Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:00

Russell Road romps to fourth straight victory

Russell Road solidified his status as the top 2-year-old on the grounds at Charles Town by cruising to an 8 1/4-length victory in Saturday night's $132,525 Tri-State Futurity.

In winning his fourth straight race since going on Lasix, Russell Road ($2.40) covered the seven furlongs in 1:26.09 and earned a career-best 89 Beyer Speed Figure. Luis Perez was aboard for trainer James Casey.

Royal Store got up for second at 18-1, finishing a half-length in front of Pagan Cat, the winner of the Vincent Moscarelli Memorial on last month's West Virginia Breeders Classic card.

Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:00

Icy Atlantic catches a break

MIAMI - The complexion of the $150,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup, marquee event on Saturday's Florida Million card at Calder, changed within seconds after the race began when even-money favorite Soldier's Dancer stumbled leaving the starting gate, unseating his rider, Manoel Cruz. Without Solider's Dancer to contend with, Icy Atlantic posted a 1 1/4-length decision over Magic Mecke in the 1 1/8-mile Bonnie Heath.

Sun, 11/09/2008 - 00:00

Amazing keeps nose in front, avoids DQ

MIAMI - Amazing led throughout, then had to sweat out both a photo finish and jockey's objection before being declared the winner of Saturday's $200,000 Elmer Heubeck Distaff Handicap, one of the main events on Calder's Florida Million program.

Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:00

Another carryover: $112,000 for Sunday

INGLEWOOD, Calif.-For the fifth time in the first two weeks of the fall meeting, there is a pick six carryover at Hollywood Park - $112,486 for Sunday's nine-race program.

The pick six covers the fourth through ninth races on a program that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.

There were only a few changes at Saturday's scratch time. In the fifth race, Tyler Baze will ride Mister Fips in a six-furlong allowance race on turf.

In the sixth race, Stop on the Way, Carla D and Siberian Tango are scratched from a maiden claiming race for 2-year-old fillies.

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.