DEL MAR, Calif. - Richard's Kid, who only joined trainer Bob Baffert's barn two months ago after a moderate career spent largely in Maryland, broke through for the biggest win of his career of Sunday, shocking a star-studded field in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar.
The comebacking jockey Dale Cordova, 45, rode his first winner since 1998 on Saturday night at Remington Park, when he guided J.J.'s Indy to a three-length win in the third race, a maiden special weight route race. Cordova returned to the saddle late last month after having retired 11 years ago in order to travel less and be more involved with the upbringing of his children. At the time, he was 34.
J.J.'s Indy ($6.40) was the rider's 13th mount since he launched his comeback. J.J.'s Indy is trained by Cindy Monroy.
CINCINNATI - By his own count, Corey Lanerie has been to River Downs four times.
"I've won the Cradle twice and now the Bassinet once," Lanerie said Saturday in the River Downs winner's circle after guiding All About Anna to a six-length triumph in the $100,000 Bassinet Stakes.
The trip couldn't have gone any smoother for All About Anna. Sent away as the favorite in a field of 10 2-year-old fillies, she broke sharply before settling in behind the dueling leaders in the six-furlong race.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Rendezvous nipped Battle of Hastings in the final stride to win Sunday's $350,000 Del Mar Derby, a race overshadowed by an injury to Oceanside Stakes winner Afleet Eagle, who was pulled up on the final turn.
Rendezvous ($46) ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.88, winning his first stakes in his fifth try.
Under a well-timed ride by Real Simard, Cool Ventura captured the by 2 3/4 lengths at Northlands Park Sunday.
Cool Ventura appeared to be eager during the early stages of the race, but Simard got him to relax behind a quick pace set by the 4-5 favorite, Approval Rating. He made a strong move around the stretch turn, and after making up almost eight lengths in the stretch, Cool Ventura was a comfortable winner over Approval Rating, who held on to finish second. I'm the Guy made a late move to finish third.
DEL MAR, Calif. - The freakishly fast Zensational won his fourth straight race, and third consecutive Grade 1 race, in his final prep for the Breeders' Cup Sprint with a 2 1/4-length romp in the Grade 1, $300,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes on Sunday at Del Mar.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Bill Mott gave himself options this weekend with his promising 3-year-old turf horse Al Khali, entering him in Saturday's $250,000 Kent Breeders' Cup at Delaware and Sunday's $107,000 Saranac Stakes at Saratoga.
Though he opted for the lesser pot, Mott found himself in the winner's circle after Al Khali swept past Reservoir in midstretch and bounded home a 1 1/4-length victory over longshot El Crespo in the It was a neck back to Armstrong Mill in third.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Guipago ($13.40) closed strongly in the stretch to get the job done in the at Woodbine Sunday.
Guipago bided his time at the back of the pack on the backstretch, as Paso Doble set honest fractions in the one-mile turf route. Guipago commenced his rally in the two path exiting the turn, and went by Paso Doble in the late stages to prevail by a half-length in 1:34.33. Favored Mr. Foricos Two U wound up third in the 11-horse field of Ontario-sired 3-year-old.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Get Serious won a third straight stakes at Monmouth Park, holding off Pleasant Strike by a neck Sunday in the
A 5-year-old New York-bred gelding trained by John Forbes, Get Serious started the stakes streak in the Battlefield on July 11 and secured another win in the off-the-turf Oceanport on the Haskell Day undercard.
In all three races, Get Serious scored a front-running victory with Pablo Fragoso aboard.
