Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Lawyer Ron still perfect at Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Lawyer Ron knows his way around Oaklawn Park. He ran his record here to 4-for-4 on Saturday, with a commanding, four-length win in the Grade 2, $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap. The victory was Lawyer Ron's fourth in a stakes at Oaklawn, where last year he swept the track's series for 3-year-olds, including the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Tiago takes his cue from brother Giacomo

ARCADIA, Calif. - Record magnate Jerry Moss has been responsible for some of the greatest music of the past 40 years, but the song he likes humming best, "My Old Kentucky Home," is older than all of us.

Two years ago, Moss, his wife, Ann, trainer John Shirreffs, and jockey Mike Smith combined to win the Kentucky Derby with Giacomo. On Saturday, they earned a return trip to Churchill Downs with Giacomo's half-brother Tiago, who rallied from ninth to first to capture the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby before a crowd estimated at 49,000.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Smokey Stover dominates Potrero Grande

ARCADIA, Calif. - The Breeders' Cup Sprint is not until late October, but it was firmly on trainer Greg Gilchrist's mind after Smokey Stover extended his winning streak to four in Saturday's Grade 2, $192,000 Potrero Grande BC Handicap at Santa Anita.

"I wish the Breeders' Cup was at Santa Anita this year," Gilchrist said. The Breeders' Cup Sprint will be run at Monmouth Park in October.

The victory earned Smokey Stover a brief holiday, with the rest of his campaign geared toward the BC Sprint, Gilchrist said.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Ermine finally gets Grade 1 victory

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Ermine accomplished a major objective her connections set for her this year on Saturday, when she became a Grade 1 winner in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park. Ermine overtook pacesetter Take D' Tour inside the final furlong for a 1 1/4-length win, while Round Pond, the highweight and 6-5 favorite, finished third, 4 1/4 lengths behind Take D' Tour.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Nobiz Like Shobiz regains stature

Debra Kral/Horsephotos
Nobiz Like Shobiz, under Cornelio Velasquez, rebounds off a third in the Fountain of Youth to win the Wood.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Nobiz Like Shobiz certainly likes the bright lights of Broadway. Now, he will try to be a showstopper underneath the twin spires of Churchill Downs.

Rebounding from a disappointing performance in last month's Fountain of Youth, Nobiz Like Shobiz restored his reputation as a top-flight Kentucky Derby candidate with a professional half-length victory over Sightseeing in Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. It was 3 1/4 lengths back to Any Given Saturday in third.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Silver Wagon runs 'em down

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Richard Dutrow said that when he shipped Silver Wagon from Florida to New York two months ago, the horse was so happy he began training like a 2-year-old. That just so happens to be the last time Silver Wagon won a Grade 1 race.

Silver Wagon, now 6, recorded his second Grade 1 victory Saturday, rallying from well off the pace to take the $300,000 Carter Handicap by 1 1/4 lengths over Diabolical. It was three-quarters of a length back to Ah Day in third.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Go Between ($2.60) comes through

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Go Between bid three wide into the stretch, then ran down a stubborn Therecomesatiger to post a 1 1/2-length win in the $85,000 Cherokee River Stakes on Florida Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs. The Florida Cup comprised six stakes worth a total of $440,000.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Easy score for Cowtown Cat

STICKNEY, Ill. - Cowtown Cat is nothing if not versatile, and with a front-running win in the 50th running of the Illinois Derby on Saturday at blustery Hawthorne Race Course, he almost certainly earned a berth in next month's Kentucky Derby.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

Christmas Kid holds off Octave

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Christmas Kid put a perfect trip to optimum use before desperately holding off a final surge by heavily favored Octave to post a narrow victory Saturday in the 70th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland.

Slipping through a rail opening when a tightly packed field of eight 3-year-old fillies turned into the stretch, Christmas Kid used a sudden burst of speed to open a clear lead, then was under steady urging from jockey Rene Douglas to hold off Octave, the 3-5 favorite, by a head.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 00:00

My SIster Sue finishes strongly

It took My Sister Sue six months and five starts to finally win her maiden, and a trip to Charles Town to clear her first allowance condition.

Now that trainer Flint Stites has figured out how to get the most out of My Sister Sue, she's a much improved filly.

Putting together strong back-to-back races for the first time, My Sister Sue ($16) drew clear in the stretch for a 4 1/4-length victory over 9-5 second choice Homesteader in Saturday's $100,000 Primonetta Stakes at Laurel Park.