After finishing second with Violence in the Fountain of Youth and Dreaming of Julia in the Grade 2 Davona Dale on Saturday, trainer Todd Pletcher got a bit of redemption the following afternoon, when Stopshoppingmaria posted a popular 1 3/4-length decision over Rosa Salvaje in the Ladies Turf Sprint. The win was the third straight at this session, all at five furlongs on the grass, for Stopshoppingmaria, who was ridden by Velazquez.

Trainer Eddie Kenneally said he is leaning toward turning Majestic Hussar back to one-turn races after the speedy colt set lightning-fast fractions before tiring to finish fourth while making his two-turn debut in the Fountain of Youth. Majestic Hussar ran a 45.45-second opening half-mile and a 1:08.85 three-quarters before fading to finish 9 1/4 lengths behind Orb.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Shug McGaughey said he is trying not to worry about the Kentucky Derby just yet, even after watching his top 3-year-old, Orb, upset Violence in Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth to all but assure himself a spot in the big dance on May 3. But the Hall of Fame horseman does admit that the Derby has crossed his mind at least once or twice this winter.

“I don’t get Derby fever,” McGaughey said Sunday. “But don’t think I’m not excited, because I am.”

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Take a dead-honest racehorse in the hands of a top-flight horseman, then add a jockey riding in top form, and you have a dangerous combination.

Good Lord’s eight rivals found that out Saturday. Forrest Kaelin, who has been training for more than 50 years, sent out the 6-year-old to capture the 23rd running of the $75,000 Super Stakes in track-record time.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – While horse racing is a sport to the fans, to those who work in the industry it’s first and foremost a business.

And like other walks of life, the “little guys” in racing face an uphill battle trying to survive while competing against sharp owner syndicate groups such as Team Valor and world-wide racing and breeding operations such as Juddmonte Farms.

ARCADIA, Calif. - There was a time earlier in his career that Ain’t No Other would have torn away from his rivals at the start of a race such as Sunday’s $100,750 Sensational Star Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

The tactic was not always successful. Sometimes, he held on to win. Sometimes, he was caught.

But with experience, and the addition a set of blinkers on Sunday, Ain’t No Other was more patient. The result was his third career stakes win in the turf sprint for California-breds.

Countess Curlin remained unbeaten at a mile Sunday at Sunland Park, when she rallied from between horses to win the $50,000 Island Fashion by four lengths. Countess Curlin is now 3 for 3 at the distance, with her other wins coming in races at Retama Park and Sam Houston.

The Island Fashion was for 3-year-old fillies and served as a prep for the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on March 24. Shesatopattraction finished second, while it was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Infinitely.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Humble Smarty is now 2 for 2 as a 9-year-old after drawing clear by 4 1/4 lengths in the $60,000 Nodouble Breeders’ at Oaklawn Park on Sunday. Star North finished second in the six-furlong race for Arkansas-breds, while it was another length back in third to Breckenridge. 

ARCADIA, Calif.- Game On Dude seems to be at the top of every category at Santa Anita this year.

Game On Dude will carry top weight of 125 pounds for Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap, and will be a heavy favorite in the richest race of the meeting for older horses.

A bruised foot will prevent Demonic from making his stakes debut in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 9 at Santa Anita, trainer John Sadler said.

The Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes is run over 1 1/16 miles and is a key prep for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Sadler said that he has no specific plans for Demonic this spring.