Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

Post not a problem for Straight Faced

Jim Lisa Photos
Straight Faced wins Saturday's $100,000 Dr. Fager Stakes at Calder.

Straight Faced left little doubt as to who rules the 2-year-old division in south Florida by cruising to an easy 4 1/4-length victory over 12 overmatched rivals in Saturday's $100,000 . The six-furlong Dr. Fager is the first leg of the open division of the Florida Stallion Stakes.

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

'Saint' bit too tough for 'Maggie'

Reed Palmer / Ellis Park
Prospective Saint wins the $150,000 Gardenia Handicap at Ellis Park on Saturday.

HENDERSON, Ky. - Ten fillies and mares ran, but the $150,000 quickly became a two-horse race, with favored Prospective Saint ultimately getting the best of second choice Maggie Slew after a virtual race-long duel Saturday at Ellis Park.

Prospective Saint, ridden by Eddie Castro, moved alongside to challenge front-running Maggie Slew approaching the half-mile pole, and after they shrugged off a brief challenge from Beau Watch, they distanced themselves from the others, with Prospective Saint taking the Grade 3 race by a half-length.

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

Rabbit already on Dutrow's mind

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - A year ago, trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. ran an entry, Show Boot and Crafty Player, to help soften up the speedy Commentator in the Woodward Stakes. His plan worked to perfection as Show Boot pushed Commentator for the opening half-mile, eventually paving the way for the third member of Dutrow's Woodward triumvirate, Saint Liam, to register an easy victory in the Grade 1 event.

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

Bone, citing breakdowns, to change focus

DEL MAR, Calif. - Frustrated by a string of injuries to his horses in recent weeks, leading owner Bob Bone said Friday that he is changing his approach to claiming horses and will focus more on acquiring potential broodmares.

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

'Tiger' ends Fort Prado's streak

David Zenner
Therecomesatiger wins the Sea O'Erin Breeders' Cup Handicap by a head on Saturday at Arlington Park.

Therecomesatiger was mediocre in his first start this season, much better in his second, and came to a peak on Saturday at Arlington Park in his third, winning the Sea O'Erin Breeders' Cup Handicap by a head over Le Cinquieme Essai.

The favored Fort Prado finished third, unable to keep alive a four-race winning streak or defend his title in the Sea O'Erin. Therecomesatiger ($5.60) was timed in 1:37.15 for a mile over a turf course rated "good."

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

Monmouth: In Return strong at finish

Bill Denver / EQUI-PHOTO
In Return wins the $60,000 Eatontown Staybridge Suite Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

In Return, unbeaten in two starts since trainer Alan Goldberg added blinkers, rallied to win the $60,000 Eatontown Staybridge Suite Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf at Monmouth Park.

Mambo With G, with Pedro Cotto Jr. aboard, jumped out to a huge early lead. She led by 10 lengths past the stands the first time. But Mambo With G's quick pace took a toll in the lane.

In Return ($8.60) blew past to win by 2 1/4 lengths lengths over Zaynab, the 7-5 favorite, with Mambo With G holding on for third.

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

Colonial: Celtic Innis rallies late

Celtic Innis blew past pacesetter Crafty Schemer and the old-timer Confucius Say in deep stretch to earn his first win of the season in the $60,000 Chesapeake Stakes at Colonial Downs.

Winless in seven starts since capturing a minor stakes at Monmouth Park in June 2005, the 4-year-old Celtic Innis ($8.60), ridden for the first time by Horatio Karamanos, took command inside the sixteenth pole and finished two lengths in front of Crafty Schemer, the 6-5 favorite.

Hitthegroundrunnin, an 18-1 shot, came on to beat out the 8-year-old Confucius Say for third.

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

Delaware: 'Daisy' surprises at 22-1

Daisy for Rubiano ($46.20), the second-longest shot among nine filly and mare turf sprinters, outbroke the field and proved uncatchable in the $60,600 Slavic Light Stakes at Delaware Park.

Although it was her fifth win in 11 starts on grass - all sprinting - Daisy for Rubiano was facing stakes horses for the first time after clearing her second allowance condition last month.

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

River: 'King' takes to turf

Acts Like a King ($12), a beaten favorite in two of his last three starts, made amends when he tried the turf for the first time in the $50,000 Horizon Stakes for 3-year-old Ohio-breds at River Downs.

Ridden by Nick Solomon for trainer Kris Nemann, Acts Like a King outkicked 2-1 favorite Fisticuff in deep stretch to prevail by a half-length in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. Petey G, an 11-1 shot, finished third, a nose in front of 15-1 pacesetter Rhodesleadtoheaven.

Sat, 08/05/2006 - 00:00

Woodbine: Midnight Shadow on a roll

Michael Burns Photo Ltd.
Midnight Shadow wins the $125,000 Nandi Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Midnight Shadow ($2.80) won her third race in a row in the $125,000 Nandi Stakes, a five-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

Midnight Shadow battled three-wide on the lead with Grandy's Glory and Only If Split, through an opening quarter in 22.05 seconds. She established a slim lead over Only If Split after a half in 45.35, then edged away to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths, in a final time of 58.02.

River Barrow rallied to finish five lengths behind Only If Split in third. Siwa was scratched, reducing the field size to five.