ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A Bit O'Gold, winner of the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie on July 18, had his first taste of turf here Monday morning, when the E.P. Taylor course opened for a special session in advance of Sunday's Breeders' Stakes.
The $500,000 Breeders', a 1 1/2-mile turf race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, is the final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, following the 1 1/4-mile Queen's Plate and the 1 3/16-mile Prince of Wales, both main-track events.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Trainer Joe Orseno hopes Meadow Fox continues her progression Wednesday in the $41,000 six-furlong allowance feature for fillies and mares at Monmouth Park.
A 3-year-old, Meadow Fox made her season debut June 13 and just missed scoring her second career win. Meadow Fox set the pace and was nailed in deep stretch by Storm Minstrel.
The 3-5 favorite, she got all the money in her next start, July 7.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - My Vintage Port finished third in both the Woodbine Oaks and the Bison City at Fort Erie, the first two legs of the triple tiara for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.
But the rules of the game changed for the finale here Sunday, when the series switched to turf, and My Vintage Port upstaged her previous conquerors with a game victory under regular rider Jono Jones in the 1 1/4-mile Wonder Where.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Multiple stakes winner Forever Grand plunges in value to face $32,000 claimers in Wednesday's first race at Woodbine.
Forever Grand was the Sovereign Award runner-up in two categories last year: older horse and sprinter. He won 4 of 10 starts in 2003, for earnings of $385,120, but what a difference a year makes.
Royalty Boy, invading from Edmonton's Northlands Park, rallied from off a quick and contested pace to score a $15.50 upset in Monday's $100,000 Manitoba Lotteries Derby at Assiniboia Downs.
Shanghied, the locally based favorite who was seeking his fourth straight win in the 1 1/8-mile Manitoba Derby, assumed command almost immediately but was harassed throughout by both Skipper and Albarino, who was the second choice after shipping in from Ontario.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - It will be graduation day when racing resumes at the Sonoma County Fair on Wednesday, with five maiden races listed among the 10 races.
The most interesting race for winners is a six-furlong $12,500 claimer for horses that have never won twice. What makes the race interesting is the presence of Cooperstown Hero, who won his debut as a 5-year-old in a bottom-level $8,000 maiden claimer on March 6 at Golden Gate Fields.
A first-time starter that old usually has had more than his share of problems, and Cooperstown Hero certain qualifies.
SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Nilini beat 11 other Minnesota-bred 3-year old fillies to capture the $60,000 Minnesota Oaks at Canterbury Park. Nilini ($16.20), trained by Hugh Robertson, prevailed by a length over the late-running
Mrs. Beerman. Bleu's Apparition was another five lengths back in third. Nilini completed the mile and 70-yard contest in 1:45.52.
In the Minnesota Derby, Wally's Choice ($10.60) won by 1 3/4 lengths over Lt. Simpson, completing the mile and 70 yards in 1:42.61. Carl held third, another 1 3/4 lengths back.
ALTOONA, Iowa - Tricky Mocha led throughout and scored a 2 1/4-length upset victory over defending champion Patton's Victory in the $75,000 Prairie Meadows Handicap.
Tricky Mocha ($17.60), trained by Dick Clark, clocked the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.60.
Noon Win ($9.40) overtook the pacesetting Cloud Forty Nine in the stretch and registered a one-length victory in the $40,000 Kevin Goemmer Tah Dah Stakes for Ohio-bred 2-year-old fillies.
Cloud Forty Nine finished four lengths clear of Melissa Rocks for second.
Barnsy ($3.40) solidified her position as leader of the Ohio 3-year-old filly division with a two-length win in the $75,000 Queen City Oaks. Precocious held second, seven lengths clear of Happy Endings Too.
Trained by Tim Hamm and ridden by Hector Rosario Jr., Barnsy covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.
