DEL MAR, Calif. - Azeri will carry 127 pounds when she tries for her 11th consecutive win Sunday, in the $300,000 Clement Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar.
Azeri carried the same weight when she won the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 21, her most recent start. Last year, she carried 126 pounds when she won the Hirsch Handicap en route to being named Horse of the Year.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - There was simple symmetry Monday at Saratoga.
Jerry Bailey put the appropriate bookend on Hall of Fame day. After presenting jockey Mike Smith, the 2003 inductee, in the morning at the induction ceremonies, Bailey rode Stroll to victory in the $150,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Handicap, after which Smith presented the stakes trophy to Bailey and another Hall of Famer, trainer Bill Mott.
"It was a real special day today," Bailey said. "Mike and I are real good friends, and today was just real special."
Barbeau Ruckus prevailed in a stretch-long duel with Lil Personalitee and was up in the final jump to prevail by a nose in Monday's $78,300 Cool Reception.
A 4-year-old Ontario-bred gelding, Barbeau Ruckus was recording his third straight stakes victory, all at 1 1/16 miles. He is trained by Ross Armata.
Barbeau Ruckus, clocked in 1:43.02, returned $3.30 as the favorite in the field of five. Right Stop, Ocean Front, and Fleet Forum completed the order of finish.
Hero's Pleasure capped a big day for Canterbury Park invaders Monday, rallying furiously down the stretch to snatch victory from the front-running Taiaslew in the 1 1/8-mile Manitoba Derby.
Taiaslew, the even-money favorite who was seeking his fifth win in as many starts this year, led through fractions of 22.80 seconds, 46.80, and 1:12.40 and opened up a seemingly insurmountable lead into the stretch.
But Hero's Pleasure, ridden by Scott Stevens, took dead aim on the leader through the final furlong and was up in time to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.40.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Barb Minshall had several solid prospects for Wednesday's $136,500 Vice Regent Stakes at Woodbine, including stakes winners Battlements and Snake Pit, but she ultimately decided to go with third-stringer Knotty Behaviour in the one-mile grass event.
Knotty Behaviour struggled over the dirt before Minshall put him on the grass in a tough maiden special June 19, in which he finished fourth behind Puffer and Go North going 1 1/16 miles.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Wando stands front and center heading into Saturday's $500,000 Breeders' Stakes, where he will be looking to cap his sweep of the Canadian Triple Crown and earn the $500,000 bonus that would accompany such a feat.
But owners Sam-Son Farm and trainer Mark Frostad aren't about to concede victory to Wando in the 1 1/2-mile turf race and will triple-team him with Parasail, Shoal Water, and Colorful Judgement.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Forget the Ferris wheels, mules, and corn dogs.
The San Mateo County Fair race meet - also known as the Bay Meadows Fair - is really just a warm-up for the return of racing to one of northern California's major race sites.
For the major barns based here, it's simply a homecoming.
"Honestly, I'm a little tired of going to the fairs," trainer William E. Morey said. "I've gone every day, and I'm glad we're going back home."
EDMONTON, Alberta - After knocking on the door in his previous two trips along the Canadian Derby trail, Beau Brass finally knocked it down here last Saturday in the $40,000 Count Lathum following a spectacular battle down the lane with favorite Rindanica.
The question before the race was which of the five entrants would best handle the 1 5/16-mile distance, and Beau Brass answered the call with a near perfect trip.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - The future looks bright for Tabacchi, who on Saturday became one of the most impressive 2-year-olds to debut this summer at Monmouth Park.
Tabacchi had been working strongly in the morning, and the colt's trainer, Terri Pompay, said the biggest challenge was keeping him under control.
"He wants to go," Pompay said. "Mostly, what we worked on was getting him to settle and relax. He's got a good head on his shoulders. He's got a lot of power."
That power was evident in Saturday's race.
