Drill returned to his best form on Sunday with a hard-fought victory in the Grade 2, $147,000 San Vicente Stakes, nosing out American Act, with highly regarded Creative Cause just a length away.
Sabercat, the winner of the Delta Jackpot last fall, is making rapid progress toward his expected 2012 debut in next month’s San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, and on Sunday morning, he worked five furlongs in 1:01.80.
Trainer Michael Matz put the finishing touches on Union Rags’s preparations for his 3-year-old debut when he worked the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up four furlongs in 48.64 seconds from the gate Sunday morning at Palm Meadows
El Padrino, a powerful, impressive allowance winner at Gulfstream Park last month, drew post 8 in a field of 11 that was entered on Sunday for Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Risen Star Stakes, the highlight of a stakes-filled Louisiana Derby Preview card at Fair Grounds.
The aptly named Daddy Nose Best won a stretch-long duel with Lucky Chappy to capture the Grade 3, $201,300 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields by a nose.
The Southwest Stakes, Oaklawn Park's first major prep for 3-year-olds, has been split into two divisions after 21 horses were entered Saturday. Each race will be a Grade 3 worth $250,000. Longview Drive and Junebugred will break side by side in the first division, which will go as the eighth race with a field of 11. Secret Circle leads the second division, set as the ninth race.
Highly regarded 3-year-old Creative Cause begins his quest on the Kentucky Derby trail in Sunday's San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita.
Sir Bond looked like one of the best 3-year-olds on the grounds at Fair Grounds with a breakthrough maiden route victory Thursday.
Longview Drive completed his preparations for Monday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Friday morning, when he breezed a half-mile in 48.20 seconds.
Countdown to the Crown returns for a seventh season online as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday at DRF.com from Jan. 6 through the Belmont Stakes, Countdown keeps you apprised of the rising stars of the 3-year-old class.
