Sun, 08/12/2012 - 12:53

Saratoga: Wise Dan has Woodward as possible next start

Tom Keyser
Wise Dan, with John Velazquez guiding him, wins the Fourstardave.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - In three performances this year, Wise Dan has proven to be equally proficient on synthetic, dirt and turf. It’s a rare trait and one that gives his connections plenty of options when they sit down to plot out the future for the 5-year-old gelding.

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 08:44

Evangeline: Heavy On Themister goes wire to wire in Mile

OPELOUSAS, La. - Controlling the pace throughout under Tracey Hebert, Heavy On Themister found more in the late going and held off odds-on favorite Apart to win Saturday night’s $125,000 Evangeline Mile at Evangeline Downs by a neck. It was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Sweetsouthernmoon in third, followed by Pirate Island.

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 08:30

Prairie Meadows: Dirty Rotten Shame holds on to win Juvenile Mile

ALTOONA, Iowa - Under a persistent right-handed drive by Glenn Corbett, the 11-1 Dirty Rotten Shame outlasted 85-1 longshot Sunshine Warrior by a half-length to win the $60,000 Prairie Meadows Juvenile Mile on Saturday, closing day of the Prairie Meadows meet.

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 08:17

Remington: Alternation noses Prayer for Relief in Governor's Cup

Dustin Orona Photography
Luis Quinonez celebrates after guidng Alternation to victory in the $200,000 Governor's Cup.

Alternation became a millionaire Saturday night at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, when he edged Prayer for Relief by a nose in a spirited battle to the wire in the $200,000 Governor’s Cup. The race served as Alternation’s stepping-stone to a fall campaign that could take him to the Breeders’ Cup. 

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 21:43

Del Mar: Old Time Hockey scores in three-horse La Jolla Handicap photo finish

Benoit & Associates
Old Time Hockey gets up at the wire to win the Grade 2 La Jolla Handicap by a nose over My Best Brother.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Old Time Hockey couldn’t catch My Best Brother in the opening-day Oceanside Stakes, but given an extra 110 yards to work with Saturday, plus a slight weight break, he was able to get up just in time and nose out My Best Brother in a thrilling renewal of the Grade 2, $147,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-old turf horses at Del Mar.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 19:50

Saratoga: Wise Dan powers home to win Fourstardave

Tom Keyser
Wise Dan, with John Velazquez guiding him, wins the Fourstardave.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Wise Dan, already a Grade 1 winner on dirt, gave every indication he may be even better on grass after exploding through the final furlong to a convincing five-length victory over Corporate Jungle in Saturday's $500,000 Fourstardave at Saratoga.

The Grade 2 Fourstardave was decided over a turf course softened by two days of rain and which was officially designated as yielding at post time. Both Data Link and Right One were scratched as a result of the softer conditions.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 19:09

Northlands: Williams stays hot with victory aboard Hollywood Dreams in 3 & 4 Year Old Sales Stakes

Apprentice jockey Scott Williams kept his hot streak going with a win aboard Hollywood Dreams in the colts and geldings division of the $50,000 3 & 4 Year Old Sales Stakes at Northlands Park on Saturday. Williams, who won six races at Northlands on Friday night, is the leading apprentice in Canada and going into Saturday’s card, he was tied with Rico Walcott for leading rider at Northlands.

Hollywood Dreams, trained by Dan Martiniuk, paid $7 for his front-running win over the 4-5 favorite Bond James Bond in the 6 1/2-furlong race. Points Alert finished third.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 19:07

Canterbury Park: Heliskier takes Minnesota Derby in another romp

Coady Photography @ Canterbury Park
Keewatin Ice, with Juan Rivera aboard, wins the Minnesota Oaks.

SHAKOPEE, MN - Heliskier wasn't 1-20 this time and there wasn't $200,000 in win wagers, but he stretched out to a mile and 70 yards in style, dominating seven other Minnesota-bred 3-year old males in the $65,000 Minnesota Derby, with Derek Bell riding at Canterbury Park.

"You always have concerns stretching out a horse," said trainer Mac Robertson. "Derek gave him a perfect ride sitting behind the speed, and it turned out to be a pretty easy race."

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 18:38

Delaware Park: Withgreatpleasure holds off Giant Sensation in Unbridled Belle Stakes

Withgreatpleasure held off Giant Sensation by a head Saturday to capture the $60,375 Unbridled Belle Stakes for fillies and mares at Delaware Park.

Trainer David Nunn added blinkers, and the equipment change paid off as the 4-year-old broke alertly from the rail and led all the way as the 8-5 favorite.

Withgreatpleasure had company from Giant Sensation who stalked the leader throughout.

It was strictly a two-horse race in the lane as Giant Sensation kicked in late to tighten the final margin.

Sat, 08/11/2012 - 18:27

Monmouth Park: Wine Princess leads all the way in Monmouth Oaks win

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Wine Princess, with Shaun Bridgmohan up, wins the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Wine Princess stepped up from a first-level allowance victory to win the Grade 3, $101,000 Monmouth Oaks for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Breaking alertly on the rail, Wine Princess and jockey Shaun Bridgmohan set all the fractions over the drying-out track listed as fast.

The pack tightened rounding the final turn, but Wine Princess cut the corner smartly and sprinted clear. She beat Proud Pearl by 2 1/4 lengths as the 9-5 second choice.