NEW ORLEANS – Taking advantage of a fast, contested pace, late-running Divine Loretta stormed to the lead in the stretch en route to a one-length victory in the Red Camelia on Saturday on the Fair Grounds turf course.

Jockey James Graham let Divine Loretta settle several lengths off the early pace as Ladyzarbridge and Little Polka Dot battled for the lead.

“I liked the two on the front end fighting it out,’’ said Sweet Hodges, who trains Divine Loretta for Randy Davis and Associates. “James rode a real good race, and she is a nice mare.’’

ARCADIA, Calif. - Sky Kingdom had never run beyond 1 1/16 miles before Saturday’s $100,750 Tokyo City Cup over 1 1/2 miles on the main track at Santa Anita.

Such marathons races will definitely figure in future plans for Sky Kingdom.

Racing near the lead throughout, Sky Kingdom took the lead after a mile and pulled clear of seven rivals in the final furlong to win the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup by 3 3/4 lengths for his first career stakes win.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Laurie’s Rocket on Saturday added to the outstanding Oaklawn meet his owner, Willis D. Horton, is having by giving the Arkansas resident his third stakes win of the season in the $75,000 Hot Springs. Horton also owns Will Take Charge, winner of the Grade 2, $600,000 Rebel and $150,000 Smarty Jones this meet at Oaklawn.

Laurie’s Rocket on Saturday picked off his third win at the meet after darting home by a length over Flashpoint. It was another two lengths back in third to Shrill, who was followed by Picko’s Pride and Apprehender.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -  Twilight Eclipse got the firm ground he needed and added distance he loves, that combination resulting in not only a four-length victory over Ioya Bigtime in Saturday’s $150,000 Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park but a world record in the process.

FLORENCE, Ky. – Black Onyx, making his stakes debut, ran himself right into the Kentucky Derby discussion Saturday when he drove to a 15-1 upset under Joe Bravo in the Grade 3, $550,000 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Last Gunfighter passed another test Saturday at Aqueduct, earning his first graded stakes victory when he rallied along the rail under Rajiv Maragh to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior Stakes by two lengths.

 Mordi’s Miracle, the 2-1 favorite and part of a contested early pace with Colizeo, did well to be second by 5 1/2 lengths over Isn’t He Perfect. Joan’s Choice, Ruler On Ice, Colizeo, and Heart Butte completed the order of finish.

FLORENCE, Ky. – Silsita got the favorable head-bob following a searing stretch duel with longshot Marathon Lady to give trainer Todd Pletcher a Kentucky Oaks candidate when she notched the most narrow of victories Saturday in the 31st running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park.

Bettors pounded Bold Affair down to 1-9 and she had no problem justifying their confidence by cruising to a repeat victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Conniver Stakes for Maryland-bred fillies and mares at Laurel Park.

Facing just four rivals, the 5-year-old Bold Affair ($2.20) easily made the lead under regular rider Abel Castellano Jr. in the seven-furlong Conniver and was never seriously threatened while reaching the wire in 1:25.14.

“I started to hustle her a little bit and she started going so I let her do her own thing,” Castellano said.

Maryland legend King Leatherbury got an early birthday present Saturday when he was honored after the third race at Laurel Park.

Leather, who turns 80 on Tuesday, was a bit sheepish about all the fuss in the winner’s circle, where a banner was unfurled with the slogan “Long live the King,” wishing him happy birthday. Fans at the track received a King Leatherbury button and a birthday cupcake.

“It is a little embarrassing but I appreciate the tribute,” said Leatherbury, who ranks fourth on the all-time list of trainers with 6,373 wins.

Dan Bork, who has served as racing secretary here for the past four years, will resign that post at the end of the meet. Bork will be replaced by Jeffrey Noe, currently the assistant racing secretary at Calder.

“This decision was purely my own and based on the fact that being racing secretary year-round at Gulfstream would not allow me to spend the kind of time I want with my two children in Kentucky,” said Bork.