Mon, 01/05/2009 - 00:00

Local jocks vs. California invaders

Teams from Portland Meadows and Golden Gate Fields face off at Portland on Wednesday in the inaugural XpressBet Jockey Challenge.

The event matches the top four riders from Portland Meadows and Golden Gate Fields and will consist of four races (4-7) on the Portland Meadows card.

The Portland Meadows team consists of Debbie Hoonan-Trujillo, David Lopez, Mark Anderson, and Javier Matias.  The Golden Gate contingent is topped by Russell Baze, Thoroughbred racing’s all-time winningest rider, and he will be joined by Kyle Kaenel, Francisco Duran, and Leslie Mawing.

Mon, 01/05/2009 - 00:00

Some Ghost lands fourth straight Dominguez Memorial

Some Ghost won the $100,000 Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap for the fourth consecutive year on Sunday, when he drew clear by a 1 3/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile race for older New Mexico-breds at Sunland Park.

Captain Cooper finished second, while it was another 1 1/4 lengths back to ZZ Dome in third. Cattleman Prospect, the favorite, finished fourth, a head behind ZZ Dome.

Sun, 01/04/2009 - 00:00

Tizfiz takes San Gorgonio on front end

ARCADIA, Calif. - In many ways, Tizfiz is turning out to be a steal.

Claimed for $50,000 here in October, she won her graded stakes debut in the $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap at Santa Anita on Sunday, setting a slow pace and leading throughout.

The race strategy that trainer Rafael DeLeon told jockey Agapito Delgadillo was simple.

"He said to go to the front and go as slow as you can," Delgadillo recalled.

Sun, 01/04/2009 - 00:00

Northern Soldier stages successful invasion

Class trumped current form as Southern California shipper Northern Soldier, who had been facing graded stakes opposition, traveled to Turf Paradise and captured Saturday's $50,000 Swift Stakes.

Sun, 01/04/2009 - 00:00

Gemswick Park takes Old Hat blanket finish

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Gemswick Park survived a stretch-long battle with 4-5 favorite Elusive Heat and the undefeated Frolic's Dream to post a well deserved nose decision in Sunday's Grade 3, $100,000 Old Hat Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park.

Sun, 01/04/2009 - 00:00

Justwhistledixie delivers in Ruthless

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Justwhistledixie lived up to her 2-5 favoritism, taking command just inside the three-sixteenths pole under Rajiv Maragh and drawing clear to a 3 1/2-length victory in Sunday's $70,795 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

Gnome's Delight rallied to be second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Ocarson. Unveil the Mask, Indian Rush, and Could Be Us completed the order of finish. J.J. Cuvee scratched.

Sun, 01/04/2009 - 00:00

Patient Gomez helps Jibboom find right path

ARCADIA, Calif. - In a race where trips were paramount, Jibboom threaded her way between rivals under deft handling by jockey Garrett Gomez, and, by avoiding the severe traffic troubles that plagued some of her rivals, was able to capture the Grade 3, $100,000 Monrovia Handicap on the hillside turf course on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Jibboom ($5.40), the favorite, was able to shake free from between horses in the final yards and got up to beat Christiana's Heat by a half-length, with an extremely unlucky Lethal Heat another half-length back in third.

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 00:00

Lord Snowdon rallies from last

Lord Snowdon came from last to run down the leaders and score a three-quarter-length victory over Sharps Island in the $50,000 Native Diver Stakes at Laurel on Saturday.

Making his second start following a five-month layoff, Lord Snowdon trailed the field as I'vegottabeme and P V Lightening set the early pace. P V Lightening took control on the backstretch and was then challenged for the lead at on the far turn by Sharps Island.

Jockey Jeremy Rose angled Lord Snowdon five wide in the stretch and he edged away after collaring the top pair at the sixteenth pole.

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 00:00

Loch Dubh takes Prevue in stakes debut

Loch Dubh overhauled Back to Gold at the sixteenth pole and quickly strode clear to capture his stakes debut in the $50,000 Turfway Park Prevue in Florence, Ky., on Saturday.

With Victor Lebron riding for owner Texas Toyco LLC and trainer Jeff Talley, Loch Dubh finished two lengths before Back to Gold, while Rudy Flyer, the 2-5 favorite and early leader, was another 3 1/2 lengths back in third.

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 00:00

Star Guitar impresses in Dixie Poker Ace

Star Guitar was the consummate professional while winning the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace by a length at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

Running his record to a gaudy 5 for 6, Star Guitar won under a new jockey, in his first attempt at two turns, and in a race that was taken off the turf and put onto a muddy Fair Grounds main track.

With the race's longest shot, Classy Deelites, setting a modest early pace, Star Guitar rated, waiting for the top of the stretch to make his move. When asked by jockey Corey Lanerie, Star Guitar angled out and rallied to get by Classy Deelites.