Leading trainer Jon Arnett could not be happier with the post Cajun Pepper drew for the $25,000 Aspen at Arapahoe Park on Monday. He will break from the outside post in a field of six, the extreme opposite of his last start, when he had a troubled trip from the rail in the Arapahoe Sprint.
"The worst thing that can ever happen on this horse is to draw the one hole," said Arnett. "If he draws the one hole, it's just like the kiss of death for him."
Summer Doldrums, a Triple Crown contender early in the spring, has found renewed life on the grass.
In a thrilling finish, Summer Doldrums with Jose Lezcano aboard, edged Strike a Deal Saturday to capture the $750,000 Colonial Turf Cup for 3-year-olds at Colonial Downs.
Summer Doldrums ($9.60) moved into Triple Crown consideration with an impressive front-running win in the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct in February, but he did not move forward off that effort, running third in the Gotham Stakes and fourth in the Wood Memorial.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - As Michael Matz watched the stretch run unfold in the Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup Stakes, he and his family grew increasingly quiet in their third-floor box at Churchill Downs. Chelokee, the even-money favorite representing Matz and owner Centennial Farms in the Grade 3 race, had been passed by Zanjero, who seemed poised for victory.
But then Chelokee re-rallied near the rail, and as he nudged ahead in the final 20 yards to post a neck victory in the $223,800 Northern Dancer, Matz and his clan were rooting with fervor.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - One concern entering Arlington Park's first season of Polytrack racing was the consistent failure of speed horses at Keeneland, which has exactly the same kind of Polytrack as Arlington. But don't tell Lady Belsara you can't win on the lead here.
Popping out of the gate and taking a clear early advantage, Lady Belsara fought back gamely when challenged in the stretch by favored Trendy Lady, and won the Grade 3, $175,000 Chicago Handicap by a half-length. Making just the seventh start of her career, Lady Belsara won a stakes in her first try.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Indian Vale entered Saturday's Grade 2, $327,600 Fleur de Lis Handicap as a mare hoping rejoin the ranks of the nation's best fillies and mares with a victory against top-level stakes competition.
Consider her task accomplished. In an impressive display of speed and courage, Indian Value turned back bids from Apple Blossom winner Ermine and Spinster winner Asi Siempre to win the Fleur de Lis by 1o1/2 lengths.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Flashy Bull powered to the lead at the top of the stretch, then was all out in the final yards to barely hold off a late rush by Magna Graduate when scoring a head victory Saturday in the $829,500 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Robby Albarado and based in New York with trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Flashy Bull was not confirmed as a starter for the Grade 1 Stephen Foster until Wednesday, the day entries were taken.
MIAMI - Mach Ride stamped himself a force to be reckoned with three weeks down the road in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap after registering a 7 1/2-length victory over How's Your Halo in Saturday's $50,000 Champali Stakes at Calder.
The six-furlong Champali was one of four overnight stakes on the Saturday card, each of which could serve as local preps for the $2 million Summit of Speed card on July 7.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Take D' Tour successfully defended her Grade 1 Ogden Phipps title on Saturday at Belmont Park, winning a speed duel with Teammate early, then holding off a late charge from Ginger Punch to win the $300,000 race by a neck.
Ginger Punch, whose late rally fell just short, finished second by 8 1/4 lengths over Promenade Girl. Miss Shop, Bushfire, and Teammate completed the order of finish.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Karen's Caper broke the course record in the Grade 3, $150,000 Eatontown Stakes for fillies and mares Saturday at Monmouth Park.
The 5-year-old ran 1 1/16 miles on the firm course in 1:39.48 in her season debut for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel.
In Return set the old mark of 1:39.91 last summer.
It was a picture-perfect trip for Karen's Caper ($4.20) and Brice Blanc, who flew in from California for the mount.
They had the outside post in the seven-horse field, and Blanc guided Karen's Caper into fourth in the early stages.
Another Audible puts her four-race win streak on the line when she faces males for a second straight time in the $15,000 President's Cup Stakes at six furlongs.
Another Audible has established herself as the top sprinter in the state for trainer Milton Gaede. She has been nothing short of incredible in winning five of her six races this year by a combined 47 lengths. In her last start, the Speed Stakes here going 4 1/2 furlongs, she drew off for an 8 1/2-length win while maintaining a streak of never having been headed after an eighth.
