At least 10 3-year-olds are likely to run Saturday at Turfway Park in what shapes up as a wide-open 37th running of the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes, the lone major Kentucky Derby prep race of the coming weekend.
Favoritism in the Grade 2 Lane's End could go any number of ways, partly because the Polytrack surface at the Florence, Ky., track has drawn horses with good turf form and others with good dirt form.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Sierra Sunset ran the race of his career to win the Grade 2, $300,000 Rebel at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, and it appears he still has room to improve. He has been getting lessons in rationing his speed and will have another month's worth of education before his next assignment: the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 12.
Sierra Sunset raced in second early in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel, then overtook pacesetter Sacred Journey after six furlongs in 1:11.61. He went on to a three-length win and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 99.
Social Order was moved up to first via the disqualification of original winner Along Came Jones in the $30,000 Princess of Palms Handicap at Turf Paradise.
Along Came Jones, under Daniel Vergara, came out sharply into the lane, bumping into rivals and causing a chain reaction. She continued on for the three-quarter-length win but was disqualified and placed fourth.
Wind Water, a Southern California raider, dominated the proceedings in the $50,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Handicap at Sunland Park.
A 6-year-old gelding trained by Chris Hartman, Wind Water took control of the 6 1/2-furlong event for 3-year-olds and up right from the start. The 3-2 favorite, he coasted home 4 3/4 lengths in front. Absolutely True ran on for second, with longshot Zamrite rallying to finish just a nose back in third.
Wind Water ($5) ran the distance in 1:14.59.
Moneyinmywranglers was a half-length winner over Valid Lil in the $50,000 Mission Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. It was another eight lengths back in third to favorite Annie Savoy.
Moneyinmywranglers ($7.40) stalked the pace set by Valid Lil through a half-mile, then overtook that one and covered the seven furlongs for Texas-bred fillies and mares in 1:24.86.
Richard Eramia rode the winner for co-owner and trainer Sharon Barker.
OLDSMAR, Fla. - Tampa Bay Downs reported a track-record crowd of 12,746 for Saturday's Tampa Bay Derby card, and while many came away stunned and disappointed with the last-place finish of 2-year-old champion War Pass, it was a big day nonetheless.
Attendance was bolstered to some extent by a promotional giveaway, but it was still the highest in the 82-year history of the track.
Stream of Gold finally got his first victory in the United States and did it the hard way, rallying from last to a neck decision over True Cause in the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Handicap at Gulfstream Park.
Ridden by Eddie Castro, Stream of Gold settled at the rear of the 12-horse field after breaking slowly at the beginning of the 11-furlong Mac Diarmida. Stream of Gold commenced his rally after six furlongs, moved quickly to overtake the leader inside the eighth pole, then withstood a final surge from True Cause. Cougar Bay finished third.
Two weeks after an inexplicably poor try in the Santa Anita Handicap, Celtic Dreamin returned to his best form and rallied with determination to prevail narrowly in the $100,000 Crystal Water Handicap for California-bred turf horses at Santa Anita.
The Crystal Water marked the turf debut for Celtic Dreamin, but he was closer to the main track as the field turned into the stretch. Despite getting fanned at least six paths wide when making his rally, Celtic Dreamin persevered under jockey Alex Solis and defeated Mr. Wolverine and pacesetter Lucky J.H. in a three-way photo finish.
There might be pot of gold for those chasing rainbows on St. Patrick's Day at Santa Anita on Monday, because the track will seed the pick six with a carryover of $169,781.25 after no one managed to sweep the wager on Sunday.
Monday's card at Santa Anita begins at 1 p.m. Pacific time. It is an eight-race card, so the pick six will begin with the third race, shortly after 2 p.m.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Eight Belles enhanced her standing as a top Kentucky Oaks candidate on Sunday with a handy length and a quarter win over the previously undefeated Pure Clan in the Grade 3, $100,000 Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third to Kadira.
Eight Belles was the 3-5 favorite over the comebacking Pure Clan,and entered the Honeybee off a pair of blowout wins. The first was a 15-length allowance score at Fair Grounds in January, and the second was a 13 1/2-length rout of the $50,000 Martha Washington here in February.