Skirt Alert produced a strong rally to capture the $100,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap at Sunland Park.
Skirt Alert, trained by O.D. Jamison, blew the first turn in the mile event for New Mexico-bred fillies and mares but then settled well. She made a strong run into the lane to wrest the lead from heavy favorite Latenite Special and had enough to prevail gamely by a head under Quyet Bui. Skirt Alert paid $7.60 as the second choice in the wagering and covered the mile in 1:38.98.
Nikki Nine captured her second straight stakes victory with a one-length win over 50-1 Wings Are the Way in the $15,900 Pepsi Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Fonner Park.
With Larren Delorme aboard for trainer Kim Veerhusen, Nikki Nine ($4.40) moved to the front entering the stretch and edged clear for the win in 1:16.40 for six furlongs over a fast track. Nikki Nine had previously won the Bachman Stakes at Fonner on Feb. 25.
ARCADIA, Calif. - When Swiss Lad was scratched early Sunday from the $113,100 Crystal Water Handicap at Santa Anita, jockey Tyler Baze was suddenly without a mount. But when Corey Nakatani took off midway through the card, trainer Craig Dollase reached out to Baze to sub for Nakatani on Super Strut.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - That Tat won the $50,000 Hot Springs Stakes for the second straight year on Sunday, when he dug in for a neck win over Level Playingfield over a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park. It was another half-length back in third to Rodeo's Castle.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The late defection of division leader J'ray turned what looked to be a one sided into a much more competitive event. And sure enough the race lived up to those expectations after Aunt Henny outlasted Diamond Spirit to post a half-length victory in the Grade 3 turf event.
Andanight, at 30-1, was up for a neck win over 4-5 favorite Dreamsandvisions in Saturday night's $40,000 Spring Stakes for Texas-breds at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston. It was another two lengths back in third to Senor Amigo.
Andanight ($62.80) rallied from next to last for the win in the seven furlong race, as Senor Amigo set the pace, running the opening quarter in 22.42 seconds and a half-mile in 45.05. Andanight overtook the leaders through the stretch, and covered the distance in 1:24.53.
ARCADIA, Calif. - With former "Tonight Show" announcer Ed McMahon presenting the trophy after the San Felipe Stakes, could the result have been anything else?
"Heeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny."
Oh yes, John Shirreffs, who trained last year's Kentucky Derby winner, Giacomo, is back in the hunt.
On Saturday at Santa Anita, Shirreffs sent out A.P. Warrior for the first time since acquiring the colt six weeks ago, and A.P. Warrior responded with an upset victory in the Grade 2, $250,000 , this track's final major prep for next month's Santa Anita Derby.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Four months ago, the Kentucky Derby was the furthest thing from trainer Kiaran McLaughlin's mind when it came to his 2-year-old gelding Like Now.
Saturday, after Like Now went gate to wire to upset the $200,000 at Aqueduct, McLaughlin was dreaming of a return trip to Churchill Downs, where last May he fell a nose short of victory with 71-1 shot Closing Argument.
While many of their colleagues spent some anxious moments on Saturday watching their Kentucky Derby prospects participate in key prep races around the country, trainers Michael Matz and Frank Brothers spent a more relaxing afternoon sizing up the competition they may be facing down the road with their Derby hopefuls Barbaro and First Samurai.
