Mon, 12/02/2002 - 00:00

Rainstorm affects time trials for Million

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. - A torrential rainstorm during Friday's time trials for the Los Alamitos Million Futurity changed the condition of the track, and as a result some of the nation's top 2-year-old Quarter Horses failed to qualify for the $1.3 million race on Dec. 13.

Mon, 12/02/2002 - 00:00

Woodbine: Lucky Molar takes marathon

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Lucky Molar outstayed the competition to capture the 1 3/4-mile Valedictory Handicap, the $147,000 closing-day feature at Woodbine.

Malmaison set moderate fractions while being stalked by a host of runners, including favored Parose and Lucky Molar. Parose made a wide bid for the lead as they rounded the far turn for the second time, but hung in the drive, and Lucky Molar ($14.50) kicked in to prevail by a half-length over Defenman.

Mon, 12/02/2002 - 00:00

Neither inquiry nor objection can derail 'Mary'

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Along Came Mary withstood a stewards' inquiry and jockey's objection to win Sunday's $82,550 Montauk Handicap for New York-breds at Aqueduct.

Along Came Mary ($21.80), under Norberto Arroyo Jr., rallied along the rail in the stretch to take the lead, but drifted out several paths in deep stretch, forcing stablemate Princess Dixie, under Shaun Bridgmohan, to steady and alter course. Along Came Mary finished 2 1/2 lengths clear at the wire.

Bridgmohan claimed objection against Arroyo, but it was disallowed. Both fillies are trained by James Bond.

Sun, 12/01/2002 - 00:00

Shawklit Man best in MEC Mile

Shawklit Man($5.60) used the rail post to his advantage in the $75,000 MEC Mile at Remington Park on Sunday as he led throughout to win by three and a half lengths over favorite Skamper. It was another five and a half lengths back in third to Kickin Kountry.

Shawklit Man, a debut winner at Churchill on Nov. 10, broke well in the MEC and set fractions of 23.82 seconds for the opening quarter and 47.88 seconds for the half-mile mark before going on to cover the distance over a fast track in 1:39.23.

Sun, 12/01/2002 - 00:00

Johar wins Hollywood Derby

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - When Johar was bumped hard at the start of Sunday's , he did not get mad. And he got more than even.

Last early in the nine-horse field, Johar unleashed a powerful closing charge to rally for a 1 1/2-length victory over Mananan McLir in the Grade 1 Derby, the final stakes of Hollywood Park's Autumn Turf Festival.

Royal Gem was third, a neck behind Mananan McLir.

Sun, 12/01/2002 - 00:00

Dress to Thrill takes Matriarch

Horsephotos
Dress to Thrill wins the $500,000 Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - An eighth-place finish by Dress to Thrill in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Arlington Park in October left trainer Dermot Weld unsatisfied. An upset victory by the Irish invader in Sunday's $500,000 at Hollywood Park, against a field that included top fillies Golden Apples and Banks Hills, left Weld convinced that the Dress to Thrill is one of the world's top turf females.

"This filly deserves what she got today," Weld said. "The Breeders' Cup was not a true reflection of her ability. I wanted people to see what she was capable of."

Sun, 12/01/2002 - 00:00

Capones Vault wins Texas Classic

Capones Vault won the first $1 million race ever held in Texas on Saturday night when he led throughout for a three-quarter length victory over favorite Eye Opening Episode in the $1,061,703 Texas Classic Quarter Horse Futurity at Lone Star Park.

It was another three-quarters of length back in third to Red Dog Leader.

Capones Vault($30) broke sharp in the 400-yard race for 2-year-olds and never looked back, covering the distance in 19.53 seconds. Tad Leggett rode the winner for trainer Edward Hardy.

Sun, 12/01/2002 - 00:00

My Friend Don wins Conroe Stakes

My Friend Don($26) outfinished Agrivating General by three-quarters of a length to win the $30,000 Conroe Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday night. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Flash Forward.

My Friend Don was prominent throughout the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds, setting fractions of 22.41 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.21 for the half-mile mark before going on to cover the distance in 1:10.54.

Bobby Walker, Jr., rode the winner for Mary Bonham and trainer Kenward Bernis.

Sun, 12/01/2002 - 00:00

No Its Not takes Marshland

No Its Not, who was claimed for $7,500 in Feburary, became a stakes winner Saturday night when he drove to a one and a half length victory over Two Punch Sonny in the $50,000 Marshland at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

It was another two lengths back in third to Screen Idol.

No Its Not($4.60) settled behind the pace early, and rallied to cover the seven furlongs, which was held around two turns, in 1:26.12. He earned $30,000 for 901 Racing Stables, which improved his record to 11 wins in 32 starts for earnings of $149,617.

Sat, 11/30/2002 - 00:00

Good Journey triumphs in Citation

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - In what may have been his last start before going to stud, Good Journey outclassed nine rivals in Saturday's $500,000 Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Showing the aggressive running style that led to a third in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Arlington Park in October, Good Journey won the Grade 2 Citation by 1 1-4 lengths over 15-1 Seinne. Ridden by Pat Day, Good Journey ran 1 1-16 miles on turf in 1:41.45.