Mon, 07/20/2009 - 00:00

Swift Temper scores in Del Cap

STANTON, Del. - Alan Garcia only needed one trip around Delaware Park's main track to learn that speed on the rail was the best place to be. After scoring a front-running victory with Our Edge in the Grade 3 Barbaro Stakes, the New York-based Garcia gave a near-replay ride aboard Swift Temper to steal Sunday's $1 million Delaware Handicap.

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Stumble can't stop Just Jenda

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Just Jenda overcame a stumble at the start to post an 8 1/4-length victory Sunday in the $70,000 Serena's Song Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Monmouth Park.

The Serena's Song is the prep for the Grade 3, $200,000 Monmouth Oaks on Aug. 15.

Just Jenda ($3), ridden by Eddie Castro, quickly got back into the game after the early mishap and took charge turning for home to get her fifth win in nine starts.

The time was 1:41.52 for the mile and 70 yards on the fast track.

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Black Astor sets the pace and hangs on

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Black Astor switched from being a lure to a fighter in Sunday's $142,000 Sunset Handicap at Hollywood Park.

After leading by as many as 10 lengths after the first half-mile, and appearing to be a little more than a pacesetter for the trailing horses, Black Astor fought off the challenges of two rivals to win the Grade 2 race at 1 1/2 miles on turf, posting an upset in a small field.

Black Astor ($14.40) was the second-longest shot in the field and won by two lengths over 1-2 favorite Spring House, who was trying to win his third stakes of 2009.

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Courageous Cat grabs A Gift

ELMONT, N.Y. - Courageous Cat ($6.30) held off Al Khali by three-quarters of a length Sunday to win the $65,950 A Gift Stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf at Belmont Park.

After opening up a clear advantage at the top of the stretch, Courageous Cat dug in as Al Khali made a strong late run.

Kent Desormeaux was aboard for trainer Bill Mott as Courageous Cat ran the 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in 1:39.75 for his second win in five starts.

Mikoshi got third, followed by Hello Broadway and Anaan.

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Fatal Bullet takes Bold Venture in 2009 debut

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Fatal Bullet, Canada's reigning Horse of the Year, won his first start since finishing second in last year's Breeder's Cup Sprint in the $151,350 Bold Venture Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine.

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Blumin Attitude captures Who Doctor Who

OMAHA, Neb. - Blumin Attitude seized the lead after the opening quarter-mile and made all the pace to take Saturday's $28,800 Who Doctor Who Handicap on the third day of the Festival of Racing at Horsemen's Park in Omaha.

Blumin Attitude was the unexpected pacesetter as Heso, the 8-5 favorite in a field of seven, was content to follow the pace then faded through the stretch to finish seventh, beaten nine lengths. Skwhirl checked in second, 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Well Said cruises by six in Meadowlands Pace

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Well Said spoke volumes Saturday night in the $1 million Meadowlands Pace.

The leader of the 3-year-old pacing division delivered another dominant performance, winning the Pace by six lengths as the 2-5 favorite.

With Ron Pierce at the lines, Well Said took charge at the half-mile pole and immediately opened a clear lead.

In the lane, the only competition came not from his nine overmatched rivals, but from the clock. The final time for the one mile was 1:47.60, second best in the Pace to the 1:47 set by Art Official last year.

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Summer Bird works for Haskell showdown

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird continued his pattern of Sunday workouts, breezing six furlongs in 1:13.80 at Monmouth Park.

Summer Bird is slated to take on the sensational filly Rachel Alexandra here on Aug. 2 in the $1 million Haskell Invitational for 3-year-olds.

"He was perfect again," said trainer Tim Ice. "Everything is exactly on schedule. He'll have his final breeze next Sunday. Kent Desormeaux will be here for that."

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Anger at delay after horse injury at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif. - Mad for Plaid, a maiden-claimer trained by Peter Miller, became the first horse euthanized at Del Mar this summer when she broke her left front sesamoids following a workout here on Sunday morning, and a delay in reaching and treating the stricken animal infuriated Joe Harper, the track's president, who said a review would be undertaken.

Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Not Bourbon scratched from Bold Venture

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Not Bourbon, who was slated to make his seasonal debut in Sunday's 6 1/2-furlong Bold Venture here at Woodbine, was announced as a late scratch on Sunday morning.

"He's in great shape," said Roger Attfield, who trains Not Bourbon for owner/breeder Charles Fipke. "I think he's looking for war. He's the kind of horse who runs his heart out, and it looks like a couple of others in there are ready to do the same.

"I don't think I really want a really hard race into him, off a long layoff. I don't think it's the smart thing."