Mon, 08/27/2007 - 00:00

T.J.'s Posse brings Virginia form

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Dreaming of Anna wound up the champion 2-year-old filly in 2006, and along the way she made a stop at Colonial Downs, winning the Tippett Stakes on turf. So, there's no reason to scoff at the chances of T.J.'s Posse on Saturday in the Arlington-Washington Futurity, even though his most recent start came in Virginia at Colonial.

Mon, 08/27/2007 - 00:00

$81,000 carryover at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There will be a pick six carryover of $81,616 entering Monday’s card at Saratoga.

The wager went unhit Sunday at the Spa as five of the six winners paid double-digit mutuels, including three that returned $35 or more. Not only did nobody pick six, but the consolation payoff was made on 4 of 6. The 47 tickets that had four winners returned $578 each.

Sun, 08/26/2007 - 00:00

After Market keeps on rolling

DEL MAR, Calif. -- After Market, making his first start since a wet course prompted his removal from the Arlington Million two weeks earlier, kept his winning streak intact and stayed on course for a berth in the Breeders’ Cup with a victory as the heavy favorite on Sunday in the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Handicap on turf.

Sun, 08/26/2007 - 00:00

Baze suspended and fined for whip violation

SAN MATEO, Calif. – The Bay Meadows stewards suspended jockey Russell Baze 15 calendar days (Sept. 2-16) and fined him $2,500 on Sunday for misuse of the whip while aboard Imperial Eyes in the first race on Thursday. Baze whipped the horse twice after he broke down near the wire.

The stewards – Darrel McHargue, Dennis Nevin and Randy Winick – dismissed charges of conduct detrimental to racing and animal cruelty, which they brought against Baze at a Saturday hearing.

Baze will miss 11 days of racing at Bay Meadows.

Sun, 08/26/2007 - 00:00

Maryfield wins Ballerina in last jump

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Maryfield is based in Southern California, but she is a New York girl at heart.

For the second time this year, Maryfield made a successful cross-country journey, this time getting up in the final stride under Elvis Trujillo to nip Baroness Thatcher by a nose in Sunday's Grade 1, $250,000 Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga. In April, Maryfield came to New York to win the Grade 2 Distaff Breeders' Cup at Aqueduct.

Sun, 08/26/2007 - 00:00

Quite a Bride controls Ellis BC Turf

Quite a Bride rolled along on an uncontested lead before finishing easily clear of a belated run from Quiet Royal when posting a popular victory Saturday in the $100,000 Ellis Park Breeder' Cup Turf in Henderson, Ky.

Confidently ridden by Miguel Mena, Quite a Bride returned $3.80 after finishing the 1 1/16-mile turf race in 1:41.76. A 4-year-old Florida-bred by Stormy Atlantic, Quite a Bride is owned by Haras Santa Maria de Araras and is trained by Bill Mott. She now has won eight of 15 starts and earned $518,881.

Sat, 08/25/2007 - 00:00

Perfect trip, nice win for Bai and Bai

DEL MAR, Calif. - A perfect trip led to Bai and Bai's second stakes win of the year in Saturday's $133,900 Solana Beach Handicap for statebred fillies and mares at Del Mar.

Ridden by Aaron Gryder, Bai and Bai ($5.40) ran a mile in 1:34.28, finishing 1 1/2 lengths in front of a fast-closing Spenditallbaby. Gentle Charmer finished third in the field of six. Mood Winner and Sip One for Mom were scratched.

Sat, 08/25/2007 - 00:00

La Traviata wires in Victory Ride

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Patrick Biancone said before Saturday's $100,000 Victory Ride Stakes that the way La Traviata breaks, the field would never see her again. Well La Traviata didn't break well - she stumbled leaving the starting gate for the six furlong Victory Ride - but Biancone's prediction still prove correct after his undefeated 3-year-old filly quickly recovered and ran away from her field en route to an easy 9 1/4-length victory over the 54-1 Half Time Crown.

Sat, 08/25/2007 - 00:00

Jack's Wild wins California Turf Championship

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Finding a course to his liking, Jack's Wild ($8.80) rallied from last to capture the $100,000 California Turf Championship at Bay Meadows on Saturday.

Now Victory broke slowly but rushed to the lead along the rail in the one-mile race. He seemed to relax on the lead, but was no match as Jack's Wild swung very wide into the stretch and finished strongly to win the one-mile race in 1:37.32 on a course offifially labeled firm. Favored Epic Power, who got by Now Victory late, was second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, while edging Now Victory by a neck.

Sat, 08/25/2007 - 00:00

Dead heat in Arlington Sprint Handicap

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Rene Douglas knew precisely what to do, but for Diego Sanchez, a trip to the Arlington winner's circle after a stakes race was a brand new experience. Still, Arlington had to make room for two parties on Saturday after Piratesonthelake, ridden by Sanchez, dead-heated with heavily favored In Summation in the Arlington Sprint Handicap.