HENDERSON, Ky. – Devious Intent posted her first career stakes victory Saturday in the 32nd running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Gardenia Stakes, although the far bigger story was about the champion who failed to get her seventh stakes score.
Groupie Doll was the 1-5 favorite in a field of nine fillies and mares in the Gardenia, the annual signature race at Ellis Park, but could do no better than third in her first start in 8 1/2 months.
Millennia dug in for a half-length win over stablemate Sola Gratia in the $100,000 Ta Wee Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to Miss Addison. David Fawkes trains both Millennia and Sola Gratia.
The Ta Wee, a 1 1/16-mile race run on firm turf, was restricted to fillies and mares bred in Florida.
Millennia ($26) raced several lengths off the early pace, as She’s Spooky and the favored Awesome Belle vied for the lead through fractions of 24.35 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.51 for the half-mile, and 1:12.31 for six furlongs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Jeremiah Englehart stood out on the racetrack and applauded Wise Dan as he was brought back to the winner’s circle following Saturday’s $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga.
It was a classy gesture of respect, especially considering that it was his horse, King Kreesa, whom the reigning Horse of the Year had just beaten by 1 1/4 lengths to successfully defend his title in the Grade 2 Fourstardave.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Joe Rocco’s summer of fun continued at Saratoga on Saturday, as he guided the favored Summer of Fun to a 1 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 Auntie Mame Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf.
Effie Trinket, who set the pace under Joel Rosario, held second by a neck over Joy.
The win was the third of the day, the ninth of the meet, and the third stakes success for Rocco, who is riding full time at Saratoga for the first time.
“Ecstatic, great day,” Rocco said.
STANTON, Del. - Finding room along the rail a furlong out, Service for Ten came off a five-month layoff in winning form to capture the $50,000 Vincent Moscarelli Memorial Handicap by 2 1/2 lengths in near-track-record time Saturday at Delaware Park.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Ken McPeek couldn’t have been happier on Saturday when looking back on Flashy American’s 1 3/4-length victory the previous afternoon in the Alada overnight stakes. The win was the third in the last four starts for the steadily improving Flashy Bull filly, whose lone setback during the streak came at the hands of Authenticity in the Grade 3 Shuvee Handicap earlier in the meet.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - My Happy Face, runner-up to Princess of Sylmar in the Coaching Club American Oaks at 1 1/8 miles, will cut back in distance and make her next start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Test at seven furlongs on Aug. 24.
The Coaching Club was My Happy Face’s first start around two turns. In six previous starts around one turn, My Happy Face had three wins and three seconds, including a victory in the Grade 3 Tempted at one mile at Aqueduct.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Carnival Court, the Darley-owned half-sister to 2011 Alabama winner Royal Delta, prepared for her own bid at the Grade 1 Alabama – to be run next Saturday – by working four furlongs in 50.67 seconds Saturday morning over the synthetic surface at her owner’s Greentree training center.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Skylander Girl ($6.60) disposed of the heavily favored Conquest Whiplash in the stretch en route to a comfortable win Saturday at Woodbine in the $140,000 Ontario Debutante Stakes.
Conquest Whiplash darted out to a clear early lead in the six-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies. Skylander Girl took up the chase heading into the turn and then pressed the leader until midstretch, where she assumed command. Skylander Girl got home on top by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:11.05.
DEL MAR, Calif. – Tasty Treat is likely done for the Del Mar meeting after winning Friday’s $111,050 Daisycutter Handicap for female turf sprinters.
For owners Brian, Rhonda, and Tom Cunningham and trainer Mike Pender, this is an ideal time to reflect on the events of the last six months and how a terrible spring became a delightful summer.
