ELMONT, N.Y. - John Terranova looked at the entries for Sunday's $100,000 Mike Lee Stakes at Belmont Park and marveled how competitive the seven-furlong race for New York-bred 3-year-olds came up.
"That's got to be the strongest-looking Mike Lee ever," Terranova said. "Every now and again you get a real standout, but there's three or four in there that are really nice."
Danzip remained undefeated in four starts Saturday, when he won the $39,585 Aspen at Arapahoe Park by 2 1/4 lengths. It was the second stakes win at the meet for Danzip, who last month took the $30,000 Inaugural.
Danzip ($3.20) was with the pace from the start of the Aspen, a six-furlong race that marked his first start against Colorado-breds. He led the field through an opening half-mile in 44.17 seconds before going on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:09.41.
Russell Vicchrilli was aboard for trainer Doug Grinolds.
Cherry One improved her career record to 4 for 6 on Saturday, when she overcame a four-month layoff to win the $40,000 First Lady Handicap at Ruidoso Downs. She was prominent throughout to win by 2 lengths over A.P. Flatter.
Snowdrop finished third, but was disqualified for interference at the start and was placed eighth. The action elevated fourth-place finisher Apollean to third.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - In recent months, trainer Ron Ellis has boasted that his untested 3-year-old Golden Itiz was a sharp 3-year-old, in ability and mindset.
Golden Itiz's win in his stakes debut in Saturday's at Hollywood Park reinforced that perspective. "I think he's got an even better mind," Ellis said.
Sent off favored, Golden Itiz ($3.80) stalked a quick pace of 23.18 and 46.28 seconds set by Ranger Heartley despite going wide on the first turn. Jockey Tyler Baze had Golden Itiz in fourth down the backstretch and had moved into third with a furlong remaining.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - About $600,000 in Illinois-bred stakes purses were up for grabs during the Prairie State Festival on Saturday at Arlington Park.
Consider that wealth thoroughly spread.
The six stakes produced six winners for six different trainers, owners, and jockeys. Several of the performances were solid, but there was not a standout effort in the bunch.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Afleet Express signaled his arrival as an emerging figure in the 3-year-old division with an impressive win Saturday in the at Monmouth Park.
In his stakes debut and first race around two turns, Afleet Express overcame a stumble at the break to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Afleet Again, giving sire Afleet Alex a 1-2 finish in the 1 1/16-miles stakes.
Problems at the start have dogged Afleet Express throughout his career.
Paddy O'Prado made a sensational return to grass Saturday by dominating the at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va.
Third in the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Preakness after racing primarily on turf, Paddy O'Prado reestablished himself as a major force in the 3-year-old turf division by drawing clear to win the 1 3/16-mile Colonial Cup by three lengths as the favorite. Kent Desormeaux was aboard for owner Donegal Racing and trainer Dale Romans.
CINCINNATI, Ohio - The outcome of the $50,000 Magic City Classic for Alabama-breds was never in doubt as Ikan lived up to his billing, winning the one-mile event at River Downs by 13 lengths, 5 1/2 lengths less than last year.
Trained by Randy Nunley, Ikan dueled for the first half-mile before drawing off on the far turn under Bill Hollick.
Magic De Naskra, who was up close early, finished second, a length and a quarter in front of Booger Street in third.
Ikan returned $2.40 to win and ran the mile in 1.39.30 over a good track.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Madman Diaries ($4.40) blew away his five opponents in Saturday's , the first 2-year-old stakes of the Woodbine meet.
Brock N Rock outran Madman Diaries for the early lead in the five-furlong dash, through an opening quarter in 21.57. Madman Diaries came through an opening along the rail on the turn, and then drew away in the stretch to prevail by 9 1/4 lengths, in a time of :57.26. Second choice Affluence finished third, and Firepole was a distant fourth.