DEL MAR, Calif. - Sweet Marini finally lived up to the potential of her private purchase in 2012 with an easy win in Saturday’s $200,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies at Del Mar.
Ridden by Martin Garcia, Sweet Marini ($4.60) led throughout, repelling a challenge from 3-5 favorite Doinghardtimeagain on the turn to win by 4 3/4 lengths over 14-1 Qiaona.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Jockey Garrett Gomez, who has ridden on only four days since June 9, said on Saturday that he recently sought treatment for alcoholism and plans to meet with Del Mar stewards on Sunday in an effort to resume riding as early as next week.
In a telephone interview on Saturday afternoon, Gomez, 41, said he “had a slip and took care of it.”
He said he sought treatment at a facility in Cerritos, Calif., where he received counseling “from a psychologist, a doctor and a social worker. I’m out and I feel good.”
Lucci’s Prize edged 3-5 favorite Renee’s Passion in the late stages for a nose win in the $40,000 Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Oaks at Arapahoe Park on Saturday. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back in third to Cruz’n West.
Lucci’s Prize ($16.80) and Renee’s Passion were always prominent in the mile-and-70-yard race for 3-year-old fillies bred in Colorado, rolling through fractions of 24.36 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.46 for the half-mile, and 1:12.71 for six furlongs. Lucci’s Prize covered the distance on a track rated fast in 1:44.78.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Street Gem won a second straight turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Monmouth Park, taking the $66,000 Desert Vixen by 1 1/4 lengths over Jean’s Surprise on Saturday.
Daniel Coa was aboard once again for trainer Kathleen O’Connell as Street Gem got her fifth win in 10 starts.
In the Revidere Stakes last month, Street Gem set a slow pace and held off a late bid from Coarsegold.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - As well as Palace Malice ran winning the Belmont Stakes, his connections felt his performance in Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga may have been better.
And, jockey Mike Smith says, “There’s room to grow.”
Palace Malice backed up his Belmont Stakes victory with a solid one-length victory over Will Take Charge in the Jim Dandy, setting up a showdown with Kentucky Derby winner Orb - and perhaps Preakness winner Oxbow - in next month’s $1 million Travers Stakes here.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Twenty-four years after winning his first Grade 1 stakes at Saratoga with the speedy filly Safely Kept, trainer Alan Goldberg got his second, this time with the long-distance turf specialist Laughing who led throughout before holding off Dream Peace for a head victory in Saturday’s $600,000 Diana.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Five Iron ($8) survived a claim of foul to capture the $127,750 Toronto Cup Stakes in front-running style under Luis Contreras at Woodbine on Saturday.
After breaking on top, Five Iron was angled towards the inside in the nine-furlong route, and then set a moderate pace in the driving rain over the firm turf. He held off a charging Are You Kidding Me in the stretch to score by 1 3/4 lengths, in 1:47.41. Comes the Dream was along for third, and Rei outran 5-2 favorite Sky Commander for fourth in the seven-horse field of 3-year-olds.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Gentlemen’s Bet and Delaunay, the top two finishers from the Iowa Sprint Handicap, both worked at Saratoga on Saturday in advance of their rematch in next Sunday’s Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap.
Gentlemen’s Bet, with jockey Joel Rosario up, worked four furlongs in 48.69 seconds. A few hours earlier, Delaunay, with Rosie Napravnik up, went a half-mile in 48.13 seconds.
