Mon, 01/17/2005 - 00:00

Action This Day is retired

Horsephotos
Trainer Richard Mandella said Action This Day may still be suffering the effects of a back injury. The colt has not won a race since the BC Juvenile.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Action This Day, the champion 2-year-old male of 2003, has been retired after failing to regain his championship form in the last year.

Trainer Richard Mandella said will be sent to Castleton-Lyons Farm in Kentucky in coming days, where he will enter stud next month.

Owned by B. Wayne Hughes, Action This Day finished his career with two wins in eight starts and earnings of $822,484. In his final start in Saturday's Grade 2 San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes at Santa Anita, Action this Day finished eighth, 14 lengths behind stablemate Minister Eric.

Mon, 01/17/2005 - 00:00

Crisane tops sprint for fillies

ALBANY, Calif. - Six 3-year-old fillies meet in Wednesday's feature at Golden Gate Fields, a $62,500 optional claiming event at six furlongs.

were second and third, respectively, in a similar spot on Dec. 30. Crisane scored a nine-length victory at Hollywood Park in her previous start and was being considered for the Sunshine Millions before running second to Slew Motion in the Dec. 30 race.

Mon, 01/17/2005 - 00:00

Going Wild takes stakes debut

BENOIT PHOTO
Going Wild and jockey Mike Smith, inside, go neck and neck down the stretch with So Long Birdie and David Flores to win the $100,000 San Miguel Stakes on Monday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Going Wild made the successful jump from maiden winner to stakes winner in Monday's $106,900 at Santa Anita, overcoming a vicious duel with So Long Birdie to score by a nose.

The narrow margin of victory deceived co-owner Bob Lewis, who was afraid his starter was beaten.

"These wins, like a sliver, they do make you hold your breath," Lewis said. "Frankly, I didn't think we'd won it."

Mon, 01/17/2005 - 00:00

Lumpkins, Rollins resume riding

ALBANY, Calif. - The Golden Gate Fields jockey colony will be strengthened by the return of Jason Lumpkins and Chance Rollins. Both needed long recuperation periods following serious injuries.

Lumpkins sustained a dislocated left shoulder when Crozet clipped heels and fell during the Star Ball on Nov. 14. Lumpkins picked up two mounts Saturday and scored back-to-back wins aboard Relaxing Green and Motel Staff.

Mon, 01/17/2005 - 00:00

Quick Maddy's Lion wins smartly

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Before post positions were drawn for Monday's Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct, trainer John Pregman was hoping there would be enough speed to set things up for his 3-year-old Maddy's Lion.

After Maddy's Lion drew the rail, Pregman decided to change tactics and become the speed. The decision paid dividends as Pablo Fragoso hustled Maddy's Lion to the front leaving the gate and the two rolled to a 6 1/4-length victory over favored More Smoke in the $80,400 .

Lieutenant Danz finished third, followed by Primal Storm, Smokin Forest, and Gold Joy.

Mon, 01/17/2005 - 00:00

Gann is thrown, breaks leg

Sandi Gann, the only female rider to win the Turf Paradise riding title, was recovering Monday after surgery to repair her left thigh, which was broken in an accident after the final race of Friday's card.

Gann had just ridden the favorite, Sky Hoof Hearted, to victory in the ninth race and was waiting to enter the winner's circle when the horse became startled and threw the rider off. Gann was not stepped on but said she felt her leg break when she hit the ground.

Mon, 01/17/2005 - 00:00

Amazing Buy lives up to expectations

Amazing Buy lived up to the lofty expectations of her owner and the betting public, cruising to a relatively easy 2 1/2-length victory in the $80,550 for 3-year-old fillies.

Pelham Bay held off Pretty Partisan by a nose for second.

Though she was only coming off a maiden win going six furlongs, Amazing Buy was sent off as the 2-5 favorite, returning $2.90 for the victory. Her owner, Ernie Paragallo, who purchased Amazing Buy for $350,000, had stated before the race that she had the potential to be one of the best horses he ever owned.

Sun, 01/16/2005 - 00:00

Girl Warrior takes El Encino

BENOIT PHOTO
Girl Warrior and jockey Victor Espinoza, inside, hold off A.P. Adventure and Rene Douglas to win the Grade II, $150,000 El Encino Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif.-The transatlantic experiment is working for Girl Warrior.

Brought to California from England last summer after a disappointing start to her career on turf, Girl Warrior scored her first stakes win in Sunday's $150,000 at Santa Anita.

The win marked her third victory in four starts since switching surfaces.

To win the Grade 2 El Encino, Girl Warrior ($10.80) needed a little luck and a a well-timed ride from jockey Victor Espinoza.

Sun, 01/16/2005 - 00:00

Sweet Catomine captures Santa Ysabel Stakes

BENOIT PHOTO
Sweet Catomine and jockey David Flores take the Grade III, $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif.-Sweet Catomine launched her 2005 campaign with an easy win in Sunday's $108,000 at Santa Anita, leaving the rankings of the nation's 3-year-old fillies unchanged for the foreseeable future.

The Grade 3 Santa Ysabel marked the fourth consecutive stakes win for Sweet Catomine and her first start since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last October. She is unbeaten in three starts around two turns.

Sun, 01/16/2005 - 00:00

Mr. Boomer takes Pepsi Cola Handicap

Eric Alwan/Sunland Park
Mr. Boomer wins the $132,450 Pepsi Cola Handicap at Sunland Park on Saturday.

Mr. Boomer became a stakes winner on Saturday when he darted to a length and three-quarter win over a full field of New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds in the $132,450 at Sunland Park. C.G.'s Dollar finished second, a length and three-quarters clear of third-place finisher Abullwithapurpose.

Sandias Peppermint, the favorite, and Leon's Bull, who were co-highweighted at 122 pounds, finished a respective seventh and 11th.