ARCADIA, Calif. - After losing the 2004 and 2005 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf by a combined 1 1/2 lengths, Moscow Burning finally had luck on her side in Saturday's $500,000 at Santa Anita.
Under a well-timed ride by jockey David Flores, Moscow Burning ran down the leaders with a wide stretch run to win the richest race of her career and reach millionaire status.
Sent off favored, the California-bred Moscow Burning ($4.60) finished 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.39.
Prominent from the outset, R Loyal Man shook off the competition leaving the turn and drew off smartly through the stretch to post an impressive 3 3/4-length victory in the $75,000 Pasco Stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.
Under a confident ride by Manoel Cruz, R Loyal Man vied for the lead through an opening quarter of 22.65 seconds and a half-mile of 45.56. After shaking off Neverbeendancin and Electrify leaving the turn, R Loyal Man drew away with a flourish to stamp himself as one of the early favorites for the Grade 3, $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby on March 18.
Wildcat Bettie B edged Rich Fantasy by a neck to win the $50,000 Dixie Belle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Oaklawn Park on a wet day. It was another 4 1/4 lengths back in third to Gasia.
Wildcat Bettie B ($6.80) sat just off the pace set by High Heritage, who under pressure set fractions of 21.77 seconds for the opening quarter over the sloppy track and 45.71 seconds for the half-mile in the six-furlong race. Wildcat Bettie B overtook High Heritage at the top of the stretch, then fought off the late bid of Rich Fantasy. She was timed in 1:12.54.
Yucatan, always on the pace with Greg Schaefer aboard, shook free from Eyeforglory after dueling much of the way, then barely withstood a late rush by favored Saintly Look to post a neck victory in the $50,000 Forego Stakes at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.
A 5-year-old Favorite Trick gelding, Yucatan broke smoothly from his rail post in the 6 1/2-furlong Forego to take a slim lead from Eyeforglory. Into the stretch, Yucatan steadily edged clear, then was all out to hold off a torrid surge from Saintly Look.
After a zigzag run down the Laurel stretch, jockey Erick Rodriguez got Promenade Girl to straighten out and run down the pacesetting Princess Pelona to win the $75,000 Nellie Morse Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths. Ask Queenie, who had vied for the lead early before falling back, held third, another three lengths back.
Jockey Donnie Meche has been been suspended seven days for violating one of the conditions of his probationary license in Arkansas, and as a result he was taken off his mounts Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
It was at Oaklawn last spring that Meche was suspended seven months for refusing to furnish a drug test. He also attempted to bribe a security official at the track. Meche was reinstated by the Arkansas Racing Commission in December.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Proving that perseverance indeed pays off, the 6-year-old Bishop Court Hill earned his first stakes win Saturday, leading every step of the way under Jose Santos to take the $70,110 by one length at Aqueduct.
Spooky Mulder chased Bishop Court Hill the entire way around the track, settling for second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 9-5 favorite Wild Jam. Pioneer Empire, Super Fuse, and Redskin Warrior completed the order of finish. Banjo Picker was scratched.
The expected battle between even-money favorite New Hope Seven and 7-5 second choice Kat Nan Do did not last long Friday night in the $50,000 Genesis Stakes at Evangeline Downs. Kat Nan Do made a sweeping move around the field and finished up strongly to prevail by a length in a time of 1:11.91 for the six furlongs over a fast track. New Hope Seven remained well clear for the place spot after helping set the early pace. Queezee Deezee weakened late but held the show.
ARCADIA, Calif. - The Grade 1 Santa Monica Handicap on Sunday at Santa Anita boils down to one simple question - can anyone catch Behaving Badly?
Nine fillies and mares entered the Santa Monica, a seven-furlong sprint that pits the speed of Behaving Badly against the class of Grade 1 winner Leave Me Alone. The remaining Santa Monica entrants are Sharp Lisa, Miss Terrible, Alphabet Kisses, Nossa Cancao, Awesome Lady, Reforest, and Allswellthatnswell.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo is likely to make his first start in eight months in the $300,000 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita next Saturday, trainer John Shirreffs said Friday.
Giacomo, who has not started since finishing seventh in the Belmont Stakes last June, worked seven furlongs in 1:25.40 at Hollywood Park on Friday. The workout was Giacomo's 10th since he resumed serious training last fall, and third consecutive workout at seven furlongs.
