ALTOONA, Iowa - See How She Runs returns to the scene of her first career defeat yet looms an odds-on choice against six rivals in Monday's $75,000 Prairie Meadows Oaks at 1 1/16 miles.
When See How She Runs ran here two months ago in the $150,000 Iowa Oaks, she was on the verge of becoming one of the sport's top 3-year-old fillies, having won all five of her starts, including the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
AB What a Runner broke a 29-year-old track record in the All American Futurity trials for Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs on Aug. 15. Her connections would probably trade that for a victory in the $2 million on Monday.
"There is a lot of pressure on us because you'll have to run that big of a race or better to win," said AB What a Runner's trainer, Bret Vickery.
Pisces was a 31-1 outsider when finishing third in the 2001 Miami Mile Breeders' Cup Handicap. What a difference a year makes.
On Monday Pisces will likely start as the favorite in the 2002 edition of the Miami Mile, a Grade 3 turf race that drew a field of 10, including three-time Grade 1 winner Sir Bear, who was entered for dirt only.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Chicagoans already have seen what With Ability can do with an easy lead. They may see it again Monday.
A romping, front-end winner of the Grade 3 Sixty Sails this spring at speed-favoring Sportsman's Park, With Ability is back from New York for more in the Grade 3, $150,000 Arlington Matron. Even without a track bias on her side, With Ability will be hard to catch if she controls the pace of the 1 1/8-mile Matron.
Kiss the Devil, ridden by Lonnie Meche, barely held off a late rush by San Dare to win the $60,000 Dade Turf Classic at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky. Kiss the Devil returned $6.60 as co-favorite in a field of eight fillies and mares.
Kiss the Devil, a Kris S. filly owned by Carl Pollard and trained by Dave Vance, prevailed for the first time in a stakes when completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.40 over firm turf.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - For a filly who doesn't tip her hand in the morning, Souris is pretty darn good in the afternoon. A 14-1 winner in her career debut, Souris made it 2 for 2 with a convincing win in the $75,000 Top Flight Stakes at Arlington.
Trainer Steve Asmussen took his best young horses to Saratoga, but Souris stayed at Arlington. Asmussen said Souris had never distinguished herself in her morning breezes, and he was somewhat surprised when she cruised to an easy win over the talented Caucus when she made the races here Aug. 1.
CINCINNATI - Fabulous Brush rolled to an impressive win Saturday in the $100,000 Bassinet Stakes at River Downs, adding to a sensational year for the stable of trainer Ken McPeek.
Fabulous Brush, ridden by Jose Martinez Jr., raced several lengths off a quick pace contested by Lilias Trotter and Miss Awesome before swooping past in midstretch to win by five lengths over Moonlight Sonata, the only maiden in a field of eight 2-year-old fillies. The winner paid $13.40 as the third wagering choice after finishing six furlongs in 1:11.40.
BENSALEM, Pa. - California-based Truly a Judge completed a super day for shippers by romping to a 5 1/4-length victory in the $145,500 Jewel Stakes, the featured event of the fourth annual Claiming Crown, held Saturday at blustery Philadelphia Park.
New York shippers Nowrass and Won Moro won the $125,000 Emerald and $71,500 Glass Slipper, respectively, while Chicago shipper Talknow won the $47,000 Express.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Full of Wonder notched his first stakes victory Saturday in the Grade 1, $324,400 Niagara Breeders' Cup Handicap at Woodbine.
"He ran a very powerful race," said winning rider Todd Kabel. "It seems like the farther he goes, the better it is for him."
Full of Wonder trailed the nine-horse field early in the 1 1/2-mile turf race, as Stage Classic led while being pressed by Attest, Sumati, and Moontazz.
Lawbook put himself into position to become the fifth horse to sweep the open division of the Florida Stallion Stakes when he rallied to an easy 4 1/4-length victory over Supah Blitz in the $125,000 Affirmed Stakes at Calder on Saturday. Trust N Luck, the 4-5 favorite, lost his jockey, Gary Boulanger, after wheeling at the break of the seven-furlong dash.