Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Keogh's pair appears on path to the Oaks

Michael Burns
Woodsmoke wins Sunday's Fury by 2 1/4 lengths in her stakes debut.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodsmoke and her stablemate Politelyprecocious were traveling well under the radar when they finished first and third as an entry in a seven-furlong maiden race here April 19.

Now, both have emerged as candidates for the June 7 Woodbine Oaks after Woodsmoke upset Sunday's seven-furlong Fury, one day after Politelyprecocious graduated smartly at the same distance for trainer Mike Keogh.

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Woodsmoke wins depsite being rank

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodsmoke ($28.70) led most of the way to register an upset victory in Sunday's $151,200 Fury Stakes at Woodbine.

Not Just a Rumor, the even-money favorite, broke on top in the seven-furlong sprint, before Woodsmoke took control through fractions of 22.79 and 45.06 seconds. High Mist and Mullins Beach both entered contention in the final furlong, but Woodsmoke dug in and prevailed by 2 1/4 lengths, in a time of 1:22.67.

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Slater's Peanuts too good at Prairie

Slater's Peanuts turned Saturday night's Golden Circle Stakes for 3-year-olds into a procession at Prairie Meadows. Breaking sharply from post 6, the Kenny Smith-trained Slater's Peanuts was unchallenged and blazed his way to a meet-best clocking of 1:09.38 for six furlongs.

Needing only minimal encouragement from jockey Tim Doocy, the son of Monashee Mountain won by 7 3/4 lengths for his first stakes victory. Albacore Bob rallied from eighth to finish second.

Slater's Peanutscollected $30,000 for owners/breeders Dream Walkin Farms Inc. and Jico Inc.

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Heaven on Hold upsets at Hastings

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Heaven On Hold paid $32.50 for her upset win in the $50,335 Brighouse Belles at Hastings on Sunday.

With Fernando Perez aboard, Heaven On Hold broke sharply and then led at every call of the 6 1/2-furlong feature. Trained by Troy Taylor, Heaven On Hold set honest fractions of 21.94 and 45.25, while on her way to posting a final time of 1:17.54

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Feisty Suances wins with ease

ALBANY, Calif. - Heavily favored Feisty Suances ($2.80) scored the first stakes win of his career with a wire-to-wire victory in the $75,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Miss Missile returns a winner at Fonner

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Miss Missile returned to Fonner Park and picked up where she left off with a strong 4 3/4-length win in the $25,750 Al Swihart Memorial Stakes as the track closed out its season Saturday.

Trained by Charles Smith, Miss Missile opened the season here Feb. 14 with a win in the half-mile Bold Accent Stakes. She was returned to her base in Texas and had not raced since, returning on Saturday to score as the 3-2 favorite in the field of 10. Beth Butler picked up the ride after Damon Leeds was injured in a starting gate mishap earlier on the card.

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Flawless Gold takes turf debut in Tellike

OPELOUSAS, La. - Flawless Gold, in her first attempt on grass, took control of Saturday night's $50,000 Tellike Stakes at Evangeline Downs soon after the start and cruised to a 3 1/2-length win. Fellow longshot Dubin finished second with Alphadoodle reporting home third.

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Highland Games closes meet with bang

PHOENIX - Highland Games picked a good time for his first turf victory, capturing the $50,000 Hasta La Vista Handicap Sunday, the traditional closing-day feature at Turf Paradise.

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Star of Whitney wins in homecoming

PHOENIX - Returning to her home base and dropping out of graded stakes company did the trick for Star of Whitney, as the 6-year-old mare captured Saturday's $50,000 Desert Sky Handicap at Turf Paradise.

Mon, 05/04/2009 - 00:00

Kruger Park shows he loves Emerald

AUBURN, Wash. - Emerald Downs newcomer Kruger Park raced to an impressive victory Sunday in the $30,000 Seattle Handicap, the meeting's first stakes event for older horses. Claimed out of his last start at Santa Anita for $50,000, Kruger Park zipped six furlongs in 1:08.60 and paid $12.40. Assessment was three-quarters of a length behind in second, and 45-1 longshot Reel Prime rallied to finish third.