The long-absent Sing Me Back Home has been ready to run for about a month, but trainer Allen Iwinski had a difficult time finding a suitable race for the 5-year-old sprinter.
The $100,000 Vincent Moscarelli Memorial Handicap at Delaware Park turned out to be an ideal spot for Sing Me Back Home's comeback. Ridden by Jeremy Rose, Sing Me Back Home ($8.80) withstood a late rally by another comebacker, Deer Run, to score a 1 1/4-length victory.
Traffic Chief went right to the front and led every step of the way at Finger Lakes to win the $125,000 New York Derby for 3-year-olds foaled in New York the way a 3-5 shot should win - by a widening three lengths.
Go Rockin' Robin, the 5-2 second choice, tracked Traffic Chief from the gate to the turn for home in the 1 1/16-mile race, then flattened out, enabling Spite the Devil to gain the place spot. Traffic Chief, ridden by John Davila Jr. and trained Michael Hushion, ran the distance in 1:44.74 and paid $3.30.
In a repeat performance from a year ago, Ghostly Numbers ($5.20) went wire-to-wire to win the $50,000 Mister Diz Stakes at Laurel Park for a second time. Ridden by Rick Wilson for trainer Mike Trombetta, Ghostly Numbers covered 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.56 over a turf course labeled good.
Docent ($3), carrying the most weight of his career at 128 pounds, cruised to a three-length victory to extend his winning streak to four races in the $50,000 Iroquois Handicap at Philadelphia Park. It was the ninth stakes win in the last two seasons for Docent, a 5-year-old horse trained by Tim Ritchey and ridden by Stewart Elliott.
La Grande Mamma ($3.30) seized command on the turn before coasting to an easy victory in the $137,375 Nandi Stakes at Woodbine in Etobicoke, Ontario.
La Grande Mamma stalked longshot Always Hope through an opening quarter of 22.66 seconds in the six-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired juvenile fillies. She assumed the lead before getting the half-mile split in 46.34, and then drew off in the stretch to prevail by four lengths.
Boozin Blonde finished a clear second, while My Vintage Port ended up third in the 10-horse field. The final time, over a muddy track, was 1:12.73.
DEL MAR, Calif. - It was not the time of Lil' Bro Eddie's workout on Saturday at Del Mar that pleased trainer Jeff Mullins the most.
Instead, it was the sounds that the 2-year-old stakes winner Lil' Bro Eddie did not make that pleased Mullins, as Lil' Bro Eddie trained for Wednesday's Graduation Stakes for California-breds.
Three weeks after undergoing surgery to aid his breathing, Lil' Bro Eddie worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds, and Mullins was relieved. "He never made a sound," Mullins said.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Dirty Diana proved on Friday that she is an outstanding 2-year-old filly who can pull away in the stretch.
After winning a maiden race by seven lengths at Hollywood Park in April, Dirty Diana finished a well-beaten fifth in the Cinderella Stakes on June 8. She returned in Friday's $125,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar and led throughout to win by 8 1/2 lengths.
Ridden by Mike Smith, Dirty Diana ($6.20) ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.31, a stakes record.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - "Run the sucker.'
That's what trainer Bobby Frankel had to say Saturday morning after Empire Maker worked a sensational six furlongs in 1:12.03 over a fast Saratoga main track in preparation for next Sunday's Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy. The Jim Dandy will be Empire Maker's first start since he won the June 7 Belmont Stakes and will be his prep for the $1 million Travers here on Aug. 23. A year ago, Frankel won both those races with Medaglia d'Oro.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It was Ocean Drive's maiden victory on closing day of the 2002 Saratoga meet that enabled trainer Todd Pletcher to win the trainers' title. On Monday, Ocean Drive can cap a sensational first week of the 2003 meet for Pletcher as he seeks to defend his crown.
Ocean Drive, who has won 5 of 6 career starts, figures to go off a strong favorite in the Grade 3, $100,000 Lake George Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf. Although she is the most accomplished horse in the field, Ocean Drive will have to overcome post 12 on the Mellon Turf Course.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Talk Me Again had a rough introduction to American racing when she finished last of five in an allowance race over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park on July 9.
She battled for the lead with Grant Marty a Wish through a half-mile in 43.41 seconds and faded in her first start since arriving from Argentina last winter.
On Monday at Del Mar, Talk Me Again returns in a $59,000 optional claimer for fillies and mares over five furlongs on turf. She is one of several contenders in a difficult puzzle for bettors.
