Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Stratham definite on turf, maybe for dirt

ARCADIA, Calif. - Since arriving in this country in late summer, Stratham has won his only start, in the Pinjara Stakes in October, and has been sidelined since because of a lack of turf opportunities.

On Monday, owner Jerry Jamgotchian and trainer Tim Yakteen are hoping that Stratham can run on turf in the $75,000 Hill Rise Stakes at Santa Anita, but wet weather could force the race to be moved the main track.

If that occurs, Yakteen said, a decision will be made on race day whether Stratham runs on dirt or waits for another race.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Laurel: Vegas Play runs down favorite

The big question going into the $75,000 Maryland Juvenile Champion Stakes at Laurel was whether heavy favorite Travelin Leroy could get the one-mile distance.

He couldn't.

Travelin Leroy, sent off at 3-5, got the clear lead projected for him, but he couldn't handle Vegas Play or Creve Coeur in the stretch of the stakes for 2-year-old Maryland-breds and finished third. Vegas Play overcame a ridiculous amount of trouble to win the Maryland Juvenile by a half-length over Creve Coeur, who had 1 3/4 lengths on Travelin Leroy.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Tampa Bay: Misty Rosette now 2 for 2

Ranging up along the outside turning into the stretch, Misty Rosette shook off favored Rgirldoesn'tbluff leaving the furlong marker and drew off to post a 3 3/4-length victory in the $60,000 Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Under a confident ride by Sebastian Madrid, Misty Rosette covered the six furlongs over a speed-favoring strip in 1:10.33 to score her second win from as many starts. She returned $12.20 as third choice in the field of 12 juvenile fillies.

Runaway in Love finished second at 41-1, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Running Lass.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Saintly Look shows form of old in Holiday Cheer

Showing some of the class that led him to victory in the Grade 3 Lecomte Handicap in 2003, Saintly Look unleashed a furious stretch rally to win Saturday's $50,000 Holiday Cheer Stakes at Turfway Park by 2 3/4 lengths.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Awesome Lady upsets Monrovia

Horsephotos
Awesome Lady wins the $112,600 Monrovia Handicap at Santa Anita on Saturday.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Taking advantage of a wet-fast track, Awesome Lady scored the most important win of her career in Saturday's $112,600 at Santa Anita, a race originally scheduled for turf.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Awesome Lady was always close to the pace. She rallied along the rail to engage early pacesetter Guidebook at the half-mile pole, took the lead on the turn, and pulled clear to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Baze and Awesome Lady were in control of the race for the final quarter-mile. Awesome Lady ($13.20) finished 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.77.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Navesink River rolls again, this time in Gallant Fox

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Navesink River was equally as dominant in Saturday's $83,100 as he was in the prep race for it 24 days ago, galloping to a 5 1/2-length score in the 1 5/8-mile race before a crowd of 3,552 at soggy Aqueduct.

India Halo, the only mare in the field of nine, finished second, four lengths ahead of Chilly Rooster. Completing the order of finish were Nohasslatdcastle, Potri Cacho, We Can Seek, El Provinciano, Loving, and Decourcey.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Emigh, Laviolette in close battle

CHICAGO - If the human element of the equine racing drama is your thing, then closing day at Hawthorne on Monday holds just a little bit more intrigue than might otherwise be the case.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Mac Rhapsody likes wet going

SAN MATEO, Calif. - A pair of $40,000 starter allowance races top Monday's holiday card at Bay Meadows.

The $60,000 Bay Meadows Mile, scheduled Monday as a prep for 3-year-olds pointing to the Grade 3, $250,000 El Camino Real Derby on Jan. 29, drew only three nominees and was canceled.

Both of the starter races are for runners 4 years old and up at 1 1/16 miles. Fillies and mares will run in race 1 on the card, with males going in race 2.

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Savin: For now, go to Calder

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - As construction crews work overtime trying to ready the new state-of-the-art Gulfstream Park grandstand for the opening of the 2006 season on Wednesday, track president Scott Savin has the following advice for patrons: "Go to Calder!"

Sat, 12/31/2005 - 00:00

Tortuga Flats struggles to win at 1-5

BOSSIER CITY, La. - It was not as easy as her $2.60 payoff indicates, but heavily favored Tortuga Flats outfinished a stubborn Hottamolly in a spirited stretch drive to win the filly division of the Louisiana Futurity on Saturday at the Fair Grounds meeting at Louisiana Downs. Leesa Lee finished third followed by Lexi's Luck.