HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - More Moonlight closed up the rail and edged past True Tails late for a three-quarter length win in the $50,000 Spring Fever Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. Platinum Princess rallied for second, a neck in front of third-place finisher True Tails.
The Spring Fever was More Moonlight's second stakes win of the meet behind the $50,000 American Beauty in January.
Manchurian finished second to Liquor Cabinet in a second-level allowance last month, but turned the tables on that rival to win Saturday's 51st running of the $69,875 at Aqueduct by a half-length after a prolonged stretch battle.
Both older males are lightly raced considering their ages. The 6-year-old Manchurian was making just the eighth start of his career, and his fourth for Todd Pletcher since returning from a long layoff last November. Liquor Cabinet, a 5-year-old, was running for just the ninth time for Mark Hennig.
Trainer King Leatherbury improved his already sterling statistics with horses switching from routes to sprints when Ah Day ($24.40) upset the $50,000 Horatius Stakes for 3-year-olds at Laurel Park.
Since January 2005, Leatherbury is now 6 for 25 (24 percent) going from routes to sprints with a return on investment of $5.43.
Devine Laughter, making her first start since a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Silverbulletday Stakes at the Fair Grounds meeting at Louisiana Downs in mid-January, exploited her class advantage to win Friday night's $50,000 Green Oaks Stakes at Evangeline Downs.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Devine Laughter outfinished a stubborn Matty Mite under firm handling by Tracy Hebert to prevail by a head in a time of 1:40.27 for the mile. The pacesetter, Missgallopinggulch, finished third.
STICKNEY, Ill. - Even a casual fan would have noticed by the end of the National Jockey Club meet's first week that the track surface at Hawthorne had a golden rail. The inside path pushed speed horses to victory in most races, but when the early battle for the best spot on the racetrack got too hectic, the occasional closer would sneak up the rail to victory.
Penn National Race Course will shut down the 33-year-old building that houses its grandstand and clubhouse, and temporarily halt live racing next month as the first step toward preparing for the eventual arrival of slot machines.
There will be no live racing at the Grantville, Pa., track from April 9 through April 25. Live racing is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, April 26.
Making her first start since a fourth place finish in the Grade 3 Silverbulletday Stakes at the Fair Grounds Meeting at Louisiana Downs in January, Devine Laughter exploited her class advantage to win Friday night's $50,000 Green Oaks Stakes at Evangeline Downs.
Devine Laughter outfinished a stubborn Matty Mite under firm handling by Tracey Hebert to prevail by a head. The Steve Asmussen charge covered the one mile distance in a time of 1:40.27. Pacesetter Missgallopinggulch finished third followed by Rural Red and Madame Falcon.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - After suffering her first defeat, by a head, seven weeks ago, French Park looks to jump-start her bid to make it to the Kentucky Oaks when she heads a seven-horse field entered in Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
The Bonnie Miss, contested at 1 1/8 miles, shares billing on the 11-race program with the Grade 2, $150,000 Forward Gal, run at seven furlongs. Both races are for 3-year-old fillies.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Misty Rosette is unbeaten and untested in three starts. She has won her races at three different distances, at three different racetracks, and over both fast and sloppy surfaces. And trainer James Chapman Jr. says he believes she is only going to get better as she goes along.
