Sun, 06/19/2005 - 00:00

Vibank wins Victoria Stakes

Michael Burns Photo Ltd.
Vibank ($6.70) wins the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Vibank and Edenwold, both owned by Jim and Alice Sapara and trained by Josie Carroll, ran one-two in Sunday's $135,000 Victoria Stakes at Woodbine.

Vibank pressed front-running Ballado Dancer through the turn in the five-furlong dash for 2-year-olds, and seized control at the eighth pole before edging away for a length and three-quarter triumph. Kentucky Invader Fifty Seven Flat, the 3-5 favorite, finished another length back in third in the five-horse field. The final time was :59.26 seconds.

Sun, 06/19/2005 - 00:00

No surprise, Southern Surprise takes Fleur de Lis Stakes

Bossier City, La. - Breaking alertly under leading rider John Jacinto, odds-on favorite Southern Surprise made every pole a winning one in capturing Sunday's Fleur de Lis Stakes at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

Longshot Salzurita pressured the winner throughout but was unable to do much with that foe in the late going so she settled for second followed by Boomboomgirl.

Sat, 06/18/2005 - 00:00

Indian Ocean wins Affirmed Handicap

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Indian Ocean scored his first stakes win and third consecutive victory in Saturday's $102,998 for 3-year-olds at Hollywood Park.

Ridden confidently by Jon Court, Indian Ocean ($12.40) outfinished a determined Surf Cat to win by a neck, finishing 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.53. Dover Dere finished third, five lengths in front of Buzzards Bay in the field of four. Buzzards Bay won the Santa Anita Derby in April and was fifth in the Kentucky Derby.

Sat, 06/18/2005 - 00:00

First-timer Cousins Lew wins Malcolm Anderson

ALBANY, Calif. - Cousins Lew ($9) stalked a fast early pace and held off the late charge of Cause to Believe after taking the lead near the 16th pole to capture the $75,000 Malcolm Anderson Stakes in his debut Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

A $120,000 Ocala purchase in March, Cousins Lew sat off Don Jaun (cq) Con and I Dream of Genius, who set sizzling fractions of 20.97 and 44.48 in the five-furlong race for 2-year-olds. Cousins Lew moved into contention three wide around the turn and wore down the pacesetters in the lane.

Sat, 06/18/2005 - 00:00

Saint Liam takes aim at top

Horsephotos
Saint Liam pulls away to a 2 3/4-length victory under Edgar Prado in Saturday's Grade 1 Stephen Foster. The victory places him in the upper echelon of the handicap division.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Saint Liam ran himself squarely into the chase for North America's top older horse with a dominating, 2 3/4-length victory Saturday in the Grade 1, $828,000 at Churchill Downs before a crowd of 12,014.

Getting virtually the identical trip that he took in winning the Clark Handicap here last fall, Saint Liam completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.52 over a fast track. From 24 runnings of the Foster, only Victory Gallop's 1:47.24 in 1999 was faster.

Sat, 06/18/2005 - 00:00

Two Trail Sioux gets easy lead in Fleur de Lis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Saturday's Grade 2, $330,000 at Churchill Downs essentially ended a few strides out of the gate.

Two Trail Sioux, taking advantage of other speed horses being rated and Island Stand hopping at the break, shot out to a commanding lead and won by a length in a brave performance under Hall of Fame rider Pat Day.

Sat, 06/18/2005 - 00:00

Don't Get Mad rallies wide to win Northern Dancer

Horsephotos
Don't Get Mad, his training hindered by a quarantine of his Churchill Downs barn, wins the Northern Dancer by 3 1/4 lengths under jockey Gary Stevens.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Don't Get Mad showed in the Kentucky Derby that he was a horse who could withstand the rigors racing on short rest when he finished fourth behind Giacomo one week after winning the Derby Trial.

Saturday, in the Grade 3, $217,400 at Churchill Downs, he proved himself adept at adapting to limited training, scoring by 3 1/4 lengths in his first race since the May 7 Derby.

Sat, 06/18/2005 - 00:00

Jefferson Cup: Rush Bay takes photo

This time, Rush Bay was on the right end of a photo finish. Under a cagey ride from Robby Albarado, Rush Bay held off Big Prairie by a neck to win the $220,400 , making amends for a tough beat in his last start, the Crown Royal American Turf.

Rush Bay, second choice in a field of seven 3-year-olds, returned $5.40 after finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.75 over a firm course. Gun Salute, the 8-5 favorite, finished another neck behind Big Prairie in third.

Sat, 06/18/2005 - 00:00

Regret: Rich in Spirit reverses fortune

Last time they met, Sweet Talker got a perfect trip and made a big lead hold up late. This time, Rich in Spirit turned the tables on Sweet Talker, grinding past her in the final furlong to win the $225,000 , reversing their one-two finish in the May 6 Edgewood Stakes.

Kept in perfect striking position by Gary Stevens, Rich in Spirit returned $6.40 as the slight favorite in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies after finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.76 over firm going.

Sat, 06/18/2005 - 00:00

Opening Verse: Swinger gets ideal trip

Senor Swinger ($6.20) got a terrific trip under Brice Blanc to repeat as champion of the $111,200 . The victory was the fifth in eight starts over the Churchill turf course for Senor Swinger, a 5-year-old gray trained by Bob Baffert.

Senor Swinger, owned by Bob and Beverly Lewis, finished ahead of late-running G P Fleet, the 9-5 favorite in a field of eight older turf horses. After saving ground on both turns, Blanc angled out in early stretch for what proved to be the winning drive. The winning time was 1:42.07 for 1 1/16 miles on turf.