DEL MAR, Calif. - Blackdoun remained unbeaten after two starts in the United States with a convincing late rally in Saturday's $150,000 at Del Mar.
The victory came 3 1-2 weeks after he won his American debut in a division of the Oceanside Stakes. Trained by Julio Canani for Marsha Naify and Woodside Farm, Blackdoun will be pointed for a sweep of Del Mar's turf stakes for 3-year-olds in the $400,000 Del Mar Derby on Sept. 6.
Bossier City, La. - Cherylville Slew ran her current win streak to three on Saturday afternoon, rallying strongly under clever handling by E. J. Perrodin to capture the Sangue Stakes. Outright Buck, who helped set much of the pace in the grassy seven and a half furlong headliner for fillies and mares, had to settle for second followed by favorite Due to Win Again.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Kitten's Joy showed Saturday that he might not only be the best 3-year-old turf horse in North America, but quite possibly the best turf horse, period.
In a rousing performance that surely pleased his many backers in the Arlington Park crowd of 30,414, Kitten's Joy ran off to a 3 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1 , finishing in faster time than what older horses took 90 minutes earlier in the Arlington Million. He returned $3.80 with his seventh victory from eight career turf starts.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - At least nobody got hurt this time.
But for the second straight year, the fireworks exploded at the finish of the , as Powerscourt was disqualified from first to fourth for interfering with Kicken Kris and Epalo in the final 150 yards. Kicken Kris, who was pushed into the rail, was moved up from second to first, while Magistretti went from third to second, Epalo from fourth to third.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Calling Crimson Palace a successful world traveler may be gross understatement. Getting a beautiful trip under Frankie Dettori, Crimson Palace won on her fourth different continent Saturday, scoring an upset at nearly 10-1 in the 15th running of the Grade 1 at Arlington Park.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Better Talk Now became a Grade 1 winner in Saturday's at Saratoga, defeating Request for Parole by 1 1/2 lengths.
Balto Star, the pacesetter, finished third, three-quarters of a length behind Request for Parole in the 1 1/2-mile turf race. It was another length back to Rochester in fourth. Silverfoot and B. A. Way completed the order of finish.
Under Ramon Dominguez, Better Talk Now made a bold move from the outside in the final sixteenth to pass Request for Parole and Balto Star.
BENSALEM, Pa. - Few fans were in attendance when Smarty Jones began his career at Philadelphia Park on a quiet autumn Sunday last November. Nine months later on a dreary Saturday afternoon, an estimated 10,000 fans at this small track outside Philadelphia came out to say thanks and bid farewell to the 3-year-old chestnut colt whom they followed on a ride that led all the way to the top of the sport.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - War's Prospect took no prisoners Saturday afternoon, as he blasted right to the front and went on to win the $60,000 Rumson Stakes for 3-year-olds at Monmouth Park.
War's Prospect ($16.60) ran the six furlongs in 1:08.67 over the fast track on a drizzly afternoon.
Jose C. Ferrer was aboard as War's Prospect gave trainer Bill Anderson his first win of the meet.
"We caught a field where we could make the lead," said Anderson. "I was a little concerned when I saw the half fractions, but he's a decent horse."
