INGLEWOOD, Calif. – For the second consecutive year, Acclamation has swept two of Hollywood Park’s leading turf stakes, successfully defending his title in Saturday’s Grade 1 Charles Whittingham Handicap.
Last month, Acclamation won the Grade 2 Jim Murray Handicap by seven lengths, a race he won in 2010, too.
MIAMI - Giant Ryan, who had never won a race outside his native New York, erased that blemish from his record when cruising to an easy 4 3/4-length decision over longshot Royal Tricon and six others in the $75,000 Ponche Handicap, the highlight of Saturday’s Summit of Speed Preview card at Calder.
In a powerhouse performance, Trappe Shot slipped through on the rail turning for home and drew away to notch his first graded stakes victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 True North Handicap. It was the second stakes win on the card for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who won the Acorn with It’s Tricky a race earlier.
ELMONT, N.Y. – It’s Tricky is an inclement weather kind of horse.
After two dominant wins at Aqueduct during the winter – including an allowance victory in the snow – It’s Tricky earned a trip to south Florida, where she wilted in the heat in the Gulfstream Oaks. Back in New York, It’s Tricky relished the rainy and muddy conditions at Belmont Park, upsetting the heavily favored Turbulent Descent by 3 3/4 lengths in Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
Golddigger’s Boy and Luckifee, both riding three-race winning streaks, and Royal Clash, who romped by more than eight lengths against similar competition the last time he visited Penn National Race Course, meet for the first time in the Docent, one of two $75,000, 1 1/16-mile stakes restricted to Pennsylvania-breds on Tuesday night’s card.
The Docent is the fifth race on the card and has a field of eight horses.
ELMONT, N.Y. - There is a real possibility Saturday’s 143rd Belmont Stakes will be run over a wet track.
Overnight rains left Belmont’s track muddy for the first few races and with temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s and no sunshine, it isn’t ideal for drying out.
Concealed Identity, far back as a 25-1 outsider in the Preakness, and J W Blue, who finished in the midpack of both the Grade 2 Rebel and Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at astronomical odds, renew their rivalry in Monday’s $50,000 Floor Show Stakes at Delaware Park.
Five weeks ago, Concealed Identity defeated J W Blue by 2 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Federico Tesio at Pimlico. Their rematch comes at the same distance as the Tesio.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Officials of Belmont Park made a presentation on Thursday to the Breeders’ Cup board of directors to be the host site of the organization’s year-end event as early as 2012, according to the New York Racing Association’s chief executive, Charles Hayward.
Facey’s Spirit led from start to finish to win the $84,000 Ellen’s Lucky Star at Indiana Downs on Friday evening.
Trained by Chris Dorris, Facey’s Spirit is a perfect 2 for 2 against Indiana-bred company after being moved from Chicago in April.
Jockey Orlando Mojica hustled the 3-year-old filly away from the gate and set quick early fractions of 21.77 seconds and 44.51 in the six-furlong event. Facey’s Spirit responded when asked, and the final margin was 1 1/2 lengths.
Belmont Stakes odds (as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern)
1. Master of Hounds, 9-2
2. Stay Thirsty, 15-1
3. Ruler On Ice, 28-1
4. Santiva, 13-1
5. Brilliant Speed, 9-1
6. Nehro, 4-1
7. Monzon, 25-1
8. Prime Cut, 20-1
9. Animal Kingdom, 3-1
10. Mucho Macho Man, 7-1
11. Isn’t He Perfect, 29-1
12. Shackleford, 8-1
