Dirt was just what Semaphore Man needed

Semaphore Man returned to conventional dirt and returned to the winners circle on Sunday, when he finished with authority in the $50,000 Chuck Taliaferro Memorial at Remington Park. He won by 1 3/4 lengths over pacesetter Wind Water.

Semaphore Man ($3.60), who was unplaced in two stakes on Polytrack leading up to the Taliaferro, settled in second behind Wind Water as he led the field through fractions of 21.30 seconds for the opening quarter and 43.90 for the half-mile. Semaphore Man moved past that one approaching the eighth pole and went on, covering the distance on a fast track in 1:09.32.

Cliff Berry was aboard Semaphore Man, who gave the rider his fourth win in the Taliaferro. Semaphore Man, who races for Double Bogey Stable and is trained by Kelly Von Hemel, has now won eight races and $427,710.

The Taliaferro was one of four stakes on the card Sunday.

* Berry guided Megans Tough Love ($14.20) to a wire-to-wire win in the $50,000 Cimarron for 2-year-olds fillies. She covered the 7 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:31.80, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Peach Brew. Bret Calhoun trains Megans Tough Love.

* Nice Inheritance ($5.80) drove to a three-quarter-length win over Comely Grace in the $50,000 Ladys Secret for fillies and mares. She covered the mile in 1:38.29. Luis Quinonez rode the winner for trainer Steve Asmussen.

* Cashinmywranglers ($27.80) overtook favorite Marquee Event nearing the wire for a three-quarter-length win in the $50,000 Centennial for 2-year-olds. He covered the mile on turf in 1:38.48. Glen Murphy was aboard for trainer Jearl Hare.