Sun, 01/01/2006 - 00:00

Asmussen and Chapa continue winning ways

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Fair Grounds leading connections of trainer Steve Asmussen and rider Roman Chapa combined and worked their magic once again in winning Sunday's Sugar Bowl Stakes with Catonight. Fellow Asmussen trainee Here Tiger finished second followed by Kingsfield.

Chapa placed Catonight ($10.00) on the lead and the outside in the six furlong affair for just turned 3-year-olds and helped carve out an opening quarter of :21.86 before shaking loose in the turn. Chapa had plenty left in the drive to prevail by two and a half-lengths in a time of 1:10.94 over a fast track.

Sun, 01/01/2006 - 00:00

Secret Corsage captures Bay Meadows Cotillion

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Heavily favored Secret Corsage ($3) rated nicely to win Northern California's first stakes of 2006, defeating three rivals in the $73,125 Bay Meadows Cotillion on Sunday.

The victory was her third straight stakes win and marked the sixth straight stakes win for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Hollendorfer has won 10 of the past 14 stakes run in Northern California.

"I'm happy to get off to a good start," Hollendorfer said.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Pussycat Doll dominates La Brea Stakes

Horsephotos
Pussycat Doll wins the $250,000 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Pussycat Doll had a furlong left to run in Saturday's $250,000 at Santa Anita when trainer Bob Baffert decided he had seen enough. He started heading toward the winner's circle, watching the filly finish the race as he walked.

"I knew it was over at the eighth pole," Baffert said. "She ran like she'd been training."

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Lawyer Ron takes Diamond Jo Stakes

Relaxing nicely under John McKee, Lawyer Ron set all the pace, turned back a bid from runner up Desert Wheat turning for home and drew clear once again through the stretch to capture Saturday?s $100,000 Diamond Jo Stakes at Evangeline Downs. Desert Wheat finished eight and a half-lengths behind the winner and over eleven lengths if front of even money favorite Premier Dance who saw his five race win streak, all in stakes company, come to an end.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Santa Anita carryover at $117,725

ARCADIA, Calif. - The New Year begins with a pick six carryover of $117,725 at Santa Anita on Sunday.

The pick six covers the fourth through ninth races on Sunday's program, which begins at 12:30 p.m. Because of wet weather on Saturday, bettors are advised to check the late changes before finalizing selections. There is a possibility that the two turf races could be transferred to the main track and that the main track could be listed other than fast.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Outside post in speedy field big hurdle for Jet West

Horsephotos
Fusaichi Rock Star returns off a week's rest to run in Monday's Grade 3 El Conejo Handicap.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Unbeaten in three races since being claimed for $62,500 in August, must overcome a wide post position to extend his winning streak to four in Monday's Grade 3, $100,000 El Conejo Handicap at Santa Anita.

It will not be easy. Jet West has drawn the outside post in a field of 12 loaded with speed. Since the El Conejo is run over 5 1/2 furlongs, Jet West will need to show ample speed to avoid being carried wide on the turn.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

'Oprah' back shortly after wire-job win

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Nineteen days after wiring the field in the Randaroo Stakes, Oprah Winney meets basically the same group in Monday's $65,000 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

Bettors are unlikely to get the same 4-1 odds they got on Oprah Winney in the Randaroo, which is one of several reasons to take a shot against her in the Ruthless.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Turf sprint closes out meeting

MIAMI - Calder's Tropical Park meeting comes to a close on Monday with a 12-race program highlighted by the $40,000 Lola Bella Stakes, an overnight stakes carded at five furlongs on the turf. Racing on the south Florida circuit resumes Wednesday with the opening of the Gulfstream Park meeting, although for the first time in its 35-year history Calder will stay open this winter for simulcast wagering.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Drum Major caps Bejarano's day

Jim Linscott
Rafael Bejarano guides Drum Major back to the winner's circle after the pair triumphed in the $100,000 Pete Axthelm Stakes at Calder on Saturday.

MIAMI - Jockey Rafael Bejarano was the star of Saturday's Grand Slam III program at Calder after guiding home Drum Major to win the $100,000 .

Drum Major rallied from near the rear of the pack to a 2 1/2-length victory over local division leader Dream On Dream On in the Axthelm, which was run at 7 1/2 furlongs over a firm turf course. Therecomesatiger finished third as the 8-5 favorite after making a premature five-wide run for the lead midway through the race.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Should be fun following these three

OLDSMAR, Fla. - There's nothing more enjoyable than being able to say you saw a good horse win for the first time. The excitement of following a promising young horse isn't just confined to horseplayers and racing enthusiasts; the people who make a living in the business get just as excited when they see a young horse they feel has the potential to be something special.