Purses for eight of the nine races on this year’s West Virginia Breeders Classic program at Charles Town have been substantially reduced because of less available slots money.
In contrast to last fall, when a record $2 million in purses was available, the 24th annual West Virginia Breeders Classic program on Oct. 16 will be worth $1.3 million, a drop of $700,000.
DEL MAR, Calif – It has not been an easy summer for the older geldings California Flag and Cost of Freedom, major stakes winners who meet for the first time in Wednesday’s $75,000 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar.
California Flag, who won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last fall for owner-breeder Keith Card, was briefly sidelined last month because of a bruised foot. The setback has left trainer Brian Koriner cautious about California Flag’s chances of defending his title in the five-furlong Green Flash.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Brian Lynch has done it again.
Three weeks after capturing Fort Erie’s $500,000 Prince of Wales with the 10-1 Golden Moka, Lynch orchestrated an encore with a different player when he sent out the 65-1 Miami Deco for a mind-boggling score here in the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes.
The Prince of Wales and Breeders’ followed the Queen’s Plate as the second and third legs in the Triple Crown for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds and both Golden Moka and Miami Deco were entry-day supplements at a cost of $12,500.
AUBURN, Wash. – Saratoga Boot, overlooked in the wagering at 9-1, raced to a surprisingly easy victory Sunday in the $75,000 Emerald Derby at Emerald Downs.
AUBURN, Wash. – Zenovit moved to the front of the Emerald Downs 3-year-old filly class with an impressive victory Saturday in the $75,000 Washington Oaks.
The sixth wagering choice in an 11-horse field, Zenovit stalked My Untamed Heart’s fast pace, moved up to take command on the second turn and quickly drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Ridden by Ricky Frazier for trainer Larry Ross, she ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.40 and paid $17.60.
DEL MAR, Calif. - A formful afternoon of racing allowed 733 ticket holders to enrich themselves by $3,666.40, the payoff for those who shared in a massive pick-six pool Sunday at Del Mar.
No one had hit the pick six Friday or Saturday, leading to a carryover of $846,824 into Sunday’s card. Another $3,314,894 was wagered Sunday, for a total prize package of $4,161,718.
In the pick-six sequence, four races were won by the favorite and two by the second choice.
There were 11,820 tickets with 5 of 6 winners, returning $66.60.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Wherever she has gone, Wasted Tears has left a trail of tears. From Texas to Oklahoma, Florida to Kentucky, she has left her rivals heartbroken. She conquered another frontier, and did it in typical fashion, on Sunday at Del Mar, when she held on through a thrilling stretch drive to take the Grade 2, $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes for older female turf horses.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Miami Deco, a 65-1 maiden trying the turf for the first time, graduated in style Sunday at Woodbine in the $503,200 Breeders’ Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.
Miami Deco raced near the back of the pack early in the 1 1/2-mile marathon, under journeyman Richard Dos Ramos. Silent Wisper, the lone filly in the lineup, set fast fractions over a course labeled yielding, before being overtaken on the far turn by second choice Stormy Lord and the 2-1 favorite, Cognashene.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Dubai Majesty rallied widest and fastest of all to take the $93,000 Incredible Revenge Stakes for filly and mare turf sprinters Sunday at Monmouth Park.
Switching to grass following a third in the Grade 1 Princess Rooney at Calder, Dubai Majesty was the trailer for most of 5 1/2-furlong dash. Miguel Mena swung the 5-year-old to the far outside turning for home, and Dubai Majesty took off. She got up in the final strides to edge West Ocean, the 1-2 favorite, by a neck.
