ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Wally Dollase already had a fond feeling for Woodbine. He sent out Jewel Princess to win the Breeders' Cup Distaff here in 1996.
That attraction will be even stronger now after Dollase, who is based in Southern California, watched Good Journey become a Grade 1 winner in Sunday's $1 million Atto Mile.
"I love this place," said Dollase. "I've been lucky here."
"And I love Arlington," he added. "I've done well there, too."
SAN MATEO, Calif. - It's back to reality Wednesday at Bay Meadows for trainer Kent Molinaro when he sends out South City against seven rivals in a $40,000 optional claiming race at six furlongs.
Molinaro saddled Profound Secret, his best horse, to win Sunday's $64,050 Big Jag Handicap. Molinaro purchased the 8-year-old Profound Secret for $75,000 as a 2-year-old and seen him win $478,450.
Hackendiffy made the lead a few strides out of the gate, set the pace, and widened to a 12 1/2-length win over eight 2-year-old, Ohio Bred-rivals in the $75,000, 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Stakes.
Forest Picnic chased the winner all the way and finished second, 2 1/2 lengths clear of Clever Jimmy C in third. Hackeniffy was timed in 1:45.80 over a fast track and returned a $2.80.
Calista continued the run of success by U.S. invaders, capturing the Grade 2, $284,250 at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.
Benefiting from a good trip under Corey Nakatani, Calista settled nicely to stalk the pace early and then surged to the front in midstretch. But Calista just managed to fend off a furious rally by Diadella, who came up a nose short.
"I was just really patient with her," said Nakatani. "When I called on her she quickened away from them, and held on."
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Elana d'amour ($10.50) notched her fifth stakes win at the Hastings Park meet with a 1 1/2-length win over Sweet Monarch in the Grade 3, $139,156 British Columbia Breeders' Cup Oaks.
Elana d'amour had a perfect trip under leading rider Pedro Alvarado as she stalked the quick pace set by Sunset Pass and took control midway through the stretch turn. She held a length advantage at the top of the stretch and never looked threatened as she held off a late charge from Sweet Monarch.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - American shippers swept three of the first four positions in the first division of the Grade 3 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine, as One and Twenty ($10.50) wore down local maiden Swift of Flight in deep stretch to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
Favored Sand Springs edged Little Miss Pamela for third in the one-mile grass race for 2-year-old fillies. The time was 1:35.03.
Saratoga shipper Fortuitous ($3.90) rallied wide from far back under Robert Landry to take the second division, which was run in 1:36.54.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Bien Nicole ($4) stalked the early pace, gained the advantage turning for home and dug in late to prevail by a neck over Due to Win in the $150,000 River Cities Breeders' Cup at Louisiana Downs.
Cleverly handled by Don Pettinger, Bien Nicole picked up her third stakes victory for trainer Donnie Von Hemel and won for the sixth time in 13 lifetime starts. She earned $90,000, which put her over the $215,000 mark in career earnings.
Bien Nicole covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.65 over a turf course softened by a brief rain shower earlier in the afternoon.
DEL MAR, Calif. - No matter which jockey rode Inesperado this summer, each one has wound up in the winner's circle.
After winning graded stakes with jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Eddie Delahoussaye, Inesperado was ridden to victory in Saturday's $300,000 by Corey Nakatani.
Sent off as the favorite, Inesperado rallied from the back of the field to catch pacesetter Rock Opera in the final furlong. Inesperado ($5.60) finished 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:47.49, setting a stakes record.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario-The aptly named Good Journey had clear sailing on the outside in Sunday's $1 million Atto Mile at Woodbine, and made the most of it by posting a decisive win over 55-1 shot Chopinina.
Chopinina, the lone filly or mare in the 13-horse field, set the pace under Emile Ramsammy in the Grade 1 turf event, getting fractions of :22.77, :44.94 and 1:08.92.