HALLANDALE Fla. - Indy Dancer, one of the most promising horses on the Kentucky Derby trail, will in all likelihood make his next start at Gulfstream Park on Saturday in the Grade 1 Fountain of Youth instead of shipping to the Fair Grounds for Sunday's Risen Star Stakes, as originally planned.
Trainer Todd Pletcher's decision to keep Indy Dancer at home this weekend came after Bham, whom Pletcher had originally intended to run in the Fountain of Youth, became ill last week.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Beyond the Waves has had a checkered career, with just two starts since October 2001. She also has made a habit of finishing second, placing six times in 18 races, all of which might scare bettors who must concede that, on form, Beyond the Waves is the horse to beat in Wednesday's featured ninth race at Gulfstream Park.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Almost a year to the day of his last victory, Peeping Tom flashed signs of his former Grade 1-winning self Sunday at Aqueduct, taking a classified allowance race by a head over loose-on-the-lead Captain Red.
It was the first victory for Peeping Tom since he won a money allowance over the inner track on Feb. 10, 2002. It was only his second win since taking the Grade 1 Carter Handicap on May 6, 2001.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Trainer Blackie Huffman is not short on fast fillies this meet at Oaklawn Park.
He won the $50,000 American Beauty on Saturday with Emily Ring. He has the quick Roxelana in training here. And on Wednesday he hopes Violet Hill will carry her speed when she makes her two-turn debut in the featured eighth race, an entry-level allowance at one mile. The purse is $31,000.
ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer William J. Morey Jr. hopes he will feel as good following Wednesday's featured race at Golden Gate Fields as he did after Sunday's.
Morey's Winning Stripes, a 3-year-old colt, ran second to odds-on favorite Ministers Wild Cat in the Golden State Mile on Sunday. The performance, in addition to his previous successes, makes Winning Stripes the best of the northern California-based 3-year-old males.
On Wednesday, Morey will start Hooked on Niners, 4, against six rivals in a $50,000 optional claiming race at one mile for fillies and mares.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Mark Shuman had planned to run Out of Fashion in the $100,000 Deputy Minister Handicap at Gulfstream Park. But when Out of Fashion broke down following a recent morning workout, Shuman went to his bench and brought out Native Heir, who proved a more than ample substitute when she drew off to an easy 4 1/2-length victory in the Grade 3 sprint.
Wander Mom ($6.20) went wire to wire to win the $75,000 Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Saturday. Trained by Edward Plesa Jr. and owned by Jaime Carrion, Wander Mom finished a length in front of Strait From Texas, with Kimster another half-length back in the field of 12 fillies and mares.
Wander Mom, under Manoel Cruz, ran the 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course in 1:50.98.
Seven Four Seven emerged from a tight group on the final turn and went on to a 4 1/2-length victory in the $50,000 Likely Exchange Stakes on Saturday at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.
Ridden by Turfway's leading jockey, Jason Lumpkins, Seven Four Seven returned $6.40 as the favorite in a field of 11 fillies and mares. She finished one mile in 1:37.17 over a fast track for her eighth victory in 28 career starts.
Majority Whip finished second, followed by Looking Afar and Gal on the Go.
ALBANY, Calif. - "We accomplished what we wanted to do," jockey Kent Desormeaux said after guiding Kentucky Derby hopeful Ministers Wild Cat to a 1 1/4-length victory in the $66,950 Golden State Mile at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.
The 1-to-5 shot sat three wide just off an honest early pace set by Natural Balance before taking over into the stretch. He opened a clear lead and was not seriously challenged late by Winning Stripes despite drifting in late. The winning time for the one-mile race was 1:36.89.
SUNLAND PARK, N. M. - Devious Ways confirmed one of horse racing's greatest truths in Sunday's at Sunland Park, that being bet the lone speed. And Devious Ways would have been favored but for another of those truths, and that is bet the hot trainer.
Though Devious Ways was obviously the speed of the race, she was trumped in the
