Sun, 05/01/2011 - 09:01

Minnesota Thoroughbred Association announces 2010 champs; Win Willy repeats

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association announced its 2010 champions at its annual awards banquet Saturday night in the Sheraton Hotel ballroom.

There were several repeat winners from 2009, including Win Willy as the top Minnesota-owned horse. Winner of the Brandywine Stakes at Delaware Park and the Grade 3 Razorback Stakes at Oaklawn Park last year, Win Willy earned $255,817 in 2010. Win Willy, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Monarchos, is owned by the Jer-Mar Stables LLC of Jerry and Marlene Meyers.

Sun, 05/01/2011 - 08:48

Turf Paradise: Lewkacy romps as heavy favorite in Gene Fleming Breeders' Derby

Lewkacy continued his sharp form and notched the biggest win of his career as the 3-year-old gelding captured Saturday’s $50,000 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby, part of a stakes quintet at Turf Paradise highlighting Arizona-breds.

Sat, 04/30/2011 - 22:55

Churchill Downs: Machen finds mile of Derby Trial to be ideal distance

Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
Machen (left) comes charging late under Edgar Prado to overtake Dominus in the Derby Trial.

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.

Sat, 04/30/2011 - 21:46

Golden Gate Fields: No one can catch Our Nautique in San Francisco Mile

Marcel Langevin/Vassar Photography
Kevin Krigger, aboard Our Nautique, leads the 6-year-old gelding to a wire-to-wire win in the San Francisco Mile.

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.

Sat, 04/30/2011 - 20:16

Hollywood Park: Dubawi Heights makes Wilshire her third straight victory

BENOIT PHOTO
Dubawi Heights, ridden by Joel Rosario, draws clear in deep stretch of the Wilshire Handicap.

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.

Sat, 04/30/2011 - 19:48

Fonner Park: Meyaard-trained stablemates produce big exacta in Bosselman

Linscott Photography
Antiotis, part of an uncoupled three-horse entry for trainer Jim Meyaard, romps by five lengths in the Bosselman/Gus Fonner.

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.

Sat, 04/30/2011 - 18:21

Belmont: Caixa Eletronica goes from $62,500 claim to Westchester winner

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Caixa Eletronica (center, with blinkers), making his first start since he was claimed by Todd Pletcher on behalf of Repole Stable, scores in the Grade 3 Westchester.

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.

Sat, 04/30/2011 - 17:42

Pimlico: Pocket Patch fires off long layoff in Henry Clark

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Pocket Patch, making his first start since early October, wins his second straight stakes for jockey Jonathan Joyce and trainer Flint Stites in the Henry S. Clark.

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.

Sat, 04/30/2011 - 17:34

Calder: Successful Mission holds on to win Miami Mile

Jim Lisa Photos
Successful Mission scores his first career graded stakes win at Calder on Saturday.

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.

Sat, 04/30/2011 - 16:44

Thistledown: Indian Ink delivers as heavy favorite in Dr. Classen

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.