Littlemiss Allison remained undefeated in five starts when she stalked and pounced her way to a 1 3/4-length win over Timely Reflection in the $50,000 Sam Houston Oaks at Sam Houston Race Park. Littlemiss Allison came into the race off three consecutive stakes wins at Northlands Park in Edmonton.
Paul Nolan ($10.40) rode the winner, who covered the mile over a fast track in 1:39.19.
Jonesboro gave every indication he was sitting on a big race leading up to the Grade 3, $150,000 Razorback Breeders' Cup at Oaklawn Park, and he delivered on Saturday when he coasted to a 2 1/4-length win before an ontrack crowd of 17,052.
Gouldings Green finished second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Going Ballistic.
Zanjero, the 118-pound highweight, and Spotsgone, who in his last start won the $100,000 Essex Handicap locally, were both scratched.
Sundays Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap at Santa Anita was supposed to be a summit between top-class Nashoba's Key and unbeaten Zenyatta. But when Zenyatta scratched, Nashoba's Key dominated the proceedings in the meet's marquee event for older distaffers at 1 1/8 miles.
Ariege was unable to beat Golden Doc A when they met on turf in the Blue Norther here Dec. 30. However, a couple more months of getting comfortable in her new surroundings after shipping in from Europe, more ground, and a move to Cushion Track helped Ariege turn the tables as she earned her first stakes win by taking Saturdays Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Hystericalady established herself as a top contender for next months Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park by taking down the local prep for the race, the Grade 3, $175,000 Azeri Breeders Cup, by 3 1/2 lengths Sunday. Brownie Points finished second, a length and a quarter in front of Clever Strike.
SAN MATEO, Calif. Autism Awareness, the longest shot on the board, made a strong move in the stretch and pulled clear late to win the Grade 3, $150,000 El Camino Real Derby at Bay Meadows on Saturday. He paid $126 to win.
"What a Cinderella story," said owner Johnny Taboada, who purchased Autism Awareness at the CTBA Northern California sale in his hometown of Pleasanton in September of 2006 for $1,000. The colt was named for his 8-year-old son Renzo, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Four jockeys were unseated in a chain-reaction incident in Saturday's fifth race at Bay Meadows after Little G Man fell on the far turn after apparently clipping heels with Latin.
David Lopez, the rider of Little G Man, and Luis Martinez, rider of Knoblock, both suffered broken ribs in the spill but were released after being examined at Stanford Hospital after the accident.
Lopez had a bruise on his right thigh, a fractured rib on his right side and a slight concussion. Martinez suffered a broken rib and a slight fracture in his back.
OLDSMAR Fla. - Three young runners who figure to be part of the Florida Cup Day program at Tampa Bay Downs on April 6 took important steps in their careers this past week.
Last Tuesday, trainer Tom Proctor sent out Tight Precision to win a seven-furlong maiden special weight race. She stalked the leaders under the confident handling of Jose Velez Jr., then pulled away with a flourish through the final furlong to be eight lengths clear of the field, earning an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.
NEW ORLEANS - On her third try, Proud Spell figured out Indian Blessing, coming home 2 1/2 lengths in front of her previously unbeaten rival on Saturday in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks.
The victory improved Proud Spell's record to four victories from six races, and avenged the only two losses of her career, and set her up as one of the favorites for the Kentucky Oaks.
Trained by Larry Jones and ridden by Gabriel Saez, Proud Spell covered the race's 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.01, and paid $5.80 to win as the second favorite.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Sir Greeley made a triumphant homecoming Saturday, rallying along the rail and running past Man of Danger inside the eighth pole to win the Grade 3, $106,200 Toboggan Handicap by three-quarters of a length at sloppy Aqueduct.
It was 1 3/4 lengths back to Ravalo in third. Bold Start and Santana Strings completed the order of finish.