Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

All Smiles surprises at 19-1

All Smiles ($41.20), the longest shot in a field of seven fillies and mares, outfought odds-on favorite Fascinatin' Rhythm to win the $50,000 Nellie Morse Stakes at Laurel Park.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Hello Again stays perfect

Hello Again remained undefeated in three career starts when she came rolling down the middle of the track for a half-length win over She's Extreme in the $50,000 Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park. It was another neck back in third to 9-5 favorite Shining Moment.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

True Quality withstands pressure

Staking his claim as the fastest gun in the East, True Quality turned back multiple challenges and drew clear to post the first stakes victory of his career in Saturday's $69,330 Paumonok Stakes at Aqueduct.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Soldier's Dancer comes through

ARCADIA, Calif. - On his way to becoming a millionaire, Soldier's Dancer has raced on all types of turf courses. His experience on rain-soaked surfaces was vital to his win in Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at Santa Anita.

Racing on a course rated good and soaked by several hours of light rain, Soldier's Dancer ($4.80) rallied from last in a field of 13 to win the richest race of his career.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Wild Promises, Gilchrist simply too good

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Wild Promises followed the most important victory of her career last month in the Grade 3 My Charmer Handicap with the richest one, cruising to a popular 1 3/4-length victory over Elusive Lady in Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park.

The Filly and Mare Turf was one of four Sunshine Millions stakes to be run at Gulfstream on Saturday, with the four others in the eight-race series for Florida-breds and California-breds run at Santa Anita.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Carroll, Risen Star lose a good one

NEW ORLEANS - The Grade 3 Risen Star here on Feb. 7 lost a little of its luster with the sale of Lecomte Stakes runner-up Patena to IEAH Stables this week. Patena will be leaving Josie Carroll's barn at the Fair Grounds for Rick Dutrow's barn at Gulfstream, where he will be pointed toward races in Florida.

Patena closed strongly behind Friesan Fire Jan. 10 in the one-mile Lecomte, and the extra sixteenth of a mile of the Risen Star would likely have benefitted him. With Patena out, Friesan Fire will likely be an overwhelming favorite in the Risen Star.

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 00:00

Golden Gate adds two $50K stakes

Golden Gate Fields is adding two $50,000 overnight stakes to the schedule at the current meeting.

The McCann's Mojave, at 1 1/16-miles for 4-year-olds and up, will be run on Feb. 14 on the El Camino Real Derby undercard. The King Glorious, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, will be run Feb. 28.

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 00:00

On the Acorn retired

ARCADIA, Calif. - On the Acorn, who rose from a $40,000 claimer to become a multiple graded stakes winner, has been retired because of a recent injury, according to Jack Disney, a member of the partnership that owns the 8-year-old gelding.

On the Acorn was being prepared for a return to racing with trainer Mike Mitchell at Hollywood Park when he was diagnosed with a ligament tear, Disney said in an e-mail.

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 00:00

England packs it in after years as track fixture

David England has quietly slipped out of the racing business. A longtime Turfway Park regular who sold his lawn and landscaping business several years ago to focus on horses, England saddled his last starter when Laura's Jinsky finished second in a maiden-claiming race on Dec. 20 at the Florence, Ky., track.

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 00:00

Albarado heats up at halfway point

NEW ORLEANS - At the halfway mark of the Fair Grounds season, the jockey leader board has a familiar look to it. First place: James Graham, who finished second last year. Second place: Jamie Theriot, who won the title last year for the first time. And third place: Robby Albarado, six-time Fair Grounds leading rider.

After arriving three weeks into the meet, Albarado has made up for lost time by winning at a prodigious 22 percent clip, booting home 10 winners in the last week alone.