HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The outcome of the Grade 3, $100,000 Fifth Season Breeders' Cup at Oaklawn on Wednesday is difficult to predict because of its competitive field, but there does appear to be one certainty in the race: Spanish Empire will be closer to the pace than he was last time, in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap.
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DRF Past Performances
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Bay Meadows general manager Bernie Thurman might call herself "cautiously optimistic" as a 55-day meeting opens at Bay Meadows on Wednesday, but she sounds far more upbeat than cautious.
While full fields remain a long-range goal, Thurman and racing secretary Tom Doutrich are encouraged by the fact that Washington-based horsemen are leaving some horses in northern California despite the start of the Emerald Downs meeting near Seattle.
Thurman said that several trainers have indicated they will send runners from Arizona as well.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Dynever began his 2004 as scheduled Saturday, albeit a few time zones farther west than originally expected. But despite a last-minute change in venue, Dynever opened the year in spectacular fashion, with an easy victory in Santa Anita's San Bernadino Handicap.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Were he not so dedicated, jockey Hector Romero Jr. would be losing his apprentice allowance during the Bay Meadows meeting, which opens Wednesday.
Romero showed talent last year, winning 18 races.
No. 18 was the biggest, an $84.80 upset aboard the maiden Classic Fool in the Governor's Handicap Aug. 23 at the State Fair in Sacramento.
Romero, who was commuting daily from his home in the Bay Area, had only one mount the next day and was tempted to ask to be replaced, but instead he drove the more than 100 miles to ride.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Jeff Mullins had already saddled two winners on Saturday before Castledale pulled an upset at 30-1 in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.
Earlier in the day, Mud Light and Beau Soleil won overnight races for Mullins.
But unlike Castledale, who won by only a head over Rock Hard Ten, there was no suspense in the wins by Mud Light and Beau Soleil, who were both ridden by Victor Espinoza
ARCADIA, Calif. - Rahy Dolly and Lyin Goddess, who have both placed in stakes in the last four months, will attempt to end multirace losing streaks in the $49,000 seventh race at Santa Anita on Wednesday.
They face seven others, four of whom scored sharp maiden wins in their last start.
is in search of a confidence boost. After winning a six-furlong allowance race by 11 lengths in her career debut last November, Rahy Dolly finished second in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet, fifth in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes, and sixth in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes on Feb. 15.
A return to sprinting and a change in strategy helped Spirited Game ($20) score a three-quarter-length victory in the $50,000 Smart Halo Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
Unlike her most recent start, when she sprinted to the lead and faded in a route, Spirited Game was taken back early by jockey Abel Castellano Jr., as instructed by trainer Ron Cartwright.
Sixth of seven with two furlongs remaining, Spirited Game swung three wide at the top of the stretch and ran down pacesetter Highgate Park, covering six furlongs in 1:12.67.
Wildcat Shoes stalked the pace, took the lead at the top of the stretch, and went on to a 3 1/2-length victory in the $109,500 Lost Code Breeders Cup Stakes at Hawthorne. For winning rider Eibar Coa, it was his third victory on the card.
A Kentucky-bred son of Forest Wildcat trained by William Fires, Wildcat Shoes ($4.60 as the favorite) ran the six furlongs in 1:11. Danieltown finished second, 4 1/2 lengths ahead of the third-place Wild Eventure.
CARENCRO, La. - Smalltown Slew made his first start in stakes company a successful one as he overcame a slow start to outduel favored highweight Britt's Jules in the $50,000 Inaugural Handicap at Evangeline Downs.
Smalltown Slew edged clear in the late going to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths under Ricky Faul in 1:10.60 for the six furlongs. Britt's Jules held off a fast-closing Brandon's Marfa for the place spot, with Valid Faith finishing fourth.