ELMONT, N.Y. - The fourth time was the charm for Interpatation, who staged an improbable come-again upset over odds-on Gio Ponti to win Saturday's as the rank outsider at Belmont Park.
Interpatation, whose last two wins had come in back-to-back renewals of the Larry R. Riviello Presidents Cup at Philadelphia Park in 2006-07, finished fourth at 28-1 in the 2006 Turf Classic, third at 19-1 two years ago, and was second at 16-1 last year.
ARCADIA, Calif. - The major preps for the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on Saturday will be a little trickier for the locals, thanks to a few prominent shippers from the East Coast.
Gayego, a stakes winner in California in 2008 and an acquisition of Godolphin Racing's last fall, is a candidate for Sunday's $300,000 Ancient Title Stakes over six furlongs. Gayego won an optional claimer at Saratoga on Aug. 19 in his only start this year.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Bold Chieftain won Saturday's $200,000 California Cup Classic when Grazen, the 4-5 favorite, was pulled up by jockey Garrett Gomez while leading past the eighth pole. He did not finish. Bold Chieftain, who was third in early stretch, won by 1 1/2 lengths over the filly Lethal Heat. Star Nicholas finished third, followed by One Chin Again.
Only four of the six runner finished. The longshot Blackbriar was pulled in the final furlong, while racing behind the leaders. He was later euthanized because of sesamoid injuries, according to trainer Matt Chew.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Her connections may have been leery of the soft Belmont Park turf course, but Pure Clan handled it just fine, thank you, running past Criticism inside the sixteenth pole to win Saturday's by 2 3/4 lengths.
Criticism, who stalked the pace-setting Leamington until the eighth pole, held second by 1 1/4 lengths over Queen of Hearts. She was followed in the order of finish by Moneycantbuymelove, Leamington, Dynaforce, and Beauty O'Gwaun. Carribean Sunset was scratched.
Careless Jewel may have earned herself a spot in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic with an easy 3 1/2-length victory over Bon Jovi Girl in Saturday's
The victory was the fifth in six career starts for Careless Jewel, a 3-year-old daughter of Tapit who captured the Grade 1 Alabama by 11 lengths in her previous start. Her lone loss came in her career debut at Keeneland in April.
Gone Astray won his second straight derby, pulling away Saturday as the heavy favorite in the 75th running of the , the annual showcase event at Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio.
With Eddie Castro riding for the Phipps Stable and trainer Shug McGaughey, Gone Astray drew clear in the final furlong to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths over War Fighter, who set the pace among the seven 3-year-olds contesting the 1 1/8-mile race. The winner returned $2.80 after finishing in 1:50.56 over a fast track.
Sneak a Cold Treat got the jump on the closers and was able to stay clear late in posting a 13-1 upset Saturday in the $100,000 Best of Ohio Endurance at Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio.
Ridden by Huber Villa-Gomez, Sneak a Cold Treat returned $28.80 in finishing two lengths before Allsarott in a field of 11 older horses. Raise the Reward was third, Bold Captain was fourth, while Catlaunch, the 2-1 favorite, faded badly to be 10th.
ARCADIA, Calif. - La Nez ($6.40), dropping back into a restricted race after finishing third in the Grade 1 Darley Debutante at Del Mar, ran down pacesetter Camille C in the final yards to score a 1 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 California Cup Juvenile Fillies on Saturday at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting.
Whispering Hush finished another two lengths back in third. Eric Kruljac trains both La Nez and Whispering Hush.
Kruljac is also co-owner of La Nez, a 2-year-old filly by Storm Creek, with Nezi Simmons.
Brave Tin Soldier edged Pleasant Strike by a nose Saturday to win the on a yielding turf course at the Meadowlands.
The victory was the second in six starts and the first stakes triumph for Brave Tin Soldier since arriving from Dubai earlier this year.
Owned and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Carlos Marquez Jr., Brave Tin Soldier ($11.60) improved to 4 for 25 as he ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.52.
