OCEANPORT, N.J. - Balto Star and jockey Jose Velez Jr. teamed up for the biggest win of their respective careers as they combined to pull off a stunning upset Saturday afternoon in the Grade 1, $750,000 United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park.
Balto Star ($76) held off The Tin Man by a half-length with Lunar Sovereign third. Balto Star set a course record, running the 1 3/8 miles in 2:12.78, erasing the mark of 2:12.81 set by With Anticipation in his U.N. victory last year.
CHICAGO - Jockey Rene Douglas's hands began moving ever so slightly on the backstretch. By the half-mile pole, Douglas's movements had intensified, as he got into a rhythm with Ballingarry, the heavy favorite Saturday in the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes Handicap at Arlington.
MIAMI, Fla. - A field of 10 2-year-olds went postward in Saturday's $100,000 Criterium Stakes at Calder but in the end the 5 1/2-furlong race turned out to be a virtual match race. Sir Oscar ultimately proved a neck better than Charming Jim following a near gate to wire battle.
Both Sir Oscar and Charming Jim came into the Criterium undefeated, each having won their only starts against maiden competition. Despite that fact, Sir Oscar was bet down to 3-5 favoritism while Charming Jim was sent to the post as the third choice at 10-1.
When trainer John Kimmel scratched Affirmed Dancer, it not only spoiled an anticipated showdown between a pair of talented New York-based fillies, it also left Delta Princess without much competition in the $100,000 Dr. James Penny Memorial Handicap.
Ridden for the first time by Heberto Castillo, Delta Princess ($2.80) came from off the pace to score a five-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile turf race at Philadelphia Park. She covered the distance in 1:42.48 over a firm course.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Belmont invader Madeira Mist ($18.90) closed along the rail to edge 30-1 shot First Quarter and win the Grade 3, $187,250 Dance Smartly Handicap at Woodbine
Madeira Mist raced well off a lively pace under Patrick Husbands in the nine-furlong turf race for fillies and mares. Favored Chopinina set fractions of 22.95 seconds for a quarter-mile and 45.49 for a half-mile while being pressed by Ginger Gold and Five Fishes on the backstretch.
NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Cat Singer assumed command along the rail going into the far turn and widened to the wire to win the $100,000 Cleveland Gold Gup by 4 1/2 lengths at Thistledown. Ben's Reflection, who had set the early pace, hung on for second, a diminishing neck in front of Southtown Slew.
Hackendiffy, who finished second in the Grade 2 Ohio Derby in his last start, was sent off as the 1-2 favorite and finished sixth, beaten 14 3/4 lengths.
MIAMI, Fla. - Gold Mover came to town as an underdog for the 2002 Princess Rooney Handicap when she was pitted against defending Eclipse Award winner Xtra Heat. But Gold Mover turned in one of the best performances of her career and upset the odds-on favorite.
Saturday, Gold Mover returns to Miami as the starting highweight and horse to beat in defense of her title in the Grade 2 Princess Rooney.
"It doesn't matter to me what role we're in," trainer Mark Hennig said by phone from New York Saturday. "I'm just glad we don't have to run against Xtra Heat again."
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Entering Friday's $150,000 American Handicap at Hollywood Park, Candy Ride was unbeaten and untested in his first four starts. Although Candy Ride had to work to win the Grade 2 race at 1 1/8 miles on turf, the Argentine import remains undefeated.
