ELMONT, N.Y. - Time may not matter, but timing does. A well-timed move by Javier Castellano helped Park Avenue Ball upset Sunday's Grade 2, $300,000 at Belmont Park.
It mattered little to the winning connections that the final time of 1:38.84 was by far the slowest of 10 runnings of the Futurity at one mile, in spite of a strong breeze at the horse's back through the stretch.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Three Hour Nap had raced only twice, but he won the like a seasoned horse, grinding out the final furlong for a neck victory over Elusive Chris and Straight Line, who dead-heated for second.
Rocky River, the 3-5 favorite, was uncontrollable on the early pace, running off and tiring to finish fourth in the Grade 3, $200,000 Futurity on closing day at Arlington. Three Hour Nap, who raced in fourth behind a fast pace, rallying on the far turn, paid $8.20 to win, running a one-turn mile in a modest 1:38.56.
Favorites were shut out in all six of the restricted stakes that made up the annual Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame night at Retama Park near San Antonio. The final straw came in the featured $100,000 Texas Hall of Fame Stakes, when Rare Cure outgamed Shakethemhatersoff and favorite Desert Darby for a neck win in the mile and a sixteenth turf race. Together, the stakes made for the richest night of racing this meet at Retama.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Wind Water ($3.60) was never seriously challenged as he scored the second stakes victory of his career, winning the $66,075 San Mateo Stakes at Bay Meadows on Saturday.
The 2-year-old colt broke alertly from the rail and established a quick lead down the backstretch over Tricky Secret. He expanded his margin at every call, winning the six-furlong race by five lengths over Danny Dingle. The winning time was 1:09.93.
Bossier City, La. - Happy Ticket made her turf debut a successful one on Saturday as she ran her career record to a perfect four-for-four in winning the $50,000 Seneca Stakes. Kaitlin's Rocket was carving into the favorite's lead in the late going but had to settle for second followed by Catlaan.
FLORENCE, Ky. - Dale Romans was apprehensive before the Grade 2 was run Saturday at Turfway Park, and he was still apprehensive as the field turned into the stretch.
But the final furlong was a blowout in favor of Romans and his stable star, Roses in May, who drew off to win the $350,000 race as the heavy favorite and head into the Breeders' Cup Classic with a 5-for-5 record this year.
"It all worked out," Romans said as he headed to the winner's circle with a relieved grin, while surrounded by a gang of elated friends and family. "Everything worked out."
FLORENCE, Ky. - D. Wayne Lukas abruptly went from agitated to elated Saturday when Susan's Angel gave the Hall of Fame trainer his record 14th win in Kentucky Cup history in the $175,000 .
Susan's Angel, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, turned back a stretch bid from Mayo on the Side to win the Grade 3 Turfway BC by three-quarters of a length. Angela's Love, the 8-5 favorite in a field of six fillies and mares, faded to third after setting most of the pace.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Senor Swinger relished the softness of Belmont Park's inner turf course more than Stroll did, easily blowing past that rival in midstretch en route to a four-length victory in Saturday's Grade 2, $207,800 .
It was 3 1/2 lengths back to B.A. Way, who rallied past pacesetter Gulch Approval for third. New Jersey shipper Hotstufanthensome was scratched in the paddock for wearing illegal shoes.
ELMONT, N.Y. - On Sept. 12 at Belmont Park, Teton Forest and Senor Swinger worked well in company for trainer Bob Baffert. Six days later, they were both winners of stakes on the same card.
One race after winning the Grade 2 with Teton Forest. Teton Forest gave Baffert his second win in the Jerome, which he won last year with During.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - On paper, the looked like a two-horse race, but Spotlight was no match for the incredible little Ticker Tape, who ran for the eighth time this year and won her fourth race, beating Spotlight by 2 3/4 lengths.
Now it is on to Keeneland and the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Oct. 16. Ticker Tape already has won the richest 3-year-old filly grass race run this season, the $500,000 American Oaks, and based on her effortless victory Saturday, she will be a major factor in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth.
