Sun, 06/22/2003 - 00:00

Extra weight can't stop Azeri

Horsephotos
Azeri runs her winning streak to 10 with a two-length win in Saturday's Grade 1, $250,000 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The winning streak and impressive performances continue for Azeri.

The latest conquest for the 2002 Horse of the Year came in Saturday's $250,000 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. Azeri easily beat six rivals and stretched her unbeaten streak to 10 while carrying a career-high 127 pounds.

With an ultra-confident ride from jockey Mike Smith, Azeri won by two lengths, finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.48. She became the fourth two-time winner of the Vanity, and first to successfully defend her title since It's in the Air (1979-80).

Sun, 06/22/2003 - 00:00

Harmony Lodge a runaway in Sweet Briar Too

Michael Burns
Harmony Lodge crosses the wire a 5 1/2-length winner of the $108,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Harmony Lodge got the stakes proceedings off to a rousing start at Woodbine Sunday, romping to a 5 1/2-length win in the $108,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes.

Harmony Lodge, based in New York with Todd Pletcher and ridden by Eibar Coa, broke from the inside, assumed command with a half-mile to run and never let her opposition get close while completing the seven furlongs in 1:22.07.

Sat, 06/21/2003 - 00:00

Rain causes racing to cancel at Emerald Downs

AUBURN, Wash. - Racing was canceled after the fifth of 10 scheduled events were run at Emerald Downs on Saturday when the jockeys declined to ride, citing unsafe track conditions.

The program began with a fast track, but a steady rain began to fall on the unsealed surface after the first race and the stewards changed the track condition to sloppy after the fourth race. The jockeys met after the fifth race and, after a delay of about 20 minutes, decided not to continue riding.

Racing is scheduled to resume at Emerald on Sunday.

Sat, 06/21/2003 - 00:00

Stalking Tiger captures Haggin

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Making his first start for owner David Milch, Stalking Tiger remained unbeaten with a three-length victory in Saturday's $94,050 Haggin Stakes for 2-year-olds.

Milch acquired Stalking Tiger from trainer Paul Aguirre after the gelding won a maiden race for $40,000 claimers in his debut on May 29. Aguirre bought Stalking Tiger in May after the gelding was withdrawn from the Barretts 2-year-olds in-training sale.

Sat, 06/21/2003 - 00:00

Sightseek outclasses rivals

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Sightseek, with Jerry Bailey riding, wins the Ogden Phipps by six lengths over Take Charge Lady.

ELMONT, N.Y. - As Bobby Frankel watched Sightseek run in the early stages of Saturday's $300,000 , the Hall of Fame trainer did not think his filly was handling Belmont's sloppy main track under jockey Jerry Bailey.

"It looked like he was riding her all the way," Frankel said.

But, in fact, Bailey had Sightseek nice and relaxed while stalking the pacesetting Take Charge Lady. When Bailey asked Sightseek to run turning for home, she exploded, splashing her way to a five-length victory in the Grade 1 Phipps before 6,207 at soggy Belmont.

Sat, 06/21/2003 - 00:00

Peeping Tom beats 'Matt' in Moseley

EAST BOSTON - Flatbird Stable's Peeping Tom stalked a hot pace Saturday to get his first stakes victory in more than a year, beating My Cousin Matt in the $200,000 James B. Moseley Breeders' Cup Handicap at Suffolk Downs.

Making his seventh straight stakes appearance but still lacking a win in stakes company this year for trainer Pat Reynolds, Peeping Tom - the only Grade 1 winner in the field - and jockey Shaun Bridgmohan stalked a hot pace before angling out for the 1 3/4-length victory in 1:10.42 over a fast six furlongs.

Sat, 06/21/2003 - 00:00

Wild and Wicked stays unbeaten

JJ Zamaiko Photography
Wild and Wicked wins the Ohio Derby by 3 1/4 lengths at Thistledown on Saturday.

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Wild and Wicked kept his record unblemished Saturday when he assumed command just inside the furlong marker and drew off to a 3 1/4-length victory in the 69th running of the Grade 2, $300,000, at Thistledown.

It was the first stakes race and only the third career start for Wild and Wicked, a dark-hued son of Wild Again who could be a factor in the 3-year-old division later this summer. Trainer Ken McPeek said Wild and Wicked's next start would be either the Haskell at Monmouth or the Jim Dandy at Saratoga.

Sat, 06/21/2003 - 00:00

Peeping Tom captures Moseley

EAST BOSTON - Flatbird Stable's Peeping Tom stalked a hot pace Saturday to get his first stakes victory in more than a year, beating My Cousin Matt in the $200,000 James B. Moseley Breeders' Cup Handicap at Suffolk Downs.

Making his seventh straight stakes appearance but still lacking a win in stakes company this year for trainer Pat Reynolds, Peeping Tom - the only Grade 1 winner in the field - and jockey Shaun Bridgmohan stalked a hot pace before angling out for the 1 3/4-length victory in 1:10.42 over a fast six furlongs.

Sat, 06/21/2003 - 00:00

Patrol stalks and pounces in Turf Cup

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Patrol changed tactics Saturday, using a stalking style to win the $250,000 Dallas Turf Cup at Lone Star Park by a length over Slew the Red. It was another length back in third to Storybook Kid.

The Dallas Turf Cup was the third leg in the NTRA Summer Pick 3. Sightseek won the first leg, the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park, while Wild and Wicked won the second leg, the Grade 2 Ohio Derby at Thistledown. On a $2 bet, the 2-6-6 combination returned $29.40.

Sat, 06/21/2003 - 00:00

Churchill: Mountain General scores upset

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Mountain General overcame traffic trouble amid a tight pack of older horses Saturday to post a narrow victory over favored Beau's Town in the 15th running of the Grade 3, $109,000 Aristides Handicap at Churchill Downs.

With Corey Lanerie riding, Mountain General was forced to alter course leaving the furlong pole in the 6 1/2-furlong Aristides, then made a winning charge up the rail to finish a head in front of Beau's Town. The winner returned $22.40 as fifth choice in a field of seven.