Palace Malice fired the first salvo in the battle for 3-year-old divisional honors in Saturday’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy and now will await the results of Sunday’s Grade 1 Haskell Invitational and next weekend’s Grade 2 West Virginia Derby to see who his competition will be in the $1 million Travers Stakes here Aug. 24.
The classy Golden Ticket assumed command early and cruised to an eight-length victory in Saturday evening's $100,000 Prairie Meadows Handicap, a 1 1/4-mile test that attracted five runners.
Bee A Magician was the star attraction on Hambletonian Oaks elimination night and she did not disappoint.
Driver Ray Schnittker avoided trouble and was a well-rated winner in the first leg of Trotting's Triple Crown.
Mary Tucker got herself a nice birthday present when Catrageous, a $25,000 claim on June 30, won the $55,450 Wine Country Stakes in her first start for the birthday celebrant Saturday at the Sonoma County Fair.
Kettle Corn, a 6-year-old who has often been overshadowed by his rival Game On Dude in the last 18 months, won the biggest race of his career in Saturday’s $200,250 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar, catching the heavily favored, and sentimental choice, Paynter in the final furlong.
Sweet Marini finally lived up to the potential of her private purchase in 2012 with an easy win in Saturday’s $200,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies at Del Mar.
Cary Fotias, founder and president of Equiform LLC, a New York City–based handicapping data company, and author of “Blinkers Off,” died in Calvary Hospital Friday night after a lengthy illness. Fotias was 60.
Smart Promotion remained undefeated with a convincing two-length win over For Cash in the $50,000 Count Lathum at Northlands Park on Saturday.
Jockey Garrett Gomez said on Saturday that he recently sought treatment for alcoholism and plans to meet with Del Mar stewards on Sunday in an effort to resume riding as early as next week.
