.60 and the 7-1-3 trifecta paid $336.80. The $1 superfecta with Racecar Rhapsody returned $1,192.30.

“He just keeps on getting better and keeps on getting stronger,” said Dutrow right after the race. “He is special.”

“When asked about the run for the Triple Crown in three weeks, Dutrow said, “It doesn’t look like he got down on his belly today. I know we have horse left. I’m going to be under the impression that he’s going to be tough to beat in the Belmont.”

“To bring him back for the Triple Crown will be a dream come true,” said Michael Iavarone, the major principal with IEAH Stables along with Richard Schiavo. “It’s going to be a fun, fun three weeks.

One of the horses that will take on Big Brown in the Belmont will be Casino Drive. Casino Drive won the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) in just his second career start. The son of Mineshaft is a half-brother to the last two winners of the Belmont Stakes: Jazil and Rags to Riches. All three are out of the grade I-winning mare Better Than Honour. A $950,000 sale yearling, Casino Drive was shipped to Japan where he broke his maiden.

“The Japanese people are going to come here and think that Godzilla is dead. Well, Godzilla’s not dead,” Dutrow said at the post-race press conference.

Big Brown is a 3-year-old colt by the pensioned stallion Boundary, out of the Nureyev mare Mien. He was bred in Kentucky by Monticule. He was purchased by Paul Pompa for $190,000 out of the Keeneland April 2-year-old sale from the Eddie Woods consignment.

“I’m very proud,” said Paul Pompa Jr. after the race. Pompa had Big Brown with trainer Patrick Reynonds as a 2-year-old. After majority interest was sold to IEAH Stables, the colt was turned over to Rick Dutrow. “I have a lot of respect for Rick Dutrow. I had a lot of respect for Rick Dutrow before he had this horse. Mike and IEAH made me a very fair deal. These guys arent’ afraid. They made me a great deal. It was a win-win situation for everybody. Patrick Reynolds, did a great job breaking this horse.”

Big Brown broke his maiden at first asking at Saratoga last year on Sept. 3 going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. It was then IEAH made the deal with Pompa. Big Brown would not return to the races until March 5. He defeated an allowance field by 12 3/4 lengths. He came right back March 29 and won the Florida Derby (gr. I) by five lengths as the 3-2 favorite. He then won the Kentucky Derby as the 2-1 favorite against 19 rivals. Only Gayego returned from the Derby to take him on in Baltimore.

In the past 11 years six horses have won the first two legs of the Triple Crown and gone on the Belmont with a shot at the Triple Crown: Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (’98), Charismatic (’99), War Emblem (’02), Funny Cide (’03), and Smarty Jones ('04).

2008-07-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

17 May. USA. Maryland Sprint H. G3. Pimlico. 6f. Dirt. 200.000 $
1.- STARFORADAY (E.Prado)
2.- SUAVE JAZZ (R.Dominguez)
3.- COGNAC KISSES (J.Rose)

Starforaday, who scored his first career win in the OBS Sprint Stakes two years ago, finally broke through for another big victory on Saturday in the $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.

The five-year-old Five Star Day horse has won both of his starts this year after being purchased privately by Winning Move Stable in January, when he was in a field recovering from foot problems.

"This horse ripped off half of his foot when he was vanned off at Keeneland [Race Course] last year," said trainer Gary Contessa, referring to a fourth-place finish in an allowance race on October 17. "He has terrible, terrible feet."

Contessa credited Ian McKinlay, the same farrier who treated Big Brown's quarter-crack issues, with helping to save Starforaday's career. Like Big Brown, Starforaday wears the Yasha glue-on shoes that McKinlay developed.

"They've really made a difference," Contessa said. "We've got a long way to go. We're always going to have problems, but … now we have a hell of a sprinter."

Starforaday won an optional/claiming race on May 1 at Belmont Park in his only other start since the private purchase from owner-trainer Donna Wormser.

Contessa said he was concerned when pacesetter Celtic Innis led through a relatively pedestrian first quarter in :23.16 while Starforaday, a deep closer, rated last under jockey Edgar Prado. The pace picked up a bit going into the far turn and Starforaday made his move from four wide in early stretch to catch Suave Jazz and favorite Cognac Kisses and win by a neck, completing the six furlongs in 1:09.56 on a track rated as fast.

Suave Jazz finished second, a neck ahead of Cognac Kisses in third.

Out of the Known Fact mare Known Feminist, Starforaday has won four of 14 career starts and earned $184,519.

2008-07-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

17 May. USA. Hirsch Jacobs S. G3. Pimlico. 6f. Dirt. 100.000 $
1.- LANTANA MOB (R.Albarado)
2.- SILVER EDITION (E.Prado)
3.- FORCE FREEZE (M.Berry)

Vinery Stable’s Lantana Mob benefited from a perfectly timed ride, unleashed a furious rally around the far turn and into the stretch, and powered to a near track record-setting victory in the $100,000 Hirsch Jacobs Stakes (G3) on the Preakness Stakes (G1) undercard on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

The three-year-old Posse colt won the six-furlong Hirsch Jacobs by a neck over Silver Edition in 1:09.10 on a track rated as fast. Northern Wolf holds the six-furlong track record at Pimlico of 1:09, set in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash in August 1990.

“He was able to sit off the pace today, which is what we wanted,” said Tom Ludt, president of Vinery Stables. “I thought it was very impressive to close down there. They haven’t been closing too well today from what I’ve saw today, so to do that was pretty special.”

Lantana Mob won three of seven starts as a two-year-old for trainer Steve Asmussen, including the Sapling Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park, but closed the season with losses in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and Favorite Trick Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Monmouth.

Rested after finishing third in the Favorite Trick, Lantana Mob returned to win the Bachelor Stakes on April 6 at Oaklawn Park in 1:09.42.

“After the [Favorite Trick] we sent him home to the farm for some rest,” Ludt said. “The way he’s matured, he’s really grown up.”

Force Freeze, runner-up to Lantana Mob in the Bachelor in his only career defeat, set the quick early pace of :22.86 for the opening quarter-mile with Indy Joe, Sheeler, and Silver Edition in close pursuit. Force Freeze still led after a half in :45.17, but Silver Edition and jockey Edgar Prado pounced on the early leader at the top of the stretch and set sail for the wire.

Lantana Mob closed from nearly five lengths back under Robby Albarado after the half and picked off rivals in the stretch to the surprise of Prado, but not to Albarado.

“They were going quick up front,” Albarado said. “We bided our time and let things unfold. We didn’t get by until three jumps from the wire but I knew I had him.”

“I can’t believe he got beat,” Prado said. “I knew [Lantana Mob] was gaining on me, but when I took the lead I though I was clear.”

Force Freeze hung on gamely to finish third, a length behind the runner-up.

Bred in Kentucky by Thomas/Burleson/Visagie, Lantana Mob has won five of nine career starts and earned $309,048. He is out of the Copelan mare Lantana.

2008-07-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

17 May. USA. Gallorette H. G3. Pimlico. 8,5f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- ROSHANI (J.Velazquez)
2.- LADY DIGBY (J.Rose)
3.- VALBENNY (E.Prado)

Roshani won a stretch-long duel with Lady Digby and survived a stewards’ inquiry and jockey’s claim of foul to win the $100,000 Gallorette Handicap (G3) at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.

John Velazquez, who rode the winner for owner Ben McElroy and trainer Todd Pletcher, said he came out in the stretch but did not make contact with the runner-up.

“Down the stretch [Roshani] got to the lead, and she was looking at the crowd and waiting on the other horse,” Velazquez said. “The more [Lady Digby] drifted out, the more I moved close, because my horse was concentrating better with someone next to her. I came out, but I never touched her.”

Roshani stalked front runner Le Cordon Bleu through fractions of :25.41 and :50.48, assuming the lead after six furlongs in 1:15.09.

The top two battled each other for the final 5/16, with Roshani finishing a half length in front. Final time for 1 1/16 miles over the turf course rated good was 1:49.08.

Grade 2 winner Valbenny (Ire), making her first start since September 8 and first for new owner Lael Stables, finished another 4 1/2 lengths back in third in the five-horse field.

Roshani, a five-year-old Fantastic Light mare out of Sahibah, by Deputy Minister, was bred in Kentucky by Mill Ridge Farm and Jamm Ltd. She improved her lifetime record to six wins from 1 starts with earnings of $331,300.

Lady Digby’s jockey Jeremy Rose said he filed an objection because he was bumped twice during the stretch run, although he said he did not expect the ruling to be in his favor.

“[Roshani] came out and bumped me twice in the stretch run. My horse dropped the bit and switched leads on me,” Rose said. “They’ll probably leave the winner up, but I wanted them to look at it.”

2008-07-25T14:46:00.001-07:00

17 May. USA. Dixie S. G2. Pimlico. 9f. Turf. 250.000 $
1.- PAYS TO DREAM (J.Castellano)
2.- STAY CLOSE (A.Napravnik)
3.- RA DER DEAN (H.Karamanos)

Pays to Dream continued a big weekend for New York-bred horses in Maryland May 17 when he rallied from well off the pace and blew away the competition in the grade II Dixie Stakes for 3-year-olds and up on the turf at Pimlico Race Course.

Owned and bred by December Hill Farm and trained by David Donk, Pays to Dream was last early in a bunched-up field of nine in the 1 1/8-mile Dixie, run on a course rated good after heavy rain the previous day. The 4-year-old gelding by High Yield out of the Time for a Change mare Changing Ways remained last on the final turn, rallied along the inside when a hole opened, swept three-wide at the top of the lane and gobbled up the leaders.

With Javier Castellano aboard, Pays to Dream opened up daylight on the field and won by 7 1/2 lengths. Stay Close, who attended the pace throughout, held well for second, a head in front of Ra Der Dean in third and Distorted Reality in fourth. Heavily favored Shakis bid on the far turn but failed to fire in the lane and checked in fifth.

Fractions for the $250,000 Dixie were :26.36 for the first quarter-mile, :51.71 for a half-mile, 1:16.24 for six furlongs, and 1:42.90 for a mile. The final time was 1:54.74, more than eight seconds off the course record.

"It was a soft course, and I wasn't sure if he'd handle it or not," Donk said. "Horses with that style usually don't do that well when the turf is soft, but I was impressed. That was wonderful."

"I had a beautiful trip today--a dream trip," Castellano said. "I took my time. The (turf) is a little soft today. I saved ground all the way around."

Pays to Dream, who finished last in his 2008 debut April 27 on the grass at Aqueduct, returned $40.40 to win. It was his fifth victory, three of which came in New York-bred maiden and allowance company and the other in a restricted stakes at Saratoga.

2008-07-25T14:40:00.001-07:00

17 May. USA. Allaire DuPont Distaff S. G2. Pimlico. 8,5f. Dirt. 200.000 $
1.- BUY THE BARREL (G.Saez)
2.- LEXI STAR (J.Rose)
3.- BEAR NOW (J.Theriot)

On May 17, the jockeys at Pimlico wore patches on their boots to honor Eight Belles. Each time the television networks showed a replay of Big Brown’s latest performance, the late runner’s image filled the frame. And when Buy the Barrel took the $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff Handicap (gr. II)for trainer Larry Jones and jockey Gabriel Saez, we were reminded of Eight Belles once again.

Just 14 days before sending Buy the Barrel to the DuPont on the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) undercard, Jones and Saez partnered to start her ill-fated stablemate in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Eight Belle’s subsequent breakdown on the gallop out in the May 3 race clouded the sweetness of their victory in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) with Proud Spell just one day earlier, so it was especially satisfying to see the trainer and jockey return in the DuPont with a victorious run from yet another classy filly.

“It’s very special to win on a big day of racing, especially to be paired back up with Gabriel," Jones said. "It’s bittersweet for us. It’s good to be back on the winning side, and everything worked out the way it’s supposed to."
A 4-year-old daughter of E Dubai, Buy the Barrel did not have the easiest of starts in the DuPont. She was bumped by Silver Knockers leaving the gate and broke last of eight runners, but she quickly recovered to settle three wide and three back behind a pace set by 5-2 favorite Bear Now. Silver Knockers about two lengths back between those two through a quarter in :24.21 and a half in :47.16.
That order remained unchanged while Bear Now led three-quarters in 1:10.34, but Saez switched Buy the Barrel to her left lead and the filly responded with an extra surge, rolling past the front-runner and holding off a late run from Lexi Star. She won by 2 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:42.43.

“I tried to stay behind the pace to the three-eighths pole and then make a move," Saez said. "She responded real good, obviously. It’s very exciting to win a race like this. This is right up there behind the Kentucky Oaks.”
Buy the Barrel returned $8, $4.80, and $3.20. Lexi Star brought $6.40 and $3.60 under Jeremy Rose, while Bear Now and Jamie Theriot paid $3.20. Peach Flambe, Cash’s Girl, Silver Knockers, Altesse, and Runaway Rosie completed the order of finish. Wow Me Free was scratched by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin to run in Belmont Park’s Shuvee Handicap (gr. II), in which she finished third under Alan Garcia.
A Hinkle Farms homebred from Kentucky out of the Drouilly mare Affordable Price, Buy the Barrel has won seven of 16 starts and has two runner-up efforts to her name. With earnings of $309,740, she counts a 5 3/4-length score in the April 9 Bayakoa Stakes and an 8 1/2-length win in the Jan. 26 Sam Houston Distaff Stakes among her victories this year.

"At 2, we thought we had a really promising candidate, but she just needed to be brought around slowly," Jones noted. "Thank goodness the owners knew that. Now she’s 4 and we hope she’s not even reached her peak yet. She’ll be going to the Delaware Handicap next.”

2008-07-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

17 May. USA. Will Rogers S. G3. Hollywood Park. 8f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- POLONIUS (J.Court)
2.- INDIAN SUN (R.Migliore)
3.- EZ DREAMER (C.Nakatani)

Front-running favorite Polonius gamely repelled the late charge of Indian Sun to post a half-length victory in the $106,800 Will Rogers Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds on the Hollywood Park turf May 17.

Ridden by Jon Court, Polonius completed the one-mile test on firm going in 1:34.95 while earning his first graded stakes win for owner B.J. Wright and trainer Michael Pender.

Stewards reviewed a claim of foul from Corey Nakatani, the rider of third-place finisher Ez Dreamer, against Polonius for an incident in the stretch run, but decided to take no action.

Pender returned Polonius, a Florida-bred son of Broken Vow--Word o' Ransom by Red Ransom, to the turf after the bay colt faded in his last start, the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) April 5, finishing ninth after pressing the pace. In front-running style, Polonius began his career by winning two of three starts on the lawn, including the Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita in March.

“I think he kind of redeemed himself today," Pender said. "He doesn’t really appreciate the synthetic surface, nothing against synthetic surfaces, but some horses handle it better than others. He’s one that definitely likes the grass. Our horse has never had to work that hard to get it, but I do believe if they had gone around again they still wouldn’t have got him.”

His early speed was much in evidence once again in the Will Rogers, opening a clear advantage early for Court while pacing the field through fractions of :23.73, :47.51 and 1:11.17. Tiz West, who pressed the leader, jumped shadows twice on the final turn and continued to drift out in the stretch to lose all chance. Indian Sun, a contender in several West Coast Triple Crown preps and the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) this spring, sat fourth into the final turn for jockey Richard Migliore and made a bold run at the outside of Polonius in the lane. But could not get past the winner, who edged away in the final strides.

Indian Sun finished second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Ez Dreamer.

Nakatani claimed foul on Ez Dreamer after steadying behind the winner in upper stretch when Polonius drifted to the inside.

"I was clear of (Ez Dreamer) when I came over, that's all there was to it," Court said. "He likes to be in front. I don't think he necessarily has to be in front, but that's his preference. I thought the pace would be a little bit more contested, but he inherited the lead pretty good."

Tiz West and Robscarvic completed the order.

Polonius earned $64,080 for his third win in five lifetime starts, kicking his bankroll to $143,100. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Rogers bred Polonius, a $150,000 Barretts sale in March 2007.

Sent off at odds of 17-10, the winner paid $5.40, $3 and $2.10, topping a $2 exacta worth $18 with Indian Sun, who returned $3.20 and $2.20 in his return to the lawn for trainer Dan Hendricks. The Arizona invader Ez Dreamer was $3 to show.

Red Sky Dubai, expected to be a pace factor, was scratched by Molly Pearson.

2008-07-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

16 May. USA. Maryland Lottery Pimlico Special H. G1. Pimlico. 9,5f. Dirt. 500.000 $
1.- STUDENT COUNCIL (S.Bridgmohan)
2.- GOTTCHA GOLD (C.Lopez)
3.- SIR WHIMSEY (E.Prado)

Trainer Steve Asmussen had not started a horse at Pimlico Race Course since Curlin's victory in the 2007 Preakness Stakes (G1), but his stable returned with style on Friday when Student Council chased down Gottcha Gold to win the Maryland Lottery Pimlico Special Handicap (G1).

Student Council snapped a series of four straight unplaced finishes since his consecutive wins in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) and Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (G2) last August and September, respectively. Dismissed at odds of 7.20-to-1, he was the only Grade 1 winner in the field of seven.

The victory was especially significant for owner Ro Parra because he grew up in Lexington Park, Maryland, and attended, by his estimate, at least 15 editions of the Preakness.

"All from the infield, never from the grandstand," he said. "This is the first time I've been to Pimlico and watched a race from the grandstand."

The Pimlico Special also marked the first time Parra was able to be there in person when one of his horses won a Grade 1 race. Asmussen was not at Pimlico on Friday.

Parra said Student Council struggled to recover from an eighth-place finish in the Japan Cup Dirt on November 24 at Nakayama racecourse. He finished fifth in the San Antonio Handicap (G2), sixth in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita Park, and came into Friday's race off a seventh-place finish in the John B. Connally Turf Handicap (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park on April 5.

"We were disappointed in the Santa Anita Handicap," Parra said. "We thought we were going to win the race. It's taken a while, but Steve had him ready. I spoke to [Asmussen] about an hour before the race and he said, 'Smile when you get in the winner's circle.'"

Ridden for the first time by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, Student Council rated in last place through the first half mile before he gradually reeled in Gottcha Gold, who set a moderate pace with fractions of :23.87, :47.46, 1:11.39, and 1:36.17 through one mile.

Student Council caught Gottcha Gold inside the sixteenth pole and won by a neck in 1:54.87 on a muddy track.

Gottcha Gold, the second choice at odds of 2.10-to-1, finished 5 3/4 lengths clear of Sir Whimsey in third. Mineshaft Handicap (G3) winner Grasshopper finished fifth as the 2-to-1 favorite.

Parra bought Student Council privately from owner-breeder William S. Farish prior to the Pacific Classic. The six-year-old Kingmambo horse has won eight of 27 career starts and earned $1,301,731.

2008-07-25T14:07:00.001-07:00

16 May. USA. Black-Eyed Susan S. G2. Pimlico. 9f. Dirt. 250.000 $
1.- SWEET VENDETTA (C.Hill)
2.- SHE'S ALL ELTISH (G.Gomez)
3.- SEATTLE SMOOTH (E.Prado)

Sweet Vendetta, a lightly raced filly co-bred and co-owned by entertainer David Cassidy, encountered little trouble on the muddy Pimlico Race Course main track on Friday and sprang a mild upset in the $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2).

Ridden by Channing Hill for trainer Gary Contessa, Sweet Vendetta won the 1 1/8-mile Black-Eyed Susan by 1 1/2 lengths from Shes All Eltish with Seattle Smooth another three-quarters of a length back in third. Final time was 1:49.60 on a muddy track.

The Black-Eyed Susan was Sweet Vendetta’s first start since the Andover Way Stakes on March 19 at Aqueduct, a one-mile and 70-yard race she won by four lengths but also a race in which she bled from the nostrils. Treated with Lasix for each of her seven career starts, Sweet Vendetta did not bleed in the Black-Eyed Susan and benefited from a confident ride by Hill to record her first career graded stakes win.

“I loved the mile-and-an-eighth for her, I knew she was a natural for this distance,” Contessa said. “And when the heavens opened up [last night] it was icing on the cake. But she’s not just a mud horse.”

The victory in the Andover Way came in the slop, and overnight rains Thursday and for the early portion of Friday’s program put plenty of moisture in the track. A New York-bred filly by Stephen Got Even, Sweet Vendetta had finished second to eventual Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Little Belle in her previous effort in the Busher Stakes over the inner dirt track at Aqueduct.

The Zayat Stables entry of Sherine and Pious Ashley took the early initiative, with the former setting the pace on an easy lead through splits of :23.65 and :47.62. Hill was content to allow Sweet Vendetta to settle in sixth position through the opening portion, around the far turn, and into the backstretch. Hill stayed on the rail up the backstretch, angled out on the turn, and launched a prolonged bid while four wide entering the stretch.

Garrett Gomez opened up a 2 1/2-length lead in midstretch aboard Shes All Eltish and looked like a winner in deep stretch before Sweet Vendetta continued to close strongly under Hill’s urging.

“I really had a good feeling about this race today, and when she swung wide I had a great feeling,” Contessa said.

The victory was also sweet for Cassidy, who bred the filly in partnership with Edward Tipton. Sold for $30,000 earlier this year at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale to dissolve a partnership between Tipton and Cassidy, Sweet Vendetta has won three of seven career starts and earned $206,596.

Team Penney Racing was listed as the buyer of Sweet Vendetta at Keeneland January and she raced in the name of Team Penny and Cassidy in the Black-Eyed Susan.

“This is probably the best filly the mare [Sand Pirate] has had,” Cassidy said. “Unfortunately I sold the mare, but I do own a half sister. With Sweet Vendetta I always believed she’d be a good three-year-old. And honestly, as a breeder, this is one of my greatest thrills.”

2008-07-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

16 May. USA. Adena Stallions' Miss Preakness S. G3. Pimlico. 6f. Dirt. 125.000 $
1.- PALANKA CITY (C.Emigh)
2.- CASANOVA KILLER (J.Rose)
3.- BEAU'S VALENTINE (K.Desormeaux)

Jockey Chris Emigh took one look at the scratches for the $100,000 Adena Stallions’ Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) on Friday at Pimlico Race Course and figured the race was his to lose aboard William Stritz’s Palanka City.

As it turned out, Emigh was spot on with that assessment.

Palanka City, fresh off a pair of wins at Oaklawn Park after a distant fourth-place effort behind the ill-fated Eight Belles in the Martha Washington Stakes there, came from off the pace to post a 5 1/2-length victory in the six-furlong Miss Preakness.

“When I saw that scratch [of the Todd Pletcher-trained Passion] I said, ‘this has got to be all me,’ “ said Emigh, who has ridden the three-year-old Carson City filly in all five of her starts this season for trainer Terry Gestes. “I just sat on her for as long as I could. I hit her once and she really responded.”

Casanova Killer, the runner-up in the field of five reduced by the scratch of La Habra Stakes (G3) winner Passion and listed stakes winner Hadavision, set an uncontested pace of :22.93 and :46.16 and still looked like a winner in midstretch with Palanka City in second.

Emigh asked the question inside the furlong marker and got the same response Palanka City showed in a six-furlong allowance win on March 2 and a four-length score in the six-furlong Prima Donna Stakes on April 11 at Oaklawn.

The 1-to-2 favorite was quickly opened up in deep stretch and was well clear under the wire in 1:10.90 on the muddy track. Beau’s Valentine, badly outrun in the early stages, was another 4 3/4 lengths back in third.

“She was a bit nervy today and she’s not usually like that,” said Gestes, who was winless in his previous two starts in graded stakes events. “Turning for home I was a little bit [concerned], but I was hoping she’d re-break and she did.”

Bred by Overbrook Farm, Palanka City is out of the Storm Bird mare Indian Sunset. The Miss Preakness was her fifth win from ten career starts and boosted her career earnings to $173,000.

2008-06-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

16 May. GB. Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup. G2. York. 14f. Turf. 140.000 £
1.- GEORDIELAND (S.Kelly)
2.- ROYAL AND REGAL (N.Callan)
3.- SAMUEL (E.Ahern)

GEORDIELAND, the perpetual bridesmaid who seemed wedded to habitual defeat, renewed his commitment to winning yesterday when nailing Royal And Regal in the last stride of a pulsating Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup.

An undoubted talent, the grey was a Gold Cup runner-up at Royal Ascot last year but had also been beaten three times at odds-on in the course of a winless run since joining trainer Jamie Osborne.

Yet under a ride of pure nerve by Shane Kelly, he reeled in the front-running Royal And Regal, making up four lengths in the final furlong to earn a turn in the big-race spotlight and provide Kelly with a prestige win just 18 days into his comeback from a year-long suspension.

"He's been the highest-rated horse in my yard for a long while and it's been bloody frustrating, so it's a huge relief after having the horse for two years and not winning a race," said Osborne.

"He had been beaten at 1-4 and to win this is fantastic, even if he does nothing else.

"I couldn't have two more understanding owners than Martin Myers and Tony Taylor. We were going to buy him a bridesmaid's dress at the end of last year but we can put that on hold now. He has beaten all bar one in some of the best Group races there have been over this trip, and I promise you this horse tries. We'll have another shot at Yeats at Royal Ascot now."

Geordieland was cut to 16-1 (from 25) by Paddy Power for the Gold Cup, where he has a length and a half to make up on last year's winner Yeats.
Kelly, who was banned for providing information for reward, said: "Even going by the furlong pole, as cocky as it sounds, I felt I was always going to get to the leader.
"To win a Group 2 after a ban is fantastic and I want to say how grateful I am to Jamie and the owners for putting me up."

Osborne added: "I didn't put Shane up for charity. I thought he would suit him and he proved he is as good as anyone. I don't want to sound sentimental but I think Shane has been incredibly badly treated and history will tell us that if the reality of his ban and the reasons for it are out in the open, you would see how badly treated he was."

2008-06-28T11:12:00.001-07:00

15 May. GB. Totesport.com Dante S. G2. York. 10,4f. Turf. 150.000 £
1.- TARTAN BEARER (R.Moore)
2.- FROZEN FIRE (J.Murtagh)
3.- TWICE OVER (T.Durcan)

HE WAS born in the same box as North Light, and the omens for Tartan Bearer following his illustrious predecessor into the Epsom winner's circle got even better yesterday when he won the principal Derby trial - the same race North Light took on the way to Classic glory in 2004.

The brother of Golan, himself a Derby runner-up, put his name firmly in the frame for the 2008 Vodafone Derby with a battling success under Ryan Moore in the Totesport.com Dante Stakes, the race won by three of the last four winners of the Epsom Classic. But there will be no place for one-time favourite Twice Over, who was ruled out after finishing only third, as was Centennial.

Tartan Bearer expanded Sir Michael Stoute's team of potential Derby runners to three when defeating Frozen Fire by a head to match the feats of Doctor Fremantle and Tajaaweed, winners of Classic trials for the trainer during last week's Chester meeting.

Of the trio, Tartan Bearer has made the greatest strides, as the colt, an 85-rated winner of a Leicester maiden before yesterday's Group 2, delighted his four-time Derby-winning trainer with a performance that earned him the mantle of favouritism from VCbet, Boylesports and Stan James, although he is 7-1 with Ladbrokes, who make Casual Conquest, still an uncertain starter, 4-1 favourite.

Stoute said: "We have three nice middle-distance colts. I was very pleased with this fellow. It just shows how progressive he is. He won his maiden at Leicester in workmanlike fashion, but that's him. He is not exhilarating in his work at home, but he will travel really well.

"I think he got in front long enough and will have learned from that. Ryan had to go for that split, but he was just there long enough. He wasn't going to get beat, but he was just doing enough there. That will sharpen him up mentally as well."
North Light, like Tartan Bearer owned and bred by Ballymacoll Stud, was Stoute's last Derby winner, and this year he will have at least two challengers with Dee Stakes winner Tajaaweed already on target. Chester Vase winner Doctor Fremantle, who carries the same Khalid Abdullah colours as Twice Over, could also now come into the reckoning as a potential supplementary entry.

Stoute added: "I am entitled to be very hopeful about the winner. I think he goes there with a chance. If you go to a Derby more than hopeful, you are a little bit unwise, but he's progressed and that was very pleasing.
"Tajaaweed will also run, and I will have to speak to Prince Khalid about Doctor Fremantle."

After sitting last on Tartan Bearer, Moore produced his mount between Young Pretender and Twice Over to hit the front inside the final furlong and hold the challenge of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Frozen Fire, the pair finishing two and a half lengths clear of Twice Over.

Trainer Henry Cecil did not blame the ground for the eclipse of Twice Over, but the decision to plan for a Derby challenge rather than the 2,000 Guineas may have been misguided as the colt appeared not to stay the extended 1m2f.

"I am not blaming the ground - the others went on it," said Cecil. "He came there nicely and emptied out. He probably got his second wind and ran on a bit, but it was disappointing really. Whether we will have to go back in distance or not, I don't know.

"It is up to the prince, but I wouldn't think he would go for the Derby on that, would you? He seemed to falter; he emptied out. You wouldn't think he was a Derby horse after that, would you?"

O'Brien has his own choice of contenders, of whom Frozen Fire is now most prominent in the betting at a top-priced 10-1 with Ladbrokes.
Jockey Johnny Murtagh said: "He ran great. He's always had a lot of ability. He ran a good trial and I thought he was going to win, but Ryan just got me.
"I suppose it was my lad's first race and Ryan's had had a run before, and his horse was just in front on the line. I think he would be a possible for Epsom."
Sandown Classic Trial winner Centennial, who was fourth, will be campaigned towards other Classics.

Trainer John Gosden said: "We were not disappointed in the slightest. I said before that a mile and a quarter at Sandown on good to soft was a stiff test. This was a fast race today on quick ground and those horses have quickened past him.
"He needs further and we will pick him up in trip to a mile and a half and we very much have the Leger in mind for him later in the year.
"He is in the Irish Derby and we would like to have a run there - I hope there is a bit of rain about."

2008-06-28T10:51:00.001-07:00

15 May. GB. Totescoop6 Special Middleton S. G3. York. 10,4f. Turf. 50.000 £
1.- PROMISING LEAD (R.Moore)
2.- UNDER THE RAINBOW (N.Callan)
3.- FLYING CLARETS (P.Hanagan)

THEY were on opposite sides in the main feature but Dante-winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute and Twice Over's owner Khalid Abdullah teamed up in the chief supporting act to record the easiest victory of the day with Promising Lead.

Their progressively four-year-old filly, beaten just a head in a Group 1 at Longchamp on Arc day, was sent off 2-5 favourite for her drop to Group 3 company in the Totescoop6 Special Middleton Stakes and won very much as the market suggested.

She cruised to the front over a furlong out and was just pushed out by Ryan Moore to score by an easy three and a half lengths, to the delight of her watching owner.

"It's nice to win a Group 3 but she was just beaten agonisingly in the Prix de l'Opera last season and we are going to try to put that right this year," said Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe.

"She is in all the obvious races over a mile and a quarter and she will probably stay a mile and a half. She likes fast ground and the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland could be a race for her."

2008-06-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

14 May. GB. Tattersalls Musidora S. G3. York. 10,4f. Turf. 60.000 £
1.- LUSH LASHES (K.Manning)
2.- CAPE AMBER (J.Spencer)
3.- DAR RE MI (J.Fortune)

JIM BOLGER could be training the favourite for both the Derby and Oaks, but his aversion to Epsom as a destination for New Approach may also apply to Lush Lashes, despite an impressive trial by the filly at York yesterday.

After Lush Lashes had produced the most emphatic performance of any Juddmonte Oaks candidate when winning the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes by five lengths, Bolger, without ruling out Epsom, appeared more keen to wait until July for the Darley Irish Oaks.

The news was another blow to the Epsom Classics. Bolger had ruled 2,000 Guineas runnerup New Approach out of the Derby, for which he was antepost favourite, before Newmarket, while Dermot Weld is unlikely to send either former Oaks antepost favourite Chinese White or Sunday's impressive Leopardstown winner Casual Conquest.
After finishing sixth in the 1,000 Guineas, Lush Lashes relished the step up to 1m2 1/2 f yesterday. A comfortable victory over Cape Amber and Dar Re Mi saw her immediately promoted to the head of the Oaks ante-post market at best odds of 5-2 with Coral, Totesport and Boylesports. William Hill go 6-4 with a run.

Yet a quick telephone call to Bolger at home in Ireland by travelling head groom Ger Flynn revealed the trainer was reluctant to make an immediate commitment to Epsom.

Bolger, speaking at Naas in the evening, where he saddled a double in the two juvenile races, said: "Her next race will be an Oaks, either at Epsom or the Curragh, and it's possible she could run in both, although running in the Irish Oaks is the more likely option."

Asked if he had anything against Epsom, Bolger replied: "No."
Jockey Kevin Manning produced Lush Lashes to lead two furlongs out and the filly immediately picked up to put daylight between her and her rivals.
"She was very, very impressive," said Manning, who later flew back to partner Bolger's Naas winners.
"I haven't spoken with Jim yet, but I wouldn't worry - she gets the mile and a half and would be a great ride in either race."
Asked about the track at Epsom, he said: "I don't see a problem. She is a very straightforward ride."

Cape Amber was meant to contest the 1,000 Guineas and her performance to finish second on her reappearance delighted trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam.
She goes to Epsom and is a general 8-1 chance.
"It's been stop-start," said Chapple-Hyam. "She couldn't run in the Fred Darling and couldn't run in the Guineas, and she is only just coming right.
"Jamie Spencer said she blew up, and a mile and a half and a bit more give is what she wants. I couldn't be happier with her. The winner is good, but she was having her fourth run and mine her second."

Dar Re Mi's target will depend on Bolger's decision, but trainer John Gosden believed she could have finished second if she had not collided with Moonstone when Johnny Murtagh made a forward move at halfway.
Gosden said: "He's a friend of mine, but I'm not amused by Johnny Murtagh. I don't see the point of employing those tactics four and half furlongs out. If he had been trying to box Jimmy Fortune in two furlongs out that's fine, but just rough riding at four and half furlongs out was not funny.
"She's got cuts in a hind leg and it's probably cost her second place. We will have to give her some antibiotics."
On his filly's next target, Gosden added: "I'm in the hands of Mr Bolger. If he decides to go to Ireland we will go to Epsom, and if not she will go for the Ribblesdale."

The stewards held an inquiry but took no action against any jockeys.

2008-06-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

14 May. GB. Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes S. G2. York. 6f. Turf. 100.000 £
1.- ASSERTIVE (R.Moore)
2.- WAR ARTIST (K.McEvoy)
3.- BECKERMET (C.Catlin)

IF AT first you don't succeed, try, try again was the maxim employed by Assertive yesterday when he gained his first Group success at the 16th attempt in the Duke of York Stakes under a power-packed ride from Ryan Moore, writes Tony Elves.
Injury scuppered Moore's bid to land a second jockeys' championship last season, but his hunger is more apparent than ever.

He held a handy position towards the centre of the course on the Richard Hannon-trained winner as Beckermet took his group along at a good rattle from the start.
Moore made the decision to unleash the 15-2 shot over a furlong out and, having taken the initiative, he never looked like being pegged back by War Artist as he took the Hearthstead Homes-sponsored Group 2 by a neck and the same.

The winner had failed narrowly in the Abernant at Newmarket on his reappearance last month, but all roads now lead to Royal Ascot.

Assistant trainer Richard Hannon jnr said: "That first run was great, but he probably needed it and he will go for the Golden Jubilee.
"It is a great result for owner Lady Whent as she owns the stallion Bold Edge, and Assertive is tough and will go on any ground.
"He deserves to win a race like that and, hopefully, he will go to Royal Ascot and do the same."

The five-year-old was made 16-1 for the Group 1 at Royal Ascot by VCbet, Boylesports, William Hill and Coral. However, all of the firms were more impressed with the runner-up, who is as short as 12-1 with Coral.

War Artist's trainer James Eustace said: "Six furlongs at Ascot will suit him better and he goes for the Golden Jubilee. He handles fast ground really well and, with his 5lb penalty, it was a hell of run."

2008-06-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

14 May. IRE. Blue Wind S. G3. Naas. 10f. Turf. 90.000 €
1.- ADORED (J.Murtagh)
2.- TIFFANY DIAMOND (J.Heffernan)
3.- PROFOUND BEAUTY (P.Smullen)

A maiden at the start of the month, Aiden O’Brien’s Adored underlined her tremendous rate of progress when making all the running for Johnny Murtagh at Naas to claim the featured Blue Wind Stakes.

A gamble on Profound Beauty went badly astray as Dermot Weld’s odds-on chance was unable to overhaul Murtagh’s mount and, indeed, lost out for second to the winner’s 33/1 stablemate, Tiffany Diamond.

Any hope of Marjalina being considered for the English Oaks disappeared when Kevin Prendergast’s hitherto unbeaten charge dropped right out and was later discovered to be coming in season.

Adored is from the Darshaan mare Sudden Hope, who is a half sister to Kris' G1 winner Sudden Love and has a Sadler's Wells yearling three-quarter-brother to Adored.

2008-06-25T12:44:00.001-07:00

13 May. FR. Prix de Guiche. G3. Chantilly. 1.800 mts. Turf. 80.000 €
1.- TRINCOT (C.Soumillon)
2.- IN CHAMBERS (O.Peslier)
3.- MAYWHEATER (C.Lemaire)

Philippe Demercastel was rewarded with a runner in the June 1st Prix du Jockey Club this afternoon when Trincot (Peintre Celebre) clinched victory in the G.3 Prix de Guiche at Chantilly.

Taking the same route as Lawman did last year, Trincot was a still a maiden coming into the 2008 season but has now scored three back-to-back successes.

Opting to remain towards the rear of the field in company with Putney Bridge (Mizzen Mast), it was Mayweather (Nayef) and In Seclusion (Cozzene) who made the running while In Chambers (Oasis Dream) ran freely in behind.

It was Mayweather who led coming into the stretch but Johan Victoire tried to wind up In Seclusion early – to no avail.

In Chambers gradually made up ground on his outside but Trincot came wider still. With just under a furlong to go it was a two-horse race with Trincot and Christophe Soumillon holding on by a neck from In Chambers.

Mayweather stayed on well to take third a length away. Putney Bridge was two lengths further back with In Seclusion another half-length off in fifth.

2008-06-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

12 May. FR. Prix Greffulhe. G2. Saint Cloud. 2.000 mts. Turf. 130.000 €
1.- PROSPECT WELLS (O,Peslier)
2.- RIPPLE (C.Soumillon)
3.- TROIS ROIS (D.Bonilla)

Prospect Wells (Sadler’s Wells) exacted revenge on Ripple this afternoon at Saint-Cloud on the way to winning the G.2 Prix Greffulhe, the last of the recognised trials for the G.1 Prix du Jockey Club.

With just five declared there was never going to be any pace and, true to form, there wasn’t.

It was Christophe Soumillon and Ripple (Rock Of Gibraltar) who took them on with the grey Chirango (Chichicastenango) on his outer. Stablemate Salsalavie (Fly To The Stars) chose the rail followed by Alec Head’s Trois Rois (Hernando) and Prospect Wells comfortably cantering at the rear.

With three furlongs to go Thierry Thulliez stepped up the pace on Chirango and was quickly followed by Davy Bonilla on Trois Rois. But Ripple regained the lead as Olivier Peslier made his move on Prospect Wells from the rear.

With a half-furlong left Ripple led by 1½ lengths but Trois Rois and Prospect Wells came with a strong run towards the standside. But there was never any doubt about the winner as a well-timed ride gave Prospect Wells his first win from four career starts, a short neck ahead of Ripple. Trois Rois was a similar margin behind in third but gave Bonilla a difficult ride and should produce a better run next time out.

This win capped capped an extraordinary two days for the Wertheimer brothers, having won the French 2,000 Guineas, finishing runner-up in the fillies version, landing the G.3 Prix de Saint-Georges and finally, today assuring a place in the French Derby. Not forgetting of course that Olivier Peslier was on board each time.

2008-06-25T12:07:00.000-07:00

12 May. GER. Schwarzgold-Rennen (ex Kolner Herbst Stuten-Meile). G3. Koln. 1.600 mts. Turf. 50.000 €
1.- PEACE ROYALE (A.Suborics)
2.- LOVE ACADEMY (A.Starke)
3.- ROSENREIHE (F.Minarik)

Peace Royale (Sholokhov), sixth to yesterday’s French 1,000 Guineas winner Zarkava, in last year’s G.1 Prix Marcel Boussac, ran out a convincing winner of this afternoon’s G.3 Schwarzgold-Rennen at Cologne - despite throwing a shoe in the process.

Recognised as often the most telling German 1,000 Guineas trials, there is little doubt, barring incident, that the first three home will line up for the big event on 1st June.

Canadian-bred Idonea (Swain) took the field on at a merry pace from the outset. Peace Royale and Love Academy (Medicean), winner of last autumn’s G.3 Preis der Winterkönigin, raced together behind the leader with group-placed Diamantgottin (Fantastic Light) on their heels.

With a half-mile to race the field closed ranks and by the turn for home there were just five lengths separating the nine runners.

Zaya (Diktat) was the first to go and gradually worked up a small lead but Andreas Suborics and Peace Royale soon passed her with Love Academy closing in behind.

With just a furlong left to run Suborics was a length clear and went on to win by that margin from Love Academy in second. Rosenreihe (Catcher In The Rye) came with a late run and although drifting when pushed, Filip Minarik kept her on course to finish third a further half-length away. Diamantgottin came in fourth.

Trainer Andreas Wöhler later confirmed that Peace Royale will run in the 1,000 Guineas at Dusseldorf and all going well may tackle the G.1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next month. Mi Emma, trained by Wöhler, finished runner-up to Indian Ink in that race last year.

2008-06-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

12 May. GER. Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen-German Two Thousand Guineas. G2. Koln. 1.600 mts. Turf. 165.000 €
1.- PRECIOUS BOY (A.Vries)
2.- KONIG CONCORDE (W.Panov)
3.- LIANG KAY (T.Hellier)

Precious Boy (Big Shuffle) ran out the first German classic winner of the season, winning the G.2 Mehl-Mühlens Rennen, 2,000 Guineas, at Cologne this afternoon.

The winner came within a whisker of being withdrawn at the start after refusing to load. Eventually seven runners did get away and after a number of early exchanges it was English visitor Solent Ridge (Namid) who took up the running with the leading protagonists Precious Boy and Liang Kay (Dai Jin), opting to stay towards the rear.

Coming around the final turn Adrie de Vries made a move around the outside, wide enough to lose ground, and as they entered the straight had to get to work early to make his losses.

A gaping hole opened up for Terry Hellier and Liang Kay with 1½ furlongs to run and they soon took a small lead. Under a vigorous ride de Vries headed his old rival and went on to win comfortably.

It appeared that Liang Kay would take second but Konig Concorde (Big Shuffle) came from the wide outside under what could only be described as a frenetic ride, and clinched second spot.

After winning the G.3 Preis des Winterfavoriten last October, trainer Waldemar Hickst impressed that this race was his ultimate goal. He had won all three of his juvenile starts before going down by a short-head to Liang Kay in the G.3 Dr Busch Memorial three weeks ago.

Whether he has the stamina for the Deutsches Derby will be a up for discussion in the coming days but Hickst is tending towards keeping him at eight to ten furlongs.

2008-06-21T11:47:00.001-07:00

11 May. ITA. Premio Tudini . G3. Rome. 1.200 mts. Turf. 89.000 €
1.- GESTURE (S.Landi)
1.- TITUS SHADOW (D.Vargiu)
3.- BLACK MAMBAZO (M.Monteriso)

The three year-olds took on their older counterparts in the six furlong G.3 Premio Tudini in Rome this afternoon, a race which provided a spectacular finish.

Early season Guineas hope Black Mambazo (Statue Of Liberty) had given most of the running and, cantering up the centre of the track, had a clear view of the line 1½ furlongs out. Remarque (Marju) and Le Cadre Noir (Danetime) were battling among themselves behind the leader but the action was to come from the standside.

Titus Shadow (Titus Livius), under Dario Vargiu, came powering up the inside to head Black Mambazo but Gesture (Bahri) came up the rails with a late burst and these two fought out the finish with the judge unable to separate them in a photograph.

Black Mambazo finished third a length behind.

While both will be credited with a G.3 win, Bruno Grizzetti, trainer of Titus Shadow, rounded off a sensational afternoon, having won the G.3 Carlo d’Alessio with Gimmy before Cima De Triomphe landed the Derby.

This marked just a second black-type win for Titus Shadow from sixteen starts – his other win came over course and distance in October 2006.

Gesture however was winning his eighth race from 29 starts and his fourth in succession.

2008-06-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

11 May. ITA. Premio Carlo d'Alessio . G3. Rome. 2.400 mts. Turf. 125.000 €
1.- GIMMY (D.Vargiu)
2.- MONTALEGRE (S.Mulas)
3.- ROCKMASTER (J.Spencer)

2008-06-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

11 May. ITA. Derby Italiano. G1. Rome. 2.200 mts. Turf. 1.000.000 €
1.- CIMA DE TRIOMPHE (S.Mulas)
2.- PERMESSO (U.Rispoli)
3.- PAPETTI (P.Convertino)

Although big hope Farrel (Fruits Of Love) failed to win today Bruno Grizzetti will be returning to Varese this evening a happy trainer after saddling three of the first four home in the 125th Italian Derby.

There was never much to separate the field for most of the 2200m (11f) contest with favoured Fathayer (Volponi) and Senlis (High Chaparral) dictating the pace.

As the nineteen runners entered the stretch the field spread out almost the whole width of the track and although Fathayer had given himself a lead of 1½ lengths, he was soon joined by Senlis and Rastignano (Spartacus).

Permesso (Sakhee) took over the lead with a furlong to go but Silvano Mulas on Cima De Triomphe (Galileo) came with a strong run and held on to win by a half-length from a fast-finishing Permesso. A further length away in third came Papetti with Farrel another half-length behind.

Cima De Triomphe came into the Derby Italiano off a Listed win at San Siro three weeks ago, just his second victory from five starts.

The only foreign runner in the race was Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Bougereau (Alhaarth) who could manage only seventh. Emilio Borromeo’s Italian 2,000 Guineas winner Senlis placed ninth.

2008-06-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

11 May. FR. Prix de Saint-Georges. G3. Longchamp. 1.000 mts. Turf. 80.000 €
1.- ONLY ANSWER (O.Peslier)
2.- MOOD MUSIC (D.Boeuf)
3.- DERISON (T.Jarnet)

It was an extraordinary day for Olivier Peslier and the Wertheimer brothers at Longchamp. They won the 2,000 Guineas, finished runner-up in the 1,000 Guineas and then landed the G.3 Prix de Saint-Georges. All were Wertheimer home-breds and all three horses are trained by different handlers.

In an uncommon change for France a blistering pace was set from the start as Cabulco (Kendor) flew to the lead. The field strung out quickly and at the halfway stage nine lengths separated the nine runners.

Two out the German-trained Mood Music (Kyllachy) took up the running but Olivier Peslier on Only Answer (Green Desert) came up on his outer to contest the lead. Peslier asked the question with a furlong to go and was rewarded amply to take the Group Three by an easy length.

Mood Music held on for second with Derison (Miesque’s Son) putting in a tardy but impressive late burst to finish just a further neck away in third.

A four year-old with a fillies’ allowance and in receipt of weight from the placegetters, Only Answer is unlikely to have it so easy next time out. Last year she won twice and placed fourth to Tax Free in a G.3 over course and distance but failed to win on both of her prior starts this year.

2008-06-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

11 May. FR. Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. G1. Longchamp. 1.600 mts. Turf. 400.000 €
1.- ZARKAVA (C.Soumillon)
2.- GOLDIKOVA (O.Peslier)
3.- HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (D.McCabe)

Zarkava unleashed her potent finishing kick under Christophe Soumillon to maintain superstar status with a Classic success in the French 1000 at Longchamp.

The Aga Khan’s daughter of Zamindar has mopped on all four of her starts to date, and on each occasion displayed an electric turn of foot.

Victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day marked her out as something special and she warmed up for the French 1000 Guineas without breaking sweat over the course and distance last month.

With her unbeaten record in tact, she was sent off the 4-9 favourite and was settled in rear by Soumillon after her trademark slow start.

Halfway To Heaven, representing Ballydoyle, did her part in setting a ferocious pace which helped Zarkava set a new race record.

Once pulled out into clear air, Alain de Royer-Dupre’s charge skipped clear within a matter of strides and opened up a two-length margin at the line.

Kayaba ran well in behind to finish second, with Aidan O’Brien’s Halfway To Heaven taking third.

Soumillon said: “She always jumps out of the gate like that and if you look at all of the races, she has ran in before she has been slowly away from the gate.

“After that she followed the pace, and this was the best day for her turn of foot.

“I didn’t have to push her along too much as the pace was good and she was the best today.

“We will have to see what happens next. I am a jockey and not a trainer!”

Despite holding an entry at Epsom in next month’s Juddmonte Oaks, Zarkava is likely to stay in France for the short term and head to Chantilly on June 8 for the Prix de Diane.

His Highness the Aga Khan said: “To go to the Diane would be the obvious thing to do.

“I honestly don’t know if she is entered at Epsom but that was never the plan.

“I get the feeling from her races that she will stay further, and it is great to have another super filly.”

De Royer-Dupre added: “She was a bit slow to start and they must have gone quickly.”

In addition to the third home, O’Brien was responsible for the sixth-placed Psalm.

He said: “Halfway To Heaven ran well and she is a tough lady. Psalm ran a good race too but she had a bad draw.”

2008-06-21T08:23:00.001-07:00

11 May. FR. Poule d'Essai des Poulains. G1. Longchamp. 1.600 mts. Turf. 400.000 €
1.- FALCO (O.Peslier)
2.- RIO DE LA PLATA (L.Dettori)
3.- RIVER PROUD (T.Quinn)

Falco ran out a comfortable winner of the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp.

Trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias and ridden by Olivier Peslier, the 20-1 chance avoided any traffic problems and swept to the front with a powerful run just over two furlongs from home.

Despite tiring towards the finish, he still had clear daylight between himself and the chasing pack at the line.

With 19 runners, the one-mile Group One feature always threatened to be a rough race and so it proved, with the field strung out like washing entering the home straight.

But Peslier, sat just off the early pace and on the outside of the field, always had Falco out of trouble and asked his mount to take command with over a quarter of a mile to run.

The response was impressive and ultimately proved decisive as the Frankie Dettori-ridden Rio De La Plata (5-1) stayed on for second without ever threatening to reel in the easy winner.

Third place went to River Proud, who belied his price tag of 25-1 and looked unlucky not to finish closer.

After encountering trouble in the starting stalls, he had to come from a long way back in the straight and was finishing best of all at the line.

The layers were relatively impressed with the effort of Rio De La Plata and reacted by cutting Saeed Bin Suroor’s charge for the Vodafone Derby.

He is now 16-1 from 25s with VC Bet for the Epsom Classic, while William Hill are slightly shorter at 14s from 16-1.

Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin, was thrilled with the performance of runner-up Rio De La Plata.

Crisford said: “He’s run very well and we are very pleased, but we’ll just see what happens from here.

“We’ll go home and make some plans.

“He’s entered in everything from a mile to a mile and a half, including the Derby, and all options are open.”

After getting upset in stall 14, River Proud was taken out and transferred to the widest stall on offer before the starter let them go.

Cole said: “They moved him from stall 14 to stall 20 so he was on the wide outside.

“He’s never been good in the stalls and has had to come from almost last position entering the straight.

“If you look at the speed he showed and imagine if he’d done that from fourth or fifth position, who knows what would have happened?

“You have to behave in the stalls and he hasn’t, which has probably cost him the French 2000 Guineas.

“We’ve never had this sort of encouragement from him and he made up half a furlong very easily.”

Peslier was delighted with the way the race panned out for Falco. The winning jockey said: “My horse was always going well. He likes a good gallop and they went a good gallop throughout.

“He has a nice action and for a horse like him, it is better to be in a good position.

“Moving into the straight I went up on the outside and there was a horse coming with me.

“But I knew my horse was very strong and full of running, so when the other horse went I made my move early.”

2008-06-21T08:06:00.001-07:00

11 May. IRE. Derrinstown Stud One Thousand Guineas Trial. G3. Leopardstown. 8f. Turf. 85.000 €
1.- CARRIBEAN SUNSET (P.Smullen)
2.- KATIYRA (M.Kinane)
3.- INDIANA GAL (F.Berry)

DERMOT WELD and Pat Smullen crowned another day to remember at Leopardstown this season when Carribean Sunset landed the supporting 1,000 Guineas Trial to complete anear 123-1 treble on the day.

The 9-2 chance, successful here last month when defeating Halfway To Heaven and subsequent Newmarket 1,000 Guineas third Saoirse Abu, swept to the front at the distance and pulled out plenty under pressure to hold the staying on Katiyra by half-a-length. Pat Martin's Indiana Gal finished a creditable length-and-a-half back in third.

“These are important ones to win,” said Weld, referring also to the Derby Trial he won earlier with Casual Conquest. “She's very game,very brave, very tough and she's getting better. She had to battle there again but she had the form to win. She'll go for the Irish 1,000 Guineas next.”

2008-06-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

11 May. IRE. Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. G2. Leopardstown. 10f. Turf. 125.000 €
1.- CASUAL CONQUEST (P.Smullen)
2.- WASHINGTON IRVING (J.Heffernan)
3.- MOIQEN (D.McDongh)

Casual Conquest produced a tremendous performance to run out an impressive winner of the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.

Dermot Weld’s 13-2 chance was making his seasonal reappearance in the 10-furlong Group Two feature but evidently lacked nothing for fitness as he readily brushed aside Washington Irving and Moiqen.

Casual Conquest turned for home in last place but rocketed to the front well over a furlong from home once Pat Smullen asked his mount to go about his business, finishing six lengths to the good over Washington Irving.

Although William Hill make Casual Conquest their 7-1 third favourite for the Vodafone Derby, he is not entered for the Epsom highlight and seems likely to run in the French equivalent.

“He’s in the French and the Irish Derby and it’s a great pity the entry fee is too high for the Epsom Derby,” said Weld.

“We’ll speak to (owners) Moyglare Stud but the French Derby is probably the likely option.

“He’s had a little hold-up but he’s really come to himself in the last few weeks and I thought he was capable of winning.”

2008-06-21T05:29:00.000-07:00

11 May. IRE. Amethyst S. G3. Leopardstown. 8f. Turf. 70.000 €
1.- FERNELEY (W.Supple)
2.- LORD ADMIRAL (M.Kinane)
3.- EXCELERATE (C.Hayes)

Ferneley set out to lead all the way in the Group Three Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown and never looked in danger once he quickened clear coming down the straight.

The Francis Ennis-trained four-year-old had Tian Shan for company for the first half of the mile contest, but shook him off and ran on too strongly for challengers coming from the rear.

Willie Supple kept the 8-1 shot going to win by two lengths, with favourite Lord Admiral edging second spot close home.

The race lost a degree of interest when former Aussie star Haradasun, due to make his debut for Aidan O’Brien, was declared a non-runner.

Ennis said: “That was very impressive. The good ground is the secret to this horse.”

2008-06-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

11 May. USA. Railbird S. G3. Hollywood Park. 7f. AW. 100.000 $
1.- MILLION DOLLAR RUN (J.Rosario)
2.- TASHA'S MIRACLE (M.Garcia)
3.- LETHAL HEAT (R.Bejarano)

Everest Stables’ homebred Million Dollar Run, a maiden making only her second career start, stalked the pace, took over at the top of the stretch, and drew clear to win the $110,400 Railbird Stakes (gr. III) by 2 1/4 lengths May 11 on the Hollywood Park Cushion Track.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Million Dollar Run shocked the eight-horse field, winning at odds of 14-1. Included in those she upset was 8-5 favorite Lethal Heat, who entered the Railbird undefeated in three starts.

Lethal Heat stumbled badly out of the gate and was never a factor. The 3-year-old daughter of Unusual Heat rallied late and did well to get up for third, 2 3/4 lengths behind runner-up Tasha’s Miracle.

A daughter of Tejano Run, Million Dollar Run entered the Railbird off a neck defeat in her racing a debut, a six-furlong maiden special weight contest at Santa Anita Park March 30. The chestnut filly is trained by Marcelo Polanco.

The final time for seven furlongs was 1:20.66, just .16 of a second shy of the track record set last year.

Million Dollar Run broke well and received a perfect stalking trip behind pacesetter Peisinoe, who posted solid fractions of :22.13 and :44.45 under Alex Solis. Tasha’s Miracle raced in third, while Homemade Brew was next through the backstretch.

Peisinoe was still in front as they were coming out of the turn, but the rail opened up for Tasha’s Miracle and Million Dollar Run was revved up from a three-wide position.

Million Dollar Run took over before they reached the eighth-pole and drew clear in upper stretch.

"I worked her once before and she went very good," said Rosario, who earned his first graded stakes score. "We had a great trip from the outside. Alex Solis went to the front, and I got to wait and wait. When I asked her, she responded and won. That's pretty impressive, winning a stakes with a maiden."

Polanco said: "She ran so good, and she has been training so good. When the nominations came out, it wasn’t that tough to my knowledge, and that was part of my main decision. She was training just perfect. Every single thing she did from the last race to this one came out perfect.

"I told Joel to keep it close if somebody wanted to go and if nobody went just get into good position and save some for the last. We’re going to be taking it day by day; the main thing is for her to come out of this sound.”

Out of the Hold for Gold mare Six Zeroes, Million Dollar Run was bred in Kentucky. She paid $31.40, $13.20, and $6. The $2 exacta (10-4) with Tasha’s Miracle was worth $193. The $1 trifecta (10-4-5) returned $426.80.

Lethal Heat, who entered off a victory in the Santa Paula (gr. III) at Santa Anita March 30 , was hustled into mid-pack by Rafael Bejarano after the poor break, but was too far back to challenge the top two.

"She was getting nervous in the gate," Bejarano said. "There was a lot of noise, and she was leaning to the right when the gate sprung and she stumbled real bad. We had a nice trip, but we had to come from too far behind. I think it cost me the race."

Sweet Hope was fourth, followed by Magical Victory, Peisinoe, Highland Torree, and Homemade Br ew. P.S.U. Grad and Lovely Isle were scratched.

2008-06-21T04:09:00.001-07:00

10 May. USA. Lone Star Derby. G3. Lone Star Park. 8,5f. Dirt. 400.000 $
1.- EL GATO MALO (R.Bejarano)
2.- LEONIDES (R.Migliore)
3.- SAMBA ROOSTER (G.Gomez)

West Point Thoroughbreds’ El Gato Malo, making his first start on traditional dirt, made a dramatic move in late stretch to take the 400,000 Lone Star Derby (gr. III) by a half-length May 10 at Lone Star Park.

Fourth at the top of the lane, El Gato Malo forced his way away from the rail under Rafael Bejarano, bumped with Texas Wildcatter, and then began his surge towards the leaders. He needed the entire final furlong to get past Leonides and pacesetter Samba Rooster.

El Gato Malo completed the 1 1/16-mile contest in 1:43.04. Leonides was second in the 13-horse field, a nose in front of Samba Rooster.

Trained by Craig Dollase, El Gato Malo was one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) after taking the San Rafael (gr. III) by 6 1/4 lengths in January. But the son of El Corredor finished second in the March 1 Sham Stakes (gr. I) and fifth in the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), and came up short on graded earnings. Bred in Kentucky by Kenneth Roberts, El Gato Malo was making his first start outside of California.

Samba Rooster, second in the April 19 Lexington Stakes (gr. II), broke to the early lead under Garrett Gomez. The son of Songandaprayer posted aggressive fractions of :22.98, :46.27, and 1:10.20. He was pressed the whole way by Leonides, with My Pal Charlie and Limestone Edge also close up. El Gto Malo was fifth through the backstretch.

The winner edged his way toward the outside as he came out of the final turn, and once finding room, began his assault on the front.

Going off as the favorite, the bay gelding paid $5.20, $3.80 and $2.80. The exacta (2-9) with Leonides returned $69. The trifecta (12-9-1A) was worth $168.40.

El Gato Malo, who is out of the Mountain Cat mare One Bad Cat, improved to 4-1-0 from six starts.

Leonides, also a California invader, was coming off a second-place finish in the six-furlong San Miguel Stakes at Santa Anita March 29. The Lone Star was his first try more than six furlongs. The son of Richter Scale is trained by Vladimir Cerin.

2008-06-21T04:02:00.000-07:00

10 May. USA. Senorita S. G3. Hollywood Park. 8f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- SWEETER STILL (M.Garcia)
2.- MAGICAL FANTASY (A.Solis)
3.- BEL AIR SIZZLE (C.Potts)

In spite of drifting out a couple of paths from mid-stretch to the wire, favored Sweeter Still won the $109,800 Senorita Stakes (gr. III) on the Hollywood Park turf by a nose over Magical Fantasy.

Stewards, following a lengthy inquiry, decided against making a change in the order of finish.

Magical Fantasy, rallying strongly for Alex Solis while coming off the far turn of the one-mile event for 3-year-old fillies, certainly looked like a winner with a full head of steam when Sweeter Still began her drift into the 11-1 challenger's path under left-handed urging from jockey Martin Garcia.

Garcia quickly switched to the right hand, but the two fillies appeared to bump a couple of times. But Magical Fantasy could not get past the stubborn Sweeter Still until a jump after the wire.

Stewards took a long look at the race angle replays before deciding that the infraction didn't warrant making a change. They reasoned both fillies were drifting out. Bel Air Sizzle finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind. The final time was 1:35.63 on firm going.

"She kept coming out and coming out and crowding my filly," Solis complained. "It cost me the race. If (Sweeter Still) had run straight, I would have run by her.”

"Maybe (Solis) is right that I was drifting out," Garcia admitted. "I tried to help her with my right hand, but she kept getting out. I did everything I could to keep her straight. There was some contact, but it was past the wire."

Jeff Mullins trains Sweeter Still for David J. Lanzman Racing Stable and Jason Wood. The diminutive Irish-bred filly Sweeter Still proved once again what a gritty performer she is. In her last start, she refused to give way to the well-regarded Missit in the one-mile Providencia (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf April 5. After being headed in deep stretch that day, she fought back against Missit before losing by a nose. Prior to that, Sweeter Still won the China Doll, also at one mile, by one length.

“It was a tight race," said a relieved Mullins. "I told Martin to sit behind the pace and make one run. It looked like he might have moved a little bit too soon, but he got the job done. She doesn’t weigh six-hundred pounds soaking wet, so for a filly that size to accomplish what she’s accomplished is pretty sweet. We’re going to regroup now and see what comes along next.”

Sweeter Still was forwardly placed as Dawn Before Dawn overtook Lovely Isle shortly after the start and led the field of eight through fractions of :22.64, :46.32, and 1:10.87. Moving on the outside of the pacesetter, Sweeter Still grabbed the lead at the head of the stretch and proceeded to open a 1 1/2-length advantage.

But the English import Magical Fantasy, who showed no early speed in her first U.S. try for trainer Paddy Gallagher, mounted a major bid rounding the turn on the extreme outside of her rivals. She swept past the rest of the field and dueled with the winner for the final sixteenth of a mile.

After beginning her career with one start in Ireland for trainer Aidan O'Brien, Sweeter Still has won three of five U.S. tries. The daughter of Rock of Gibraltar earned $65,880 for the victory, bumping her career total to $184,637.

Sent off at odds of 3-2, she paid $5, $3.40, and $2.60. Magical Fantasy, who did most of her running on Polytrack in England for trainer James Nicol, returned $11.20 and $5.60 as the unlucky loser. The $2 exacta paid $48.40. Bel Air Sizzle, ridden by Clinton Potts, was $4.20 to show.

It was a neck to Divine Legacy in fourth, followed by Lovely Isle, Gorgeous Goose, Dawn Before Dawn, and P. S. U. Grad. Harmony Creator, Fire n' Brimstone, and Decorator were scratched.

2008-06-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

10 May. USA. Los Angeles H. G3. Hollywood Park. 6f. AW. 100.000 $
1.- STREET BOSS (D.Flores)
2.- SAILORS SUNSET (J.Court)
3.- HIGH STANDARDS (J.Rosario)

Street Boss overtook four foes after being swung out approaching the stretch and earned a one-length victory in his stakes debut in the $110,500 Los Angeles Handicap (G3) on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Street Boss clipped heels soon after the start and trailed in a field of nine as Grade 3 winner High Standards dueled with Sailors Sunset through a half-mile in :43.80. Jockey David Flores and Street Boss moved ahead on the turn and improved to fifth in early stretch. Street Boss seized command from 2007 Los Angeles winner Sailors Sunset near midstretch, and set a Hollywood Cushion Track record of 1:07.55 for six furlongs.

Sailors Sunset previously set a track record at the Inglewood, California, track by running six furlongs in 1:07.79 en route to winning the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (G3) on December 2, 2006.

Sailors Sunset finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher High Standards.

Trained by Bruce Headley, Street Boss entered off consecutive wins at Santa Anita Park in an allowance race on March 6 and an allowance/optional claiming race on April 14. Both races were run at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Earning his fifth win in nine lifetime starts, Street Boss increased his earnings to $221,800. Bred in Kentucky by Brilliant Stable, Street Boss is out of Blushing Ogygian, by Ogygian.

2008-06-21T03:49:00.000-07:00

10 May. USA. Jim Murray Memorial H. G2. Hollywood Park. 12f. Turf. 250.000 $
1.- ON THE ACORN (B.Blanc)
2.- CHAMPS ELYSEES (R.Dominguez)
3.- SUDAN (J.Valdivia Jr.)

Indizguys Stable’s On the Acorn hadn’t won a race since last year’s running of the $250,000 Jim Murrary Memorial Handicap (gr. II), but he defended that score with dignity and took the May 10 event at Hollywood Park for the second time in a row.

This year’s trip was a much better one for the 7-year-old Inchinor gelding. In 2007, he was stuck behind a slow pace and -- after weaving his way through traffic -- just managed to win with a rail-scraping bid. The Mike Mitchell trainee went from last to first again in the 2008 edition of the race, but under much better conditions this time.
The 1 1/2-mile turf event was led from the start by 5-2 second choice Boule d’Or. Trained by Jeff Mullins, Boule d’Or nursed through opening fractions of :24.69 and :48.02, while an extremely rank Sudan carried jockey Jose Valdivia well into the center of the track in an attempt to chase the leader.
Far back and out of trouble, On the Acorn and jockey Brice Blanc rated through three quarters in 1:12.49 and a mile in 1:37.32, fourth behind the Bobby Frankel-trained Champs Elysees. Sudan, also trained by Frankel, finally settled just off the pace.
When Champs Elysees made his move at the quarter pole, On the Acorn followed. Champs Elysees, the 2-5 favorite, gained the lead and had a length advantage over the field going into the stretch. But On the Acorn was closing hard outside, and the two engaged in a ding-dong battle that resulted in a nose-bob score for the latter gelding. The final time was 2:27.36.
"I've won four races with this horse now," Blanc said. "Mike (Mitchell) told me to try and get him as relaxed as possible. He said, 'Don't worry about anything, just let him finish up nice.' I just kept tracking Champs Elysees. He was the one to beat...I just waited, biding my time. When I got to the turn, I swung out again and he really went on with it. That other horse was digging in and coming back at me, but my horse ran great."

On the Acorn came into the Jim Murray off a fourth-place finish in the April 20 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (gr. IIT), in which he flattened out after making a bid in the final furlong. A $40,000 claim by Mitchell in October of 2006, the hard-knocking runner was given a significant layoff after last year's Jim Murray win, and did not race following that score until Feburary of 2008.

"This horse has been training great ever since we turned him out," said Mitchell. "I thought the first race back (the grade II San Luis Obispo Handicap) was a super race; we ran third, and I thought it set it up for the next two races. I told Jack (Disney) and all the owners I was scratching my head after the second race (the grade II San Luis Rey Handicap) because he just ran so bad (sixth). The last time in the San Juan Capistrano, I just thought he was up too close for him. This was just a perfect trip and I’m so happy for those guys--they kind of live and die with this horse because it’s the only horse they have.”

On the Acorn returned $21.60 and $4.20, while Champs Elysees paid $2.10. Sudan and Boule d’Or completed the order of finish. Church Service, also trained by Mitchell, scratched.
The win was a fitting tribute to the Los Angeles Times’ Pulitzer prize-winning Murray, who died in 1998. Indizguyz Stable includes Santa Anita Park publicist Jack Disney, once good friends with Murray, and the group also includes Ross Newhan (Hall of Fame baseball writer for the Times), former catcher and California Angels manager Buck Rodgers, and former San Francisco 49er Paul Salata, as well as Disney’s twin brother Doug, and Fred Krueger.

“We’re just ecstatic," Disney said. "We thought we had a big shot last year. This year, we thought we were really up against it. Getting reunited with Brice Blanc was the key, he rode him beautifully.”

The Jim Murray winner was bred in Great Britain and is out of the Suave Dancer mare Amarice. From 32 starts, he owns an 8-3-4 record, with $743,812 in earnings.

2008-06-21T03:36:00.001-07:00

10 May. USA. Peter Pan S. G2. Belmont Park. 9f. Dirt. 200.000 $
1.- CASINO DRIVE (K.Desormeaux)
2.- MINT LANE (E.Coa)
3.- READY'S ECHO (J.Velazquez)

Should Big Brown go on to take the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), for the fourth time this decade Thoroughbred racing fans will be buzzing over a possibility of the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.
On May 10 at Belmont Park, North America got its first look at the colt who could have the best chance at spoiling Big Brown’s entry into racing immortality, as Japanese invader Casino Drive blew away eight challengers to win the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) in sensational fashion.

Under a patient ride from Kent Desormeaux, Casino Drive stalked the pace, split horses coming out of the final turn, and drew clear in the stretch to win by 5 3/4 commanding lengths. The son of Mineshaft completed the 1 1/8 miles on the dirt in 1:47.87.

Ironically, if Casino Drive does enter the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), he will likely need a new rider. Assuming Big Brown wins the Preakness, Desormeaux will undoubtedly be aboard the son of Boundary, who won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 3.

Casino Drive was making only his second lifetime start in the Peter Pan. He made his racing debut Feb. 23 in Japan at Kyoto, romping to an 11 1/2-length score in a nine-furlong event. The chestnut colt is owned by Japanese business mogul Hidetoshi Yamamoto, and is trained by Kazuo Fujisawa.

Casino Drive, who was bred in Kentucky by Shell Bloodstock, is out of the Deputy Minister mare Better Than Honour. He will have history on his side in the Belmont, as Better Than Honour produced the last two winners of the Classic--Jazil and Rags to Riches. A.P. Indy, 1992 Horse of the Year and the sire of Mineshaft, also won the Belmont.

Yamamoto purchased Casino Drive for $950,000 at the Keeneland 2006 September yearling sale.

In the Peter Pan, Casino Drive settled into third through the backstretch after breaking slowly, content to let Mint Lane set the early pace. Casino Drive’s stablemate, Spark Candle, pressed the leader, setting the table perfectly for the eventual winner.

Mint Lane posted fractions of :23.08, :46.31, and 1:10.47 for six furlongs. Ridden by Eibar Coa, the son of Maria's Mon was still going well as he came out of the turn, while Golden Spikes also moved into contention. But Desormeaux asked Casino Drive for more along the turn, and the talented colt split the two leaders with ease before they straightened away.

Casino Drive took over before the 3/16 pole and drew clear with every stride.

“I certainly understand how Jazil and Rags to Riches won the Belmont,” Desormeaux said. “Yeah, he can run a lot. It’s going to be fun. He’s a phenomenal talent, and we’ve got our hands full with this one. It’s going to be ultimately exciting for all of the fans. He’s got that stride.”

Fujisawa, who commented through a translator, said: ““He ran very good, in spite of it being so long since his last start. I think he will be getting better from now on, and I look forward to his next race--the Belmont Stakes.”

Mint Lane held on for second at odds of 18-1, a half-length in front of Ready’s Echo, who closed well from last. Going off as the 7-5 favorite, Casino Drive paid $4.50, $3.90, and $2.80. The exacta (1-3) was worth $66.50, while the trifecta (1-3-6) returned $225.50.

Golden Spikes finished fourth, followed by Cosmic, Spark Candle, Tomcito, Deputyville, and Fast Talking.

2008-06-21T03:28:00.000-07:00

10 May. USA. Bold Ruler H. G3. Belmont Park. 6f. Dirt. 100.000 $
1.- LUCKY ISLAND (A.Garcia)
2.- MAN OF DANGER (J.Velazquez)
3.- FOREFATHERS (K.Desormeaux)

Shadwell Stable’s Lucky Island wore down the frontrunning Man of Danger and got his third consecutive victory when he took the $109,100 Bold Ruler Handicap (gr. III) at Belmont Park May 10.

Under Alan Garcia, the 4-year-old son of Lucky Roberto settled in fourth on the rail, following a pace set by Man of Danger. That one went straight to the front and led through early fractions of :21.95 and :45.06, tracked by favored Executive Fleet and Gold and Roses.

Angling out on the turn, Lucky Island made his bid at the eighth pole and drew clear against a five-wide move from Forefathers.

"He’s a very nice horse," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. "The first time we ran him, he bled. We were thinking of sending him to Dubai, which is why he ran without Lasix. Now, he is 3-for-3 for us on Lasix. This was a big step up...(but) he proved he belonged. He looked great in there. By the fall, we could stretch him out. We’ll keep him sprinting for now."

Lucky Island covered the six furlongs over Belmont's dirt surface in 1:09.14, finishing 2 1/4 lengths ahead of his competition when asked to draw off with a few strokes of the whip.

"Kiaran (McLaughlin) did a great job with this horse," Garcia said. "I thought he was the best horse coming into the race, and the race set up for me really, really good. My horse was a little slow early, but I managed to save ground. Turning for home, I knew I had the best horse.”

It was the fourth win from five career starts for the lightly-raced Lucky Island, who was bred in Argentina by Arroyo de Luna out of the Equalize mare Ebrolize. He broke his maiden by nine lengths at first asking in his native country, covering six furlongs on the turf in 1:09.21, and was purchased by Shadwell following that impressive score.

In his first U.S. start, Lucky Island stumbled badly at the start of a Dec. 29 allowance race at Calder and, as McLaughlin mentioned, also bled while not racing on Lasix. Given a fair chance at each of his following races, however, he scored convincingly by 2 1/4 lengths in a Feb. 15 allowance at Gulfstream, and by 4 1/2 lengths in an April 5 allowance at Aqueduct.

Lucky Island earned $65,460 for the Bold Ruler victory and nearly doubled his earnings to $134,942.

Sent off as the third choice, Lucky Island returned $9.20, $6, and $4.60, while Man of Danger paid $8.20 and $5.50 under John Velazquez and Forefathers brought $4 with Kent Desormeaux. Council Member, Callmetony, Executive Fleet, and Gold and Roses completed the order of finish.

2008-06-07T03:42:00.000-07:00

10 May. GB. Totesport.com Derby Trial S. G3. Lingfield. 11,5f. Turf. 60.000 £
1.- ALESSANDRO VOLTA (J.Murtagh)
2.- KING OF ROME (D.McCabe)
3.- CAMPANOLOGIST (L.Dettori)

Aidan O’Brien produced another possible Classic candidate as Alessandro Volta took advantage of Curtain Call’s absence in the totesport.com Derby Trial at Lingfield.

O’Brien, who was not believed to have a golden generation of three-year-olds this time around, already has the 2000 Guineas in his possession through Henrythenavigator and the likes of Kingdom Of Naples and Washington Irving still to test this week.

Lingfield’s flagship race admittedly lost a great deal of interest through the defection of Luca Cumani’s Curtain Call on account of the fast ground, and it developed into a close-knit affair.

Sent off at 6-4, Alessandro Volta made nearly all the running under Johnny Murtagh and although he ran wide around the home bend, he found plenty under pressure to keep stablemate King Of Rome at bay by three-quarters of a length.

“The track wouldn’t have ideally suited him - he’s a big galloping horse and he didn’t come down the hill very well,” said Murtagh.

“But he got his act together in the straight and galloped all the way to the line.

“He moves very well - that should stand him in good stead for Epsom.

“Aidan has a lot of Derby horses but this one will certainly have improved for that run.”

Ladbrokes and Coral are unchanged at 20-1 for Epsom, with Boylesports only half the price.

Godolphin’s woes continued as Feilden Stakes winner Campanologist, transferred from Mark Johnston, had every chance but had to settle for third as the 6-5 favourite.

“There is a question whether he is as good at a mile and a half as a mile and a quarter. The French Derby is a possibility,” said racing manager Simon Crisford.

2008-06-07T03:05:00.000-07:00

10 May. GB. Totesport Betxtra Chartwell Fillies' S. G3. Lingfield. 7f. Turf. 50.000 £
1.- SABANA PERDIDA (C.Lemaire)
2.- VERBA (S.Pasquier)
3.- KYLAYNE (J.Egan)

Alain de Royer-Dupre, who saddles Zarkava in today's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp, showcased more female talent in Sabana Perdida, who claimed a one-two for French stables in the Group 3 Totesport betXtra Chartwell Fillies' Stakes.

De Royer-Dupre intended to run the ex-Italian mare fitted with a tongue-tie but did not realise he had to declare the equipment. However, he used a type of bridle that did an effective enough job, and was rewarded with a length-and-three-quarter victory from the Richard Gibson-trained Verba.

"She is a good filly and was third at Ascot last year," said the winning trainer.
"She is more relaxed and more mature now. She is a filly for firm ground, and she will go to Ascot for the Windsor Forest Stakes."

2008-06-07T02:59:00.000-07:00

9 May. GB. Blue Square Ormonde S. G3. Chester. 13,4f. Turf. 75.000 £
1.- MACARTHUR (J.Murtagh)
2.- SUPERSONIC DAVE (R.Hills)
3.- CARTE DIAMOND (P.Hanagan)

Macarthur justified favouritism at 9-4 when running out a convincing winner of the Blue Square Ormonde Stakes.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Johnny Murtagh, the four-year-old was settled just behind the leaders until kicking into top gear rounding the home turn.

Macarthur took over with a little over a furlong to run and lengthened takingly to inflict a four-length defeat on 22-1 chance Supersonic Dave.

Carte Diamond made much of the running and stuck on well for third, while John Gosden’s Raincoat had to snatch up badly when running into trouble late on.

Murtagh said: ‘Aidan said he had improved a lot from his run at the Curragh and he suited the track - he’s got plenty of gears.

‘When we got to the false rail it opened up and for a horse to quicken like that at the end of a mile and five, he must be a nice horse.

‘The ground has been very bad this spring but he loved the ground here today and he’s a high-class horse. I think he has a big future.

‘He’s got the pedigree, he’s a full brother to Motivator so hopefully he can win a Group One like him.’

2008-06-07T02:39:00.000-07:00

9 May. GB. Addleshaw Goddard Dee S. G3. Chester. 10,3f. Turf. 65.000 £
1.- TAJAAWEED (R.Hills)
2.- UNNEFER (T.Durcan)
3.- ACHILL ISLAND (J.Murtagh)

Tajaaweed came with a powerful late run to snatch a thrilling victory for Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Hills in the Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes at Chester.

Henry Cecil’s Unnefer looked to have seized the initiative just over a furlong from home, but the 5-1 scorer flew up the rail to get on top by a short head in the shadow of the post.

Achill Island had to settle for third, some five lengths away, while Godolphin’s Alexandros was in the process of running a big race when badly interfered with on the home turn.

Hills told Channel 4 Racing: “We had an awful draw but I spoke to Sir Michael and he just said to ride him with confidence and keep him balanced. He was always going to pick up but I didn’t really want to go down the inside. He did well, he did very well.

“He’s a very big sort of horse and he’s overcome a lot of obstacles and showed a nice turn of foot in the end. He’s very tall and we thought a lot of him last year so he was thrown in at the deep end very quickly but he’s wintered very well.”

Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, added: “He’s a great big horse so it was nice to see him handle the track as well as he did and to see him progress from two to three. I thought the second horse (Unnefer) had slipped him and I thought he knuckled down really well.”

Tajaaweed holds an entry in the Vodafone Derby and the team will now consider a crack at the Epsom Classic.

“I think he’ll come on for today and the experience will stand him in good stead. I’m sure, unless something goes wrong, we’d be silly not to consider it,” Gold continued.

Of Unnefer, Cecil said: “He didn’t quite get it in the last half-furlong. He did everything right but the other horse outstayed him. He wants soft ground so we will pick and choose his races from here.”

2008-06-03T13:42:00.001-07:00

8 May. GB. Grant Thornton Huxley S. G3. Chester. 10,3f. Turf. 60.000 £
1.- CHAMPIONSHIP POINT (D.Holland)
2.- MARAAHEL (R.Hills)
3.- SPICE ROUTE (J.Spencer)

Maraahel was denied a fourth victory in the Grant Thornton Huxley Stakes at Chester by the Mick Channon-trained Championship Point.

Winning jockey Darryll Holland grabbed the initiative at an early stage and though Richard Hills looked to have it won when he nudged Maraahel’s head in front in the final furlong, Championship Point (12-1) fought back gamely to score by a neck in a thrilling finish.

Holland told Channel 4 Racing: “He’s one of my favourites. He’s such a lovely horse and he really stuck his neck out. There wasn’t much pace in the race so I decided to go on, and he is brave enough to do it. It’s great to win here.”

Channon, gaining some consolation for the luckless runs of Nahoodh and Som Tala recently, said: “We needed a change of luck and we have got that. When I saw the ground drying out I knew we had to go again and it is great he has managed to win a Group race.”

Hamdan Al Maktoum’s racing manager Angus Gold said of Maraahel: “It was a good effort. He gave it his best and it is great to see he is still in good shape.

“Richard said he perhaps got there a bit soon, but it is easy to be wise after the event.

“You could say the fact he hasn’t had a race before coming here this year might have made a difference, but I am not using that as an excuse and he isn’t exactly blowing the house down.

“I’ve not discussed plans with Sir Michael (Stoute), but I guess we will follow a similar route to last year.”

2008-06-03T13:24:00.001-07:00

8 May. GB. Bank of America Chester Vase. G3. Chester. 12,3f. Turf. 65.000 £
1.- DOCTOR FREMANTLE (R.Moore)
2.- ALL THE ACES (P.Robinson)
3.- PAMPAS CAT (J.Fortune)

Ryan Moore needed all his strength in the saddle to drive home 11-8 favourite Doctor Fremantle in the Bank Of America Chester Vase.

After missing the break the Stoute-trained colt ran very keen and was trapped in on the rail behind Pampas Cat.

But as Jimmy Fortune asked his mount for an effort he drifted away from the inside position just enough to allow Moore through.

All The Aces came from the rear to throw down a strong challenge, but the favourite knuckled down for a half-length success, with Pampas Cat third.

Moore said: “He was travelling well, but I missed the break so had to kick up the inside in the middle part of the race.

“As soon as I got the split I was always going to win.

“I had the horse under me, he quickened up and was always going so well.”

Winning owner Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: “He missed the break slightly and it was a muddling race, but the split came nicely against the rail and he quickened well.

“He pricked his ears when he got through and then went through with it.

“He is not in the Derby, but he is in the King Edward VII and the Irish Derby and I think we’ll look at that route.

“We will bring him on and if he is good enough I imagine he will go for the Irish Derby.

“We would not be thinking of supplementing for Epsom at this stage and Twice Over is our main and only Derby contender at the moment.

“He will run in the Dante next week and is in good form. We missed the 2000 Guineas to give him the best chance of winning the Derby, and the Dante is the best Derby trial.”

2008-06-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

5 May. FR. Prix Hocquart. G2. Longchamp. 2.200 mts. Turf. 130.000 €
1.- DEMOCRATE (S.Pasquier)
2.- STARLISH (A.Crastus)
3.- BLUE BRESIL (W.Mongil)

Following on from his Jockey Club win yesterday at Newmarket, André Fabre upset the Prix Hocquart field this afternoon as Democrate (Dalakhani) clinched the Group Two French Derby prep.

After an even break Anacarde (Anabaa Blue) went to the lead and was followed by Celebrissime (Peintre Celebre) and Blue Bresil (Smadoun). Democrate settled towards the rear alongside G.2 Prix Noailles winner Full Of Gold. Court Canibal (Montjeu) took a while to get into his stride and was two lengths off the pace.

After just two furlongs Thierry Gillet was having difficulty getting Full Of Gold (Gold Away) back on the bit and looked like it was never going to happen.

Coming into the stretch there was no change in the order. As Gillet endeavoured to wind up his mount, Stéphane Pasquier took advantage of the small gap and began to wind Democrate through the field.

Starlish (Rock Of Gibraltar) took over at the lead with two furlongs left and began to drift towards the stand side. Democrate powered to the front followed by Blue Bresil who looked to be the only two in the race. Anthony Crastus put Starlish back on course and stormed down the centre of the track, only to be beaten a short-neck by Democrate.

Blue Bresil was a length away third.

Full Of Gold got back in the game 1½ out and despite an impressive burst of acceleration, managed only fourth with Court Canibal (Montjeu) fifth.

Democrate, who had finished bridesmaid on his three starts to date, finally broke his maiden status and although now a G.2 winner, would likely not have won if Starlish had not drifted so far towards the centre of the track.

2008-06-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

5 May. FR. Prix d'Hedouville. G3. Longchamp. 2.400 mts. Turf. 80.000 €
1.- NOT JUST SWING (J.Victoire)
2.- INCANTO DREAM (Y.Lerner)
3.- NOBLE PRINCE (S.Pasquier)

Strategy played a role in André Fabre’s second group win of the afternoon as Not Just Swing (King’s Best) raced to G.3 Prix d’Hedouville victory.

With three Fabre-runners in the field, all three went to the front, Argentinian G.2 winner Candy Gift (Candy Stripes) setting the pace followed by Not Just Swing then the fancied Noble Prince (Montjeu) accompanied by Incanto Dream (Galileo).

Coming into the stretch Yann Lerner was the first to go but Johan Victoire upped the tempo with little effort on Not Just Swing.

Stéphane Pasquier and Noble Prince made their run between this pair but stablemate Not Just Swing maintained his lead comfortably and went on to win by a length from Incanto Dream who put in a final flourish. Noble Prince was just a neck away in third.

Francois Doumen’s Distalino (Poliglote) finished fourth with German raider Dwilano (Silvano) fifth.

2008-06-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

5 May. IRE. Oratorio E.B.F. Athasi S. G3. Curragh. 7f. Turf. 90.000 €
1.- PRIMA LUCE (K.Manning)
2.- EMILY BLAKE (P.Townend)
3.- SHE'S OUR MARK (D.Grant)

The Oratorio EBF Athasi Stakes saw an even bigger shock as 33-1 chance Prima Luce struck for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.

Up with the pace all the way, the daughter of Galileo just had enough left in the tank to repel fellow 33-1 shot Emily Blake by three-quarters of a length. Mick Channon’s Silver Touch was sent off the 11-4 favourite but could manage only eighth.

Unsuited by fast ground at Doncaster last September behind 1,000 Guineas runner-up Spacious, Manning's mount returned to the scene of her maiden success last August and showed her appreciation for an easy surface.

Bolger said: “I have a recollection of her working really well with Lush Lashes and I thought she had a chance. She is a late-maturing filly and could be one for next year.

“We are not in the business of broodmares and want to have a bit of fun.”

Prima Luce is a close relative of successful sire Verglas, who stands at the Irish National Stud.

2008-05-31T14:22:00.001-07:00

5 May. IRE. High Chaparral E.B.F. Mooresbridge S. G3. Curragh. 10f. Turf. 90.000 €
1.- REGIME (P.Smullen)
2.- ALARAZI (F.Berry)
3.- MORES WELLS (D.McDonogh)

Regime scrambled home in a bunch finish in the Group Three High Chaparral European Breeders Fund Mooresbridge Stakes at The Curragh on Monday.

Ridden by Pat Smullen, the Offaly native was at his strongest to edge Michael Bell's 5-1 chance ahead of long-time leader Alarazi [12-1] but he was all out to hold on.

“That was great to see. He was so deserving of another big-race victory,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

“He was unlucky in France last year and he’s has had a tough old time of it.

“The key thing is decent ground, a mile and a quarter and ridden close enough to the pace, not being asked to come from too far back.

The real eye-catcher was Mores Wells [13-2] in third. He seemed short of room and Declan McDonogh was not too hard on the son of Sadler's Wells on his first run back.

He edged Hasanka for fourth place, with Ezima also running on willingly on her seasonal bow at the finish. There was very little between first and fifth, with a head and a neck the winning distances.

The favourite, 9-4 chance Mount Nelson, was disappointing after being held up and never had the pace to challenge. Jumbajukiba never threatened either.

2008-05-31T14:04:00.001-07:00

5 May. IRE. Aussie Rules E.B.F. Tetrarch S. G3. Curragh. 7f. Turf. 90.000 €
1.- CAPT CHAOS (C.Hayes)
2.- GREAT WAR EAGLE (J.Murtagh)
3.- MR MEDICI (D.McDonogh)

Captain Chaos, the 9-1 outsider of five, sprung a minor surprise in The Curragh’s Aussie Rules European Breeders Fund Tetrarch Stakes on Monday for Chris Hayes and Edward Lynam.

Settled last of the five, with Rock Of Rochelle the non-runner - Hayes always looked very happy aboard the son of Captain Rio, as Great War Eagle (5-2) disputed the lead with gambled on 2-1 favourite Hanoverian Baron.

The winner was clearly travelling best two furlongs from home, but it looked as though Hayes would not get through a gap on the rails beside a vigorous John Murtagh aboard Great War Eagle.

However, once it appeared, Lynam’s charge quickened into the lead and stayed on stoutly to repel Great War Eagle, who ran well for David Wachman. The margin was one-and-three-quarter lengths.

The disappointment of the race was undoubtedly Bruges. David Myerscough’s son of Marju was said beforehand to be in need of a run, and it showed as he trailed last of all.

2008-05-31T13:54:00.001-07:00

4 May. USA. Hawthorne H. G3. Hollywood Park. 8,5f. AW. 100.000 $
1.- TOUGH TIZ'S SIS (A.Gryder)
2.- SANTA TERESITA (M.Baze)
3.- DAWN AFTER DAWN (V.Espinoza)

Tough Tiz's Sis loves Hollywood Park, synthetic tracks and the 1 1/16-mile distance. So Bob Baffert's 4-year-old filly had much in her favor when she won the $108,500 Hawthorne Handicap (gr. III) May 4.

Ridden by Aaron Gryder, the grade I winner came off the inside in upper stretch to run down the pacesetting Dawn After Dawn. Tough Tiz's Sis, the narrow 2-1 favorite, then held off the closing Santa Teresita for a three-quarters of a length victory in the 1 1/16-mile Cushion Track event for fillies and mares.

Winner of back-to-back stakes since a second-place finish in the Santa Maria Handicap (gr. I) in February across town, Tough Tiz's Sis had looked a little sluggish since Zenyatta defeated her in the El Encino (gr. II) in January by nearly two lengths.

But Tough Tiz's Sis, a daughter of Tiznow--Leaseholder, by Taylor's Falls, continues to be a gem of consistency for Baffert over the past two seasons. Winner of the Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks (gr. II) at 3, she now has two wins and a second in three starts on the Hollywood main track. She owns three victories and three runner-up finishes in six synthetic track tries generally. And she's captured five of eight starts at the distance, finishing second in her other three efforts.

"She likes Hollywood and she likes synthetics," Baffert said. "Her breeding says synthetics.

"I don’t really have any ideas where she’ll be going next. Hopefully we can run her in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, so we just have to spot her and keep her away from Zenyatta. I am going to keep her here in California.”

Tough Tiz's Sis broke with the leaders from her rail post in the seven-horse field and led after an easy quarter mile in :24.69. She fell back into second went Dawn After Dawn took over while racing on the outside. They completed the half in :47.19. The saddle on Dawn After Dawn slipped forward with jockey Victor Espinoza as they negotiated the backstretch. With little holding her in check, Dawn After Dawn continued to lead after six furlongs n 1:10.90. Rounding the turn, Tough Tiz's Sis applied pressure on the leader from the inside, angling out for the drive and eventually passing Dawn After Dawn near the eighth pole.

"I thought they'd be going faster early, but when I realized they weren't, I let her run up on the inside of them," Gryder said. "She's got such a big reach in her gallop. When she got to the outside, I saw Victor's horse (Dawn After Dawn), the saddle had slipped quite a bit and I just let her get comfortable. She's such a big, long-striding filly, she can outrun a lot of them using a lot less energy."

Second choice Santa Teresita, looking for her fourth consecutive win for trainer David Hofmans, finished well for jockey Michael Baze after making a wide bid to challenge, but she could not catch the winner. It was 1 1/4 lengths to the unlucky show horse, Dawn After Dawn. The final time was a smart 1:41.84.

"The saddle slipped real bad," Espinoza said. "I had no control. It slipped all the way on top of her neck. It's pretty scary. When you don't have any control you just feel like you're on top of jelly. The whole way, my body was on top of her neck. It's amazing she ran as good as she did."

2008-05-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

4 May. GER. Fruhjahrspreis des Bankhaus Metzler - Stadtrat Albert von Metzler-Rennen. G3. Frankfurt. 2.000 mts. Turf. 50.000 €
1.- KAMSIN (A.Starke)
2.- LANCETTO (A.Helfenbein)
3.- NO PARDON (A.Vries)

The Peter Schiergen-trained Kamsin (Samum) confirmed his potential today, winning the G.3 Frühjahrspreis at Frankfurt. It capped a fine afternoon for Schiergen as another three year-old in his care, Duellant (Dashing Blade), won the Listed Derby Trial earlier on the card.

A short-head runner-up in a mile maiden at Hannover on his only start as a juvenile, Kamsin ran out a nine-length winner over 8½ furlongs at Krefeld on his seasonal debut in March. He stepped up in trip to 10 furlongs today and victory never looked in doubt.

Just five went to post and at the break Kamsin found himself at the front and was forced to lead as no other was willing to make the running, the result being a farcical, slow pace for the first six furlongs.

Andrasch Starke stepped up the pace with a half-mile to run and was quickly followed by long-time stalkers Lancetto (Dubai Destination) and No Pardon (Dashing Blade).

Entering the stretch Kamsin kept to the rail while Lancetto raced towards his outer but Andreas Helfenbein could never catch the leader who went on to win by 1¼ lengths with No Pardon a never-threatening third 2½ lengths away in third.

Captain Camelot (Eden Chance) finished fourth with Something Stupid (Big Shuffle) trailing in fifth.

2008-05-31T13:36:00.001-07:00

4 May. GB. Stanjamesuk.com One Thousand Guineas. G1. Newmarket. 8f. Turf. 375.000 £
1.- NATAGORA (C.Lemaire)
2.- SPACIOUS (J.Spencer)
3.- SAOIRSE ABU (K.Manning)

NATAGORA laid to rest the ghost of a cruel defeat five years ago when she spirited the Classic prize Six Perfections should have claimed into the grateful arms of trainer Pascal Bary yesterday.

The painful memory of jockey Thierry Thulliez's foul-up on the champion miler was erased after the grey daughter of Divine Light clinched the Stanjamesuk.com 1,000 Guineas from the front.

French efforts on the Rowley Mile have been memorable for as many disasters as triumphs, but yesterday Christophe Lemaire ensured there was never a chance of any trouble for the 11-4 favourite, owned by Swede Stefan Friborg and a first Gallic triumph in the race since Hatoof in 1992.

With no-one prepared to make the running and knowing his mount would break well from the stalls, he took a bold course, guiding the filly across the track on to the stands' rail.
Leading throughout the last three-quarters of a mile, Natagora quickened over a furlong out and ran on too gamely for Spacious, Saoirse Abu, Infallible and the luckless Nahoodh.

Bary said: "Natagora is very brave and moves very well. I was quite confident after the Imprudence, when she got seven furlongs in the mud, that she would stay. We'd have preferred to have two or three in front of us, but not only has she speed, she is very good. I thought these English fillies were faster than her.
"She's in the Irish Guineas, but the way she won today, maybe she needs a bit of time. She's done all the work over one mile like that. Maybe she needs a bit of rest. She will tell us. She's done everything well and I don't want to do anything wrong."

Recalling Six Perfections' defeat, he added: "This is different. Six Perfections was very unlucky, but she went on to win Jacques le Marois and the Breeders' Cup, so we forgot a bit about that. Today was another race. Six Perfections had to wait behind, but this filly can go all the way."

Bary's hopes could not have been in safer hands than those of Lemaire, 29, whose record at Newmarket now stretches to an extraordinary five Group 1s, including back-to-back successes in the Champion Stakes.

But winning a British Classic was special. "Of course I love Newmarket," he said. "I've had some big winners in this place. I cannot explain it. Every time I ride good horses things go all right, so I'm very happy.
"My job was to get to the rail without making too much effort, and once we were on the rail she did the job. She kept going, she kept fighting."

Spacious, in the colours of Six Perfections' conqueror Russian Rhythm, was gaining on Natagora and crossed the line half a length down on her first start since September. Immediately ruled out of an Juddmonte Oaks challenge, she was introduced at 3-1 for the Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas by the sponsors.

Trainer James Fanshawe said: "She ran very well and she just needed a stronger pace. She'll not be going up in trip and is not a mile-and-a-half filly. It was always the plan to come straight here."

Saoirse Abu, a half-length further behind, made a creditable bid for another 1,000 Guineas for last year's winning trainer Jim Bolger, who also saddled Lush Lashes to be in the money in sixth.
"I'm very pleased with both of them," he said. "With another furlong Saoirse Abu might have got there, and Kerrin McEvoy said Lush Lashes could have done with further. Did I run them over the wrong trip? They just needed a bit more real estate!"

John Gosden said Infallible had been undermined by the way the race was run. "It is unfortunate both Guineas have been run up the stands' side, whereas in the other races they've come down the middle. It becomes messy when they're all towards the rail.
"Infallible got a bump at halfway that set her alight and she pulled a bit hard, which she paid the price for. The winner deserved to win. She had the best form."

2008-05-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

4 May. GB. Stanjamesuk.com Jockey Club S. G2. Newmarket. 12f. Turf. 90.000 £
1.- GETAWAY (S.Pasquier)
2.- SIXTIES ICON (L.Dettori)
3.- GALACTIC STAR (R.Moore)

GETAWAY rocketed to the head of the market for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes with a 7-2 quote from William Hill after making a silky smooth winning reappearance in the Stanjamesuk.com Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.

Andre Fabre is no stranger to success in this Group 2, having won it two years ago with another slow-maturing son of Monsun in Shirocco, and last year's Arc fourth looks of a similar mould.

Stephane Pasquier bided his time just tucked in behind what looked his main rival in Sixties Icon as Dragon Dancer set a steady pace, and he was always sitting pretty on the 7-4 favourite.

Once Pasquier set his mount free over a furlong out, the spoils were soon in the bag as he raced to a comfortable three-and-three-quarter-length success from Sixties Icon, with Galactic Star staying on well a further half-length back.

William Hill also made Getaway 5-1 favourite for the Arc, while Coral went 7-1 for the Longchamp race and 5-1 for the King George.
Fabre said: "He is more of a galloper and a stayer than Manduro, and is a real mile-and-a-half horse. He's a horse who runs well when fresh and he will improve for the run, but it won't be anything like a stone.

"We will think about the Coronation Cup, King George and Arc and we will go for all the big money with him. We were expecting this as he's strengthened a lot from four to five, and the faster ground doesn't bother him as he is such a lovely mover.

"I am delighted with the turn of foot he showed today and he could win at a mile and a quarter now he's stronger. With Monsuns you can do anything you want."

Owner Paul Roy was delighted with the return to form of last year's Jockey Club Stakes winner Sixties Icon, who had run dismally in subsequent two runs.

He said: "We're absolutely, totally thrilled, because he's been off the racecourse and has had some problems, but we think he's back in business.
"He wasn't blowing a lot and he's probably 5lb or 6lb short on fitness. I think the French horse is a seriously good horse."

The finishing effort of Galactic Star also met with the approval of his connections.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, said: "We're more than pleased with that because he settled well and they didn't go very fast, which is essential for this horse, and I think he'll improve a lot for this.
"I should think he will go for the Hardwicke Stakes and have a race before that."

2008-05-31T13:20:00.000-07:00

4 May. GB. Stan James Palace House S. G3. Newmarket. 5f. Turf. 50.000 £
1.- CAPTAIN GERRARD (T.Eaves)
2.- SAKHEE'S SECRET (S.Drowne)
3.- ENTICING (J.Murtagh)

Captain Gerrard flew up the stands rails to start his three-year-old campaign with a win in the Stan James 08000 383384 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket.

Bryan Smart’s colt was quickly into his stride and made all the running under a positive Tom Eaves to land odds of 15-2 in the five-furlong dash.

July Cup winner Sakhee’s Secret, having his first run at the minimum trip, was sent off the 11-4 favourite and stayed on powerfully to get within a neck of the winner. Enticing also showed plenty of dash and had every chance entering the final furlong before weakening into third, a further length behind the principals.

North Yorkshire trainer Smart said: “For a three-year-old to take on the older sprinters like that is quite something. We have been held up at home with the weather and I thought he was bit short (of work) for this.

“I’m not sure if we will go for the Duke Of York now as he has so much speed. We might go for the King’s Stand (at Royal Ascot) if there is juice in the ground.”

Hughie Morrison said of Sakhee’s Secret: “I’m thrilled with that. He hit the front then took a blow. He was giving away a lot of weight and he is probably better at six furlongs.

“He’ll go for the Golden Jubilee next.”

2008-05-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

3 May. GB. Stanjamesuk.com Two Thousand Guineas. G1. Newmarket. 8f. Turf. 375.000 £
1.- HENRYTHENAVIGATOR (J.Murtagh)
2.- NEW APPROACH (K.Manning)
3.- STUBBS ART (S.Sanders)

Henrythenavigator pipped New Approach in a thrilling finish to the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The race lived up to its billing in the 200th running of the colts’ Classic as the two Irish-trained three-year-olds fought out a tremendous duel in the closing stages.

And it was Henrythenavigator (11-1) who prevailed by a short head from the 11-8 favourite to give trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Johnny Murtagh a brilliant start to the season. Stubbs Art (100-1) was third.

New Approach launched a gallant attempt to stretch his unbeaten record to six as he made the running, with Fireside, Plan and Dream Eater all close up.

Jim Bolger’s charge took a couple of lengths out of the field when Kevin Manning kicked for home some way out.

But Murtagh, who had Henrythenavigator well positioned in midfield, made his move and brought the Kingmambo colt to throw down a strong challenge.

He took a narrow lead inside the final furlong and although New Approach rallied in the last 50 yards, he failed by a nose to get up as the post came in time for Henrythenavigator, giving O’Brien his fifth 2000 Guineas and Murtagh his second.

Murtagh, in his first season as retained rider to Coolmore, told Channel 4 Racing: “Fair play to the second - I thought I was going to beat him a neck, but he battled back.

“My fellow really answered the call in the last few strides. It keeps getting better.”

O’Brien said: “He has always been a good horse. Last year we backed off with the two-year-olds mid-summer and only got going again with them late on.

“They were also running on winter ground through the summer so we gave them all time. We knew we wouldn’t know the results of that until this year.

“Johnny gave him a masterful ride and he has always had plenty of speed. It was his first run of the season and he will come on for it. Johnny said he got tired in the final 50 yards.

“We might have a look at the Irish 2000.”

Bolger said of New Approach: “I’m happy with him. It would have been lovely to win, but he ran a fantastic race anyway.

“Everything went very well and they are two very good horses. The Irish Guineas will be next.”

Stubbs Art’s trainer David Elsworth said: “I am part pleased and part disappointed. Anyone can read a form book, but he had a very good chance on what he was showing at home. That’s racing.”

Raven’s Pass came from last to finish fourth as trainer John Gosden’s concerns about his high draw proved correct.

“I didn’t like the draw and we’ve been left exposed,” said the Newmarket trainer.

“He’s come from last and I’m querying his stamina. The plan is the Jersey Stakes and the July Cup.”

2008-05-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

3 May. GB. Stanjamesuk.com Dahlia S. G3. Newmarket. 9f. Turf. 50.000 £
1.- HEAVEN SENT (R.Moore)
2.- HARVEST QUEEN (S.Sanders)
3.- BARSHIBA (T.Quinn)

Heaven Sent ran her rivals into the ground to win the stanjamesuk.com Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket.

Ryan Moore sent the 6-4 favourite into the lead over six furlongs out as he set out to make the most of the recent Kempton winner’s fitness.

Passage Of Time threatened briefly two furlongs out but she was quickly swept aside and Heaven Sent had more in the tank to hold Harvest Queen by three lengths and give Sir Michael Stoute back-to-back victories after Echelon 12 months ago. Barshiba was a length and three-quarters back in third, with Passage Of Time fourth.

Moore said: “It was a bit messy early on. She led for a while and was able to get into a nice rhythm and just kept picking up all the way. I’d say she’ll get a mile and a quarter.”

Henry Cecil said of Passage Of Time: “She hasn’t come in her coat, but I was still happy with how she was doing at home. She has needed a run for the last two years. I’m afraid she is like that.”

2008-05-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

3 May. USA. Inglewood H. G3. Hollywood Park. 8,5f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- EL ROBLAR (V.Espinoza)
2.- HEROI DO BAFRA (A.Gryder)
3.- UFFIZI (B.Blanc)

Favored El Roblar, making just his second start following a layoff of 10 months for trainer Richard Mandella, gained the lead in upper stretch and held off all challengers in the drive to win the $109,500 Inglewood Handicap (gr. III) on the Hollywood Park turf May 3.

Owned by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and ridden to victory by Victor Espinoza, the 6-year-old War Chant horse registered by a half length over runner-up Heroi Do Bafra, who finished strongly from a deep stalking position but could not get to the winner. It was three-quarters of a length to the third-place finisher, Uffizi. The final clocking for the 1 1/16-mile event on firm going was a solid 1:40.35.

In an injury plagued career, El Roblar has had two surgeries to remove bone chips, the most recent coming after winning the Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III) on Hollywood's Cushion Track last June. In his only start since, the dark bay tuned up with a closing third-place showing in the 6 1/2-furlong Potrero Grande Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita one month ago.

“It was a tough race, but this horse has a big heart," said Angel Vega, Mandella's assistant. "He’s doing really well right now and he ran good. He’s been training super good in the mornings and I expected him to run a big race."

El Roblar chased the pacesetter Ghosttrapper, who opened up a 10-length advantage on the backstretch, and Get Funky while racing in third along the inside. Opening fractions for the first half mile were :23.27 and :46.11 before Get Funky, El Roblar and Heroi Do Bafra began to close in after six furlongs were run in 1:10.19. In upper stretch, El Roblar swept up to the pacesetter and Get Funky on the outside and gradually edged away as the Brazilian-bred Heroi Do Bafra, ridden by Aaron Gryder, took aim. But El Roblar refused to give in through the lane and maintained a half-length edge in the final furlong.

"I really wasn't worried about the horse in front because I knew he was going fast," Espinoza said. "I was just focusing more on my horse. I wanted him to be comfortable and let him run the way he wants to. Turning for home, I didn't have to do much ... just the last sixteenth I had to get into him a little bit to keep going."

The field was softened by the scratches of Storm Military and Rather Be Lucky, reducing the field to seven.

Sent off as the 8-5 choice, El Roblar improved his record to 6-1-3 in 14 starts with earnings of $389,646. He carried 118 pounds and paid $5.20, $3.40 and $2.60.

Heroi Do Bafra, now second in five of eight U.S. starts for trainer Bobby Frankel without a win since transferring from Brazil to begin the 2007 season, returned $7.80 and $4.40.

"He came up to El Roblar but (El Roblar) had a little left," Gryder said. "My horse ran a great race down the lane."

Uffizi, with Brice Blanc aboard, was $3.60 to show.

Get Funky, who finished fourth in last year's Inglewood, found his spot once again while toting top weight of 119 pounds. Hello Sunday, Mr Napper Tandy and Ghosttrapper trailed.

2008-05-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

3 May. USA. Woodford Reserve Turf Classic S. G1. Churchill Downs. 9f. Turf. 500.000 $
1.- EINSTEIN (R.Albarado)
2.- OUT OF CONTROL (G.Gomez)
3.- ARTISTE ROYAL (R.Bejarano)

In his third try, the Helen Pitts-trained Einstein went to the head of the class in the $548,300 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. I) May 3 at Churchill Downs.

“He’s very versatile," Pitts said. "You can run him short, and you can run him long. He adjusts to pace, no pace. Whatever the situation is, he deals with it. He’s the love of my life.”

The 2-1 favorite, Einstein, owned by Patricia Cunningham and Melissa Greene and ridden by Robby Albarado, had to re-rally in the stretch after falling back a bit headed to the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile test. He opened up by two lengths at the eighth pole and was in control with a measured one-length victory over Out of Control.

For his effort, which earned his connections $333,149, the multiple grade I winner Einstein went over the $1 million mark in career earnings.

“This year he’s just double game," Albarado said of Einstein, who won the Gulfstream Park Turf (gr. IT) in February. "He’s doing things easy. He’s willing and able out there. He wants to be close to the pace and get them that way rather than coming in the backdoor. He’s giving himself a better chance to do well. When (Out of Control) came to him today, he just dug back in.”

Einstein laid just off the pace set by Zayat Stables’ Thorn Song, who led the field through fractions of :24.68 for the quarter mile, :49.13 for the half, and 1:12.97 for three quarters. The final time for the race on the good turf course was 1:50.50.

Duveen took over the lead as the field began to make the turn toward home. Einstein went for an early move with Duveen but dropped back. When he came on again, Duveen was no match. Stud TNT’s Out of Control put up a serious challenge to finish second for Garrett Gomez.

“He traveled well as long as he was up underneath the hold" Gomez said of Out of Control. "But as soon I needed him to really go ahead and sprint for home, ground was just soft enough that it got away from him," Gomez said.

David Heerensperger’s Artiste Royal, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, launched a wide late bid to take third.

Einstein and the Irish-bred Artiste Royal each carried high weight of 124 pounds.

"The Arlington Million (Aug. 9) would be an ultimate goal, but I think he needs a break now for him to be ready and on top of his game by the Arlington Million, whether it’s one race from now or two races from now," Pitts said. "We’ll see how he comes out of it. He’s one that loves the game."

A son of Spend a Buck out of the Ghadeer mare Gay Charm, Einstein was bred in Brazil by Fazenda Mondesir. He ran fourth in the Turf Classic in 2006 and finished seventh in the race last year.

Coming off a second-place finish in the Maker's Mark Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland April 11, Einstein won for the eighth time in 18 starts while boosting his bankroll to $1,107,931.

Einstein returned $6.40, $3.80, and $2.80. Out of Control, also bred in Brazil and now part of the Bobby Frankel stable, paid $4.80 and $3.40. Artiste Royal, from the Neil Drysdale barn, was $3.60 to show. The exacta paid $26.60 and the trifecta paid $102.40.

Yate's Black Cat, Duveen, Thorn Song and Golden Balls completed the order. War Monger scratched.

2008-05-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

3 May. USA. La Troienne S. G3. Churchill Downs. 7,5f. Dirt. 150.000 $
1.- GAME FACE (J.Velazquez)
2.- KEEP THE PEACE (E.Prado)
3.- TIZ TO DREAM (J.Castellano)

Favored Game Face held off a determined Keep the Peace by a neck to capture the $168,450 La Troienne Stakes (g. III) for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs May 3

Ridden by John Velazquez, Game Face covered the 7 1/2 furlongs in a quick 1:28.44 on a fast track while scoring the third victory in her six-race career. The track was listed as fast despite overnight rains in the Louisville area.

Velazquez made it back-to-back stakes wins on the Churchill Derby Day program after earlier capturing the Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) in front-running style with Elite Squadron.

“I sat right behind the two speed horses and bided my time," Velazquez said. "I was hoping to get some room to get out of there. I just happened to get room along the inside, and she ran very well in it. The race was supposed to set up for me because of the speed. You hope those things come out the way you want. But today it just happened to work out good.”

Game Face came into the La Troienne off a runner-up finish to Bsharpsonata in the March 2 Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park. Owned by Sheikh Rashid’s Zabeel Racing International and trained by Todd Pletcher, the daughter of Menifee scored by seven lengths in the Old Hat Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream earlier this year.

“We kind of targeted this race right after the Davona Dale," Pletcher said. "We felt she didn’t come out of that race great and gave her some time.”

Secret Gypsy led early in the La Troienne, setting brisk fractions of :22.61 and :44.96 while being pressed by Keep the Peace. But Secret Gypsy swung out wide in the turn while Game Face challenged on her inside and Keep the Peace accelerated on the outside. Secret Gypsy couldn’t withstand the pressure and faded to fifth, leaving her rivals to the battle for the lead. Game Face surged to front inside the sixteenth pole and prevailed after a long drive.

“That was more us trying to play the racetrack," Pletcher said of the decision to keep Game Face close to the pace. "Early on, it looked like you didn’t want to be too far back.

Sent off as the 9-5 choice in the field of seven, Game Face carried top weight of 120 pounds to victory and paid $5.60, $3.20, and $2.60.

Keep the Peace, ridden by Edgar Prado, returned $4.40 and $3.40, while Tiz to Dream, Javier Castellano aboard, rallied from next-to-last down the backstretch to finish a nose ahead of Alina. paying $4.20 to show.

“She was game," Prado said of the runner-up. "She tried hard all the way. You have to like it when they give you an effort like that. She couldn’t win today, but I am very happy with the way she tried.”

Alina was followed by Secret Gypsy, Minewander and Color Me Up. American County and Informed Decision scratched.

Pletcher said the Acorn (gr. I), a one-turn mile test on Belmont Stakes Day at Belmont Park June 7, is the next goal for Game Face.

The victory was worth $102,352 and raised Game Face’s career bankroll to $238,352 with a record of 6-3-2-1. Bred in Kentucky by Marilyn F. Seltzer, Game Face is by Menifee and out of the Gone West mare Galleon of Gold.

2008-05-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

3 May. USA. Kentucky Derby. G1. Churchill Downs. 10f. Dirt. 2.000.000 $
1.- BIG BROWN (K.Desormeaux)
2.- EIGHT BELLES (G.Saez)
3.- DENIS OF CORK (C.Borel)

IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown justified his trainer’s confidence and the faith of the betting public by powering to a 4 3/4-length victory over Fox Hill Farms’ filly Eight Belles to win the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands before a crowd of 157,770, the second-largest in history.

In becoming the first horse to win from the 20 hole since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929, Big Brown gave jockey Kent Desormeaux his third victory in the Run for the Roses and trainer Rick Dutrow his first with his initial Kentucky Derby starter.

A Kentucky-bred son of Boundary out of the Nureyev mare Mien, Big Brown became the seventh undefeated Kentucky Derby winner in history and third in the past five years, following on the heels of Smarty Jones in 2004 and Barbaro in 2006.

Desormeaux’s other Derby victories came in 1998 aboard Real Quiet and 2000 on Fusaichi Pegasus. Desormeaux is the fifth jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times.

The victory was overshadowed by an injury to Eight Belles, who broke both front ankles and was immediately euthanized after the race.

Bob Black Jack led the field of 20 under the wire the first time with Cowboy Cal in closest pursuit. Desormeaux managed to angle Big Brown over from his outside post to be only four wide entering the first turn.

Bob Black Jack and Cowboy Cal maintained their position in the run down the backstretch, taking the field through fractions of :23.30, :47.04 and 1:11.14. Desormeaux kept Big Brown in the clear in the third flight in seventh place. Approaching the far turn Big Brown began a looping move that put him in third in the middle of the turn.

Turning for home, Big Brown swept past Recapturetheglory, who had taken a narrow lead from Cowboy Cal, and from there it was just a formality as Big Brown cruised to the wire in 2:01.82 for the mile and a quarter over a track rated as “fast.”

The victory was worth $1,451,800 and increased Big Brown’s bankroll to $2,114,500 in just four starts.

Big Brown rewarded his backers with mutual payoffs of $6.80, $5 and $4.80. Eight Belles, ridden by Gabriel Saez, returned $10.60 and $6.40. Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr.’s Denis of Cork rallied to finish third under Calvin Borel, another 3 ½ lengths back, and paid $11.60 to show.

Completing the field in order were Tale of Ekati, Recapturetheglory, Colonel John, Anak Nakal, Pyro, Cowboy Cal, Z Fortune, Smooth Air, Visionaire, Court Vision, Z Humor, Cool Coal Man, Bob Black Jack, Gayego, Big Truck, Adriano and Monba.

2008-05-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

3 May. USA. Humana Distaff S. G1. Churchill Downs. 7f. Dirt. 300.000 $
1.- INTANGAROO (A.Quinonez)
2.- BARONESS THATCHER (J.Velazquez)
3.- HYSTERICALADY (R.Bejarano)

Intangaroo came roaring down the stretch to overtake Baroness Thatcher and Hystericalady at the wire to win a photo-finish thriller in the $334,800 Humana Distaff (gr. I) at Churchill Downs May 3. A head and a nose was all that separated the trio in a terrific finish.

The 4-year-old daughter of Orientate, who is owned by Tom Grether Farms, earned her second grade I win of the season after capturing the Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita three months ago. All 10 of her prior starts came on synthetic track surfaces.

The 14-1 shot swung wide coming out of the turn under jockey Alonso Quinonez and tracked down her two rivals, accelerating through the finish line of the seven-furlong dirt race in a final clocking of 1:22.03. Baroness Thatcher was second by a head-bob, with Hystericalady shaded for third.

"She ran a great race," said Quinonez. "I was just very patient and I knew I could be with the long stretch. We talked about how the pace scenario was going to be perfect for us. We just let the speed horses go to the front, sit behind them and then make our move turning for home."

Hystericalady, who won last year’s Humana Distaff, definitely had the worst of it this time. She helped set the pace from the rail under jockey Rafael Bejarano through wicked splits of :22.27 and :44.31, getting the narrow lead while running with three other horses in a four-wide speed pack – including Graeme Six, Sugar Swirl and Miss Macy Sue. At the top of the stretch, Hystericalady put distance between her and the others, passing through three-quarters in 1:08.52 with a 1 1/2-length advantage. But Bejarano got his whip tangled with the reins in deep stretch.

"I was in a bad position," said Bejarano. "I had no choice but to use her and go. We were flying and my horse was giving all she had, but the post got us."

Baroness Thatcher made the first move at the leader after Hystericalady disposed of her early company. They were soon joined by Intangaroo on the far outside, who got up in time.

"I saw (Hystericalady) down inside and I focused on her," jockey John Velazquez said of the runner-up's effort. "My filly went after her and we got her. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw this thing flying outside us and she beat us both. But my filly ran great. We did everything but win.”

Intangaroo, who is trained by Gary Sherlock, made a huge move mid-stretch on the far outside and got up just in time for her fourth victory in 11 career starts. She earned $201,351 to swell her lifetime bankroll to $464,231.

Intangaroo, who was bred in Kentucky by Pollock Farms and Taylor Made Farms, paid $30, $12.40 and $6.80. Baroness Thatcher, conditioned by Bill Mott, returned $14.80 and $7.20. The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee Hystericalady paid $3.60.

The Humana Distaff victory was the second this year for Intangaroo, who defeated a field that included Hystericalady in the Feb. 2 Santa Monica. She won that day by a nose over Society Hostess in her stakes debut. Intangaroo was coming off a third-place finish, a half length behind Tiz Elemental, in the Las Flores Handicap (gr. III) April 6.

"She really vindicated her win in the Santa Monica," said Sherlock. "A lot of people thought she lucked out in that race. But she's a great filly and I always felt that way."

Talking about Intangaroo's first dirt start, the trainer added, “She galloped here yesterday as good as a horse can gallop. She just floated over the track.

“She has always been bomb-proof. She really gives it her all and finishes well. The jock rode her perfectly."

Miraculous Miss finished fourth, followed by 2-1 choice Sugar Swirl, Miss Macy Sue, Windyindy and Graeme Six. Change Up scratched.

2008-05-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

3 May. USA. Churchill Downs S. G2. Churchill Downs. 7f. Dirt. 250.000 $
1.- ELITE SQUADRON (J.Velazquez)
2.- NOONMARK (S.Bridgmohan)
3.- HEWITTS (K.Desormeaux)

John Velazquez knew going into the $282,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (G2) that Elite Squadron’s best asset was his high cruising speed and he utilized the Officer colt’s strength in a 4 1/2-length victory on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Elite Squadron surged quickly to the lead and drilled an opening quarter in :21.98 and a half-mile in :43.70 in the seven-furlong race for older horses. Despite the testing fractions, Velazquez said he felt he had plenty of horse under him approaching the stretch when Hewitts accelerated forward to challenge.

“Not much strategy really, we all know he’s a speed horse,” Velazquez said. “He was very comfortable, and I definitely wanted to save something for the stretch.

“This is the second time I rode him, and he’s really improved.”

Elite Squadron turned back Hewitts in early stretch and drove clear to win easily in 1:21.53 on a track rated fast. Churchill was deluged with rain Friday and through the night, but the track appeared to have dried out well.

Noonmark, sent off as the 3.40-to-1 favorite, closed from sixth on the turn to edge Hewitts by a head for second.

The Churchill Downs Stakes was the first career graded stakes win for Elite Squadron, who was sent off as the third choice at 4.40-to-1.

Trained by Jim Baker for owner Tom Walters, Elite Squadron entered off a runner-up finish in the Commonwealth Stakes (G2) on April 12 at Keeneland Race Course. Elite Squadron set the pace in the Commonwealth but was collared in the closing strides by Rebellion (GB).

“He ran really good at Keeneland and just got nipped at the wire,” Hess said. “He was training beautifully for this race. All the signs were right—he looked good, he was eating good and training good—so there was no reason he wouldn’t run well. He loves this track. He’s won four out of six here.”

“Any victory on Derby day is a good race to win and this colt, maybe now we can get him to be a stallion and find a place for his to stand somewhere.”

Out of the Grade 2-placed stakes winner Sweet Mama, by High Brite, Elite Squadron improved to five wins in 12 starts and boosted his earnings to $433,706

2008-05-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

3 May. USA. Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. G3. Churchill Downs. 8f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- BAYOU'S LASSIE (E.Prado)
2.- DREAMING OF ANNA (C.Velasquez)
3.- VENTURA (G.Gomez)

The 12-1 outsider Bayou’s Lassie got the jump on the rest of the field and galloped home a clear 1 1/4-length winner in the $169,050 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (gr. III) May 3. She defeated top runners such as the 2006 Eclipse Award-winning Dreaming of Anna, grade I winner Sharp Susan and grade II winner Ventura.

The Distaff Turf was the third graded stakes victory for Bayou's Lassie, who also won the 2007 Stage Door Betty Handicap (gr. IIIT) and the 2006 Frances A. Genter Stakes (gr. IIIT).

The 5-year-old daughter of Outflanker, trained by Dale Romans, stepped forward in this race off a two-length score in the April 5 L and D Farm Turf Distaff Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

“All we had to do was keep her tuned up and ready to roll,” said Romans of the winner. "We tried to take the race to Dreaming of Anna, thought if we could get in front of her and make her try to take back off (the lead), we might have more horse than her turning for home, and it worked out perfectly. Edgar rode a perfect race."

Under Prado, the mare moved to the inside from post seven and settled on a comfortable lead with early fractions of :24.44, :48.12, and 1:12.60. Dreaming of Anna, the 7-5 choice in the field of eight, tracked in second for Cornelio Velasquez.

“It seemed like my filly ran really well on the front end, and Dreaming of Anna’s place is on the front end, too,” said Prado. “I decided to lead them and my filly just ran her eyeballs out; she tried real hard.”

Going up the backside, Dreaming of Anna continued to chase the pace in second while Ventura was third and New Edition raced in fourth. That order was nearly unchanged when the field hit the wire with Bayou’s Lassie skating home the clear winner in a final time of 1:37.70. Dreaming of Anna challenged the winner in upper stretch but gave way while holding second by 2 1/2 lengths over second choice Ventura, ridden by Garrett Gomez.

“I was a longshot in the race, everybody didn’t think my filly had a shot, but she did and I’m very happy with her,” Prado said.

Bayou’s Lassie, under 118 pounds, paid $26.80, $8.20, and $4.20 while 124-pound top weight Dreaming of Anna returned $3.60 and $2.60. Ventura brought $3. Sharp Susan took fourth, followed by New Edition, Danzon, Lady Carlock and V.I.P. Princess. You Go West Girl scratched.

Bred in Florida by owner Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm out of the Bayou Herbert mare Bayou Plans, Bayou’s Lassie now holds a 9-3-0 record from 16 starts, with earnings of $647,245. The winner's share was $101,671.

2008-05-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

3 May. USA. Nassau County S. G3. Belmont Park. 7f. Dirt. 200.000 $
1.- ZAFTIG (J.Chavez)
2.- CAROLYN'S CAT (A.Garcia)
3.- J Z WARRIOR (J.Bravo)

Zaftig opened a head lead in early stretch, kicked clear approaching the finish, and posted her first stakes triumph with a 5 1/4-length victory in the $208,400 Nassau County Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Positioned between foes at the start of the race for three-year-old fillies, Zaftig dropped back to fourth through a half-mile in :45.01, more than 2 1/2 lengths off the pace.

Unleashing a determined three-wide bid near the quarter pole, Zaftig seized command on the turn and easily outran Grade 3 winner Carolyn’s Cat, the 0.95-to-1 favorite who finished second after dueling with Irish Smoke for the early lead.

“I knew the favorite was the only speed,” winning jockey Jorge Chavez said. “I was hoping someone would go with her, and that’s what happened.”

Carolyn’s Cat chased Irish Smoke in second through a quarter in :22.57 and gained command by a head on the backstretch. Zaftig tracked the pace in a close-up third at the start, rallied on the outside, and won the seven-furlong race in 1:22.74 on a track rated as fast.

Grade 3-placed winner J Z Warrior finished third, 4 1/4 lengths behind Carolyn’s Cat.

Susan Moore’s and M and M Thoroughbred Partners’s Zaftig entered off a fourth-place finish in the Comely Stakes (G2) on April 12 at Aqueduct. Trained by James Jerkens, the Gone West filly won a seven-furlong maiden special weight race in her season debut on February 23 at Gulfstream Park.

Zaftig earned her second win in four career starts and increased her earnings to $158,700. Bred in Kentucky, the gray or roan filly is out of Grade 1 winner Zoftig, by Cozzene.

2008-05-22T12:33:00.001-07:00

2 May. USA. Louisville S. G2. Churchill Downs. 8,5f. Dirt. 300.000 $
1.- GINGER PUNCH (R.Bejarano)
2.- LEAH'S SECRET (G.Gomez)
3.- LEAR'S PRINCESS (E.Coa)

Ginger Punch delivered a technical knockout in the race named after Muhammad Ali’s hometown early Friday afternoon, easily winning the $268,200 Louisville Stakes (gr. II) under the Twin Spires. A flash of lightning and clap of thunder added emphasis a few moments after the 1-2 shot passed the wire.

Last year’s Eclipse Award-winning older mare sat right off the pace set by Unforgotten in the 1 1/16-mile race down the backstretch, moved to the lead on the turn under Rafael Bejarano, then cruised home by 3 3/4 lengths in 1:43.08 on a fast track. Leah’s Secret was second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Lear’s Princess. Unforgotten was fourth and was followed by Kettleoneup.

A homebred for Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs operation, Ginger Punch is a 5-year-old mare by Awesome Again, out of the Bold Revenue mare Nappelon. She has now won nine of 17 lifetime starts. The victory, worth $148,924, increased Ginger Punch's career earnings to $2,375,603.

Trained by Bobby Frankel, Ginger Punch bounced back from a third-place finish in Oaklawn Park's Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I), eight lengths behind the victorious Zenyatta, on April 5. It was the second win in the Louisville for Frankel and Bejarano. Frankel won the race in 2003 with You, and Bejarano scored in 2006 with Oonagh Maccool.

“She ran her race," Frankel said. "Everything worked out well. I don't know what’s next; we’ll just have to look.”

A pair of scratches—Silver Knockers and Bayou’s Lassie—left the Louisville a five horse field. Unforgotten set very tepid early fractions of :25.25 and :50.23 before being challenged by Ginger Punch after six furlongs in 1:14.06. Lear’s Princess, a grade I-winning filly last year, tracked those two from the inside early, while Leah’s Secret was sitting off the pace on the outside. As Ginger Punch reached the lead on the final turn, both Leah’s Secret and Lear’s Princess came with wide moves to no avail. Ginger Punch jumped tracks inside the eighth pole.

“The first jump out of the gate, she was a little slow," Bejarano said. "We were supposed to have the lead. She likes to run on the lead. But it was OK and at the five-eighths I started to let her go and then just waited for her big run.

"Down the stretch, she saw water on the track and jumped, I imagine to protect herself. She was just reacting to the moment. She was OK.”

Ginger Punch won the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) and the Ruffian and Go for Wand (both gr. I) Handicaps last year.

2008-05-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

2 May. USA. Kentucky Oaks. G1. Churchill Downs. 9f. Dirt. 500.000 $
1.- PROUD SPELL (G.Saez)
2.- LITTLE BELLE (R.Maragh)
3.- PURE CLAN (E.Prado)

Multiple graded stakes winner Proud Spell seized command approaching the stretch and gave trainer Larry Jones a chance to record a rare sweep by earning a five-length win in the $581,650 Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Larry Jones will try to become the third trainer in the history of the Louisville track to win the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) in the same year and the first to accomplish the feat with two fillies when he saddles multiple graded stakes winner Eight Belles in Saturday's opening leg of the Triple Crown. Jones also entered Eight Belles in the Kentucky Oaks, but scratched the Unbridled's Song filly in favor of facing males in the Kentucky Derby.

H.J. Thompson and Ben Jones are the only two trainers to win the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same year. Thompson accomplished the feat in 1932. Jones recorded the classic sweep in 1949, ’50, ’51, and '52.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," Larry Jones said. "The Derby-Oaks has been done a couple of times. The last fella to pull it off was a Jones. He didn't do it with two fillies but we're going to give it a try. Hopefully, it works."

Larry Jones said a chance to make history was not the major reason why he elected to run Proud Spell in the Kentucky Oaks and Eight Belle in the Derby.

"The big reason we did that was we felt like we had a really good shot of winning the Oaks without her," Larry Jones said. "If we really felt like it took two sometimes you use the shotgun approach—or I have to. When one won't do, you better run two.

"But this time we felt like one would do."

Jockey Gabriel Saez has ridden Proud Spell in each of her eight starts and also has the call on Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby. He hopes Eight Belles shows as much heart as Proud Spell did while drawing off in the closing strides of the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks to earn her third graded stakes win before an announced Churchill crowd of 100,046.

A homebred of Brereton and Libby Jones, Proud Spell earned her first graded stakes win in the 2007 Matron Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. The Proud Citizen filly then avenged two previous runner-up finishes to '07 champion two-year-old filly Indian Blessing by defeating that foe to win the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) on March 8.

“She has a real big heart," Saez said. "She loves to run. When she wants to run, she responds real good."

Larry Jones gave Saez credit for the victory after watching the Panama native rally Proud Spell from third in field of then three-year-old fillies.

"He is fearless," Jones said. "Nothing bothers him. He's always got a smile on his face.

"I predict that one day he will be in the Hall of Fame."

Proud Spell tracked pacesetter Bsharpsonata in third through an opening quarter in :23.73. She moved up to second through six furlongs in 1:12.95, one length off the pace. Proud Spell opened a half-length lead in early stretch and won in 1:50.01 on a sealed sloppy main track.

"She ran very well," Larry Jones said. "She looked like she was very well within herself as she was going down the backside. She already moved into second and Gabriel [Saez] had her placed perfectly.

"We were fortunate with this filly because she has never been passed in her career. We felt like if we can run the speed down, she would be in good shape. This filly can run all day long. She is just a quality filly."

Proud Spell entered off a third-place finish to Kentucky Oaks foes Little Belle and Bsharpsonata in the Ashland Stakes (G1) on April 5 at Keeneland Race Course. Little Belle finished willingly to secure second in the Oaks, three-quarters of a length in front of multiple graded stakes winner Pure Clan.

"We were second-best," said Kiaran McLaughlin, Little Belle's trainer. "She was game and dug back in to be second. We were happy she was second."

Proud Spell concluded her two-year-old season with a runner-up finish to Indian Blessing in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). She also finished second to Indian Blessing in the Silverbulletday Stakes (G3) on February 9 at Fair Grounds.

Proud Spell improved to five wins in eight starts and increased her earnings to $1,281,366. Bred in Kentucky, Proud Spell is out of Pacific Spell, by Langfuhr.

The Kentucky Oaks field was reduced to ten after Eight Belles and Elusive Lady were scratched. Trainer John Kimmel said he scratched Grade 3 winner Elusive Lady because of the sloppy track.

2008-05-22T12:11:00.001-07:00

2 May. USA. Crown Royal American Turf S. G3. Churchill Downs. 8,5f. Turf. 150.000 $
1.- TIZDEJAVU (G.Gomez)
2.- SAILOR´S CAP (E.Prado)
3.- NISTLE'S CRUNCH (C.Borel)

Tizdejavu was an appropriately named horse as a front-running winner of the $181,950 Crown Royal American Turf (G3) on Friday at Churchill Downs given that speed has reigned supreme on grass racing all week at the Louisville track.

Under Garrett Gomez and in his turf debut, Tizdejavu doled out fractions of :24.64, :49.15, and 1:13.96 on the yielding turf course. Nistles Crunch tracked on the rail in second and Halo Najib was outside of him in third.

Favored Sailor’s Cap was in the third tier of horses but wide on both turns under Edgar Prado. The Keeneland allowance winner challenged the eventual winner in deep stretch but could not make up enough ground as Tizdejavu completed the 1 1/16-mile course in 1:46.14, winning by a neck. Nistle’s Crunch and Halo Najib stayed on for third and fourth, respectively. Halo Najib was excluded from the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) because of insufficient earnings in graded stakes.

“He was starting to get a little tired; it’s deep out there;” Gomez said. “He showed me he’s got some real ability. It was a pleasure to be on him.”

Greg Fox trains Tizdejavu for breeders Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth. The colt is by Tiznow out of the winning Dixie Brass mare Remember When. Tizdejavu has won two of five starts, never been worse than third, and has earned $137,315.

“I worked him on the grass at Keeneland, and it may not look like much having been done in :51.80, but it was the cliché: it was the way he did it,” Fox said. “He went :29.00 for the first quarter and :22.80 for the last quarter showing he could really quicken.”

2008-05-22T11:59:00.001-07:00

2 May. USA. Alysheba S. G3. Churchill Downs. 8,5f. Dirt. 150.000 $
1.- GIANT GIZMO (R.Bejarano)
2.- BETTER THAN BONDS (E.Prado)
3.- WANDERIN BOY (C.Nakatani)

California shipper Giant Gizmo gained command with a six-wide rally into the stretch and earned his first stakes victory with a 3 3/4-length score in the $166,050 Alysheba Stakes (G3) on Friday at Churchill Downs.

The race was marred by the breakdown of Grade 3 winner Chelokee, who suffered a right front condylar fracture in early stretch. Chelokee was stabilized with a splint and transported to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington.

Jockey Ramon Dominguez, Chelokee's rider, was unseated but sunsequently was cleared to return to riding after being examined in the Churchill first-aid station.

Giant Gizmo raced in fifth through a half-mile in :47.41, more than 3 1/2 lengths off the pace. Rallying on the outside of foes on the turn, Giant Gizmo opened a half-length lead in early stretch and gave trainer Bobby Frankel, owner-breeder Frank Stronach, and jockey Rafael Bejarano their second stakes win on the card.

Bejarano also won the $268,200 Louisville Stakes (G2) with Ginger Punch, the 2007 champion older female trained by Frankel who also is a Stronach homebred.

Bejarano was impressed with Giant Gizmo's effort in the 1 1/16-mile Alysheba.

"He broke a little slow, so I just took him inside and tried to get him relaxed," Bejarano said. "He didn't like getting mud in the face, so around the three-eighths [pole] I put him on the outside and he made a little move on the turn. He started running really good."

Better Than Bonds set the early pace while positioned away from the inside and led 2007 Alysheba winner Wanderin Boy by a head through six furlongs in 1:11.97. Giant Gizmo seized command approaching the stretch on the outside of both Better Than Bonds and Wanderin Boy and won in 1:43.96 on a sealed sloppy main track to earn his first stakes win.

Better Than Bonds finished second, a neck in front of 1.90-to-1 favorite Wanderin Boy.

Giant Gizmo made his three previous starts at Santa Anita Park and entered off a win in an allowance/optional claiming race on February 25. The Giant's Causeway colt was unplaced in the Strub Stakes (G2) in his stakes debut on February 2 at the Arcadia, California, track.

Earning his fifth win in ten starts, Giant Gizmo increased his earnings to $268,685. Bred in Kentucky, Giant Gizmo is out of Golden Antigua, by Hansel.

2008-05-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

2 May. USA. Aegon Turf Sprint S. G3. Churchill Downs. 5f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- MR. NIGHTLINGER (J.Theriot)
2.- SALUTE THE COUNT (K.Desormeaux)
3.- ATTICUS KRISTY (E.Prado)

Favorite Mr. Nightlinger led from start to finish while defeating seven rivals in the $126,400 Aegon Turf Sprint (gr. III) at Churchill Downs May 2.

Mr. Nightlinger, who won by one length as the 9-5 choice, now owns back-to-back turf victories. Salute the Count checked in second by one length, while Atticus Kristy came running late to grab third.

W. Bret Calhoun trains the 4-year-old Indian Charlie colt for Carl R. Moore Management and Martin Racing Stable. Mr. Nightlinger came into the Turf Sprint off a front-running win in the April 13 Shakertown Stakes (gr. IIIT) over 5 1/2 furlongs on Keeneland's grass course. That was Mr. Nightlinger's first graded win.

“He’s done it all," said Dennis Geier, assistant to Calhoun. "The turf might be his calling."

With Jamie Theriot aboard, Mr. Nightlinger completed the five furlongs in :56.18 after setting fractions of :22.63 and :44.72.

“It’s really becoming his style to let him fall out of there," Theriot said. "He just places himself and that’s where he wants to be. It looks like we have found a niche with him now – he’s 2-for-2 going short on the turf.”

Mr. Nightlinger, after bobbling a bit at the break, repelled a challenge at the top of the lane from Indian Ashton and held sway over the stalking Salute the Count, who was ridden by Kent Desormeaux. Atticus Kristy, a course and distance specialist for trainer Merrill Scherer, rallied from the back of the pack to get third under Edgar Prado.

“That winner ran a hole in the wind," Desormeaux said. "Even at the eighth pole I thought I had him, but he just kept on motoring. Too tough.”

The winner, making his debut at at Churchill Downs, paid $5.60, $3.40, and $2.60. Salute the Count, trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., returned $4.40 and $3.40. Atticus Kristy was $4.20 to show.

Second choice Indian Ashton, expected to challenge Mr. Nightlinger for the early lead from his far outside post in the field of eight, had a nightmare start and spotted his rivals several lengths. The California invader bobbled at the break and hit the starting gate. After rushing up wide to challenge on the turn, Indian Ashton tired in the stretch to finish fourth.

“(Indian Ashton) was standing in there (at the starting gate) perfect and when they went, he just dropped down and we lost all those lengths," said jockey Julio Garcia. "He just dropped down and we missed the break.”

The Nth Degree, Sgt. Bert, Demarcation and Funky Pirate trailed.

Brereton C. Jones bred Mr. Nightlinger in Kentucky. The bay, a $45,000 Keeneland yearling purchase in September 2005, is out of Timely Quarrel, by Time for a Change.

2008-05-17T14:27:00.003-07:00

1 May. USA. Kentucky S. G3. Churchill Downs. 5f. Dirt. 150.000 $
1.- RUN AWAY AND HIDE (R.Albarado)
2.- GARDEN DISTRICT (J.Velazquez)
3.- DREAM OF KAYLEE (K.Desormeaux)

Run Away and Hide stalked the early pace, took over just at the top of the lane, and drew clear to post a 2 1/2-length victory in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III) May 1 at Churchill Downs.

A five-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds, the $150,000 Kentucky was the feature on the 10-race program. A son of City Zip, Run Away and Hide remained perfect in two starts, as the bay colt broke his maiden April 18 on the Keeneland Polytrack for trainer Ronny Werner.

Ridden by Robby Albarado, Run Away and Hide stopped the clock in :57.56 on a fast main track. Garden District, under John Velazquez, closed well in the late going to take second, 2 ½ lengths in front of Final Judgement. Merkel, who led coming out of the turn, tired for fourth.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Merkel broke from the rail and sprinted to the early lead. With Shaun Bridgmohan aboard, the Forest Wildcat colt blistered the opening quarter-mile in :21.71 and ran a half-mile in :44.87. Run Away and Hide tracked a half-length back, putting himself in perfect position for the stretch drive.

Once they straightened away, Run Away and Hide had no problem going by the pacesetter. Although drifting in during mid-stretch, he had more than enough to hold off a mild rally from Garden District.

“He had a great trip. He’s a very nice horse, Albarado said. "Ronny’s done a great job with him. When you’re going five-eighths, there really isn’t much to it. Just go fast.”

Werner said: “It worked out great. The horses scratching on the outside helped out a bit. When you’re on the outside and can dictate the pace, you can do what you want to do.

"He’s definitely going to get some time off, because we wheeled him back in only two weeks to run here. I’d say you won’t see him again for probably for a couple months.”

Out of the Runaway Groom mare Jilted, Run Away and Hide is a homebred of Ron Kirk, John Bates, and Michael Riordan. He was bred in Kentucky.

2008-05-17T14:09:00.001-07:00

1 May. FR. Prix du Muguet. G2. Saint Cloud. 1.600 mts. Turf. 130.000 €
1.- GRIS DE GRIS (T.Thulliez)
2.- TURFROSE (J.Victoire)
3.- SPIRITO DEL VENTO (O.Peslier)

It was an afternoon of pattern seconds for André Fabre as his new Group One-winning recruit, Turfrose (Big Shuffle), finished bridesmaid to Gris De Gris (Slickly) in the G.2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud.

Persian Storm (Monsun) set a strong pace and Thierry Thulliez on Gris De Gris followed in behind, racing alone for most of the race. Big fancies Spirito Del Vento (Indian Lodge) and G.1 Lydia Tesio winner Turfrose, running for the first time in the colours of Teruya Yoshida, opted to remain towards the rear of the field.

As the leader faded after entering the stretch, Thulliez raised the tempo on Gris De Gris and set off for home. Spirito Del Vento and Krataios (Sabrehill) followed under urgent rides while Turfrose needed winding up as she came from the rear on the stand-side.

With a furlong to run Gris De Gris had extended his lead to two lengths, a margin which remained unchanged as he powered to victory on his first start in a Group Two.

There was a fight on for the minor placings with Turfrose taking second, a neck in front of recent G.3 Prix Exbury winner Spirito Del Vento.

Krataios, who won this race in 2006 finished a short-head further away in fourth.

2008-05-17T13:46:00.001-07:00

1 May. FR. Prix Cleopatre. G3. Saint Cloud. 2.100 mts. Turf. 80.000 €
1.- LEO'S STARLET (C.Lemaire)
2.- ANTIQUITIES (S.Pasquier)
3.- SANJIDA (C.Soumillon)

The G.3 Prix Cleopatre, the second recognised prep race for the G.1 Prix de Diane, took place this afternoon on a rain-soaked Saint-Cloud track and while there may have been a decisive winner in the form of Leo’s Starlet (Galileo), the best French Oaks candidate in the field may not have been the winner.

Antiquities (Kaldounevees) set a moderate pace for the small field and looked to be going well for Stéphane Pasquier, saving ground coming into the stretch. As they turned for home Leo’s Starlet, under Christophe Lemaire, darted in towards the rail behind the leader and started her run.

Sanjida (Polish Precedent) came wide on the outside after having remained towards the rear of the pack for most of the race. She looked somewhat green but Christophe Soumillon soon put her mind on the task at hand.

Antiquities quickened well on the rail and looked like she might hold on but with just less than a furlong to go, and under a strong ride from Lemaire, Leo’s Starlet came up on her outside and went on to win by three parts of a length. While the winner scored in tenacious fashion Antiquities looked a tough filly and may benefit from faster ground.

Sanjida was given an easy time and was not pressed to finish three lengths away third. With a little experience, she could well turn into a very nice filly.

Ballerina Blue (High Chaparral) and Courageuse (Linamix), never threatening, finished fourth and fifth respectively.

2008-05-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

30 Abr. GB. Woodcote Stud Sagaro S. G3. Ascot. 16f. Turf. 50.000 £
1.- SHIPMASTER (R.Hugues)
2.- PEPPERTREE LANE (J.Fortune)
3.- DISTINCTION (R.Moore)

Shipmaster, under Richard Hughes for Alan King, was an immensely game winner of the Woodcote Stud Sagaro Stakes on Wednesday at 4-1.

The five-year-old was headed by 7-2 chance Peppertree Lane, who looked almost certain to win when hitting the front over a furlong out under Jimmy Fortune.

However, Mark Johnson’s well-backed charge had to deal with an impressive rally from Hughes’ mount, who won by a decisive enough short head.

Johnson’s other horse in the race - Soapy Danger - drifted alarmingly in the ring and ran moderately after setting the pace, eventually weakening tamely up the straight.

Distinction, the 5-2 favourite, was held up by Ryan Moore. He made fairly promising headway coming into the straight, but was soundly outpaced thereafter.

“It’s a great thrill - I really enjoyed that. The weather came right for us today,” King told At The Races.

“It was touch and go if we’d ever race him again after he jarred his legs on fast ground.

“Ground is key to him. If it’s on the soft side, we’ll look at the Chester Cup.

“It was a great ride by Hughsie.”

2008-05-17T12:51:00.001-07:00

30 Abr. USA. Westchester H. G3. Belmont Park. 8f. Dirt. 100.000 $
1.- DIVINE PARK (A.Garcia)
2.- GRASSHOPPER (R.Albarado)
3.- SIGHTSEEING (E.Prado)

James Barry’s Divine Park drove clear to a visually impressive five-length victory in the $109,100 Westchester Handicap (G3) on Wednesday at Belmont Park, the opening-day feature of the meet.

The four-year-old Chester House colt settled in third through six-furlongs in 1:09.14 as Saint Daimon, with Mr. Umphrey close behind, led the six-horse field. Turning for home, Divine Park continued to race wide under Alan Garcia while rapidly closing the gap near the quarter pole.

Divine Park charged past Saint Daimon and Mr. Umphrey to open a 3 ½-length lead in upper stretch. Divine Park continued to lengthen his lead and completed the one-mile race in 1:32.74 on a track rated as fast.

Grade 3 winner Grasshopper, the 0.65-to-1 favorite, unleashed a determine rally while drifting out in midstretch to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of Grade 2 winner Sightseeing.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Divine Park entered off a 3 3/4-length victory in an allowance/optional claiming race on March 28 at Aqueduct after beginning the season with an unplaced finish in the General George Handicap (G2) on February 18 at Laurel Park.

Divine Park began his career last season with three consecutive wins, capped by the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct in April. He was sidelined during the summer with a bruised hind cannon bone and did not race again until December, when he finished unplaced in the Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

Out of the winning Ascot Knight mare High in the Park, Divine Park improved to five wins in seven starts and boosted his earnings to $247,935.

2008-05-17T12:37:00.001-07:00

29 Abr. FR. Prix Allez France. G3. Chantilly. 2.000 mts. Turf. 80.000 €
1.- FAIR BREEZE (A.Helfenbein)
2.- CLAIRE ET BLEU (A.Badel)
3.- BELIEVE ME (T.Thulliez)

There were a number of disappointments in this afternoon’s G.3 Prix Allez France at Chantilly but Fair Breeze (Silvano) was not one of them.

One of two foreign raiders in the eleven-strong field of older fillies and mares, Mario Hofer’s Fair Breeze was making her seasonal debut having ended last season in dramatic form, finishing a short-neck runner-up in the G.1 Lydia Tesio in Rome before scoring a two-length win in a G.3 at Frankfurt.

And today she extended that winning margin to four lengths. Listed Claire Et Bleu (Anabaa Blue) set a strong gallop and Fair Breeze followed in behind never letting the leader out of her sights. Passing the château Andreas Helfenbein began to take closer order.

At the two-furlong marker Fair Breeze took the lead and under a hands and heels ride widened the gap to win with consummate ease. Claire Et Bleu held off the challenge of heavily-fancied Believe Me (In The Wings) for second.

Avanti Polonia (Polish Precedent) finished fourth followed by Hapsburg (Anabaa).

Big disappointments were French Oaks third Diyakalanie (Ashkalani) who could manage only sixth, while UK visitor Les Fazzani (Intikhab) and G.1 Prix de l’Opera third Legerete (Rahy) were the last two home.

2008-05-16T14:22:00.001-07:00

27 Abr. USA. Fort Marcy H. G3. Aqueduct. 8,5f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- SILVER TREE (E.Prado)
2.- OPERATION RED DAWN (A.Garcia)
3.- TWILIGHT METEOR (J.Velazquez)

Peter Vegso’s resilient 8-year-old homebred Silver Tree returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since last August, stalking the pace and then pulling away in the stretch to win the $100,000 Fort Marcy Handicap (gr. III) by 1 1/2 lengths April 27 on the Aqueduct turf.
A son of Hennessy, Silver Tree stayed on the heels of pacesetter Buddy’s Humor through modest fractions of :24.46, :49.45, and 1:13.23, then took the lead as they came out of the final turn and kicked clear in the final furlong under a patient ride from Edgar Prado. The Bill Mott trainee stopped the clock in 1:42.07 in the 1 1/16-mile contest on a turf labeled "firm."

Operation Red Dawn finished strongly along the rail to get second under Alan Garcia, three-quarters of a length in front of Twilight Meteor. Wood Be Willing was fourth in a field of seven older horses.

Silver Tree had been winless in two starts since beginning his 8-year-old campaign, finishing second in both the Feb. 14 Shotintheheart Stakes at Gulfstream Park and the April 5 Turf Classic Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The chestnut horse last won Aug. 5 in the Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) at Saratoga, a victory that capped off a three-race win streak. Mott gave him time off after finishing out of the money at Meadowlands last September.

In the Fort Marcy, Silver Tree was never far behind Buddy’s Humor, who was taken straight to the front by Ramon Dominguez. Twilight Meteor and Operation Red Dawn were a bit farther off the pace, while Pays to Dream, Barastraight, and Wood Be Willing were never a factor.

Coming three-wide out of the turn, Silver Tree made the front with ease, then extended his lead in upper stretch. He was unchallenged in the final furlong.

“He’s a nice, healthy horse, and he knows his way around the racetrack," Prado said. "Wherever he is, when you call for his run, he gives it to you.”

Bred in Florida, Silver Tree is out of the With Approval mare Blue Begum. He won for the 13th time in 38 lifetime starts, and garnered his fifth graded stakes score. He has earned nearly $1.6 million for Vegso.

2008-05-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

27 Abr. FR. Prix Vanteaux. G3. Longchamp. 1.850 mts. Turf. 80.000 €
1.- BELLE ALLURE (D.Bonilla)
2.- WAIT AND SEE (D.Boeuf)
3.- PROVISO (S.Pasquier)

The Rupert Pritchard Gordon-trained Belle Allure (Numerous) secured her place in the French Oaks after winning the G.3 Prix Vanteaux at Longchamp this afternoon, upsetting Proviso (Dansili), unlucky runner-up to Listen in last year’s G.1 Fillies’ Mile at Ascot.

With just six in the field it was always to be a slowly-run race. Proviso took the field along with Trip To Glory (Where Or When) alongside. Cymbal (Singspiel) followed in third with Wait And See (Montjeu) towards the outer. A further two lengths separated her from Belle Allure with Step Softly (Golan) a further length away at the rear of the field.

There was no change in the order until the six turned for home. Proviso and Trip To Glory stepped up the tempo as Davy Bonilla on Belle Allure began their approach from the behind.

Belle Allure showed an impressive turn of foot as did Wait And See who got squeezed against Proviso but it was always Belle Allure who had the advantage and went on to win by 1½ lengths from Wait And See with Proviso two lengths back in third.

Until today Belle Allure had won just one race from four starts as a juvenile and seems to have come on considerably since her ninth place in last year’s G.1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

2008-05-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

27 Abr. FR. Prix Ganay. G1. Longchamp. 2.100 mts. Turf. 300.000 €
1.- DUKE OF MARMALADE (J.Murtagh)
2.- SADDEX (T.Thulliez)
3.- SAGEBURG (C.Soumillon)

The G.1 Prix Ganay was reduced to a field of six after Aidan O’Brien’s Red Rock Canyon was scratched (and the pre-declared withdrawl of Anna Pavlova) but in the end it made little difference to the yard as Duke Of Marmalade (Danehill), fought off a tough challenge to land the Longchamp spoils.

Duke Of Marmalade broke well but Group Three Prix Exbury winner Spirit One (Anabaa Blue) was insistent to get to the head of affairs. Johnny Murtagh was content to stay in behind the leader but Thierry Thulliez had to fight a hard-pulling Saddex (Sadler’s Wells) and soon found himself further down the field.

Group One Grand Prix de Paris winner Zambezi Sun (Dansili) found his position in mid-division with G.1 Vermeille and EP Taylor winner Mrs Lindsay (Theatrical) towards the rear. Lightly-campaigned Sageburg (Johannesburg) raced last of all.

Spirit One maintained a strong pace and with five furlongs left to race had extended his lead to six lengths. But Murtagh in second did not take the bait.

However with 2½ furlongs to go, just four lengths separated the field. Duke Of Marmalade had a clear view of the finish line but Olivier Peslier and Spirit One were rallying on his inside. Christophe Soumillon began his run from the rear and had Saddex on his inner with nowhere to go a furlong from home.

As Spirit One faded Murtagh drifted toward the inside rail, inadvertently giving Saddex room to get through. It looked like Saddex might head Murtagh’s mount but Duke Of Marmalade had to dig deep to win by a half-length. Sageburg was third, two lengths away, pushed hard by Spirit One just a head behind.

Neither Mrs Lindsay nor Zambezi Sun made an impact and finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Aidan O’Brien said after the race, “Duke of Marmalade had been working very well at home, and now we have something to really look forward to.

“The colt is very versatile and he showed a lot of speed this afternoon. He’s a class act and a strongly run mile will also suit. The plan now is to run him in the [G.1] Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh.”

Today’s win gave O’Brien back-to-back wins in the Prix Ganay, Dylan Thomas having taken the honours last year. Duke Of Marmalade has been bridesmaid twice in Group One races (and third once). He is a rare commodity – a G.1 winning son of Danehill still racing - his place at stud is now worth so much more than it was at 4.20pm today.

2008-05-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

27 Abr. FR. Prix de Barbeville-M.T.P.A. G3. Longchamp. 3.100 mts. Turf. 80.000 €
1.- COASTAL PATH (S.Pasquier)
2.- ORION STAR (J.Victoire)
3.- PONTE TRESA (C.Soumillon)

Coastal Path (Halling) added a third group win to his CV this afternoon with a convincing win in the G.3 Prix de Barbeville.

Khalid Abdullah’s four year-old duly shrugged off the 58kg he was allocated and raced to his fifth consecutive victory and still remains unbeaten.

As is the habit at Longchamp there was little pace but Soledad (Priolo) and Art Martial (Monsun) took the field along with Ponte Tresa (Sicyos) in behind accompanied by Coastal Path always in touch and out of trouble.

The eleven runners were tightly grouped as they swung out of the elbow. It was Johan Victoire on Orion Star (Sternkoenig) who was the first to go and Stephane Pasquier duly followed suit on Coastal Path with Ponte Tresa giving chase.

Although Coastal Path took some time to wind up he found his stride with a furlong to go and pulled away to win by 1½ lengths from Orion Star. Ponte Tresa finished a further two lengths back.

2008-05-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

27 Abr. GER. Gerling-Preis. G2. Koln. 2.400 mts. Turf. 65.000 €
1.- ORIENTAL TIGER (T.Hellier)
2.- DICKENS (A.Suborics)
3.- POSEIDON ADVENTURE (J.Egan)

Terry Hellier is in flying form in the saddle. Following today’s G.2 Gerling Preis at Cologne, he has now won all three group races on German soil this spring. Not to mention picking up the G.3 Premio Ambrosiano at San Siro yesterday.

Quick to take the lead in the 1½ mile event, Hellier set a strong pace on Oriental Tiger (Tiger Hill) and was soon followed by First Stream (Lomitas), Shrek (Pelder), Norwegian-trained Appel Au Maitre (Starborough), and the people’s choice, Alderflug (In The Wings), last year’s German Derby winner.

Behind Oriental Tiger there was constant change in the order and heading into the last bend, Alderflug was already being ridden by Tom Queally. As the field entered the stretch Oriental Tiger moved up a gear and began to pull away. The field was spread out across the track but it was those on the inner who made the most impact.

But Oriental Tiger was never going to be caught and went on to win comfortably. Shrek and Eiswind (Monsun) who looked to be in the frame at the finish were passed in the final furlong by Dickens (Kallisto) and Poseidon Adventure (Sadler’s Wells) who finished second and third respectively. Alderflug was seventh.

Now five, this was only the third win for Oriental Tiger in thirteen starts. The Uwe Ostmann-trained five year-old won on his racecourse debut at two and, although only twice out of the first three since, had failed to win until landing the G.3 Grand Prix Aufgalopp at Cologne three weeks ago. He had been off the track since last July when finishing last of six in Schiaparelli’s G.1 Deutschland Preis. Prior to that he made his mark at the highest level when finishing runner-up to Prince Flori in the G.1 Grosser Preis von Baden in 2006.

2008-05-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

27 Abr. ITA. Premio Carlo Chiesa. G3. Rome. 1.200 mts. Turf. 89.190 €
1.- LOVE INTRIGUE (P.Aragoni)
2.- EASTERN ROMANCE (F.Lynch)
3.- DOCKSIL (P.Convertino)

Fourteen lined up at Le Capannelle in Rome this afternoon for the G.3 Premio Carlo Chiesa, a six furlong sprint for fillies three and up.

A rather open affair, there was a lot of hope riding on the sole foreign runner in the field, Eastern Romance (Oasis Dream) a runaway winner of a Listed race at Longchamp last October.

It was Powerful Speed (Compton Place) who took to the lead early on and was soon followed by Docksil (Docksider) and Velvet Revolver. Eastern Romance ranked in fourth but was poorly placed on the outside for much of the race.

With two furlongs to race Eastern Romance found open space in the centre of the field and went for home under Feargal Lynch. Docksil was rallying under an animated ride from Pierantonio Convertino on the rail but 1½ out Paolo Aragoni and Love Intrigue (Marju) came with a run on the outside and there were only two horses at the finish.

Love Intrigue was a half-length better off at the wire with Docksil 1½ lengths adrift in third.

This was a fifth win for Antonio Peraino’s charge. Just a three year-old she ran a remarkable eleven times as a juvenile, winning on three occasions. This was already her fourth start of the season and second victory.

2008-05-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

26 Abr. ITA. Premio Ambrosiano. G3. Milan. 2.000 mts. Turf. 89.100 €
1.- AXXOS (T.Hellier)
2.- GOLDEN TITUS (D.Vargiu)
3.- SELMIS (M.Demuro)

German raider Axxos (Monsun) scored a minor upset this afternoon at San Siro, taking the 2000m (1¼m) G.3 Premio Ambrosiano ahead of local hope Golden Titus (Titus Livius).

In a race with no pace Axxos soon took the lead and set a gap of three lengths from Golden Titus, runner-up to Linngari in the G.1 Premio Vittorio di Capua at the end of last year. Davidoff (Montjeu) and Selmis (Selkirk) followed in behind with Elleno (Celtic Swing) and Subitodopo (Fraam) holding the fort.

With a half-mile left to run Selmis took closer order on the outside of Axxos as Golden Titus found room towards his inner.

Two furlongs out Selmis was the first to go but Terry Hellier on Axxos maintained the lead. Dario Vargiu wound up Golden Titus who accelerated nicely but once he came alongside Axxos, Peter Schiergen’s G.1 Grand Prix de Paris second rallied well and extended in the final strides to win by a half-length.

Selmis never featured in the finish and was three lengths back in third with Subitodopo a further ¾ length away in fourth.

2008-05-13T11:32:00.001-07:00

26 Abr. USA. Texas Mile S. G3. Lone Star Park. 8f. Dirt. 300.000 $
1.- MONTEREY JAZZ (D.Flores)
2.- ZANJERO (S.Bridgmohan)
3.- BETA CAPO (L.Quinonez)

Southern California invader Monterey Jazz led the $300,000 Texas Mile (gr. III)procession nearly every step of the way to register an eight-length laugher over five overmatched foes at Lone Star Park April 26.

Monterey Jazz, a 4-year-old Thunderello colt who was the 3-5 choice of the public, was making his first start outside of California for trainer Craig Dollase and owners A & R Stables and Class Racing Stable.

Ridden by David Flores, Monterey Jazz grabbed the lead from Scrappy Roo heading into the clubhouse turn and, after opening a five-length lead at the halfway point, was never threatened. The dark bay raced well off the rail on the far turn, but responded when asked to maintain his wide margin through the lane. The final time was 1:35.25 on a fast track.

"He was really able to relax on the lead today and when he hit that second turn, he just had another gear," Flores said. "I made sure he was square in the gate and he broke well. I didn't have to rush him to the lead, and once he got around the first turn, I didn't want to look back."

This was a rare start on dirt for Monterey Jazz, who had raced nine of his previous 10 races on turf or synthetic surfaces. The victory added to a superb 2008 season so far for the Kentucky-bred. Monterey Jazz won the Sir Beaufort (gr. IIIT) on turf and the Strub (gr. II) on artificial track at the recently concluded Santa Anita meet. He has won three of four starts this year, his only blemish coming in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in which he faded badly as the lukewarm favorite.

"We wanted to find some things out today with regard to how he'd handle shipping and how he'd handle a dirt surface," said co-owner Joe Masino, who was in attendance as a representative of Class Racing Stable. "He ran a great race and this gives us a lot of options. David is 4-for-4 aboard him and we'll keep going back to David as long as we can."

Monterey Jazz clipped off comfortable fractions of :24.50, :47.15, and 1:10.64 while building his insurmountable lead. Zanjero, who broke outward and last for Shaun Bridgmohan, rallied for second, 3 3/4 lengths ahead of Beta Capo and Luis Quinoonez. Both the second- and third-place finishers were trained by Steve Asmussen.

Going Ballistic, Scrappy Roo—whose five-race winning streak came to an end—and Gold Wonder completed the order.

Monterey Jazz collected $185,000 for his sixth lifetime win in 13 starts and boosted his overall earnings to $532,740. Danzel Brendemuehl bred the colt, who is out of Reefside, by Dynaformer. Monterey Jazz sold for $85,000 as a 2-year-old at the Ocala Breeders' Sale in April 2006.

2008-05-13T11:28:00.001-07:00

26 Abr. USA. Mervyn LeRoy H. G2. Hollywood Park. 8,5f. AW. 150.000 $
1.- SURF CAT (A.Solis)
2.- DESERT CODE (A.Gryder)
3.- GLOBAL HUNTER (O.Berrio)

Multiple Grade 2 winner Surf Cat overtook pacesetter Desert Code in deep stretch and earned a half-length win in the $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (G2) on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

The race was Surf Cat’s first start at 1 1/16 miles since the Sir Cat horse won the 2006 Mervyn LeRoy.

Aase Headley’s and Marsha Naify’s Surf Cat chased the early pace in fifth through a quarter-mile in :23.42, more than 3 1/2 lengths behind multiple Grade 3 winner Desert Code. Racing in fourth in early stretch under jockey Alex Solis, Surf Cat unleashed a determined late run and gamely rallied on the outside of Desert Code.

“I thought this race set up perfect because he had a couple of nice speed horses out in front of him,” trainer Bruce Headley said. “Alex got him to relax and it seems like that’s his best race, when he relaxes like that.”

Desert Code led multiple group stakes winner Global Hunter (Arg) by a half-length in early stretch. Surf Cat was positioned near the inside rail at the start, rallied after being shifted out, and won in 1:41.13 on Hollywood’s synthetic Cushion Track surface.

Desert Code finished one length in front of Global Hunter, who was making his North American debut.

Surf Cat made each of his three previous start this season at Santa Anita and entered off a runner-up finish in the Potrero Grande Handicap (G2) on April 5. The dark bay or brown horse won the San Carlos Handicap (G2) on February 16.

A half brother to Grade 3 winner Rosie O’Greta, Surf Cat earned his ninth win in 18 starts and increased his earnings to $925,420. Bred in Kentucky by William Taylor Nicholls and Gainesway Farm, Surf Cat is out of Trust Greta, by Centrust.

2008-05-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

26 Abr. USA. Calder Derby. G3. Calder Race Course. 9f. Turf. 200.000 $
1.- SPORTING ART (J.Castellano)
2.- TOUR IRELAND (Y.Rosario)
3.- EL SULTRY SUN (K.Desormeaux)

Trainer Christophe Clement took two of four stakes events on the card during Calder Race Course’s inaugural Turf Million day, including the $400,000 Calder Derby (gr. IIIT) with Jon and Sarah Kelly’s 3-year-old Sporting Art.
Sporting Art continued a string of solid performances in the U.S. when he rallied late in the home stretch to win the 1 1/8-mile Calder Derby by 1 3/4 lengths in spite of a rough trip during which he was steadied on the first turn. The Calder Derby was his second win in this country after a March 29 score in the Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old son of Doneraile Court made his U.S. debut in February, when he finished second by a neck in a Gulfstream allowance event.
“Sporting Art got shuffled back on the backstretch, but got clear in time to go on and win,” Clement said. “That will happen in races like this (when you have a big field on turf). There are the races this summer at Arlington and in Virginia. We’ll look at those.”
Sporting Art started his career in England last year, racing to dual victories in his maiden debut at Ascot and a following score in the A. Rhodes Haulage Ripon Horn Blower Conditions Stakes as a 2-year-old. Following back-to-back fourth-place efforts in his next two starts, he came to the U.S. and began training with Clement.
Sporting Art covered the nine furlongs over firm turf in 1:47.93 in a race where the pace was set through a quarter in :24.13, a half in :48.67, three-quarters in 1:12.08, and a mile in 1:36.00. He returned $5.00, $2.80, and $2.60, while Tour Ireland paid $15.80 and $5.40 under Y. Rosario, and El Sultry Sun returned $3.80 with Kent Desormeaux.
“The main thing I wanted to accomplish in this race was to give my horse the best possible trip, (and) I think that is what made the difference today,” Castellano said. “The horse that set the pace (Tour Ireland) ducked in a bit in the stretch, but I think I had him anyway. The first time I rode this horse he might have needed a race, but the time after that I was very impressed and even more so today.”

2008-05-13T11:10:00.001-07:00

26 Abr. USA. Withers S. G3. Aqueduct. 8f. Dirt. 150.000 $
1.- HARLEM ROCKER (E.Coa)
2.- J BE K (G.Gomez)
3.- DOUBLE OR NOTHING (E.Prado)

Harlem Rocker uncorked a determined rally on the turn, collared runner-up J Be K in midstretch, then powered clear under a hand ride from Eibar Coa for a comfortable win in the $150,000 Withers Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Aqueduct.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Harlem Rocker continued a methodical ascension up the class ladder in the one-mile race, his stakes debut, which he won by 2½ lengths over 0.75-to-1 favorite J Be K while covering the distance in 1:34.50 on a fast track.

The Macho Uno colt spent the winter at Gulfstream Park where he won his debut in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on February 14 before graduating to a one-mile allowance race 45 days later, which he won by three-quarters of length. Both off-the-pace victories showcased the strong stretch kick that he displayed in the Withers.

Harlem Rocker checked slightly at the start but quickly recovered as Coa settled him at the back of the four-horse field while Bay Shore Stakes (G2) winner J Be K set a moderate pace through an opening quarter in :23.91.

Harlem Rocker advanced to third past stablemate Face the Cat through a half-mile in :46.41 and was three lengths behind J Be K approaching the turn. He moved four wide into the stretch, uncorking a strong rally to run down J Be K near the eight pole and drew clear.

Double Or Nothing, who entered off a victory in the one-mile Private Terms Stakes on March 22, at Laurel Park finished 7¾ lengths back in third.

A Stronach Stables homebred, Harlem Rocker is out of the Lit de Justice mare Freedom Come. The $90,000 winner’s share of the Withers purse increased his career bankroll to $139,500.

2008-05-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

26 Abr. USA. Beaugay H. G3. Aqueduct. 8,5f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- CRIMINOLOGIST (J.Velazquez)
2.- ALL IS VANITY (A.Garcia)
3.- FACTUAL CONTENDER (E.Coa)

Last after a half-mile, Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Criminologist began her assault on the lead into the final turn and needed only half the stretch to strike the front, as the 5-year-old mare won by a measured half-length under John Velazquez in the $100,000 Beaugay Handicap (gr. III) April 26 on the Aqueduct turf.
Coming four-wide into the stretch, Criminologist kicked into another gear after hitting the eighth-pole, first passing Factual Contender, and then running down longtime leader All Is Vanity in the 1 1/16-mile test. Her final time on a course labeled “firm,” was 1:41.44.

A daughter of Maria's Mon, Criminologist won for the fifth time in her last six starts. Her lone setback was in her season debut earlier this month at Keeneland, when she returned from a 4 1/2-month layoff to take second in allowance company. That effort proved to be a perfect tuneup for the Beaugay, which was her third graded stakes score for trainer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey.

All Is Vanity finished second under Alan Garcia, followed by Factual Contender, Sweet Ransom, and Just Little.

Making her second start on American soil, Christophe Clement trainee All Is Vanity broke to the early lead and nearly took it wire-to-wire. The 4-year-old Gold Away filly posted comfortable fractions of: 24.08, :48.02, and 1:11.49. She led by a length heading into the stretch, with Factual Contender on her heels.

But Velazquez timed his run perfectly under Criminologist and had plenty of room to run down the leaders in the final furlong.

A Kentucky homebred out of the Seeking the Gold mare Search Party, Criminologist won for the eighth time in 17 starts. She ended her 4-year-old campaign with a pair of graded stakes victories, the Oct. 13 Athenia Handicap (gr. III) at Belmont and the Nov. 17 Cardinal Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs.

2008-05-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

26 Abr. GB. Casino at Bet365.com Classic Trial. G3. Sandown Park. 10f. Turf. 50.000 £
1.- CENTENNIAL (J.Fortune)
2.- WHISTLEDOWNWIND (L.Dettori)
3.- FEARED IN FLIGHT (D.Holland)

FOR Tiger Woods, talk of a grand slam came to an end on the greens of Augusta. For John Gosden, the grand slam dream might just yet be realised after his Derby ambitions were kept alive thanks to Centennial's "very satisfactory" seasonal reappearance.

A clean sweep of Classics might be nigh on impossible to achieve, but no trainer has more chance of achieving it than Gosden, who won the most recent Classic in Britain when securing the St Leger with Lucarno last September.

He goes into 2008 with genuine chances in the next four, thanks to Stanjamesuk.com 1,000 Guineas favourite Infallible, 2,000 Guineas fancy Raven's Pass, Dar Re Mi, who trades as short as 6-1 for the Juddmonte Oaks following Friday's Sandown success, and Centennial.

Anyone who thinks Gosden will go through Newmarket and Epsom unbeaten can have 250-1 with William Hill, whose prices make the trainer only an even-money shot to win at least one of the four races.

His Vodafone Derby aspirant's odds were cut to as short as 8-1 following an all-the-way win under Jimmy Fortune in the Bet365-sponsored Classic Trial, although William Hill trimmed him to 8-1 from 10-1. The son of Dalakhani, who held on by a neck from the running-on Whistle-downwind with Feared In Flight third, is a best-priced 12-1 for Epsom.

Gosden, triumphant in the Sandown Classic Trial four times in the 1990s and whose Derby winner Benny The Dip finished second in the Group 3 test, said: "That was very satisfactory. He has only been working on the bridle at home and in the last 110 yards he was definitely getting tired. He will come on bundles for the race and Jimmy said he will get better with age, so we also have a four-year-old to look forward to!

"My previous four winners of this trial were primed for the race. Benny The Dip was not and nor was this horse.
"I'd have thought that we should now go for the Dante to run against a certain talented horse called Twice Over, although Lingfield would also be an option."

2008-05-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

26 Abr. GB. Bet365 Mile. G2. Sandown Park. 8f. Turf. 80.000 £
1.- MAJOR CADEAUX (R.Hugues)
2.- ROB ROY (R.Moore)
3.- METROPOLITAN MAN (J.Fanning)

Richard Hughes took the Group 2 Bet365 Mile on Major Cadeaux.
Confidently ridden, the winner tracked runner-up Rob Roy into the final furlong before making a decisive move and coming home three-quarters of a length in front.
Major Cadeaux will head for the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 17.

Coral immediately cut the Richard Hannon-trained four-year-old to 20s from 33-1.
'I've thought he's top-class ever since he finished second in the Coventry,"said assistant trainer Richard Hannon jnr.

"We really ran him in this to see if he got the trip and Richard has come back and said this is his ideal distance.
"He rode him very well and he'll now go for the Lockinge."

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Rob Roy, returning from a stint in America, held off third-placed Metropolitan Man by a short head.
Winner of this race two years ago, Rob Roy will go for either the Lockinge or the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp.

The 15-8 favourite Medicine Path raced keenly and dropped out disappointingly.

2008-05-13T09:43:00.001-07:00

25 Abr. GB. Bet365 Gordon Richards S. G3. Sandown Park. 10f. Turf. 50.000 £
1.- ASK (R.Moore)
2.- HATTAN (S.Sanders)
3.- PHILATELIST (N.Callan)

ASK'S campaign towards Group 1 honours began rewardingly yesterday, when he registered his third win in four starts for owner Patrick Fahey to end a sequence of reverses for trainer Sir Michael Stoute in the Bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes.

Notnowcato and Quiff were among five Stoute-trained runners to be defeated in the last three runnings of the Group 3 race, yet despite a drop back in distance for a contest that featured little early pace, Ask responded to every question put to him by Ryan Moore in the last three furlongs of the 1m2f race to repel Hattan by half a length.

Ask, beaten a nose in the Canadian International last year, has multiple Group 1 entries and received quotes of 12-1 for the Prince of Wales's Stakes and 16-1 for the Eclipse from Coral. But the Tattersalls Gold Cup, won last year by Notnowcato, could be considered for his next start.

"Mr Fahey has quite a good strikerate," said Stoute's partner Coral Pritchard-Gordon.
"The trip was a little on the short side, but Ask dug deep and we wouldn't be frightened to go over the trip again in a truer-run race."

2008-05-13T09:12:00.001-07:00

25 Abr. USA. Fifth Third Elkhorn S. G2. Keeneland. 12f. Turf. 200.000 $
1.- DANCING FOREVER (R.Douglas)
2.- DRILLING FOR OIL (K.Desormeaux)
3.- BRASS HAT (W.Martinez)

Dancing Forever, always well placed under Rene Douglas, went slightly outside entering Keeneland Race Course’s stretch and overtook pacesetter Drilling for Oil inside the furlong pole for a one-length victory on Friday in the $200,000 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes (G2), the closing feature of the Lexington track’s spring meet.

Drilling for Oil, who had vied for the early lead with Bee Charmer (Ire), finished second, 2 1/2 lengths clear of Brass Hat, the 2007 Massachusetts Handicap winner who was making only his fourth start on turf. The seven-year-old gelding finished a nose in front of Stream of Gold (Ire), the 2.30-to-1 favorite in the field of 11.

Bred and owned by the Phipps Stable of Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps and his family, Dancing Forever ran the Elkhorn’s 1 1/2 miles in 2:29.79 on firm turf.

By Rahy out of the Seeking the Gold mare Dancinginmydreams, Dancing Forever collected his first graded stakes victory in the Elkhorn. Unraced at two, he scored only a maiden victory at three in 2006 and an allowance victory at Churchill Downs in May 2007 .

Trainer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey III said Dancing Forever found his stride last fall, placing in two Keeneland allowance races before winning Calder Race Course’s Our Dear Peggy Stakes on December 26. The five-year-old then finished a close second to Einstein (Brz) in the Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes (G1) on February 23.

McGaughey then decided to give Dancing Forever a break.

“We were pointing him for here,” McGaughey said. “He had run well over this track, and we liked the mile and a half.”

Bee Charmer, in company with Drilling for Oil, set a slow early pace, completing the first six furlongs in 1:16.47 while Douglas kept Dancing Forever comfortably in midpack along the rail. Bee Charmer fell away before the top of the stretch, and Douglas tipped his mount out to challenge Drilling for Oil.

Dancing Forever drew abreast of Drilling for Oil just inside the furlong pole and wore down the game front-runner in the final sixteenth.

“The winner was just too good,” said Kent Desormeaux, Drilling for Oil’s jockey.

Dancing Forever raised his career earnings to $347,870, and McGaughey said he has his sights on Belmont Park’s Manhattan Handicap (G1) on June 7.

2008-05-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

24 Abr. USA. Grey Goose Bewitch S. G3. Keeneland. 12f. Turf. 150.000 $
1.- COMMUNIQUE (G.Gomez)
2.- TEJIDA (J.Castellano)
3.- RISING CROSS (K.Desormeaux)

Communique, comfortable behind a slow early pace, closed sharply in Keeneland Race Course’s stretch and overhauled front-running Tejida in the $150,000 Grey Goose Bewitch Stakes (G3) on Thursday.

Tejida, the 3.30-to-1 favorite, held on well for second, 1 1/2 lengths clear of 3.70-to-1 second choice Rising Cross (GB) in the field of ten.

Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Communique ran the Bewitch’s 1 1/2 miles in 2:28.91 on firm turf. The Bewitch, named for the legendary Calumet Farm champion of the late 1940s, was the first stakes win for Communique, G. Watts Humphrey’s homebred four-year-old Smart Strike filly out of Martinique, by Pleasant Colony.

Communique entered the Bewitch off a three-quarter-length victory in a 1 1/8-mile Keeneland allowance race that had been moved off the turf on April 4.

“That was a little closer than we wanted, but she did tremendous after that race,” said Rusty Arnold, her trainer.

Leaving from the fourth post position, Tejida and jockey Javier Castellano went to the front immediately and laid down moderate fractions of :25.25 for the first quarter-mile and :49.84 for the half. Communique, the 4.40-to-1 third betting choice, idled in eighth position through the first mile in 1:39.56 and launched her bid before entering the stretch.

Tejida kicked clear to a three-length advantage as Jive tired early in the stretch and appeared to be on the way to her first stakes victory. But Communique moved into third position, slightly more than two lengths behind the leader, at the furlong pole. Gomez then moved her off the rail, and Communique closed steadily to gain the victory.

As a three-year-old Communique finished second in Gulfstream Park’s Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3). The Bewitch was her third victory in 13 starts and raised her career earnings to $265,164.

2008-05-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

23 Abr. USA. Wilshire H. G3. Hollywood Park. 8f. Turf. 100.000 $
1.- DIAMOND DIVA (D.Flores)
2.- KRIS' SIS (M.Baze)
3.- LA TEE (M.Garcia)

Diamond Diva (GB) overtook three foes with a determined stretch run and remained unbeaten in two North American starts following a three-quarter-length win in the $110,800 Wilshire Handicap (G3) on Wednesday, opening day of a 60-day spring/summer meet at Hollywood Park.

Three Chimney Farm’s Diamond Diva entered off a win in the American Beauty Handicap in her North American debut and first start for trainer Jim Cassidy on March 30 at Santa Anita Park. The dark bay or brown filly made her first 12 starts in England for trainer John Hills and finished second in three stakes races in 2007.

The 3.10-to-1 favorite in the Wilshire, Diamond Diva raced in fifth through six furlongs in 1:08.90, more than 4 1/2 lengths off the pace. Moving up four wide approaching the stretch under jockey David Flores, Diamond Diva overtook pacesetter La Tee near midstretch and won the one-mile race in 1:33.21 on turf rated as firm.

Multiple graded stakes-placed stakes winner Kris’ Sis rallied between foes in the stretch to secure second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of La Tee.

Diamond Diva earned her fifth win in 14 starts and increased her earnings to $247,485. The Dansili (GB) filly is out of Vivianna, by Indian Ridge.

2008-05-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

20 Abr. GER. Rennen um den Preis der SWK Dr. Busch Memorial. G3. Krefeld. 1.700 mts. Turf. 50.000 €
1.- LIANG KAY (T.Hellier)
2.- PRECIOUS BOY (A.Vries)
3.- SCHUTZENJUNKER (L.Hammer Hansen)

The group Three Dr. Busch Memorial at Krefeld was reduced to a field of just five after Castiglione was scratched.

Precious Boy (Big Shuffle), a Group Three winner and Classic pretender, was sent off favourite for the 1700m race for three year-olds but arriving at the gate it was discovered he had thrown a shoe which duly held up proceedings by a good ten minutes.

Once they got away it was Schutzenjunker (Lord Of Men), winner of a €150,000 sales race, who broke well and set the pace for stablemate Liang Kay (Dai Jin). Adrie de Vries on Precious Boy was quick to separate them and slotted in behind the leader. Liang Kay stayed in touch in third with a hard-pulling Let’s Rock (Dashing Blade) in fourth. Balios (Tertullian) remained the backmarker.

Half way through the turn heading into the homestretch de Vries began to wind up Precious Boy who seemed to take an age before getting past pacesetter Schutzenjunker ridden by ex-bus driver Lennart Hammer-Hansen. With less than a furlong left to run Liang Kay, who had followed on the rail, had to move three-wide on the stand-side to make a move. Under a strong ride from Terry Hellier the colt found his run and went on to win by a short-head.

Precious Boy was second with Schutzenjunker three-parts of a length away in third.

Liang Kay, trained by Uwe Ostmann, has now won two of his three starts to date and, although not an obvious miler, may well be seen in the German 2,000 Guineas (G.2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen) at Cologne on 15 May.

2008-05-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

20 Abr. ITA. Premio Parioli (Ita 2.000 guineas). G3. Rome. 1.600 mts. Turf. 210.375 €
1.- SENLIS (A.Sanna)
2.- EUSTACHIONE (N.Murru)
3.- ELDEST (M.Demuro)

Senlis benefited from a well-judged ride from Alberto Sanna to land yesterday's Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas), the world's most valuable Group 3 race.
Remarque set a strong pace but was ignored by all but Calciobalilla in the early stages, and that pair were able to build up a five-length lead.

That was cut back soon after the field entered the long home straight and Senlis, who had never been out of the first six, kicked into a clear lead approaching the furlong marker.

Eustachione took some time to get into top gear but was flying at the finish, and got to within a length and a half of the winner at the line. The front two were two and a half lengths clear of Eldest, who fared best of those held up at the rear after coming through to grab the minor placing in the last few strides.

Drawn widest of all, Orientalist Art was lethargic out of the stalls and needed to be pushed along by Alan Munro to maintain contact with the others. Still last on the home bend, he never got competitive and trailed home ninth of 13, beaten around nine and a half lengths.

Trained by Emilio Borromeo, Senlis is a lightly raced colt from the first crop of High Chaparral. He may bid to follow up in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp in two weeks' time.

Farrel, who had comfortably beaten Senlis two weeks ago and was now 5lb better off, was sent off a red-hot favourite at almost 1-2, but he had just two behind him at halfway and could get no closer than fifth place.

2008-05-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

20 Abr. IRE. P.W.McGrath Memorial Ballysax S. G3. Leopardstown. 10f. Turf. 70.000 €
1.- MOIQEN (D.McDonogh)
2.- HEBRIDEAN (J.Heffernan)
3.- UNWRITEN RULE (P.Smullen)

MOIQEN gave Kevin Prendergast and Declan McDonogh a second consecutive win in the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes as he landed the Group 3 event by three-quarters of a length.

However, with the Ballydoyle contingent beaten in the Group 3 event, the result's impact on the Vodafone Derby market was only of a minor nature, with William Hill cutting the winner to 33-1 (from 50), Boylesports going 33-1 and VCbet and Cashmans 50-1 and 40-1.

The same trainer-jockey combination was successful with Mores Wells a year ago, and after Moiqen had held off the challenge of Hebridean, Prendergast said of the son of Red Ransom: "He did it well on ground that was a bit slow for him after the rain this morning. He'd prefer better ground.

"He's well entered up and is in the Derby, but I will be meeting the boss Sheikh Hamdan and will talk with him. I suppose he could be back here for the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial next month, but we'll wait and see how he comes out of today's race."

Moiqen had been beaten four lengths into second place by the Dermot Weldtrained Famous Name - who, according to his trainer, is likely to go for either the Poule d'Essai des Poulains or the Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas - at Leopardstown on his reappearance early this month.

Unwritten Rule finished a length behind Hebridean in third place, with 6-4 favourite Alessandro Volta three lengths adrift in fourth after slipping through on the inside of his stablemate, King Of Rome, to lead into the straight.

First impressions were that Alessandro Volta was very disappointing, but both trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Johnny Murtagh were prepared to give the colt another chance to stake his claims to bigger things after it emerged that Murtagh's saddle had slipped.

Murtagh said: "My horse slipped coming out of the stalls. That caused the saddle to start moving and it made things uncomfortable for horse and rider. I was never able to get hold of him the way I would have liked. Because of what happened, I'd certainly give him another chance."

O'Brien, who had been seeking a first Ballysax win since Yeats scored in 2004, said: "You'd have to think Alessandro Volta deserves the benefit of the doubt because of the saddle slipping."

Hebridean, a 14-1 shot yesterday, is trained by O'Brien for his wife Ann Marie, and O'Brien joked: "If you knew the owner as well I do, then I'd say this horse could be going everywhere! He ran a good race, but I'm not sure about plans."

2008-05-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

20 Abr. USA. San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. G2. Santa Anita Park. 14f. Turf. 250.000 $
1.- BIG BOOSTER (R.Bejarano)
2.- WARNING ZONE (M.Smith)
3.- PORFIDO (D.Flores)

Trainer Mike Mitchell and jockey Rafael Bejarano punctuated their 2007-08 Santa Anita meet titles when they teamed to win the marathon $250,000 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (gr. II) with Big Booster on closing day of the stand April 20.

Mitchell, who won 33 races during the meet, and Bejarano, with 67 total victories, each wrapped up their respective championships on the final day.

Switching from synthetic track to turf and ridden for the first time by Bejarano, the 7-year-old Big Booster surged from the back of the pack with a quarter-mile left in the about 1 3/4-mile event and left the leaders behind in the final furlong to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Warning Zone. Porfido finished third, 1 1/4 lengths farther behind, edging the 2007 San Juan Capistrano winner, On the Acorn, for the show spot by a half-length.

“I’m very happy," said Bejarano, who won four races on closing day to sew up the riding title, which he won in spite of missing three weeks with a compressed vertebrae injury. "I saw in The Form this horse likes to come from behind all the time. There was a lot of speed in the race and I just had to follow instructions. He ran great and it’s really an honor to be leading rider here. I had the injury, but we came back and everything is great.”

Favored On the Acorn, also trained by Mitchell, made a nice bid on the final turn and was poised to collar the pacesetting Victorian Prince in upper stretch. But on the extreme outside, Big Booster was charging hard after being held in reserve for most of the journey. He never really managed to switch leads or stop gawking into the stands, but he swept past his stablemate and his other rivals to win handily. The final time was a strong 2:45.50 on a very firm course.

Victorian Prince, given some head while being tracked by grade I winner Shamdinan into the final turn, set fractions of :49.34 for the half-mile, 1:13.15 for three-quarters and 1:39.14 for the mile. By the time they had completed 10 furlongs in 2:04.70, Victorian Prince was under heavy pressure from On the Acorn, Porfido and Warning Zone on the leader's outside as Shamdinan, the runner-up in the 2007 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT), gave way. Warning Zone, stuck with a wide trip throughout, finished a game second under Mike Smith, while Porfido and David Flores outfought On the Acorn and Victor Espinoza in the final stages.

The versatile Accelerator gelding Big Booster, who won four of 25 races on grass earlier in his career, had done all of his recent running on synthetic tracks. Claimed for $62,500 at Gulfstream Park in February and transferred to Southern California last spring, Big Booster posted third-place finishes in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) and Goodwood (gr. I) for Mitchell and the ownership team of Scott Anastasi, Wayne Anastasi and Jim Ukegawa last year. The winner snapped a six-race losing skid against graded company since his last victory in an allowance race at Hollywood Park 11 months ago.

"We've run some great races with Booster but we never quite got over the hump," said co-owner Scott Anastasi. "But today was his day."

Big Booster closed smartly in a third-place finish in the 1 1/2-mile Tokyo City Handicap (gr. III) on the synthetic track last time out March 29, giving Mitchell reason to believe his charge would appreciated the added distance. The bay, a veteran of 43 lifetime starts, has now won nine times while boosting his earnings to $638,433. The San Juan victory, Big Booster's first graded win, was worth $150,000. Thomas/Lakin/Kintz bred the winner in Kentucky.

Mitchell was at the Ocala sale in Florida and missed the race.

“I just told Rafael to wait as long as possible and make your move wide, said Phil D'Amato, Mitchell's assistant. "Last time (third by three-quarters of a length in the Tokyo City Handicap on March 29), maybe he moved a little too early and kind of just flattened out a little bit, and he’s just a one-run closer. We had a feeling On the Acorn would be a little bit closer today, and he was, and he ran a much-improved race, but he just flattened out at the end.”