Sat, 03/12/2005 - 00:00

Turfway: Two in row for Tempus Fugit

Tempus Fugit ($4) scored her second straight stakes win at Turfway Park, leading all the way in an easy triumph in the $50,000 Wintergreen Stakes.

Trained by Bernie Flint and ridden by Dean Sarvis, Tempus Fugit finished 9 1/4 lengths ahead of Plumlake Lady, who raced closest to the winner throughout. Honorable Cat was another 7 1/2 lengths back in third, while Plaid, the 5-2 second choice, ran fifth.

Sat, 03/12/2005 - 00:00

Santa Anita: Successful turf debut

Thatswhatimean won her stakes and turf debut in the $85,300 China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Rene Douglas, Thatswhatimean ($14.20) ran the a mile in 1:34.44.

Thatswhatimean was never farther back than third. Thatswhatimean followed pacesetter Cee's Irish to early stretch before Douglas guided her to the outside. With a stretch-long rally, Thatswhatimean took the lead in the final 100 yards, scoring by a neck.

Sat, 03/12/2005 - 00:00

Tampa: Tap Day overcomes obstacles

Tom Cooley
Tap Day, ridden by Jose Velez Jr., draws away from Above the Wind in the Budweiser Challenger at Tampa Bay.

Tap Day overcame a bad start and a wide trip for much of the $65,000 Budweiser Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs to score a one-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile stakes for older runners.

Sat, 03/12/2005 - 00:00

Laurel: Chrusciki cuts back

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Chrusciki wins the $50,000 Conniver Stake at Laurel Park on Saturday.

Chrusciki ($14.60), racing in a sprint for only the second time in her 21-start career, ran down pacesetter Glory of Love in the final furlong to score a 1 1/4-length victory in the $50,000 Conniver Stake at Laurel Park.

A 5-year-old mare who had been idle since December, Chrusciki's last race around one turn came in March 2004. She covered seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:26.11.

The race was marred when the unbeaten Glory Lane broke down near the five-sixteenths pole and two other horses, Citi State and Search for a Cure, crashed into her and fell.

Sat, 03/12/2005 - 00:00

Delta: 'Daddy' much the best

Where is My Daddy fashioned a stalking trip from her outside post to score a three-length win in the $50,000 Mademoiselle Stakes at Delta Downs on Friday night. She covered 6 1/2 furlongs around two turns in 1:20.68.

Living Lavida Lisa held second, a half-length in front of Midnight Delight.

Where is My Daddy ($5.20), ridden by Carlos Gonzalez for trainer Cole Norman, has won 7 of her 11 starts.

Sat, 03/12/2005 - 00:00

Business booming as festival nears

OLDSMAR Fla. - Purses at Tampa Bay Downs have been raised twice since the beginning of the meeting, the track set a new all-sources handle record for a single program three weeks ago, and on Saturday, Sun King, one of the top contenders for the Kentucky Derby, is scheduled to race here in the Tampa Bay Derby.

These are indeed heady times for Peter Berube, Tampa Bay Downs vice president and general manager. He's pleasantly surprised at the continued upswing this track has shown the past four seasons.

Fri, 03/11/2005 - 00:00

Santa Anita carryover at $108,239

ARCADIA, Calif.-Five consecutive losing favorites in Friday's pick six contributed to a carryover of $108,239 for Saturday's program at Santa Anita.

Saturday's pick six covers the fifth through 10th races on a program that begins at 12:30 p.m. The pick six races feature full fields. There were no withdrawals at Friday's scratch time.

Here's a glance at the top contenders in the pick six races.

Fri, 03/11/2005 - 00:00

Sweet Catomine's real test beyond Oaks

Horsephotos
Sweet Catomine targets the Oaks at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Sweet Catomine ambled off the Santa Anita racetrack Friday morning looking like a filly without a care in the world. But how quickly things can change.

By the end of the weekend, Sweet Catomine may be carrying the entire 3-year-old division on her back. She runs Sunday in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks, and if the race unfolds as designed, Sweet Catomine soon will embark on an enterprising campaign.

Fri, 03/11/2005 - 00:00

Who's mad? Ellis still in hunt

Horsephotos
In the Grade 2 San Vicente, Don't Get Mad (right) ran his last eighth in about 11 seconds to overtake Kirkendahl (left) and come within a length of the winner, Fusaichi Rock Star (center).

ARCADIA, Calif. - Don't Get Mad's ranking in the California 3-year-old division rose by default on Friday when his stablemate Declan's Moon, the champion 2-year-old male of 2004, was taken off the Kentucky Derby trail with a knee injury.

Long considered a promising Triple Crown candidate, Don't Get Mad is now trainer Ron Ellis's only hope for a starter in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7. Don't Get Mad is also the top contender for owner B. Wayne Hughes, who has watched the colt win two of his first three starts.

Fri, 03/11/2005 - 00:00

Turf features offer bettors many choices

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Handicappers who like a challenge and a little value for their betting buck will love Sunday's Canadian Turf and Honey Fox handicaps at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/16-mile grass races drew full and evenly matched fields.