Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Siren Lure notches first stakes

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Siren Lure, claimed for $50,000 in May at Bay Meadows, won his first stakes in Sunday's $79,500 Robert Kerlan Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park.

The victory extended Siren's Lure's winning streak to 3, which includes two five-furlong turf sprints in Northern California.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Siren Lure rallied from third to catch 2-1 favorite Stormin' Lyon, who was trying to win his fourth consecutive race. Siren Lure won by a neck of Stormin' Lyon, who finished a head in front of Golden Arrow in the field of seven.

Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Yougottawanna wins Alamedan Handicap

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Taking advantage of the fact he was the lone speed in the race, Yougottawanna ($6) bounced to the lead and was never seriously challenged as he won the Alamedan Handicap at the Alameda County Fair on Sunday.

The race unfolded exactly as trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who also saddled runner-up Adreamisborn, expected.

"Speed has been really dominant here, the last couple days especially," Hollendorfer said. "It looked like he would be the lone speed, and he made the lead easy."

Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Madcap Escapade back on track in Princess Rooney

Skip Smith
Madcap Escapade and jockey Jerry Bailey win the $500,000 Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder Race Course during the Summit of Speed on Sunday.

MIAMI, Fla. - Madcap Escapade bounced back from her unexpected defeat in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff Handicap with a dominating performance in Sunday's $500,000 at Calder. Madcap Escapade led throughout en route to a 5 1/4 length victory over the previously undefeated Happy Ticket who suffered her first loss in 10 career starts.

Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Leave Me Alone gets the nod in Azalea

Jim Lisa Photos
Leave Me Alone wins the $300,000 Azalea Breeders' Cup Stakes at Calder on Sunday.

MIAMI, Fla. - Trainer J. Eric Kruljac thought he'd lost, owner Stephen Mitchell was certain he'd won and just about everyone else in attendance wouldn't have been surprised if the placing judges hung up a dead heat for win following Sunday's pulsating renewal of the $300,000 at Calder.

In the end, Mitchell proved correct after his filly Leave Me Alone won the tight photo by a nose over Hide And Chic to capture the Grade 3 Azalea for 3-year-old fillies.

Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Woke Up Dreamin gets perfect set up

Jim Lisa Photos
Favored Woke Up Dreamin ($5.20) wins the Grade 2, $500,000 Smile Sprint Handicap under rider Mike Smith at Calder on Sunday.

MIAMI, Fla. - Jockeys and trainers often go into races with plans in mind that never comes to fruition once the gates open. But for jockey Mike Smith and trainer Bob Baffert, their pre-race strategy for Sunday's $500,000 worked to perfection helping Woke Up Dreamin post a three length victory over longshot Toscani in the Grade 2 dash.

Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Top Ten List wins turf debut

Michael Burns Photo Ltd.
Top Ten List wins the $166,350 Ontario Damsel Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Top Ten List made her turf debut a winning one Sunday at Woodbine, taking the $166,350 Ontario Damsel Stakes in front-running style under apprentice Corey Fraser.

Top Ten List recorded splits of :21.98 and :45.10 seconds in the six and a half-furlong event, while being stalked by 3-5 favorite See the Wind. Fraser dropped his whip early in the stretch, but managed to coax Top Ten List home on top by a length, in a final time of 1:15.75.

Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Deputy G takes Bashford Manor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Two rounds of boisterous cheers went up after the $176,250 Bashford Manor Stakes was run as the closing-day feature Sunday at Churchill Downs.

The first came when Deputy G, ridden by Gary Stevens, crossed the wire first in the 104th running of the Grade 3, six-furlong race for 2-year-olds. The second came when the colt was cleared of any wrongdoing in a subsequent inquiry by the stewards.

Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Lost In The Fog dominates again

Jim Lisa Photos
Lost in the Fog and Russell Baze are all alone at the wire after cruising to a 7 1/4-length win in the Grade 2, $300,000 Carry Back Stakes at Calder on Sunday.

MIAMI, Fla. - Lost in the Fog kept his record unblemished when cruising to his eighth straight victory in Sunday's $300,000 at Calder.

The Grade 2 Carry Back for 3-year-olds highlighted Calder's $1.9 million Summit Of Speed card which had been scheduled for Saturday but was postponed 24 hours due to Hurricane Dennis.

Sun, 07/10/2005 - 00:00

Afleet Alex works

ELMONT, N.Y. - Afleet Alex, the leading 3-year-old in the country, worked five furlongs in 1:00.93 Sunday morning at Belmont Park, his first breeze since his dominant victory in last month's Belmont Stakes.

Regular rider Jeremy Rose was aboard Afleet Alex, whose time was the 13th fastest of 39 works over the main track, which was rated fast. Track clockers caught Afleet Alex in splits of 25.73 seconds, 37.73, and 49.44, meaning he got his last eight in 11.49 seconds. Afleet Alex galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.58 and seven furlongs in 1:29.33.

Sat, 07/09/2005 - 00:00

Lava Man takes Hollywood Gold Cup

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The prediction that Patrick Valenzuela issued in the paddock before he rode Lava Man in Saturday's $750,000 turned out to be prophetic.

Valenzuela told owners Steve and David Kenley and Jason Wood and trainer Doug O'Neill not to worry too much about pre-race tactics. Lava Man, Valenzuela said, could be anywhere as the race unfolded and still manage to win.

"'I can sit second. I can sit third. I can sit fourth. I could be on the lead,'" Valenzuela said in the paddock.

Then, he went out and proved it.