Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Zenyatta headed to Vanity

NGLEWOOD, Calif. - Aside from being the trainer of Zenyatta, John Shirreffs may be the undefeated filly's biggest fan.

"She just amazes me like she does everyone else," Shirreffs said.

Saturday, Zenyatta stretched her unbeaten streak to five with a convincing victory in the $183,300 Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park. Zenyatta was bounced around at the start, and lagged at the back of the field of five until the final turn, when she unleashed a rally that quickly carried her to the front. Zenyatta won by 2 1/2 lengths, virtually unchallenged.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Lincoln: Hot Jelly Jam all the way

Hot Jelly Jam took control at the start and cruised home to a 5 1/4 length win in the $15,720 Bluegrass Stakes for fillies and mares at the Lincoln State Fair.

Hot Jelly Jam, an 8-year-old mare ridden by Luis Ranilla for trainer Dan Coughlin, covered the six furlongs in 1:13.20 over a fast track and returned $8.60.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Assiniboia Downs: Its Launch Time takes stakes

Its Launch Time ($8.70) took over on the turn and went on to score by 1 1/4 lengths over favored Mikayla's Baby in the $50,000 Golden Boy at Assiniboia Downs. Desmond Bryan rode Its Launch Time, who became a stakes winner for trainer Monica Russell.

Its Launch Time ran the six furlongs in 1:12.00. Mr Exspeedient was third.- Bill Tallon

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Canterbury Downs: Pro Pink in a squeaker

Pro Pink just held off Sole of the City by a nose in the $50,000 Hoist Her Flag Stakes at Canterbury Park. Awsugahnow finished third, another three-quarters of a length behind.

Pro Pink ($6.80), ridden by Derek Bell for trainer Mac Robertson, completed the six furlongs in 1:11.34.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Emerald: Startjumpin Marnie wins battle

Startjumpin Marnie engaged Enumclaw Girl at the top of the stretch, then prevailed after a prolonged drive to win the $60,000 Federal Way Handicap for 3-year-old fillies by a neck in 1:14.60 for 6 1/2 furlongs at Emerald Downs. It was 8 1/2 lengths back to third-place Rain Shadow.

Startjumpin Marnie, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Leslie Mawing, paid $5.20.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Presque Isle Downs: Bucky's Pride rallies

Bucky's Pride rallied in late stretch to prevail by a neck in the $100,000 Cozy and Lace at Presque Isle Downs. Dhanyata led at the top of the stretch but could not hold off the winner late and was second by a neck.

The 3-2 favorite, Just for Keeps, was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Bucky's Pride ($25.60), ridden by Luis Gonzalez for trainer Gerald Bennett, ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1.03.22.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Golden Gate: Sudan wires turf route

Favored Sudan ($4.60) led every step of the way and was never challenged in the Grade 3, $100,000 Golden Gate Fields Turf Stakes.

Sudan, going 1 3/8 miles on turf under David Flores, registered a four-length victory over Fitz Flag in 2:16.86. Uffizi was third, one length behind the late-closing Fitz Flag.

An Irish-bred now trained by Bobby Frankel, Sudan had won the Group 1 Gran Premio di Milano last June in Italy.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

All eyes on Indyanne in season debut

ALBANY, Calif. - Indyanne, who could be the most exciting horse in Northern California, returns to the races Friday in a 5 1/2-furlong $50,000 optional claimer.

The 3-year-old filly, who has won her two career starts by a combined 16 lengths, had minor ankle surgery last year after winning the Bay Meadows Debutante on Sept.o8.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Polynesian Kitty rallies

Polynesian Kitty ($9.90), rallying under Jake Olesiak, was up in time for a half-length victory in Sunday's six-furlong La Verendrye at Assiniboia Downs.

Trained by Jamie Ness, Polynesian Kitty had finished fifth in a one-mile turf allowance at Tampa Bay Downs in her only previous start this season.

Des Moines, who set all the pace as the even-money favorite, held on for second in the La Verendrye, a $50,000 race for fillies and mares. R Lucinda ran third in the field of eight.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 00:00

Margo's Gift up in time

Margo's Gift rallied along the rail to be up in the final strides in Sunday's $60,000 Pepsi-Cola Handicap for 3-year-olds, winning by a neck over the pacesetting Easy Going Cecil, with race favorite Gallon just a head farther back in third.

Margo's Gift, a son of Polish Gift from the barn of trainer Doris Harwood, covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.20 under Ricky Frazier and returned $6.40 to win as the second choice in a field of seven. He earned $32,450 for owner Ken Alhadeff's Elttaes Stable, bringing his career earnings to $283,664 from 6 wins in 9 starts.