OLDSMAR, Fla. - While the locally based horses weren't fortunate enough to win any of the three graded races at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, they certainly made their presence felt.
In the Grade 3, $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby, Schoolyard Dreams ran a winning race, and while he lost by a nose to Odysseus, there were many fans who left the grounds Saturday evening swearing he had, indeed, won the biggest race of the meeting.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Trainer John Shirreffs won the Kentucky Derby five years ago with Giacomo, but hardly anyone remembers. Shirreffs has been too busy cornering the older female division in the last two years.
Shirreffs, after all, is best known as the trainer of the undefeated Zenyatta as well as Zardana, who upset 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds last Saturday.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Annihilation's stretch kick has proven successful in turf sprints in Louisiana and California this year.
After winning the A.B. Leggio Memorial Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Fair Grounds in January, Annihilation won her first stakes on her home circuit in Southern California in Sunday's at Santa Anita.
The win affirmed trainer Dan Hendricks's impressions from last spring that Annihilation would thrive on turf. She lost her first five starts, all on the main track.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - A better start led to a better finish for Warbling in Sunday's Grade 2 Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Hampered by a slow start in last month's Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie in which she finished third, Warbling broke cleanly from the gate Sunday under Julien Leparoux and led throughout in winning the by 3 3/4 lengths. Tar Heel Mom finished second, 4 1/4 lengths ahead of Pretty Prolific in third.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Compared to the euphoria displayed by more than 20,000 racing fans after Zenyatta's win in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita on Saturday, the scene at trainer John Shirreffs's barn at Hollywood Park on Sunday morning was much more placid.
The smiles on Shirreffs's face, and on the faces of his staff, were still evident, though.
"This is the enjoyment phase," Shirreffs said.
NEW ORLEANS - Rachel Alexandra's connections decided on Sunday to forgo a start in the Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn and a meeting with Zenyatta.
"I decided today she will not be going to the Oaklawn Invitational on April 9," owner Jess Jackson said in a press release.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Buddy's Saint is off the Kentucky Derby trail after a chip was discovered in his right front ankle following a five-furlong workout in 1:01.30 at Gulfstream Park on Sunday morning.
"He didn't really work that good, he didn't gallop out real well," trainer Bruce Levine said. "He cooled out sore, we took some pictures, and discovered a chip in his right front ankle."
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Fonner Park canceled its card for Sunday after moisture continued seeping through the base of the track. Racing was called off after the third race on Saturday with the riders citing unsafe conditions.
Officials started putting sand down on the track Sunday morning, but moisture from winter frost continued coming out and the decision to cancel was made to protect the racing surface.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Zenyatta displayed her brilliance, and continued perfection, in Saturday's at Santa Anita, extending her winning streak to 15 races.
In her first start since a historic win in the Breeders' Cup Classic here in November, Zenyatta used her customary come-from-behind style to win the Santa Margarita by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths over 51-1 Dance to My Tune.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Sidney's Candy, left alone on the lead, roared home after setting soft fractions to capture the for 3-year-olds by a half-length on Saturday at Santa Anita.
Interactif closed resolutely to finish second, and Caracortado, the 7-5 favorite, finished third, another 1 1/2 lengths in arrears, while suffering the first loss of his career after five victories.
