The excellence of California shippers extended from New York to Kentucky on Saturday. Less than a half-hour after Pico Central won the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park, Cappuchino easily took the $100,000 at the Florence, Ky., track.
Going straight to the front under Dean Sarvis, Cappuchino set quick splits of 22.87 seconds, 46.38, and 1:11.18 on a clear lead. The fast pace did not take a toll. He ran strongly to the wire, winning by four lengths over Crafty Shaw.
Heavily favored Ashado easily won the Grade 2, $250,000 for 3-year-old fillies at Philadelphia Park on Saturday, defeating Ender's Sister by 2 3/4 lengths. My Lordship was another 3 1/2 lengths back in third.
In her final prep for the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Ashado stalked the pace three wide, took command in early stretch, and widened the gap while being ridden out.
Bending Strings rallied from last to first, winning the Grade 3, $143,000 Safely Kept Breeders' Cup at Pimlico by 2 1/4 lengths over even-money favorite Smokey Glacken.
Sent off as the third choice in the race for 3-year-old fillies under Hector Karamanos, Bending Strings swung four wide in midstretch and closed fastest, covering the six furlongs in 1:10.11. She had been off the board in each of her last four starts, all in Grade 1 races. She paid $9.80 and teamed with the favorite for a $27.40 exacta.
Colorful Judgement ($13.60) overhauled 9-1 shot Lenny the Lender in the final strides to capture the Grade 2 at Woodbine.
Colorful Judgement was one of four Sam-Son Farm runners in the 1 3/8-mile turf race, including 3-10 favorite Strut the Stage, who trailed in the seven-horse field. The others were the designated rabbit, Longship, who was third at 51-1, and fourth-place finisher Rainbows for Luck.
Lyracist took advantage of an early pace duel to rally from second-last in a field of six and win the $100,300 Kelso Handicap at Delaware Park.
Private Lap, the even-money favorite, was kept inside by the 9-1 shot Distinct Vision while disputing the pace, got out on the far turn, and then gave way to finish third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths. Private Lap carried Ouagadougou wide as he came out for the drive and was disqualified from third and placed fourth.
MIAMI - Trainer Bill White cautioned against conceding the victory in Saturday's $100,000 Foolish Pleasure Stakes to his odds-on favorite, Cin Cin. He was almost right.
Cin Cin, sent postward the prohibitive 1-2 favorite despite White's warnings, had to be fully extended to fend off his uncoupled stablemate, D'court's Speed, before hanging on for a half-length victory in the mile-and-70-yard Foolish Pleasure. The win was the third in a row for Cin Cin ($3), who easily won the seven-furlong Affirmed division of the Florida Stallion Stakes in his previous start.
MIAMI - Caller One, whose only start during the last 28 months came in the two-furlong Rocket Man Stakes here July 10, continued his comeback by working five furlongs in 1:03.20 on Saturday.
Caller One went to the sidelines with over $2 million in earnings after suffering a fractured sesamoid during the spring of 2002. He finished a troubled third when finally making it back to the races in the Rocket Man, and has been in training here ever since with Laura Posada.
Hialeah Park, which closed its doors in 2001 following the deregulation of racing dates in south Florida, may now have to forfeit its operating permit after a government-appointed hearing officer ruled that the track cannot blame Gulfstream Park or Calder for its inability to conduct a live meet.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Enduring Will might have punched her ticket to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies later this month at Lone Star Park after she powered to a 10-length win in the $100,000 Silver Spur Breeders' Cup on Friday, the track's opening night.
The one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies was designed as a local prep for the BC Juvenile Fillies. Al Stall Jr., who trains Enduring Will, said the filly is being considered for the Breeders' Cup, which will be run on Oct. 30.
Believe Im Special won the $40,000 Racino Inaugural for the third straight year at Delta Downs on Friday night. He won the five-furlong opening night feature by a neck over Joyful Tune. It was another half-length back in third to favorite Nitro Chip.
Believe Im Special ($9.80) broke sharp from his rail post and dueled throughout, covering the distance in 59.37 seconds. Guy Smith rode the winner for trainer Thomas Sam. Believe Im Special earned $24,000 for the partnership of Davis, Davis, and Defrates. He has won 9 of 27 starts overall for earnings of $241,899.
