ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There's something about Woodbine that brings out the best in trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Martin Dwyer.
Balding and Dwyer made their first appearance here in the fall of 2003, traveling over from England with Phoenix Reach and going home with the top prize in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Canadian International.
Last Sunday, the duo was back with Silver Highlight, who in her North American debut recorded her first lifetime victory in the $250,000 over 1 1/4 miles of turf.
Prime Time T.V. came with an overpowering rush around the final turn and ran away to a 10 3/4-length win in the $100,000 Manitoba Lotteries Derby at Assiniboia Downs.
Wayzata Bay, the 9-5 favorite, rallied for second with Stormy Business, the 5-2 third choice, third, and longshot Brinello fourth.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A $100,000 optional claiming race headed by Rock Again highlights Wednesday's seven-race card at Woodbine. The program also includes a $100,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds.
Rock Again, a 5-year-old owned by Stronach Stable, was sidelined for nearly a year after finishing third behind Wando and Mobil in the 2003 Queen's Plate. He returned to action in May 2004, winning a second-level allowance and finishing third in the Grade 3 Eclipse Handicap, before being sidelined for another year.
Tara's Touch ($19.40) overhauled fellow Kentucky shipper Unbridled Sidney in deep stretch to win the Grade 3, $176,800 at Woodbine on Monday.
Unbridled Sidney, the 3-5 favorite, set sizzling fractions of 21.93 and 44.58 seconds on a clear lead in the six-furlong turf sprint. Tara's Touch raced in third along the rail on the turn about three lengths off the lead, in unison with Royal Liverpool.
Coastal Strike pressed the early pace and rallied in the lane for a half-length win in the $55,000 Trenton Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Monmouth Park.
Trained by Clifford Sise Jr. and ridden by Stewart Elliott, Coastal Strike ($13.80) covered the five furlongs over firm turf in 56.22 seconds. Mecke's Queen was second, and Big City Danse was third.
Lagging in ninth after the first three furlongs of a 5 1/2-furlong sprint, Tompest ($5.80) rallied strongly to win his turf debut by 1 1/4 lengths in the $60,000 Chenery Stakes at Colonial Downs.
Ridden by Jose Betancourt for trainer Todd Pletcher, Tompest was making his first start since finishing fourth of five in the Grade 3 Flash on the main track at Belmont.
Key Issues joined the ranks of some legendary Minnesota-bred 3-year old runners when he won the $62,800 Minnesota Derby.
A winner of the Victor S. Myers Jr. Stakes earlier this month, Key Issues was attempting to pull the rare double of also winning the Derby, a feat achieved only by J. P. Jet and Crocrock in the last 10 years. Sent off at 7-5, Key Issues dictated the pace in the mile-and-70-yard race, winning by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:41.16. Longshot Bisquick held for second.
* Glitter Star upset favored Oh You Again in the $61,800 Minnesota Oaks.
Flip Side ($4.80) cemented her claim on the Ohio-bred 3-year-old filly title with a 1 1/4-length victory in the $75,000 Queen City Oaks.
Under a confident ride by Lori Wydick, Flip Side set a slow early pace of 25 and 49.80 seconds. Bold Passage, the favorite, grabbed the lead from Flip Side on the far turn. But shifting off the rail at the top of the stretch, Flip Side rallied outside of Bold Passage, caught that rival inside the final furlong, and drew clear, covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:53.
Silver Axe ($3) overcame a slow early pace and rallied to score a 1 1/2-length victory in the $75,000 Prairie Meadows Handicap at 1 1/8 miles.
Silver Axe rallied to take the lead 50 yards out before drawing clear late. Azucar, who pressed the pace throughout, edged Tricky Mocha by a head for the place.
AUBURN, Wash. - Flamethrowintexan will be the local favorite for the Grade 3 Longacres Mile on Aug. 21 after registering an impressive 2 1-4 length victory in Sunday's $100,000 Mt. Rainier Breeders' Cup Handicap at Emerald Downs.
Under Gallyn Mitchell, who was subbing for injured rider Ricky Frazier, Flamethrowintexan led throughout to defeat Poker Brad and four others in 1:47.40 for 1 1-8 miles. Flamethrowintexan, a 4-year-old son of Way West who races for Grasshopper Stable, is trained by Jim Penney. He paid $4.40 to win as the solid favorite.
