Mon, 04/09/2007 - 00:00

McGaughey resists Derby fever

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - If Sightseeing was in virtually any other barn, his next start would be in the Kentucky Derby on May 5. After all, five horses that finished second in the Wood Memorial have come back to win the Run for the Roses, the last being Funny Cide in 2003.

But even after watching Sightseeing come within a half-length of possible Kentucky Derby favorite Nobiz Like Shobiz in Saturday's Wood Memorial, trainer Shug McGaughey said he believes his horse will be better served by waiting to face the division's best again.

Mon, 04/09/2007 - 00:00

Tiago's win bodes well for Smith's future

ARCADIA, Calif. - Even before he won Saturday's $750,000 Santa Anita Derby aboard Tiago, jockey Mike Smith had decided to return to Southern California later this month. Now, Smith is hoping that Tiago's upset win will give him momentum for a successful spring and summer at Hollywood Park and Del Mar.

Smith made the decision to relocate from the East Coast to California earlier this month after talking with two trainers who will support his return.

"Jim Cassidy and John Shirreffs asked me to come back out," he said.

Mon, 04/09/2007 - 00:00

Probation Ready finishes fast

Probation Ready ($4.40) circled the field strongly under Dominic Terry to win Saturday night's $48,500 Inaugural Stakes at Evangeline Downs by 1 3/4 lengths over Heelbolt.

The final time was 1:11.92 over a sealed track labeled fast.

Trained by Steve Asmussen for Vinery Stables, Probation Ready has now won 4 of 8 starts, including two stakes. His winner's share of $30,000 boosted the 3-year-old Probation Ready's career bankroll to more than $141,000.

Mon, 04/09/2007 - 00:00

Up 'n Blumin picks up where she left off

Up 'n Blumin ($3.20) continued her dominance over the filly and mare division at Fonner Park with a confident half-length win in her seasonal debut in Saturday's $17,100 Runza Stakes.

Ridden by R.D. Williams, Up 'n Blumin found herself alone on the pace of the six-furlong Runza, then was never asked for a serious run while holding Salty Attraction safe under hand urging in 1:14.20 over a fast track. It was her fifth consecutive win dating back to last year's Al Swihart Memorial Stakes here, a race she will be the likely favorite this year for trainer Larry Donlin.

Mon, 04/09/2007 - 00:00

Shimmering Dunes takes to turf

Shimmering Dunes ($12.60) successfully made the transition to turf as he rallied smartly to win Saturday's $48,129 Arizona Stallion Stakes at Turf Paradise.

Mon, 04/09/2007 - 00:00

Try to Fly closes to win San Pedro

ARCADIA, Calif. - Try to Fly remained unbeaten after two starts with a late rally in Sunday's $83,250 San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita.

Try to Fly, last of nine for the first few strides, won by a half-length over Principle Secret and gave apprentice jockey Joe Talamo his first stakes win at Santa Anita. Trained by Doug O'Neill for Mercedes Stable, Try to Fly ($9.80) ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.38. Street Lights finished third in the field of 3-year-olds.

Mon, 04/09/2007 - 00:00

Hecamefromaclaim proves uncatchable

Hecamefromaclaim ($27.40) proved the speed of the speed as he jumped out to set a fast pace, withstood all kinds of pressure, and just kept going to upset Sunday's $100,000 Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap at Sunland Park.

Sun, 04/08/2007 - 00:00

Mending Fences holds on in Connally Cup

Mending Fences became a stakes winner on Saturday night, when he held off Embossed by three-quarters of a length to win the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf at Sam Houston Race Park. General Charley finished third, a neck behind Embossed.

The Connally was one of three stakes on the closing night card at Sam Houston.

Sun, 04/08/2007 - 00:00

Santa Anita carryover: $570,000

ARCADIA, Calif. – There is a pick six carryover of more than $570,000 for Sunday's program at Santa Anita, created by a string of longshots on Saturday's Santa Anita Derby program.

Saturday's pick six was so tricky that Santa Anita announced there would be a carryover with only four of the six legs completed.

Sunday's pick six covers the fourth through ninth races. There are few early changes in the pick six races, which all have fields of eight or more entrants. The program begins at 12:30 p.m.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Icy Atlantic no longer an understudy

ARCADIA, Calif. - Icy Atlantic was a warm-up act in 2006, a pacesetter for stablemate English Channel in races such as Turf Classic and Breeders' Cup Turf. This year, Icy Atlantic is becoming his own attraction.

With a late burst of speed, Icy Atlantic ($12) pulled a minor upset in Saturday's $150,000 Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita. The victory was the first graded stakes win for Icy Atlantic since the Grade 3 Jersey Derby at Monmouth Park in 2004.