Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

Lookinforthesecret solidies status as top local sprinter

Lookinforthesecret cemented his claim as the top local sprinter on the grounds at Tampa Bay Downs when he went to the front and posted a 3 1/2-length victory in the $75,000 Super Stakes.

With regular rider Daniel Centeno aboard for his fourth winner on the program, Lookinforthesecret ($6) cut out blistering fractions of 44.64 seconds for the half and 1:09.68 for six furlongs while opening a five-length lead, then had more than enough left to hit the wire comfortably in front while covering the seven furlongs in 1:23.18.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

Spotsgone goes wire to wire in Essex

Spotsgone led throughout for a length win over Jonesboro in the $100,000 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park. It was another half-length back in third to Gouldings Green.

Spotsgone ($17.40) moved to the lead soon after the start of the 1 1/16-mile race for older horses, and put up fractions of 23.27 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.18 for the half-mile mark, and six furlongs in 1:12. He remained in command into the stretch, then held off charges from Jonesboro and Gouldings Green.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

High Resolve cruises to fifth in row

High Resolve remained undefeated and kept her streak of being on the lead at every call intact as she scored an easy 2 3/4-length victory Saturday in the $58,800 Princess Stakes at Bay Meadows.

High Resolve, by Put It Back, the sire of Smokey Stover, cruised to the lead from the rail and never had a serious challenge in the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, winning in 1:09.92. Tail Spin Topper and stablemate Mini Tales finished second and third.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

Indian Blessing stays perfect

NEW ORLEANS - Indian Blessing passed her distance test in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Silverbulletday, but not by much.

She had won at the distance before, in the slop at Monmouth Park in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but this was the Fair Grounds, a course with a long stretch that does not favor speed - and they still couldn't catch her.

She ran her record to a perfect 5 for 5, including four graded stakes victories.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

No one can catch Beau Dare

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The instructions were simple. The repercussions were none.

Trainer Bruce Levine told jockey Chuck Lopez to make sure Beau Dare secured the early lead in Saturday's Correction Handicap at Aqueduct and if she got used up in a speed duel with the speedy Mulligatawny, so be it.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

Revamped surface gets thumbs up

ARCADIA, Calif. - After a week-long break for a much-needed renovation project, racing resumed at Santa Anita on Saturday over a synthetic track that met the approval of several jockeys that rode in the first race.

The $20,000 claiming race over 1 1/16 miles was won by the front-runner Ghosttrapper, who was timed in 1:43.30, slower than the fast times recorded before the track was renovated.

The track had a "good cushion," according to jockey David Flores, who finished third aboard Brother Pegasus. "It feels much safer. Hopefully, it will stay that way."

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

Bsharpsonata scores by nose in slop

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Turf or dirt, long or short, rain or shine, it apparently doesn't matter to Bsharpsonata.

Turning back in distance and switching from grass to a sloppy main track couldn't deter the versatile Bsharpsonata, who outgamed the previously undefeated Keep the Peace by a nose to win Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

Servis shipper dazzles in win

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Usually superlative efforts come during weekend cards, when higher quality races are carded, but last week two outstanding efforts were turned in on weekday cards.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 00:00

War Pass avoids trouble in workout

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The racetrack at the Palm Meadows training center was all but deserted when War Pass came out to work several minutes after sunrise on Saturday. Yet despite War Pass having the course nearly all to himself, trainer Nick Zito had a few anxious moments while watching his colt complete what should be his next-to-last work in preparation for his much anticipated 3-year-old debut at Gulfstream Park later this month.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 00:00

Win lifts rider's spirits

Jockey James Lopez has not seen his wife and 4-year-old son since returning to riding last summer, so his victory last weekend aboard Big Glen in the $50,000 WEBN Stakes at Turfway helped temporarily abate his loneliness.

"Winning that race was amazing, almost hard to explain," said Lopez.

He had not won a stakes race since 2004. In a Turfway spill in March 2005, Lopez suffered a collarbone fracture that required five screws and a plate to repair.