Sun, 07/19/2009 - 00:00

Asmussen sweeps Prairie stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa - Trainer Steve Asmussen shipped in a colt from his Churchill Downs string and a filly from his Lone Star Park outfit to easily sweep the final two stakes of the Prairie Meadows Thoroughbred meet, the $50,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile and the $50,000 Prairie Gold Lassie. Asmussen's talented duo easily dismissed their opponents in similar fashion in the five-furlong stakes.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

Improving Misremembered takes Swaps

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Just when lucrative opportunities for 3-year-olds on the main track are drawing to a close in Southern California, Misremembered seems to have figured out racing.

On Saturday at Hollywood Park, Misremembered won his first stakes in the . The Grade 2 Swaps is the final two-turn graded stakes of the year on the main track for 3-year-olds in Southern California. The graded stakes schedule for the rest of the year is dominated by turf races and one-turn events.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

Vito Filitto takes Minstrel

Vito Filitto gave jockey Francisco Torres his fourth winner on the card Saturday at Louisiana Downs, when he drove home by 1 1/2 lengths in the $50,000 Minstrel. Chance Meister finished second in the five-furlong turf race for 2-year-olds, while it was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Perfect Lou in third.

Vito Filitto ($6.60) stalked the pace set by Becca's Beau, who led the field through an opening quarter-mile in 21.91 seconds. The eventual winner moved to the lead in the stretch and covered the distance in 57.04 seconds.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

Littlemiss Allison upsets in John Patrick Handicap

Littlemiss Allison upset heavily favored Tanika in the $50,000 John Patrick Handicap at Northlands Park for fillies and mares on Saturday.

With Rickey Walcott aboard, Littlemiss Allison stalked the early pace set by Ubettorubet, took over the lead going into the stretch turn, and then drew off to post a convincing 5 1/4-length win over Here Comes Ray. Fox on a Ridge made a late move to finish third. Tanika, who was sent off as the 1-2 favorite, stalked the pace before tiring to finish fourth in the five-horse field.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

Evita Argentina scores in A Gleam

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Seven-furlong races are defining Evita Argentina's career.

In Saturday's at Hollywood Park, Evita Argentina won her third seven-furlong stakes, rallying from last in a field of nine to win by two lengths over Silver Swallow.

The victory led trainer John Sadler to list the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint over seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Nov. 6 as a long-term goal.

"I'm hoping she'll be nice and strong for the Breeders' Cup," Sadler said.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

King of the Roxy a winner in return

King of the Roxy made a successful return to racing following a brief retirement and a 15-month layoff, capturing the 40th running of the $50,000 Don Bernhardt Memorial Stakes on Saturday at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky.

Owned by Team Valor International and trained by Todd Pletcher, King of the Roxy pressed the pace from the rail before surging late to edge clear by 1 1/2 lengths under Orlando Mojica. He returned $8 as third choice after finishing 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.24 over a fast track.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

Peach Brew outruns rivals in Arlington Oaks

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - It was not 4-5 pacesetting favorite C. S. Silk, nor was it 2-1 second choice Hot Cha Cha, who caught C. S. Silk at the quarter pole. No, this time it was the plucky Oklahoma-bred Peach Brew, who ran from the back of the pack to win the by a half-length over fellow late-closer Sweet and Flawless.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

Silver Timber bests Heros Reward

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Silver Timber, with Eibar Coa riding, wins the Grade 3 Jaipur Stakes.

Silver Timber went from the claim box to a graded stakes winner in the short span of only three races.

A gray 6-year-old gelding, Silver Timber won the on the turf Saturday at Belmont Park. It was the third straight win of what turned into an interesting odyssey.

It started at Gulfstream Park, where Silver Timber got up in the final strides and was claimed for $25,000 by trainer Chad Brown for Michael Dubb and High Grade Racing Stables.

Back at Belmont, Silver Timber captured a second-level optional claimer for New York breds.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

Battle of Hastings up at wire

Jeff Coady/Coady Photography
Battle of Hastings (center) gets up in the final head-bob to defeat Straight Story (right) in the Grade 2 Virginia Derby.

Battle of Hastings pinned another agonizing defeat on Straight Story when getting up in the final jumps to post a head triumph Saturday in the at Colonial Downs.

Virtually replicating the results of the June 20 Colonial Cup, Battle of Hastings won a photo over the tough-luck Straight Story, who appeared on his way to victory after pulling clear in midstretch. But Battle of Hastings, ridden by Tyler Baze, launched a furious outside run to barely get up.

Sat, 07/18/2009 - 00:00

Tribesman all the way in Whiting

Odds-on Tribesman ($3.20) broke sharply and was never seriously challenged in winning the $50,000 Sam J. Whiting Handicap at the Alameda County Fair.

The Kjell Qvale homebred outbroke primary rival Bamaha Breeze, who ran second all the way, in the four-horse field that saw each runner maintain the same position the entire race. Tribesman won the six-furlong race by 1 1/2 lengths over Bamaha Breeze, with Guns on the Table third, another two lengths back. Edit This finished last.