Mon, 08/09/2004 - 00:00

Anthonia rallies to win Golden Horseshoe

Michael Burns Photo
Anthonia rallies to win the $58,000 Golden Horseshoe Stakes at Fort Erie Sunday.

Anthonia, under a heady ride by Monique Dionne, split horses coming into the stretch and rallied for a half-length victory in the $58,000 Golden Horseshoe Stakes at Fort Erie Sunday.

Longshots dominated the Golden Horseshoe, an about seven-furlong turf race restricted to fillies and mares who had made at least three starts at the meeting.

Anthonia returned $38.80 and keyed a $944.60 exactor with Kirlan, who was 35-1. Silks No Roses, who ended another three-quarters of a length back in third, completed a triactor worth $6,706.90.

Sun, 08/08/2004 - 00:00

Gulch Approval takes Oceanport

Ryan McAlinden/EQUI-PHOTO
Gulch Approval holds on to win the Grade 3 Oceanport Handicap by a nose at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Pat Day feared he might have moved Gulch Approval too soon but the gelding held on to win the Grade 3 Oceanport Handicap.

The Oceanport was one of six $100,000 stakes on the Haskell undercard.

Gulch Approval ($9.20) slipped through along the inside for his third straight win since trainer Nick Zito shifted the 4-year-old to the turf.

"It was a big race," said Day. "He's really turned around since Nick put him on the grass. It seems like he's found a home there."

Day kept Gulch Approval tucked in behind the early leaders.

Sun, 08/08/2004 - 00:00

Lion Heart, Bravo, take Haskell

Equi-Photo
Lion Heart cruises to the wire to win the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday giving rider Joe Bravo his first win in the track's marquee event for 3-year-olds.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Joe Bravo couldn't stop grinning as he pulled up Lion Heart after they teamed to win the Grade 1, $1 million Sunday at Monmouth Park.

Bravo, nine times the leading rider at Monmouth, finally had a victory in the biggest race at the track he calls home.

"It was such a great feeling, having the whole crowd behind you at my hometown track" said Bravo. "What a feeling!"

It was also a huge moment for Lion Heart ($5.80) as he won his second straight stakes and got his first Grade 1 win since the Hollywood Futurity at the end of his 2-year-old season.

Sun, 08/08/2004 - 00:00

A Bit O'Gold takes Breeders' Stakes

Michael Burns
A Bit O'Gold crosses the wire 1 3/4 lengths in front of Burst of Fire in the $500,000 Breeders' Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, at Woodbine on Sunday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A Bit O'Gold mowed down 18-1 shot Burst of Fire in the stretch en route to a decisive score in the $500,000 , the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown at Woodbine Sunday.

A Bit O'Gold's victory in the mile and a half turf event for 3-year-olds gave him two-thirds of the Triple Crown. He finished second as the favorite in the Queen's Plate, and he defeated Plate winner Niigon in the second race of the series, the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie.

Sun, 08/08/2004 - 00:00

Nitro Chip wins going turf to dirt

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Nitro Chip made a triumphant return to the maintrack on Sunday, winning the A. L. "Red" Irwin impressively from just off the pace under Donnie Meche. Walk This Way was four and a quarter lengths back in second followed by Brandon's Marfa. Favored Canadian Warrior cleared the field early and set the pace for a half mile before giving way in the turn.

Sun, 08/08/2004 - 00:00

Purge an easy winner in Jim Dandy

Horsephotos
Purge, ridden by John Velazquez, wins the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The second-guessing can end. The second season can start. After being rushed into the Belmont Stakes in June, Purge was given a break to point for the summer races for 3-year-olds at Saratoga. He began his quest for the Travers Stakes on Sunday, with an emphatic victory in the $500,000 .

Sun, 08/08/2004 - 00:00

Breeders' Cup eyes Monmouth in 2007

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Monmouth Park moved a step closer to hosting the 2007 Breeders' Cup with the signing of a memorandum of understanding among the parties.

It will be the first time the Breeders' Cup comes to New Jersey and the Mid Atlantic region.

Monmouth will host the 24th Breeders' Cup on either the last weekend in October or the first weekend of November, 2007.

Officials from Breeders' Cup Limited, the state of New Jersey and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority signed the document Sunday at a press conference in Monmouth's library.

Sun, 08/08/2004 - 00:00

Hambletonian-Haskell double will pays

Hambletonian-Haskell $2 double will pays:

7 - Windsong's Legacy with:

1 - My Snookie's Boy - $173.20
2 - Pies Prospect - $352.20
3 - Royal Assault - $99.40
4 - Lion Heart - $55.80
5 - Rock Hard Ten - $28.20
6 - Wimplestiltskin - $303.00
7 - Tap Day - $412.00
8 - Pollard's Vision - SCRATCHED - Consolation will be paid
9 - Swingforthefences - $229.20

Sun, 08/08/2004 - 00:00

Wacky Patty best in Lakeway

A return to racing against straight 3-year-olds benefited Wacky Patty, who picked up her fifth career stakes win in Saturday night's $40,000 Lakeway Stakes at Retama Park near San Antonio.

Wacky Patty ($12.40) raced in fifth early in the seven furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, then drew clear in the stretch for a three and three quarter length win over Hay Madison. It was another length and a half back in third to Bluegrass Sara.

Wacky Patty covered the distance in 1:24.82. Jeremy Beasley rode the winner for trainer Paul Duhon.

Sat, 08/07/2004 - 00:00

Santa Rosa: Calkins Road wins $100,000 Grace Handicap

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Calkins Road ($8.80) reversed the outcome of the May 31 Grade 3 Seabiscuit Handicap at Bay Meadows when he rallied down the lane to defeat odds-on favorite Yougottawanna to win the $100,340 Joseph T. Grace Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair on Sunday.

He won the 1 1/16-mile race by three-quarters of a length in 1:41.29. Peteski's Charm was third nine lengths back with Surprise Halo, the second choice in the field, last.