Mon, 09/27/2004 - 00:00

Blonde Executive takes La Prevoyante Stakes

Michael Burns Photo Ltd.
Blonde Executive wins the La Prevoyante Stakes by a neck at Woodbine on Sunday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Blonde Executive and Financingavailable staged their own private match race in Sunday's $132,250 La Prevoyante Stakes at Woodbine, with the former prevailing in a gutsy performance.

Blonde Executive, the heavy favorite in the one-mile turf tilt for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies, set moderate fractions while being pressed along the rail by Financingavailable. The two raced as a team from midway on the turn until the deep stretch, when Blonde Executive dug in to win by a neck, in a final time of 1:34.68 seconds.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Summer Symphony captures British Columbia BC Oaks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Summer Symphony weaved her way through traffic to win the $174,087 Grade 3 British Columbia Breeders' Cup Oaks by a half-length over her entrymate, Socorro County at Hastings Saturday.

With Chad Hoverson aboard, the Kentucky-bred daughter of Summer Squall rallied from between horses on the stretch turn while Socorro County was forced to go four-wide while making her late move.

"I had a pretty good trip," said Hoverson. "Things really opened up for me and I certainly had enough horse to take advantage of the situation."

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Fantasticat upsets Super Derby

Louisiana Downs
Fantasticat (right) holds off Borrego to win the Super Derby by a half-length.

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Trainer Bobby Barnett made a triumphant return to Louisiana Downs on Saturday when he sent out Fantasticat to a 14-1 upset in the Grade 2, $500,000 . Borrego finished a half-length back in second in the 1 1/8-mile race, while it was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to pacesetter Britt's Jules.

Imperialism, the favorite, made a mild bid up the rail and finished fourth, four lengths behind Britt's Jules.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Ocean Drive overcomes

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Ocean Drive wins Saturday's Noble Damsel despite a wide trip and having to carry high weight of 120 pounds.

ELMONT, N.Y. - The trip was far different than the one she had a month ago, but the result was the same for the ultra-consistent Ocean Drive.

Ocean Drive barely left the hedge when she won the Grade 3 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup at Saratoga last month. Saturday, Ocean Drive had to overcome an extremely wide trip, but was still good enough to win the Grade 3, $150,000 by 1 1/4 lengths at Belmont Park.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Sabiango slows down pace in Turf

JJ Zamaiko
Sabiango wins the Kentucky Cup Turf on Saturday at Kentucky Downs.

FRANKLIN, Ky. - Sabiango, ridden by Brice Blanc, led all the way on a slow pace before pulling away to a clear-cut victory Saturday over Rochester in the seventh running of the Grade 3 at Kentucky Downs.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Sand Springs captures Ladies Turf

FRANKLIN, Ky. - Trainer Tony Reinstedler said he believed the combination of a firm turf and the right trip would make Sand Springs very tough to beat Saturday in the $100,000 at Kentucky Downs.

Reinstedler could not have been more right. Sand Springs relaxed perfectly off the early pace before racing to a 3 1/4-length triumph, ending a losing streak of eight races, several of which came over softer ground.

"This really worked out great," said Reinstedler.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Stretch run propels Uraib

Uraib ($30) unleashed a strong kick in the stretch to fly by the field and score a nose victory in Saturday's $55,800 Hillsborough Handicap at Bay Meadows.

A B Noodle set the pace in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares, while Uraib, under Chance Rollins, was last around the first turn and down the backstretch.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Pimlico: Western Ransom by a head

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
Western Ransom, Ryan Fogelsonger up, rallies to win the Martha Washington by a head at Pimlico on Saturday.

Jockey Ryan Fogelsonger left little margin for error, but when he asked Western Ransom for a late run in the , the filly responded with a charge that got the pair up for a head victory.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Woodbine: 'Dude' beats The Finagler

Michael Burns Photo Ltd.
What's Up Dude outruns The Finagler to win the $136,000 Swynford Stakes at Woodbine.

What's Up Dude outran favored The Finagler en route to a 4 3/4-length score in the $136,000 Swynford Stakes.

The Finagler and Dr. Socrates vied through moderate fractions in the seven-furlong dash for 2-year-olds, as What's Up Dude assumed a three-wide stalking position under Patrick Husbands.

What's Up Dude took control from The Finagler at the quarter pole, and then drew off in the stretch to complete the distance in 1:24.67 seconds. Dr. Socrates finished 2 1/4 lengths back of The Finagler in third in the five-horse field. Olympia Fields and Three Cianos were scratched.

Sat, 09/25/2004 - 00:00

Monmouth Park: Grand Prayer scores

Deja Puglisi/EQUI-PHOTO
Grand Prayer, and jockey Eibar Coa, stays ahead of Emerald Earrings to win the $60,000 Without Feathers Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Grand Prayer ran down the front-running Emerald Earrings in the stretch and drew off to win the $60,000 Without Feathers Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths.