Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Canterbury: Diligent Won rallies

Diligent Won pulled a mild upset when he bested five rivals in the $40,000 at Canterbury Park.

Lt. Sampson set the early pace in the 6 1/2-furlong contest and was pressed by Wimplestiltskin through fractions of 21.92 and 44.12 while Diligent Won steadily drew closer. Vazandar, the favorite, was closing quickly while four wide in the lane. Meanwhile, Lt. Sampson was the first of the leaders to give way. Diligent Won kept coming and edged Wimplestiltskin by three-quarters of a length. Vazandar finished third, another length behind. The winning time was 1:15.52.

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Finger Lakes: Carlow surprise winner

Carlow, whose only previous win came against maidens at Suffolk Downs last November, rallied between horses in deep stretch to score an upset in the 25th running of the for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies at Finger Lakes.

In her only other start this season, Carlow ($15.60) had come from off the pace to finish second at 24-1 in a statebred first-level allowance at Belmont Park.

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Serey eager for fresh start to his career

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Juan Serey is itching to get back. The wait ends Wednesday, when Serey launches a comeback with three horses entered at Monmouth Park.

Serey, a five-time leading trainer here, lost his license in 2003, when the New York State Racing and Wagering Board found him in violation of rules concerning financial obligations, and New Jersey honored the ban. Juan Serey's brother Mario charged that Juan had improperly siphoned money from Mario's purse account and transferred horses into his name.

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Pick seven has carryover of $52,000

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A pick seven carryover of $52,437 heading into Wednesday's Woodbine program should entice many bettors who are shooting for a big score. The pick seven comprises all seven races, including two divisions of a seven-furlong entry-level allowance on the grass.

Excellent Cut will likely be favored in the second division, the fourth race. A son of leading European sire Sadler's Wells, Excellent Cut is a full brother to Grade 1 winner Perfect Soul, Canada's champion grass horse in 2003.

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Chalk up another for invaders

EDMONTON, Alberta - Invaders from British Columbia continue to feast on the local talent in the older-horse divisions.

Shippers from Vancouver have swept all four stakes on the Alberta circuit for older fillies and mares this year, with Stole One leading the onslaught. Stole One sped wire-to-wire in last Friday's 22nd running of the Wild Rose at 6 1/2 furlongs for her second stakes triumph in Alberta.

Entrusted to the care of Alberta-based trainer Stuart Simon for her races in this province, Stole One won by two lengths over runner-up Unforgettable Too.

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Lost in the Fog has only five rivals in Carry Back

Horsephotos
Lost in the Fog will try to make it 8 for 8 Saturday in the Carry Back.

MIAMI - The $500,000 Smile and Princess Rooney handicaps for older horses are the richest races on Saturday's $1.9 million Summit of Speed program at Calder, but this year, they will have to take a back seat to the $300,000 Carry Back Stakes and the country's fastest 3-year-old, Lost in the Fog.

Lost in the Fog will put his unblemished record on the line against only five other 3-year-olds in the Carry Back, a six-furlong race that goes as the 12th on the 13-race Summit of Speed card. The field for the Carry Back and the seven other stakes on the card were drawn Monday.

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Turner's cry at quarter pole: 'Stop the race!'

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Tap Day (right) finishes second to Offlee Wild in the Suburban at Belmont.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Tommy Turner had an interesting weekend aboard pacesetters in Monmouth Park's graded grass stakes.

He rode Shake the Bank, the designated rabbit, in the Grade 1 .

Trainer H. Graham Motion entered Shake the Bank to ensure a lively pace for eventual winner Better Talk Now.

Shake the Bank did his job. The horse shot right to front and opened up a huge lead. It was a bizarre race with the leader 15 to 20 lengths in front.

Turner was instructed to go right to the front but never anticipated opening up by such a big margin.

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Schvaneveldt wins on two sharp young ones

PLEASANTON, Calif. - When Chad Schvaneveldt retires as a jockey, he could probably get a job in the State Department. He's quite a diplomat.

Schvaneveldt won the first two stakes of the fair season at the Alameda County Fair over the weekend, scoring with a pair of odds-on 2-year-olds, Hystericalady ($3) in the Juan Gonzalez for fillies on Saturday and Don Jaun Con ($3.40) in the Everett Nevin Alameda County Futurity on Sunday.

The obvious question: Which one is better?

Schvaneveldt smiled and said, "They're both nice."

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Lung problem can't stop Wannatalkaboutme

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Wannatalkaboutme may not be able to pass a veterinary inspection, but she can certainly pass muster on the racetrack.

"I wouldn't be able to sell her; she wouldn't vet," said trainer Nick Gonzalez, who sent out Wannatalkaboutme to win last Saturday's $168,550 My Dear for the partnership of MAD Racing Stable and his wife and assistant trainer, Martha Gonzalez.

Nick Gonzalez explains that Wannatalkaboutme was born with a condition that affects her lung-power.

Mon, 07/04/2005 - 00:00

Waupaca takes Independence Handicap

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Waupaca made a triumphant return to his favorite turf course Monday afternoon as he controlled the issue throughout in winning the at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. Gigawatt chased in vain and had to settle for second followed by longshot Spruce's Spirit.