Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

'Weather' by a head in upset

Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
Changing Weather (4) wins Saturday's $109,800 Matt Winn Stakes by a head over Court Folly (3) at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Changing Weather and Court Folly officially defeated 7-5 favorite He's Got Grit in Saturday's $109,800 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs. But more than anything, it was a layoff of more than seven months and a fast pace that beat He's Got Grit.

Making his first start since winning the Cowdin Stakes Oct. 2, the front-running He's Got Grit seemed on his way to victory in midstretch, but grew fatigued late, setting the stage for Changing Weather and Court Folly to rally past him.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

Quiet Cash looks tough to beat

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - According to trainer Terry Jordan, Quiet Cash is training extremely well. That spells trouble for the other five horses that are entered in the $50,000 John Longden 6000 on Monday at Hastings. Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Longden is the first middle-distance stakes of the season at Hastings.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

'To Dream' tries to keep streak alive

CALGARY, Alberta - Trainer Bob Kingston sends out To Dream Again in search of her third consecutive stakes win at the meet in Monday's $50,000 Ken Pearson Memorial here at Stampede Park.

A 6-year-old who was claimed for $30,000 last July, To Dream Again has blossomed for Kingston after spending most of her career in the allowance and claiming ranks.

To Dream Again faces six other fillies and mares in the one-mile Ken Pearson Memorial, including entrymate Speedy Gone Sally.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

Arch Hall coming into his own

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The late-blooming Arch Hall and Kentucky shipper Alumni Hall head the strongest renewal of the Grade 3, $150,000 Eclipse Stakes in years Monday at Woodbine.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

Malakoff much the best in Marine

Michael Burns Photo Ltd.
Malakoff wins the Grade 3, $150,000 Marine Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Malakoff ($12.10) established himself as a major contender for the June 25 Queen's Plate Saturday at Woodbine, winning the Grade 3, $150,000 decisively under Todd Kabel.

Ok Nothanksforaskn set quick fractions in the 1 1/16-mile event for 3-year-olds while being pressed by the 3-5 favorite, Bear Character. Malakoff was about five lengths off the leaders in fourth early on before making a three-wide bid on the far turn. He swept past the leaders at the head of the stretch en route to a 7 1/4-length victory in a time of 1:46.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

Ericka's Lass back in with females

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - After facing males in her first start of the year, Ericka's Lass will return to her own division in Monday's sixth race here at Assiniboia Downs. The 5 1/2-furlong allowance feature is a prep for the June 4 La Verendrye Stakes.

A 5-year-old trained by Emile Corbel, Ericka's Lass finished second behind multiple restricted stakes winner Resurgent in her first start of the year on May 7. The loss was her first in four starts at five or 5 1/2 furlongs.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

Plesa and Castellano team up for sweep

MIAMI - Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has shipped a number of his better horses to Monmouth Park for the summer. But he has kept enough good ones at Calder not only to contend for the training title again at this meet but to win a few stakes races as well. That proved to be the case on Saturday when Plesa swept both stakes on the card, taking the $45,000 Big Bubble with Unbridels King and the $45,000 Maryland My Maryland with A.J. Melini.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

Bonfante wins return in Cal Turf

Vassar Photo
Bonfante wins the $100,000 California Turf Sprint Championship on Saturday at Bay Meadows.

Bonfante ($5.40), making his first start since running second in this race last September, made a big move on the turn and pulled away for a victory in the $100,000 on Saturday at Bay Meadows.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

Arlington: Pretty Jenny closes strong

David Zenner
Pretty Jenny wins the Fit for a Queen Stakes by a length at Arlington Park on Saturday.

Jockey Ariel Smith had never sat astride Pretty Jenny before Saturday afternoon at Arlington Park. But with Smith aboard, Pretty Jenny did something she'd never done before - take dirt in her face while rating off the pace and come home with a strong finish. That was the right kind of trip for the Fit for a Queen Stakes, and Pretty Jenny edged a game Maggie Jordan to win by a length.

Sat, 05/20/2006 - 00:00

Monmouth: Yes He's the Man best

Ryan McAlinden/EQUI-PHOTO
Yes He's The Man, and jockey Eddie Castro, race to victory in the $60,000 Select Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Yes He's the Man was indeed the man at Monmouth Park, winning the Select Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths.

But yes, Yes He's the Man had some help. First, when Glitternmeporridge and Rainbow Inthestorm were scratched from the Select, the race had only four horses. And Put Back the Shu, second choice in the wagering, did a face plant leaving the starting gate and after a quarter-mile trailed the early leader, Carvajal, by five lengths.