Sun, 09/01/2013 - 22:04

Del Mar: Ethnic Dance gets third straight win in Del Mar Derby

Benoit & Associates
Ethnic Dance, with Edwin Maldonado aboard, won the second division of Sunday's Grade 2 Del Mar Derby by 1 1/4 lengths.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Ethnic Dance did not show much in his first four starts on synthetic and dirt, but he has completely turned it around since moving to turf, and he displayed just how far he’s come when leading an accomplished group of stakes horses on a merry chase to capture the $251,250 second division of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on Sunday.

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 21:54

Emerald Downs: Vodka With Ice sets track record in Challenge Championship

AUBURN, Wash. – Vodka With Ice raced to a mild upset Sunday in the $54,000 Bank of America Emerald Downs Challenge Championship for Quarter Horses, snapping 3-5 favorite Chicks Special Angel's 10-race winning streak while covering 440 yards in a track-record 21.667 seconds.

With his victory, Vodka With Ice, an 8-year-old Stoli gelding, earned a berth in the Grade 1, $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship on Nov. 9 at Los Alamitos.

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 21:43

Del Mar notes: She's a Tiger eyes Chandelier Stakes

Benoit & Associates
Gary Stevens guides She's a Tiger to her third win in four starts in the Del Mar Debutante.

This content is part of a free preview of DRF Plus. Click to learn more.

DEL MAR, Calif. – She’s a Tiger, the winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, will take a familiar path this fall toward a potential start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 21:16

Canterbury Park: Robertson gets four stakes wins on Festival Day

Coady Photography
Heliskier, ridden by Justin Shepherd, wins the Minnesota Sprint Championship by 4 3/4 lengths Sunday.

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Trainer Mac Robertson sent out four stakes winners on Minnesota Festival of Champions Day at Canterbury Park on Sunday – three with jockey Alex Canchari in the saddle and two for owner Malkerson Stables – but the star of the day was Heliskier.

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 20:39

Del Mar: Gabriel Charles answers distance question in Del Mar Derby

Benoit & Associates
Gabriel Charles and jockey Mike Smith scored by 1 1/4 lengths in Sunday's first division of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Gabriel Charles answered a nearly year-old question with his win in the $251,250 first division of the Del Mar Derby on Sunday: He most certainly is capable of winning top races around two turns.

With only a sprint stakes win on turf to his credit, Gabriel Charles won for the first time beyond 6 1/2 furlongs in the first division of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, closing from eighth in a field of 10 to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Gervinho.

Trainer Jeff Mullins described the win as “gratifying.”

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 20:25

Ruidoso Downs: Feature Hero scores upset in All American Derby

Feature Hero picked the perfect day to run the race of his life at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday.

The 3-year-old gelding ran a flawless 440 yards to win the $2,809,784 All American Derby, the richest race in Quarter Horse history. Ridden by Jimmy Brooks for trainer Eddie Willis, Feature Hero ($49.80) edged the fastest qualifier, Bon Accord, to win by a neck.

Point Break Dash was third in the field of 10, a length behind Feature Hero.

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 20:10

Saratoga: Five winning pick-six tickets pay $104,934 apiece

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There were five winning tickets sold for Sunday’s pick six at Saratoga, each worth $104,934.

There was a carryover of $139,854 entering the card, and an additional $675,144 was wagered into the pool Sunday.

The winning sequence of 10-1-2-4-4-4 included Recepta ($6.50), Scat Away ($13.40), Five Iron ($12.80), Sweet Reason ($7), Abraham ($8.60), and Golden Rule ($15.20). The consolation payout (5 of 6) was $787.

Monday is closing day at Saratoga, and the entire pick-six pool must be distributed.

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 20:06

Del Mar: CHRB investigating O'Neill for giving horse amino acids on race day

Barbara D. Livingston
Doug O'Neill is considering establishing a stable in the East some day but, he says, "My roots are still in California."

DEL MAR, Calif. – The California Horse Racing Board is conducting an investigation into the race-day administration of an amino-acid solution to a horse trained by Doug O’Neill on Aug. 24, Del Mar stewards said over the weekend.

The incident resulted in the withdrawal of Cinco de Mario in the hours before a starter allowance Aug. 24.

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 19:53

Saratoga: Five Iron leads all the way in Saranac Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Five Iron, with Luis Saez aboard, wins the Grade 3 Saranac Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths at Saratoga on Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Five Iron shipped across the border from Woodbine and ran the locals off their feet, leading from start to finish to register a 2 1/2-length victory over 2-1 favorite Notacatbutallama in Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Saranac Stakes at Saratoga.

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 19:42

Saratoga: Pletcher, Castellano, Ramseys win meet titles

Barbara D. Livingston
Todd Pletcher is pleased with how both Gemologist and El Padrino are coming into this year's Kentucky Derby.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There never was any real suspense in the race for leading owner, trainer, and jockey at the sesquicentennial Saratoga meet. On Sunday, one day before the meet ended, the leaders in those categories were honored in a ceremony in the winner’s circle following the seventh race.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey have won 22 races, setting a single-meet record at Saratoga, 11 more than Darley Stable and Drawing Away. The Ramseys had horses in three of Monday’s 10 races.