American Pharoah had his first workout since his seven-length romp May 16 in the Preakness when breezing a half-mile in 48 seconds on a pleasant Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs in a move that left Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert excited about what lies ahead.
War Story, 16th in the Kentucky Derby, will not run in the Belmont Stakes on June 6 against American Pharoah and instead will point to the $500,000 Ohio Derby on June 20 at Thistledown.
The favored El Seventyseven ($4.40) finished powerfully to mow down the pacesetting duo of Rockin Home and Castletown for a 1 3/4- length win in Monday's $75,000 Honor the Hero, a five-furlong sprint over a good turf course.
Majestic City rolled out new tactics Monday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap, bounding to a front-running, two-length win over 4-5 favorite Carve in the co-richest race of the meet. It was another length back to Tapiture in third.
G. G. Ryder ($7.80) won his second straight Grade 3 race at Golden Gate Fields on Monday, as he got a perfect stalking trip and pulled clear in the stretch to win the $100,315 All American Stakes.
Jessica's Star, the 2014 Iowa Derby winner, ran his local record to 3 for 3 with a solid effort to take Monday's featured $75,000 Jim Rasmussen Memorial, a 1 1/16-mile stakes, by a length.
Ron Gierkink's horses to watch at Woodbine for the week of May 25.
The situation was desperate. Hard Not to Like was roaring with energy in deep stretch of Monday’s $300,000 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita, but she was stuck behind rivals with the finish line looming.
It’s no longer a matter of who the top three finishers will be in New York-bred turf stakes; it’s just a matter of what order they’ll finish in when they all run.
Bright Town was prominent throughout for a 4 1/2-length victory over 4-5 favorite Haveyougoneaway in the $50,000 First Lady Handicap on Monday at Ruidoso Downs. Teardrop and Popalicious finished in a dead-heat for third in the race that was scratched down to four starters. There was no show wagering.
