LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Machen dashed his connections’ Kentucky Derby dreams when he flattened out to run fourth in the Risen Star Stakes and fifth in the Louisiana Derby this spring at Fair Grounds.
Saturday, before a packed house opening night at Churchill Downs in the Grade 3, $231,400 Derby Trial, Machen gave them something else to dream about: his potential as a late-running sprinter/miler.
ALBANY, Calif. – Most race observers expected Our Nautique to be on the lead early in the Grade 3, $100,000 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.
The few who expected the 6-year-old Our Nautique ($40.40) to be leading at the finish line were richly rewarded as he pulled clear in the stretch to score a 1 1/4-length upset over fellow longshot Gallant Son in Northern California’s most prestigious turf race.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Whether she was third on the backstretch or challenging for the lead in early stretch, Dubawi Heights left jockey Joel Rosario with ample confidence in Saturday’s $100,000 Wilshire Handicap at Hollywood Park.
When Dubawi Heights ranged alongside pacesetter Miss Pleasant inside the furlong pole, Rosario was convinced he was aboard the winner.
GRAND ISLAND Neb. - Andiotis trailed for nearly a half-mile, found clear sailing along the rail into the final turn. and quickly drew off for a five-length win in the $75,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Fonner Park.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Caixa Eletronica, claimed by Repole Stable and Todd Pletcher for $62,500 out of his last start at Gulfstream Park, earned back $60,000 in one fell swoop by winning Saturday’s Grade 3 Westchester Stakes by three lengths.
Making the 41st start of his career, the 6-year-old Caixa Eletronica was maneuvered to the outside down the backstretch, while his uncoupled stablemate Christmas for Liam was hell-bent on getting the early lead from 4-5 favorite Haynesfield.
Pocket Patch picked up right where he left off last October in Saturday’s $75,000 Henry Clark Stakes at Pimlico.
Racing for the first time since taking the $100,000 Maryland Million Turf nearly seven months ago, the 6-year-old Pocket Patch ($22.40) led a parade of longshots across the finish line in the one-mile turf race.
Successful Mission registered the first graded stakes win of his career when rallying to a neck decision over 6-5 favorite Voodoo Swinge in Saturday’s $125,000 Miami Mile Handicap at Calder.
Indian Ink assumed command along the rail before a half-mile and widened out to a 3 1/2-length win over Derby Day Storm in the $50,000, six-furlong Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes at Thistledown on Saturday afternoon.
Gathering Dreams finished third in the field of seven Ohio-bred fillies and mares.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario— Roxy Gap held off a closing Marketing Mix to capture the $150,000 Fury Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.
Ordinarily, a handicapper might scoff at a 7-year-old turf sprinter who has been idle for nine months attempting to launch his comeback in a stakes. But because this particular horse is trained by Howie Wolfendale, who has displayed a knack for getting what looks like rusty horses geared up for the premier event of Atlantic City’s mini-meet, Blue Sailor commands respect in Tuesday’s closing-day feature, the $50,000 Tony Gatto Dream Big Stakes.
