Flashy American rides rail to Sixty Sails victory
Flashy American stepped far forward after a modest 2014 debut in the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park and won the Grade 3, $150,000 Sixty Sails Handicap by three-quarters of a length over pacesetting Sonja’s Angel on Saturday at Hawthorne.
Sonja’s Angel had a two-length lead through a moderate half-mile in 48.74 seconds but never found the fence under Martin Garcia, racing wide around both turns. Flashy American and Chris Emigh stuck to the rail the entire trip, coming through on the inside to take the lead at the stretch call before gradually pulling away in the final half-furlong.
Flashy American, a 5-year-old Flashy Bull mare trained by Ken McPeek for Preston Stables, ran some big races in 2013, including a respectable fourth-place finish last fall behind champion Beholder in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes, but Saturday’s victory – the eighth of her career -- was her first at the graded-stakes level. She paid $7.80 to win as the narrow second choice behind Sonja’s Angel, and was timed in 1:50.36 for 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track. Gamay Noir rallied smartly from last around the far turn, but could not sustain her momentum and finished third, beaten almost four lengths for second.
River Bear still strong at 9
Venerable Illinois-bred sprinter River Bear still has not lost a step at age 9, and he won the Robert S. Molaro Handicap for the second time in a long, fruitful career.
River Bear, his late run set up by Luck With a Kiss’s scorching early pace, stormed down the center of the track under Tim Thornton to win the six-furlong Molaro by a half-length over Four Left Feet. A gelding by Unreal Zeal, River Bear didn’t race in the Molaro last spring, but won the race in 2012 after finishing second by nose in the race’s 2011 edition. Rusty Hellman, who splits stock between Chicago and Fairmount Park, trains River Bear.
River Bear, winning for the 20th time in 55 starts, paid $6.80 as the second choice, and was timed in 1:10.18 for six furlongs over a fast track. Sacred Gift finished third, three-quarters of a length out of second.
C’mon Feet wins sixth straight
C’mon Feet, who was claimed by owner Pedro Davila and trainer Ray Tracy for just $5,000 last October, won the $85,049 Third Chance Handicap by a neck over Missjeanlouise. Favored My Option rallied for third, a neck out of second.
C’mon Feet, a 4-year-old daughter of Purge, won for the sixth time in a row and for the third time this meet. She was timed in 1:10.78 for six furlongs and timed in 1:10.78. C’mon Feet, ridden by Tim Thornton, paid $17.20.