Avie’s Tale went winless from six starts in 2010 and had won just once in her last 14 outings dating to 2008, and in a 25-race career the 6-year-old mare had started just once on dirt. But forget all that: Avie’s Tale was much the best on a sloppy Saturday at Fair Grounds, easily winning an off-the-turf edition of the $60,000 Blushing K D Handicap.

ALBANY, Calif. – Lilacs and Lace surged past odds-on favorite Cathy’s Crunches in the lane to score a decisive victory in the $92,000 California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

A daughter of Flower Alley, Lilacs and Lace ($6.80) had finished second to Cathy’s Crunches in the one-mile Corte Madera on Dec. 4 when she pressed the pace.

MIAMI - Toocleverforwords made her graded stakes debut a winning one when she rallied to a one-length victory over the iron filly Joanie’s Catch in Saturday’s $100,000 Stage Door Betty Handicap at Calder.

Garrett Gomez celebrated his 39th birthday in style on Saturday by guiding Spring Style to an upset victory over heavily favored Harmonious in the Grade 2, $147,000 Robert Frankel Stakes at Santa Anita.

The sharp form and early speed of Western Prospector contributed to him being made the second favorite in Saturday’s $50,000 Holiday Cheer Stakes at Turfway Park. But it was the patience of his rider, Ben Creed, that likely resulted in Western Prospector winning the race.

Although most of Western Prospector’s better races had come on the lead, Creed wisely sat chilly on Western Prospector in the early stages of the six-furlong Holiday Cheer, allowing longshot Silver Summation to go to the front and avoiding a speed duel.

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Stormy Publisher kept her U.S. record perfect here Saturday when she led from start to finish to post a nose victory in the $50,000 Minaret Stakes before 3,443 fans at Tampa Bay Downs.

Ridden by Frederic Leclud, Stormy Publisher broke on top in the field of 12 fillies and mares, and set fractions of 22.50 and 45.54 while pressured to midstrech by North Rodeo. Stormy Publisher had just enough left to turn back late charges from favored My Irish Girl and Choragus.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Gary Contessa will get another shot at winning the Whirlaway Stakes next month at Aqueduct.

Preachintothedevil, trained by Contessa for owner Molly Vogel, earned his spot in the $100,000 Whirlaway on Feb. 5 with a solid 3 1/4-length victory over pacesetting Eminent Tale in Saturday’s $60,000 Champagneforashley Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Aqueduct. Sky Music, the even-money favorite, got up for third over stablemate Crea’s Law.

Justin Phillip, one of the more promising 3-year-olds stabled in New Orleans, probably is on track for the Jan. 22 Lecomte Stakes after winning an entry-level two-turn allowance race Saturday. But there are things to work on.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The first Saturday in January is a long way from the first Saturday in May, but the connections of Monzon can allow themselves to dream about a potential trip down the Triple Crown trail after their 3-year-old gelding rallied from last to win the $65,000 Count Fleet Stakes by one length over J.J.’s Lucky Train at Aqueduct.

It was 3 1/2 lengths back to Pants on Fire, who got third by a head over Arthur’s Tale. Tap Star and Rush Now, the 2-1 favorite, completed the order of finish.

Harissa, who was good enough to capture a $200,000 stakes and post top-three finishes in two graded stakes during 2010, is among four stakes winners from last season in Tuesday’s $75,000 Sleigh Ride Stakes at Parx Racing.

The Sleigh Ride, which will be contested at a mile and 70 yards, drew a field of eight older fillies and mares.