Mon, 09/19/2005 - 00:00

'Fancy' hits the road

Horsephotos
Lava Man, galloping last month at Del Mar, will run next in either the Goodwood or the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

POMONA, Calif. - Catch My Fancy is on her way to a graded stakes in Kentucky or New York following a romping stakes win last Saturday at Fairplex Park in the $110,733 .

"We think she's ready to take on the big girls," trainer Craig Dollase said.

He may be right. Five-length winner of her debut at Del Mar, Catch My Fancy won by 6 1/2 on Saturday.

Dollase said the filly, by Yes It's True, will ship out for her next start - either the Grade 2 Alcibiades on Oct. 7 at Keeneland, or the Grade 1 Frizette on Oct. 8 at Belmont.

Mon, 09/19/2005 - 00:00

Filly's versatility says something

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Trainer Steve Miyadi is particularly adept at stretching out his horses, something he did successfully Saturday with Somethinaboutlaura, who was also making her first start on the turf as she recorded her initial stakes victory in the $75,650 at Bay Meadows.

Miyadi deflected credit for the victory to owner Mark Cornett, who suggested the 1 1/16-mile Palo Alto as an alternative to the $60,000 CTBA Marian Stakes, at the same distance, for California-bred 3-year-old fillies Monday at Fairplex.

Mon, 09/19/2005 - 00:00

'Leroi' makes mark in Atto annals

Michael Burns Photo Ltd.
Leroidesanimaux, John Velazquez up, cools down after the Atto Mile.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - As quietly as he had arrived here at Woodbine last Friday morning, Leroidesanimaux was long gone on the road back to Belmont by the time the sun rose on Monday.

But despite the brevity of his stay, Leroidesanimaux is certain to leave a lasting impression - for simply destroying his opposition here in Sunday's Grade 1, $1,001,600 .

Mon, 09/19/2005 - 00:00

Atto Mile also-rans offer few excuses

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There were few excuses from the connections of the eight horses who finished behind Leroidesanimaux in Sunday's .

Trainer Mike Keogh was pleased with the effort of Mobil, who picked up $200,000 for finishing second.

"He ran very huge," said Keogh. "He always gives 100 percent, and I knew he wouldn't mind the soft turf."

Keogh added that Mobil had suffered a slightly bruised shoulder during the running, and plans for his next start are on hold.

Le Cinquieme Essai earned $110,000 for his third-place finish, just a length behind Mobil.

Sun, 09/18/2005 - 00:00

Original Spin cruises in Lassie

Benoit Photo
Original Spin wins the Arlington-Washington Lassie on Sunday.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Original Spin won a maiden race five weeks ago at Arlington Park with raw speed, but this 2-year-old filly has intelligence to match her talent. A series of morning workouts in which she rated behind other horses taught Original Spin more than she had learned in her career debut, and she put the schooling to work Sunday at Arlington, coming from off the pace to easily win the over favored Ex Caelis.

Sun, 09/18/2005 - 00:00

Sorcerer's Stone punches ticket to Breeders' Cup

Benoit Photo
Sorcerer's Stone wins the Arlington-Washington Futurity on closing day at Arlington.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Sorcerer's Stone might not slip into the Breeders' Cup through the back door, not after an 8 1/2 length win Sunday in the on closing day at Arlington.

In fact, Sorcerer's Stone looked like a legitimate Breeders' Cup Juvenile horse, setting a stakes record of 1:35.16 for one mile on dirt in his blowout win over eight opponents in the Grade 3, $200,000 Futurity.

"He's on his way to being a nice colt, I think," said trainer Pat Byrne.

Sun, 09/18/2005 - 00:00

Leroidesanimaux crushes field in Atto Mile

Michael Burns Photo Ltd.
Leroidesanimaux wins the Atto Mile by 7 3/4 lengths Sunday at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The aptly-named Leroidesanimaux, French for "King of the Animals," overwhelmed his opposition in the $1,001,600 Sunday at Woodbine, taking the ninth running of the turf event by 7 3/4 lengths over 26-1 shot Mobil.

It was the eighth consecutive win for Leroidesanimiaux, who firmly established himself as the continent's leading turf miler. After the Grade 1 race, trainer Bobby Frankel said the Brazilian-bred 5-year-old would likely be supplemented to the Breeders' Cup Mile on Oct. 29 at Belmont, at a cost of $135,000.

Sun, 09/18/2005 - 00:00

That Tat prevails in Speed Handicap

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Starting highweight That Tat wore down fellow Cole Norman trainee Skin Flint in midstretch to capture Sunday?s Speed Handicap at Harrah?s Louisiana Downs. Skin Flint narrowly held off a late charge from Nuttyboom to hold the second spot. Mama?s Joy tired after chasing the early pace and finished fourth followed by the third member from Norman?s stable, Grand Bank. Rodeo?s Castle and Orphan Brigade were scratched.

Sun, 09/18/2005 - 00:00

Bravo rides six winners

Ryan McAlinden/EQUI-PHOTO
Jockey Joe Bravo pumps his fist into the air after winning his 6th race of the card aboard Excellent Job in the last race at Monmouth Park.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Despite missing almost seven weeks with a broken collarbone, Joe Bravo all but wrapped up an 11th Monmouth Park riding title with a six-win performance Sunday.

The six wins equals the Monmouth record first set by Walter Blum in 1961 and matched by Chris Antley (1984), Julie Krone (1987) and Bravo who did it twice before in 1994 and 2002.

"I just feel blessed," said Bravo. "It just makes you feel really good to have all the trainers and owners that are behind me and let me get on their horses. This is just awesome."

Sun, 09/18/2005 - 00:00

Bridal Gal wins New Braunfels

Bridal Gal became a stakes winner Saturday night at Retama Park when she rallied for a 2 1/4 length win over favorite Shannons Valentine in the $40,000 New Braunfels. It was another three quarters of a length back in third to Aclevershadeofjade.