HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The undefeated Carroll County seeks his fourth straight win Wednesday in Oaklawn's $35,000 allowance feature. A 4-year-old trained by Don Von Hemel, Carroll County will face seven others in the six-furlong sprint.
Two starts back, Carroll County beat Rodeo's Castle by three lengths in a one-other-than allowance on Jan. 21. Rodeo's Castle has since turned into a bit of a monster.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Stellar Magic had his first official work on Sunday since winning the San Mateo Mile on Feb. 12, a 1:17.40 six-furlong drill that was the slowest of six works at the distance at Bay Meadows.
Stellar Magic loped the first three furlongs in 41.20 seconds and ran his second three furlongs in 36.20.
His trainer, Brian Pitnick, said the slow start to the work was by design.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Rhumjar, his confidence and health restored, will be tough to hold off in the $46,000 allowance feature for New York-breds Wednesday afternoon at Aqueduct.
Shaun Bridgmohan has a return call on Rhumjar in Wednesday's 1 1/8-mile race.
A confirmed closer, Rhumjar spotted the field 11 lengths in his last start before launching a rally that carried him to a narrow lead in midstretch. He dug in gamely to hold on for second, losing by a half-length to Napoleon Solo.
Bobby Frankel, who guided Ghostzapper, owned by Stronach Stable, to a Horse of the Year campaign in 2004, will be owner Frank Stronach's No. 1 trainer at Woodbine this year.
Frankel, based in California, plans to continue to maintain divisions there and in New York, and said he expects to visit Woodbine "probably twice a month."
Brian Lynch, a former trainer and now a Frankel assistant based in Florida, will oversee the daily operation of the Woodbine barn.
Southern California invaders dominated the $104,800 , led by Southern Africa, who powered home a winner under Garrett Gomez.
Sent off at 5-2, the Mike Puhich-trained Southern Africa got knocked around at the start. He steadily advanced and proved too strong for the others in the lane, pulling away to win by a 1 1/4 lengths. He paid $7.40.
The Beter Man Can returned to her winning ways, dominating a field of Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies in the $75,000 . The victory clinched The Beter Man Can's standing as the top 3-year-old Louisiana-bred filly. In the Battle Star, she trounced the fillies who had finished ahead of her in the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie - Equestrian Girls, Indigo Girl, and Forty Babes.
HALLANDALE BEACH FLA. - Trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez completed a sweep of the weekend stakes at Gulfstream Park after Dubleo registered a game half length victory over Tadbreeb in Sunday's $60,000 . The potent Pletcher-Velazquez duo also teamed up to win Saturday's Sabin Stakes with Isola Piu Bella.
Ambition Unbridled proved much the best in the $40,000 Citgo, which came off the turf, winning the five furlong race by four and a quarter lengths over Peace Symbol on Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park. It was another two and three quarter lengths back in third to Seneca Song.
Ambition Unbridled ($3.40) set fractions of 22.13 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.01 seconds for the half-mile before finishing up five furlongs over the sloppy track in 57.56 seconds. Jeremy Beasley rode the winner for trainer Gammy Vazquez.
Miss Confusion led throughout for a two length win over 2-5 favorite So Much More on Saturday night in the $50,000 Sweetheart Stakes at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. Cute N Noble finished third, five and a half lengths behind So Much More.
Miss Confusion ($8) led the field through fractions of 24.01 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.54 seconds for the half-mile mark and 1:13.77 for six furlongs before finishing the one-mile over a fast track in 1:39.65.
