Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Real Quiet distance no problem for Chocolate Candy

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Chocolate Candy won his stakes debut in Saturday's $100,000 Real Quiet Stakes at Hollywood Park, displaying his affinity for races around two turns.

After winning a maiden race over a mile at Santa Anita on Oct. 4, Chocolate Candy stretched out to 1 1/16 miles in the Real Quiet, winning by 1 1/2 lengths over pacesetter J P Jammer. Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Chocolate Candy ($15.60) was timed in 1:42.25, a stakes record in the fourth running of the race.

Charlie's Moment, the 3-2 favorite, finished third in the field of seven.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Came to Pass sharp following long layoff

PHOENIX - A layoff of nearly 21 months and some tough stakes foes couldn't stop Came to Pass, who posted an upset win in Saturday's $50,000 Caballos del Sol Handicap at Turf Paradise.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Kick On earns shot at Delta Jackpot

Kick On is now being pointed to the Grade 3, $750,000 Delta Jackpot for 2-year-olds next month at Delta Downs after he picked up his fourth straight win Friday night in the track's local prep for the race, the $150,000 Jean Lafitte.

"I've got to go back after winning that one," said Joe Petalino, who trains Kick On for Baccari Racing.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Beulah: Freds My Friend beats 1-9 shot

Freds My Friend took over after a half-mile and drew off in the stretch to win by five lengths in the $50,000 Glacial Princess at Beulah Park.

Trained by Tom Yaegel, Freds My Friend faced only four foes in the Glacial Princess, due to the late scratch of morning-line favorite X's and O's.

Jockey Luis Gonzalez rode Freds My Friend for Yaegel, whose brother Jim recently purchased the 2-year-old filly.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Laurel: Headsandtales repeats Find Handicap score

Headsandtales has a different rider and trainer, but he still found his way back to the Laurel Park winner's circle following the Find Handicap for the second time.

Winless in seven starts since upsetting the 2007 Find at 25-1 for jockey Jonathan Joyce and trainer Robin Graham, Headsandtales ($11.80) came from off the pace to repeat in the 1 1/8-mile turf race for Maryland-breds.

A 5-year-old gelding now trained by Dale Capuano, Headsandtales rallied under Erick Rodriguez to defeat 2-1 favorite Baltimore Bob by 1 1/4 lengths.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Woodbine: Shut It Down wins a new way

Shut It Down, an 11-1 outsider, blew by the rest of the field early in the stretch under Tyler Pizarro to win the $126,200 Frost King Stakes going away at Woodbine on Saturday.

Shut It Down bobbled at the break and got away slowly in the seven-furlong race for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds. Normally a front-runner, he trailed the eight-horse on the backstretch, then loomed into contention on turn.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Top two jocks seek deal

MIAMI - Paco Lopez and Manoel Cruz, who have dominated the jockey standings at Calder all year, were conspicuous by their absence when entries were originally drawn for Sunday and Monday programs.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Acoma saves her best for last

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Acoma saved her best race for her season finale.

Making the last start of her 3-year-old season, which has included victories in the Dogwood and Valley View stakes, Acoma swept past the field with a devastating stretch rally to win the Grade 2, $201,950 Mrs. Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs Saturday.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Strike a Deal clears personal hurdle

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Strike a Deal wins the Grade 2 Red Smith, ending his streak of near misses in graded races.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Strike a Deal finally closed the deal in a graded stakes race.

A bridesmaid in five graded events, Strike a Deal was second to none Saturday, rolling to a seven-length victory over European-invader Lauro in the Grade 2, $150,000 Red Smith Handicap at soggy Aqueduct.

It was three-quarters of a length back to Banrock in third. Always First, Hard Top, Presious Passion, and Wheels Up at Noon completed the order of finish.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Extra distance should help Tenmor

Tenmor will try to make it three in a row when he takes on five other Indiana-bred 2-year-olds in the $100,000 Indiana Futurity on Sunday at Hoosier Park.