INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Starry Pursuit is much more than a turf sprinter.
In Friday's $114,100 Flawlessly Stakes at Hollywood Park, Starry Pursuit extended her speed over a mile on turf, winning by a length over Ginger Pop.
Ridden by Joel Rosario, Starry Pursuit ($14) led throughout, and was timed in 1:35.15. She set a moderate early pace of 23.89 and 48.09 seconds.
"The distance was no problem today, but I don't know what's going to happen later when there's more pace," Rosario said.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In an announcement that brought a collective sigh of relief from all involved, Ellis Park will begin its summer meet Friday after owner Ron Geary and Kentucky horsemen arrived at an agreement Saturday afternoon on account-wagering revenue splits. The meet had been scheduled to open last Friday.
Rick Hiles, president of the Kentucky division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said the deal was consummated Saturday afternoon after Geary has agreed to pay nearly one-third of the takeout toward purses.
INGLEWOOD, Calif.-Hollywood Park has a massive three-day carryover of $1,197,009 on Saturday, a day that features the most lucrative purses of the meeting.
The 11-race program, which begins at noon, features two $750,000 races - the Grade 2 CashCall Mile and Grade 1 American Oaks. There are two other Grade 1 races - the Triple Bend Handicap and Vanity Handicap.
Saturday's pick six covers the sixth through 11th races, and includes three stakes.
ELMONT, N.Y. - With depth in his sprint division, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has the luxury of picking and choosing the best spots for his horses.
In the case of Lucky Island, McLaughlin is perfect in 2008.
Lucky Island won his fourth consecutive race on Friday, taking charge soon after the start under Alan Garcia and rolling to a 4 1/4-length victory over favored Tasteyville in the Grade 2, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap at Belmont Park. It was one length back to Premium Wine in third. Starforaday finished fourth, followed by Council Member. Not for Money scratched.
On the 58th anniversary of his first career win, Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens captured his 3,746th career victory when Any Limit took Friday's Grade 2 First Flight Handicap by a neck at Belmont Park.
Under Cornelio Velasquez, Any Limit assumed the lead soon after the start and carved out fractions of 22.58 seconds, 45.40, 1:10.20, and covered the seven furlongs in 1:23.96 over a sealed, muddy track. She returned $13.60 to win.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - The chances of the world's highest-rated horse making an appearance at Arlington Park on July 12 seem to be fading day by day, but local patrons can take some solace in the fact that even if Saturday's Million Preview Day here winds up Curlin-free, the racing should still be excellent.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Representatives of Kentucky horsemen said they will make a formal proposal Sunday to Ellis Park owner Ron Geary in an attempt to conduct racing at the Henderson, Ky., track, which did not open as scheduled for a 44-day meet on Friday.
Rick Hiles, president of the Kentucky division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said Friday at Churchill Downs that while horsemen "will not back down" from their stance of demanding one-third of revenues from account wagering, they are willing to make other monetary concessions.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The 2008 spring meet at Churchill Downs already was a great one for Kent Desormeaux. After all, he won the Kentucky Derby for the third time when guiding Big Brown to a smashing victory in the 134th running on May 3.
Desormeaux was out of here afterward, returning to New York to ride regularly at Belmont Park. But he returned on two subsequent occasions, most recently on Friday, when he gave Thorn Song a crafty ride to upset heavily favored Einstein in the Grade 2 Firecracker Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Unfurl the Flag, the winner of the Grade 1 Triple Bend Handicap in 2005, was retired recently because of a suspensory injury, according to co-owner Tom Harris.
Unfurl the Flag, 8, had not started since October 2006. During his five-year career from 2002 to 2006, Unfurl the Flag won 7 of 26 starts and $647,935. A gelding, he has been sent to the California Equine Retirement Foundation in Winchester, Calif., Harris said.
On May 29, 2006, Silverfoot won the Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs. His next trip to the winner's circle came Friday at Arlington Park, where Silverfoot captured the Stars and Stripes Handicap by two lengths for his first victory in more than two years.
An 8-year-old gray gelding, Silverfoot came alive under leading rider Rene Douglas - and this was no surprise. Douglas now has won the Stars and Stripes on five occasions, and after saving ground for most of the 1 1/2-mile grass race, Douglas came to the three-eighths pole with a live old horse underneath him.