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Skippylongstocking is becoming a legend in his own time. The 7-year-old nailed the first Grade 1 win of his career in January in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup and for an encore racked up his 12th graded stakes victory on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in the Grade 3, $500,000 Essex Handicap.
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The connections of Bricklin could have a decision Monday on whether the horse will run in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday at Oaklawn Park or remain in the field for the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes on Thursday.
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On a sweltering Saturday at Turf Paradise with record-setting heat it seemed fitting some of the hottest sprinters around displayed their sizzling speed in the $50,000 Phoenix Gold Cup. But it was longshot Distant Fleet ($54.40) who overcame the heat, both literally and figuratively, to capture the meet’s marquee event.
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After a disappointing seventh in his first start of the year, the Gold Phoenix of old won the ninth graded stakes of his accomplished career in Saturday’s Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita.
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Grand Slam Smile led throughout Saturday’s $101,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes for California-bred sprinters on turf at Santa Anita, a race left with three official starters from a field of five after incidents at the gate.
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Colorful restaurateur Jeff Ruby, whose namesake chain of enterprises sponsors Turfway Park's signature Grade 3, $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, walked across the winner's circle to Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing. The owner had just watched his Fulleffort, carrying the silks of co-owner St. Elias Stable, connect in the race. With a knowing grin, Ruby inquired where the Ruby winner might race next.
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Skippylongstocking was an emphatic winner of the Grade 3, $500,000 Essex Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn Park, where he shuttled home by 5 1/4 lengths over Mackman.
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Lorelei Lee will be a late nominee to the Kentucky Oaks after punching her ticket with a win in the $300,000 Bourbonette Oaks on Saturday at Turfway Park, taking the initiative on the front end and holding on for a three-quarter-length win over favored Lovely Grey.
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Not every victory in harness racing happens under the lights or at the wire and not every achievement or moment that matters is charted on paper. The moments that count the most happen behind the scenes and out of the spotlight - most often when no one is watching.
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Emerging Market, who won his debut on Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs, rallied courageously under Flavien Prat to run down a stubborn pacesetting Pavlovian to win Saturday’s Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby by a head at Fair Grounds. The victory, in just Emerging Market’s second career start, earned Emerging Market 100 qualifying points to the May 2 Kentucky Derby.
