SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Adreamisborn ($4.40), benefiting when even-money favorite A to the Z stumbled and lost his rider at the start, proved superior in the stretch as he captured the $98,000 Joseph T. Grace Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair on Saturday.
Not only did the mishap leaving the gate eliminate Adreamisborn's primary competition, but it also compromised the chances of runner-up Charbonnier, who tried to go after the loose horse while on the lead instead of relaxing.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - In an effort that his connections believe was too bad to be true, finished last in the Grade 3 Virginia Derby on July 16 at Colonial Downs. Rusty Arnold, Rey de Cafe's trainer, said he hopes the Virginia Derby effort reflected the condition of the turf, which became soaked by rain when the skies opened up about 30 minutes before the race.
Arnold will find out where he stands with Rey de Cafe when he runs him in Monday's $150,000 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame for 3-year-olds at Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - , last year's Eclipse Award-winning steeplechase horse, is the one to beat in Monday's $75,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial, but there are several reasons he may be worth playing against.
Hirapour, who won the Grade 1 Royal Chase Handicap at Keeneland in April, will be spotting weight to a solid group in the Smithwick, which was moved from Thursday to Monday to coincide with the induction of three steeplechase legends into racing's Hall of Fame.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Nearly a year after a successful 3-year-old season was cut short by injury, Greenie makes his 2005 debut on Monday at Del Mar in a turf sprint that marks his debut on that surface.
Greenie is one of 10 entrants in a $61,000 optional claimer over five furlongs on turf, a race that will have a safety limit of eight starters. Greenie has drawn post 4, and is likely to utilize his speed to gain an early advantage.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Tommy Walsh's first trip to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will be one that he remembers for years to come.
Walsh, 65, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Saratoga on Monday for his achievements as a steeplechase rider. The induction ceremony will be conducted at the Humphrey Finney Sales Pavilion, a few blocks from the museum.
Before the ceremony, Walsh will attend a special breakfast for inductees at the museum on Union Avenue, where a plaque, with highlights of his illustrious career, will hang in perpetuity.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Nick Zito, a winner of four classic races and the trainer of two champions, and three greats from the world of steeplechase racing will be inducted into racing's Hall of Fame on Monday.
The ceremony, held at the Humphrey Finney Sales Pavilion, begins at 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - A disappointing Saturday turned delightful for trainer Nick Zito in a little over 108 seconds as Commentator went gate-to-wire and held off favored Saint Liam by a neck to win the Grade 1, $750,000 at Saratoga.
It was nine lengths back to Sir Shackleton, also trained by Zito, in third. Swingforthefences, Limehouse, Eurosilver, Wiggins, and Pollard's Vision completed the order of finish.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Alex's Allure ran her record over the John Franks Turf Course to a perfect three-for-three with a sweeping rally in Saturday's Senorita Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Malika's Gold finished a distant second followed by longshot Our Leading Lady.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Leave Me Alone left eight rivals in her wake as she romped to a 7 3/4-length win in Saturday's Grade 1 for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga.
Hide and Chic finished second, three-quarters of length in front of her entrymate, In the Gold, who broke tardily. The entry of Hide and Chic and In the Gold was made the favorite at 6-5.
When the gates opened in the seven-furlong Test, In the Gold broke well behind the field. Maddalena also broke slowly and bumped with In the Gold.
