Sun, 01/08/2006 - 00:00

Honor in War wins battle of Ft. Lauderdale

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Former Grade 1 winner Honor in War asserted his class while also showing a measure of gameness by overcoming a rough trip to capture Sunday's $75,000 at Gulfstream Park. The victory completed a sweep of the weekend's four stakes by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan.

Sun, 01/08/2006 - 00:00

Spritely Walker wins Dixie Poker Ace Stakes

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Spritely Walker, stalking the early pace under kind handling by Corey Lanerie, took over entering the straight and held off a late charge by favorite Mr. Sulu to win Sunday's Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at the Fair Grounds Meeting at Louisiana Downs. Spruce's Prince finished a close third followed by Little Happy in the grassy one-mile test for Louisiana-breds.

Sun, 01/08/2006 - 00:00

Drill Hall loves Evangeline

Drill Hall solidified his horse-for-course reputation Saturday night at Evangeline Downs, rallying from just off the pace to win the $75,000 Peninsula Gaming's Lucky Dog Stakes. Governor of Spain and High Strike Zone finished second and third, respectively, followed by Roar On Tour.

The win was Drill Hall's ($6.20) sixth from seven local starts and his third in a row. The only blemish on his otherwise perfect record here was a close second place finish in the $100,000 Evangeline Mile on August 13.

Sat, 01/07/2006 - 00:00

Retiring Heavenly Humor repeats in Soviet Problem

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Heavenly Humor ($4) wound up her racing career with a game victory in the $64,600 Soviet Problem Handicap at Bay Meadows on Saturday.

Heavenly Humor, who won the race in wire-to-wire style last year, edged perfect tripper Fire Bolt by a head in the six-furlong stakes for fillies and mares, winning in 1:09.27 over a wet fast track.

Sat, 01/07/2006 - 00:00

High Limit victorious in San Pasqual

Horsephotos
High Limit (right), Patrick Valenzuela up, holds off Buckland Manor to win the Grade 2, $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap by nose.

ARCADIA, Calif. - As with fruits and vegetables, the fresher High Limit, the better. High Limit made his first start since September on Saturday at Santa Anita and, as he did in his debut in 2004 and his first start of 2005, he won, this time in the Grade 2, $150,000 .

Sat, 01/07/2006 - 00:00

Brass Hat looks better than ever

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Brass Hat looks like he might be even better as a 5-year-old than he was at 3. A two-time derby winner, Brass Hat won his second straight stakes as an older horse on Saturday, when he swept past the leaders for a two and a half length victory in the Grade 2, $435,600 at the Fair Grounds meet at Louisiana Downs.

Dixie Meister won a photo for second over favorite and pacesetter Alumni Hall.

Sat, 01/07/2006 - 00:00

Asmussen discovers a second ace

Horsephotos
Doctor Decherd takes a short lead from between horses entering the stretch of the Aventura.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Steve Asmussen came to south Florida this winter with one of the top 3-year-old prospects in the country, Private Vow, owned by Mike McCarty. Now Asmussen and McCarty have a second after Doctor Decherd withstood a stretch-long duel to outgame Itsallaboutthechase by a nose to win Saturday's $125,000 at Gulfstream Park.

Sat, 01/07/2006 - 00:00

Second barn quarantined at Turfway

A second racehorse barn at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., has been quarantined after a horse that had been stabled there tested positive for the equine herpes virus, a contagious disease that causes respiratory and neurological problems.

Sat, 01/07/2006 - 00:00

Achilles of Troy relishes route

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - With Achilles of Troy coming off an authoritative maiden win sprinting on Dec. 29, trainer Jennifer Pedersen said she thought it would have been prudent to keep the 3-year-old colt sprinting.

But owner Ernie Paragallo felt differently and decided to wheel him back in Saturday's Count Fleet Stakes at a mile and 70 yards.

Sat, 01/07/2006 - 00:00

Gaff caps off sweep for Bridgmohan

Horsephotos
Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan steers Gaff (left) to a neck victory in Saturday's $100,000 Mr. Prospector Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan completed the most memorable day of his riding career when he steered Gaff to a neck victory over War Front in Saturday's $100,000 at Gulfstream Park. The win gave Bridgmohan a sweep of all three stakes on the card, following victories aboard On Thin Ice in the $100,000 Hal's Hope Handicap and Doctor Decherd in the $125,000 Aventura Stakes.