Mon, 08/11/2008 - 00:00

I Vow to Win overcomes awkward start

I Vow to Win ($10.20), despite breaking awkwardly, managed to circle the field to capture the $111,192 Iowa Stallion Futurity on Saturday night at Prairie Meadows.

Trainer Larry Hunt always had high hopes for the Iowa- bred and despite making his second start in seven days I Vow to win lived up to his trainer's expectations winning by 3 1/4 legths. I Vow To win, ridden by Pedro Monterrey, covered the six furlongs in 112.22

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 00:00

Ladyledue sets record in debut

Ladyledue ($14) made her racing debut a memorable one on Saturday, winning the $50,000 Knights Choice Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs by a widening eight lengths in a stakes-record clocking of 1:16.80 for 6 1/2 furlongs. Bella Compana edged favored Mimis Road Warrior for second in a field of six.

Ladyledue, a daughter of Slewdledo who races for John Sather, was trained up to her impressive bow by Bonnie Jenne and was ridden by Ricky Frazier.

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 00:00

Jonesboro wakes up on class drop

Jonesboro ($6.60), dropped in class following a sixth-place finish behind reigning Horse of the Year Curlin in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs, returned to winning form in Saturday's $50,000 Governor's Handicap at Ellis Park.

Pressing the pace of longshot Longley through fractions of 23.68 and 46.73 seconds in the one-mile Governor's Handicap, Jonesboro took command with six furlongs in 1:10.66 and pulled away in the stretch to score by 3 1/4 lengths under Tracy Hebert. He raced a mile in 1:35.86.

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 00:00

Bevys Best dominates Amadevil

Bevys Best took ($4.20) command at the start, shook off a brief challenge in late backstretch and drew off for a five-length win in the $15,600 Amadevil Stakes at Columbus on Saturday night.

Bevys Best covered the six furlongs over a track rated good in 1:12.80 while collecting his third stakes win from four starts this year. Apprentice Chris Fackler, who won three races on the card, was aboard for trainer Larry Staroscik.

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 00:00

Enumerator emerges from pace battle

AUBURN, Wash. - Enumerator ($5) survived a three-horse pace battle through a half-mile in 45.60 seconds, then drew off through the stretch to score a 2 1/4-length victory in Sunday's $50,000 Strong Ruler Stakes for 2-year-olds at Emerald Downs.

Toss'm Again held second by three-quarters of a length over Fast Tacticts, who closed for third in the compact field of five.

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 00:00

Win and Reign wins first career race in stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Win and Reign won his maiden with determination Sunday at Woodbine in the $150,000 Vandal Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for Ontario-foaled 2-year-olds.

Win and Reign ($22.20) broke sharply under David Clark and then dueled with another maiden, Silver Rocket, through moderate fractions.

Win and Reign took control at the eighth pole, and held off a wide-closing El Brujo to prevail by a neck, in a time of 1:10.88. Silver Rocket held third, Mean Green was fourth, and favored Bucephaus faded in the stretch to trail the five-horse field.

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 00:00

Tanika gets it done at 1-9

EDMONTON, Alberta – The margin of victory was just a neck but Stephan Heiler had Tanika well in hand in the closing yards of Sunday’s $50,000 Madamoiselle after repulsing a challenge turning for home from Fox on a Ridge.

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 00:00

Azul Leon takes Best Pal on DQ

By JAY PRIVMAN

DEL MAR, Calif. - Azul Leon on Sunday remained undefeated and retained his position as the leading 2-year-old male in California, but in order to keep both, he needed the help of the stewards following a rough stretch run in the Grade 2, $150,000 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar.

Sun, 08/10/2008 - 00:00

Banrock, Latitude Forty win at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - At 0 for 17, Tom Bush entered Sunday's West Point Handicap having the dubious distinction of being the trainer with the most starters at this year's Saratoga meet without a win.

He no longer holds that title.

Banrock continued his ascension up the New York-bred male turf ranks with an impressive-looking two-length victory in the $111,000 West Point, his third win from four starts this year. Classic Pack, who won this race last year, rallied from last to get up for second by a nose over My Man Lars.

Sat, 08/09/2008 - 00:00

Sky Cape upsets La Jolla

DEL MAR, Calif. - It took more than three months, but Sky Cape completed a stakes hat trick with an upset win in Saturday's $150,000 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar.

Sky Cape won the Harry Henson Stakes at Hollywood Park in April and the Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in May.