Mon, 04/12/2010 - 00:00

Odysseus comes out of Blue Grass with bone chip

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Odysseus, the last-place finisher after setting the pace Saturday in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in his first race over a synthetic surface, suffered a knee chip during the race, according to the colt's owner, Satish Sanan of Padua Stables.

"The X-rays show a chip in the back of the left knee," said Sanan. "It's a very unusual spot, and it's an indication that he hyperextended it. We will see what needs to be done and go from there."

Padua had the early Kentucky Derby favorite in 2003 with Vindication, but he was retired with a knee injury.

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:00

Unzip Me makes it four straight in Las Cienegas

ARCADIA, Calif. - Unzip Me had to convince trainer Marty Jones that she had recovered sufficiently from a win in the Irish O'Brien Stakes last month to be entered in Sunday's $100,000 at Santa Anita.

Jones did not see the right clues until early last week, before entries were taken on Thursday. The public saw Unzip Me's enthusiasm for themselves in the stretch of the Grade 3 Las Cienegas.

Racing on the lead throughout, Unzip Me led by as many as three lengths and won the hillside turf race by 1 1/4 lengths over Czechers.

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:00

Hollywood Hit beats Canadian sprint champ

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Hollywood Hit led throughout Sunday's $160,200 at Woodbine, winning the six-furlong sprint by a half-length over Field Commission, last year's champion sprinter in Canada.

The 4-year-old Hollywood Hit ($3.10) set fractions of 22.01 and 44.40 seconds while being stalked by Monty's Best and El Brujo. Hollywood Hit had a two-length lead at the eighth pole, and went on to prevail in a time of 1:08.99. El Brujo edged out Monty's Best for third in the five-horse field.

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:00

Siblings sweep both stakes for 3-year-olds

The half-siblings Headturner and Jumpn Beduino won major stakes for 3-year-old Quarter Horses on consecutive nights at Los Alamitos over the weekend.

While that may sound illogical, Quarter Horse breeders are allowed to register more than one foal from a mare in a single breeding season, since mares frequently have their embryos transferred to surrogate mares.

Both Headturner and Jumpn Beduino were bred by Blane Schvaneveldt and John Andreini.

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:00

Arizona shipper surprises in Dowd Mile

Elusive Pleasure rallied from behind an unexpected pace battle to spring a $20.40 upset in Saturday's $20,000 Dowd Mile Stakes at Fonner Park.

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:00

Bella's Sister wins stakes debut to stay undefeated

Bella's Sister remained undefeated in three starts by winning the $50,000 Hallowed Dreams Stakes by three lengths Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

Early pacesetter Trickin G finished second in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies, two lengths in front of Sheza Sexy A. P., who nosed out Right to Rule.

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:00

Grove finishes strong to win Laurel training title

A strong finish enabled Chris Grove to overtake perennial leader Scott Lake and win his first training title at Laurel Park's winter meet that ended Saturday.

Grove, 40, began the final week of the 15-week meet two wins behind Lake, who has won 12 of the last 16 training titles at Laurel and Pimlico. Grove moved into a first-place tie with a two-win day Wednesday, took the lead Thursday with one victory, and then won another race Friday. Both Grove and Lake saddled two winners on Saturday's closing card, leaving Grove in front, 27-25.

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:00

Noble's Promise may not move on to Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - It was getaway day on Sunday at Oaklawn Park, with the top finishers from the Arkansas Derby moving up the road to Louisville, Ky., and Zenyatta heading home to Southern California.

The first three finishers from the Arkansas Derby - Line of David, Super Saver, and Dublin - all are en route to Churchill Downs for the May 1 Derby.

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 00:00

Dirt proves no obstacle for Zenyatta

Barbara D. Livingston
Zenyatta powers home to win Friday's Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park by 4 1/4 lengths.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Zenyatta proved she is just as good, if not better, on dirt Friday at Oaklawn, when she remained undefeated in 16 starts by winning the . That's bad news for those pointing to the Breeders' Cup this fall at Churchill Downs as Zenyatta's goal is a return trip to the championship series.

Zenyatta was making her second start of the year in the Apple Blossom, a race she also won in 2008 while making her only other start on dirt.

"This obviously was a great performance," said John Shirreffs, who trains Zenyatta for Jerry and Ann Moss. "She ran terrific."

Sat, 04/10/2010 - 00:00

Dream Nettie gets measured ride in La Puente

By Steve Andersen

ARCADIA, Calif. - Dream Nettie won his stakes debut in Saturday's at Santa Anita under an ideal ride from jockey Joe Talamo.

Dream Nettie ($20) ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.80, holding off a late run from Lucky Rave to win by three-quarters of a length. Bogie finished third in the field of eight 3-year-olds, closing from last to miss by 1 1/4 lengths.