Sand Springs captures Ladies Turf

FRANKLIN, Ky. - Trainer Tony Reinstedler said he believed the combination of a firm turf and the right trip would make Sand Springs very tough to beat Saturday in the $100,000 at Kentucky Downs.

Reinstedler could not have been more right. Sand Springs relaxed perfectly off the early pace before racing to a 3 1/4-length triumph, ending a losing streak of eight races, several of which came over softer ground.

"This really worked out great," said Reinstedler.

Under regular rider Mark Guidry, Sand Springs, normally a front-runner, allowed Wildwood Royal to run off to a sizable lead down the backstretch of the one-mile Ladies Turf. After being set down for the drive, Sand Springs easily went past the leader leaving the eighth pole, while Wildwood Royal was able to hold second, another two lengths before Omeya in a field of nine fillies and mares.

Sand Springs, a 4-year-old Dynaformer filly bred and owned by Willmott Stables, returned $10.80 as second choice. She finished in 1:36.88 over the firm going.

Reinstedler sent Sand Springs to Kentucky Downs several days early from his Churchill Downs base. Although the sometimes temperamental filly did train here during that time, "she was still a little confused" racing over the undulating and oddly configured Kentucky Downs course, Guidry said with a laugh. "Maybe that was best."

Turf Dash: Battle Won takes to new surface

In the days leading to the $100,000 , trainer Chuck Simon was very optimistic that Battle Won was about to embark on a successful new career as a turf-sprint specialist.

The first step of that new endeavor was a rousing success, as Battle Won, always prominent under Rafael Bejarano, drew clear for a 1 1/4-length triumph in the six-furlong Turf Dash, the opening race of the series.

"I loved the way he got over the ground today," said Simon. "He's been a good horse on dirt, but he could get really good on the turf."

Battle Won finished in 1:10.86 and returned $4.80 as favorite in a field of seven. Draw Fire finished second, another four lengths before Abderian. Mighty Beau, the 5-2 second choice, lost virtually all chance after leaping in the air at the break.

Simon purchased Battle Won privately last spring for owner Jay Manoogian. A 4-year-old gelding, Battle Won had one previous turf start, a fourth-place finish in a recent two-turn stakes at Saratoga. Simon said the gelding may campaign at Santa Anita this winter.

Mile: Missme has easy time

Bejarano also was the winning jockey in the $100,000 , guiding Missme ($6.40) to a 3 1/2-length triumph over Gretchen's Star, the 8-5 favorite. Banned In Boston finished third in a field of six.

Missme, a 5-year-old homebred gelding owned by Whippoorwill Farm, tracked the pace before gliding home an easy winner.

"He closed nice, huh, boss?" Bejarano said to winning trainer Lynn Whiting.

Whiting said he was "very pleased" with the effort by Missme, who now has won 3 of 11 starts this year. "He kicked in at the right time," said Whiting.

The Mile victory was the eighth for Bejarano at the short Kentucky Downs meet, a new track record.

Turfway Park: Private Horde repeats

Besides the four Kentucky Cup grass races, one stakes also was run Saturday at sister track Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.: the $75,000 Marfa, a 6 1/2-furlong race won for the second straight year by Private Horde.

Ridden by Orlando Mojica, Private Horde ($11) dueled outside of favored Mountain General before edging clear to finish in 1:16.18 over a fast track. Sterling Gold was third in a field of six.

Dean Butler, the rider of Mountain General, lodged an objection that was not allowed.

Private Horde, a 5-year-old horse owned by Billy Ray Tucker and trained by Joe Cain, was an odds-on winner of the 2003 Marfa.