Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

Digger runs away from rivals

Digger ($3) proved his big-figure win in his last start was no fluke when he cruised to his first career stakes victory in the $50,000 Deputed Testamony at Laurel Park.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

Favorites much the best

Heavy favorites Secretintelligence ($2.60) and Adorable Jane ($4.20) dominated both of the $75,000, six-furlong restricted stakes at Delaware Park.

The 4-year-old colt Secretintelligence, ridden by Carlos Marquez Jr. for trainer Tim Ritchey, outdueled last year's winner, Scary Bob, and drew off to a two-length score in the Delaware Certified.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

Rgirldoesn'tbluff all the way

Rgirldoesn'tbluff ($27.40) took advantage of a speed-biased racetrack, leading throughout to post a 3 1/2-length upset over even-money favorite Stolen Prayer in the $100,000 U Can Do It Handicap at Calder.

Rgirldoesn'tbluff, a 4-year-old daughter of Pine Bluff, has been back under the shed row of trainer Kirk Ziadie since finishing a well-beaten seventh behind Stolen Prayer in the Ema Bovary Stakes on June 10.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

Turf War wins first stakes

Turf War ($4.60), a full brother to recent Travers runner-up Grasshopper, captured his stakes debut in the $125,000 Swynford for 2-year-olds at Woodbine.

Turf War stalked the leaders on the outside under Patrick Husbands and wore down front-running Storm Code in deep stretch en route to a one-length win. Soca Tempo was a late-running third in the five-horse field.

Turf War ran the distance in 1:23.02 and banked $75,000 for Woodford Racing and trainer Mark Casse.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

Rest pays off for Interpatation

A two-month vacation and a return to Philadelphia Park helped Interpatation end a long losing streak Saturday.

Far back in his most recent start two months ago, the 5-year-old Interpatation closed strongly to post a one-length victory in the $200,000 Larry Riviello President's Cup.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

Tale of Ekati overcomes start

ELMONT, N.Y. - Tale of Ekati overcame a poor break and traffic trouble to win the Grade 2, $250,000 Futurity for 2-year-olds Saturday at Belmont Park.

The colt improved his record to 2 for 3 with a one-length win over 4-5 favorite Kodiak Kowboy, with Mythical Pegasus third.

The time was 1:22.33 for the seven furlongs on a fast track.

Tale of Ekati won his maiden at first asking by 8 1/4 lengths here on July 7. He followed that with a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Sanford at Saratoga, coming out of the race with sore shins.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

Mach Ride tunes up for Vosburgh

MIAMI - Mach Ride, one of two Breeders' Cup candidates currently stabled at Calder, along with Take D' Tour, got back to serious business last week as he continues to prepare for the Grade 1 Vosburgh Handicap at Belmont Park on Sept. 30.

The Vosburgh will be Mach Ride's final prep before the BC Sprint on Oct. 27.

Mach Ride worked a half-mile in company with stablemate Blue Pepsi Lodge in 48.00 seconds here Wednesday morning. It was the first official work for the nationally ranked sprinter since his second-place finish in the Calder Turf Sprint Championship on Aug. 11.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

'Spell' stays perfect with Matron win

ELMONT, N.Y. - Proud Spell stretched her unbeaten streak to three and moved squarely into the 2-year-old filly divisional picture with an impressive victory Saturday in the Grade 2, $250,000 Matron Stakes at Belmont Park.

Bred and owned by former Kentucky Gov. Brereton Jones, Proud Spell was fifth between rivals in the early stages of the seven-furlong Matron before swinging widest of all for the stretch run.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

Ralph Theroux Sr. dead at age 86

Ralph Theroux Sr., a longtime jockey agent who once represented Hall of Fame jockeys Bill Boland, Pat Day, and Walter Blum during a long, colorful career, died Saturday morning. He was 86.

Theroux was born in Rhode Island but moved to South Ozone Park, N.Y., when he was 8. Theroux worked for legendary trainers Hirsch Jacobs and Ben Jones before serving 33 months in the U.S. Army in Europe and Northern Africa during World War II.

Sat, 09/15/2007 - 00:00

The Green Monkey fails to impress

ELMONT, N.Y. - The much anticipated debut of The Green Monkey was much ado about nothing.

The Green Monkey, who set a world record when he sold for $16 million at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old-in-training sales at Calder, finished a non-threatening third in his debut Saturday at Belmont Park. He was beaten seven lengths by Roi Maudit, a homebred son of Elusive Quality owned by Haras Santa Maria de Araras and trained by Bill Mott. Sixthirteen, who set early fractions of 22.18 seconds and 44.90, finished second.