Zoomin With Ease drove to a half-length win in the Grade 1, $625,000 Rainbow Futurity for Quarter Horses, a 400-yard race that was delayed when fastest qualifier Love Samba reared and sat down in the starting gate. The Rainbow is one of three major Quarter Horse stakes run during the Ruidoso Downs meet in New Mexico.
Runnning Brook Girl finished second in the race run Sunday, 1 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Favorite Cartel. It was a head back in fourth to Love Samba.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird had his final workout before departing for the West Virginia Derby when he breezed a half-mile Monday over a fast track at Churchill Downs in 48.20 seconds on another cool, sunny morning.
Going shortly after the renovation break at about 8:45 a.m. Eastern, and with jockey Jamie Theriot aboard, Mine That Bird went in fractions of 12.40 seconds, 24.80, and 36.80, with a five-furlong gallop-out time of 1:01.20.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.