VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Silly Fella pulled off a $44.40 upset in the $106,373 Jack Diamond Futurity for Canadian-foaled 2-year-old colts and gelding at Hastings on Sunday.
With Chad Hoverson aboard, Silly Fella broke sharply and led from start to finish. Setting moderate fractions of 22.41 and 46.31 seconds, Silly Fella had a one-length lead after the first half-mile. He opened up a 4 1/2-length lead at the top of the stretch and then drew off to win by 8 3/4 lengths over Dyna Stroll.
The multiple Grade 3-winning filly Hightap is being pointed for the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks, said her trainer, Steve Asmussen. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies will be run on the Oklahoma Derby undercard next Sunday.
The program will be the richest of the Remington meet with three stakes worth a cumulative $750,000. The Oklahoma Derby has been boosted from $350,000 to $400,000 for this year's running, while the card will also feature the $150,000 Remington Green.
ARCADIA, Calif.-Get used to it, folks.
Lookin at Lucky continues to win important races, and doesn't mind throwing in a touch of drama in the stretch.
Sunday at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meet, Lookin at Lucky extended his unbeaten streak to four with a vital win in the $299,000 Norfolk Stakes for 2-year-olds, the colt's first start at 1 1/16 miles. The Grade 1 Norfolk was part of the Breeders' Cup Win and You're In program for the BC Juvenile here on Nov. 7, a race in which Lookin at Lucky is expected to be favored.
Sailor's Sister comfortably held off a late bid from More Accord for a 1 1/4-length win Sunday in the $60,000 Chaves County for fillies and mares at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M.
More Accord was a clear second, finishing 2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Let the Musicbegin.
Sailor's Sister ($5) was involved through a half-mile in 46.20 seconds, then took the lead after six furlongs in 1:10. She proceeded to cover the mile on a track rated fast in 1:38.40.
Jockey A.J. Martinez rode the winner for Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and trainer Henry Dominguez.
ARCADIA, Calif.- After her winning performance in Sunday's $300,000 Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting, it is hard to believe that Blind Luck started out in a maiden claimer at Calder back in June.
"That happens sometimes, but not very often," trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.
Blind Luck ($9) made an impressive transition from sprinter to router in the Grade 1 Oak Leaf over 1 1/16 miles, the leading prep for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies here on Nov. 6.
ELMONT, N.Y. - A change of surface may have altered the significance - and for the time the being graded status - of Sunday's Pilgrim and Miss Grillo stakes, but it didn't alter the satisfaction of trainer Todd Pletcher when he swept both races at Belmont Park.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Pool Play overtook favored Ice Bear in the stretch to notch his first stakes Sunday at Woodbine in the 99th running of the Grade 3, $169,875 .
Pool Play ($25.30) trailed early, as Tiz Late set fractions of 24.37 and 48.64 seconds in the nine-furlong Polytrack route.
Pool Play commenced a five-wide rally heading into the far turn, and then hit the front just inside the eighth pole before holding Ice Bear at bay for a one-length win. Palladio wound up third in the eight-horse field. Marlang was scratched.
Littlemiss Allison set a track record of 1:09.60 for six-furlongs at Northlands Park on Saturday.
With Ricky Walcott aboard, Littlemiss Allison stalked odds-on favorite Rare Crystal, who carved out fractions of 22.20 and 45.00 seconds in the optional $40,000 claiming race. Littlemiss Allison took the lead midstretch and was ridden out to post a 3 1/4-length margin over Rare Crystal.
The previous record was 1:09.80 set by Lynn s Dream in 2000.
Littlemiss Allison is trained by Greg Tracy.
Ibboyee remained undefeated in three starts by coasting to an easy 6 3/4-length victory in the 47th running of the on Saturday at Finger Lakes.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Ibboyee ($3) finished the six furlong sprint for New York-bred 2-year-olds in 1:12.23 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85.
The margin of victory was similar to Ibboyee's 6 1/4-romp locally in the $150,900 Aspirant Stakes on Labor Day.
Jockey Cornelio Velasquez, who has been aboard for all three of the Medallist colt's victories, said he believes Ibboyee will improve when he stretches out.
Ms Vanenezza, the only maiden in a field of nine 2-year-old fillies, surprised the competition in Saturday's $76,400 at Delaware Park.
Ridden confidently by Joe Rocco Jr., Ms Vanenezza ($17.60) came from off the pace to win her second career start by 1 1/2 lengths while covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.74. Trained by Juan Vazquez, Ms Vanenezza was sent off the second longest shot on the board despite owning the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure in the field.