Sun, 09/02/2012 - 14:13

Saratoga: Owner prefers Breeders' Cup Classic to Dirt Mile for To Honor and Serve

Tom Keyser
Charlotte Weber said she prefers the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic to the $1 milliion Dirt Mile for her horse To Honor and Serve

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - While no final decision has been made, Charlotte Weber, the owner of Grade 1 Woodward Stakes winner To Honor and Serve, said Sunday morning she prefers the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic to the $1 million Dirt Mile for her multiple Grade 1-winning colt.

“In order of preference, obviously, the Classic comes first, but I wouldn’t be ashamed to win either,” Weber said Sunday morning, after stopping by trainer Bill Mott’s barn.

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 22:18

Del Mar: Pick-six carryover of $182,318 for Sunday's card

DEL MAR, Calif. – The pick-six carryovers continue at Del Mar.

After two-day carryovers on Aug. 26 and Friday, there is a one-day carryover of $182,318 for Sunday’s 11-race program.

Considering the size of the fields of Sunday’s pick-six races, the bet may be tough to hit. The pick-six races have fields of 10, 9, 10, 10, 12, and 10. The final four races actually have more entrants, but there are safety limits of 10 or 12 starters, depending on the distances. Late scratches in those races will be announced Sunday morning.

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 22:04

Del Mar: Executiveprivilege barely remains unbeaten in Del Mar Debutante

Benoit & Associates
The 2-year-old filly Executiveprivilege improves to 4 fo 4 with her nose victory in the Del Mar Debutante.

DEL MAR, Calif.- Executiveprivilege was in all the right places in the stretch of Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Debutante.

A heavy favorite, Executiveprivilege rallied wide, seemingly the best place to be on Saturday, and caught an unlucky Beholder in the final stride to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante by a nose. The win extended Executiveprivilege’s unbeaten streak to four races, three of which have been in stakes.

[Complete coverage of racing at Del Mar: News, PPs, and video]

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 19:18

Del Mar: John Scott holds off favorite to win Brubaker

Benoit & Associates
John Scott, ridden by Victor Espinoza, prevails by a neck over Kettle Corn in the Harry Brubaker.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Nearly three years to the day after his first stakes win, John Scott added win in a six-figure race on his favorite track in Saturday's $106,460 Harry Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, John Scott, 5, held off a late threat from an unlucky Kettle Corn to win the one-mile race by a neck in 1:36.52. Holladay Road finished third in the field of six.

John Scott ($6) raced wide through much of the race. He led by a length with a furlong remaining and was fully extended to win.

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 19:08

Northlands Park: Saunders runners take pair of stakes

Trainer Dale Saunders had a banner day at Northlands Park on Saturday with wins by Ready Racer in the Sun Sprint Handicap for 3-year-olds and up and Hollywood Drama in the Birdcatcher Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 17:59

Saratoga: To Honor and Serve holds off Mucho Macho Man in Woodward

Barbara D. Livingston
To Honor and Serve (right) battles with Mucho Macho Man in deep stretch of the Woodward.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It was horses like the champion Royal Delta and To Honor and Serve that inspired Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott to go to the barn each morning this past winter in south Florida.

 But as the year went along, To Honor and Serve had put in a couple of uninspiring performances, most recently in the Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont Park.

[Complete coverage of racing at Saratoga: News, PPs, and video]

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 17:58

Monmouth Park: Tune Me In scores again, winning Cliff Hanger

Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Tune Me In, with Paco Lopez aboard, wins the Cliff Hanger.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Tune Me In scored a second straight Grade 3 upset at Monmouth Park, beating 6-5 favorite Salto by one length on Saturday in the $99,000 Cliff Hanger on the turf.

A snowy-gray 5-year-old gelding, Tune Me In pulled a 25-1 upset in the Oceanport on the Haskell Day undercard.

This time, the price was a still generous 6-1.

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 17:57

Arlington Park: Middie upsets Washington Park Handicap for first stakes win

Four-Footed Fotos
Middie wins the Grade 3 Washington Park Handicap by 3 1/4 lengths.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Four-year-old Middie had only won a maiden and two allowance races before Saturday, but under a keen ride from Cisco Torres he tallied a 3 1/4-length victory over Mister Marti Gras in the Grade 3 Washington Park Handicap at Arlington, the first stakes win of Middie’s career.

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 17:45

Columbus: Song of Humor has the speed

Song of Humor looms as the possible lone speed in a short field as five older horses will go 6 1/2 furlongs in the $10,000 Labor Day Stakes to cap off the holiday weekend at Columbus on Monday afternoon.

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 17:41

Remington Park: Coyote Legend looking in peak form

Coyote Legend, an eight-time stakes winner coming off the best race of his career, will take on regional newcomer Brethren, a half-brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, in the featured eighth race Monday at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.

The one-mile allowance has a purse of $40,000, and it highlights a special afternoon program for Labor Day.