The homecoming was sweet for Louisiana native Kent Desormeaux, who guided Outta Here to a three-quarter length win over Comic Truth in the inaugural $500,000 on Saturday night at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.
It was another three and three quarter lengths back in third to Cherokee's Boy.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - In his years in the National Hockey League, Rick Tocchet was known for his tough, aggressive play. In an act of pure karma, the trait has transferred to the colt whose misspelled name carries on that legacy.
Saturday's $409,500 put Toccet to the test. On a track favoring speed, he was asked to chase a quick front-runner, then hold off a belated charge from the favorite, all while racing over a new track for the first time. He cleared every hurdle, holding off Kafwain to win by a head.
MIAMI - Cellars Shiraz left little doubt about who is the queen of the south Florida turf after cruising to an easy 2 1/2-length victory over Madeira Mist in Saturday's $100,000 Frances A. Genter Stakes at Calder.
The Genter shared top billing on Saturday's program with the $100,000 Pete Axthelm Stakes, which was won by 31-1 longshot Stormy Roman.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Critical Eye rose to the occasion in her final career start by winning Saturday's $107,400 at Aqueduct.
The win in the Grade 3 Ladies put Critical Eye, who will be bred next year, over $1 million in earnings. New York-bred Critical Eye came with a late move in the stretch for a 1 1/4-length win over Ellie's Moment. With Ability, the 1-2 favorite, finished third, 6 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up.
Wishful Splendor, Along Came Mary, and Unrestrained completed the order of finish.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Using opposite running styles, Surya and Tout Charmant finished in a dead heat for first place in Saturday's $150,000 Dahlia Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Surya was on or near the pace for the final five furlongs, contending for the lead with stablemate Honestly Darling.
Tout Charmant, who had not won in 11 months, rallied from eighth in the final quarter-mile to finish on even terms with Surya after 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:44.55. The course was rated good after recent rains.
NEW ORLEANS - A wide-open race on paper, the Pago Hop Stakes unfolded as a laugher Saturday afternoon at Fair Grounds. Favored Bedanken humbled 11 opponents in the $100,000 Pago Hop, sweeping to the lead in upper stretch on her way to a seven-length victory.
But winning races is what Bedanken does. Bred and owned by the Pin Oak Stable of Josephine Abercrombie, Bedanken now has won seven times in the 10 starts of her career. Never worse than third, Bedanken has won races around one turn and two, on turf and on dirt.
A familiarity with the six-furlong racing surface at Delta Downs in Vinton, La., may have helped lift My Trusty Cat to a one-length win over Souris in the $250,000 Delta Princess on Friday night. It was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Miss Mary Apples in third.
My Trusty Cat, who is based at Churchill Downs, shipped into Delta earlier than most of her rivals to prepare for the one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies. She even had a work over the track last Sunday, drilling a half-mile in 49.20 seconds for trainer David Vance.
MIAMI - Shug McGaughey doesn't run many horses at Calder, but when he does, it pays to take notice.
A year ago McGaughey shipped Amelia across town from his Gulfstream Park base to win the Frances A. Genter Stakes and Krisada to upset the Grade 2 La Prevoyante Handicap at 6-1 and 8-1, respectively. On Sat-urday, McGaughey will bring Amelia back looking to win a second straight edition of the La Prevoyante.
OLDSMAR, Fla. - It's the horses shipping up from Calder in Miami that horseplayers must reckon with at Tampa Bay Downs, especially in the opening weeks of the meeting.
Veteran players here already know that, but for newcomers and visitors to Tampa Bay Downs it's wise to give Calder runners a long look for several reasons.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - With a quarter crack and an aborted sale behind him, things might finally be looking up for Echo Eddie. One of the elite sprinters in the country when at his best, Echo Eddie returns from a five-month layoff in Sunday's $70,000-added Dayjur Handicap, highlight of the closing-day card at Hollywood Park.
The Dayjur, at 5 1/2 furlongs, was written in the condition book for the turf. But because so much rain fell here in recent days, and more was predicted for the weekend, the race will be run on the main track.
