ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Norm DeSouza was convinced that a busy schedule, and not the switch from turf to dirt, had been the reason for Heyahohowdy's disappointing effort here in the July 31 Eternal Search.
The trainer was sticking to that story Monday morning after Heyahohowdy, who was making her first start in more than six weeks, showed no signs of weariness, skipping over the soft going under regular rider Shane Ellis en route to a dominating score in the La Prevoyante on Sunday.
Bossier City, La. - Keith Asmussen's Hannah's Royalrock ($9.00) controlled the pace from start to finish under steady handling by Glen Murphy to capture Sunday's $90,189 Filly Division of the Friendship Stakes. Parting lodged a bid turning for home but had to settle for second, a length back, followed by Hadif's Allstar.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Fast-finishing Tale Of A Dream ($17.60) rallied from fourth in the stretch to win the $67,250 Courtship Stakes at Bay Meadows on Sunday.
The 2-year-old filly, who was purchased for $30,000 through the internet, trailed pace-setting Western Dame, odds-on favorite Global Finance and She'sgotthekey in the stretch of the 5?- (five one-half) furlong race. Jockey Francisco Duran angled her out and beat Global Finance by one length, winning in 1:04.14.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Barring snow, it'll be hard to believe there will be anything Whywhywhy won't be ready for when he runs in next month's Breeders' Cp Juvenile at Arlington Park.
For the third straight race, Whywhywhy overcame adverse conditions to win a stakes, Sunday taking the $200,000 Grade 1 by 1 3-4 lengths in a driving rainstorm at Belmont Park.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Heyahohowdy seized command midway on the turn and never looked back, winning the $129,625 La Prevoyante Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths at Woodbine Sunday.
Heyahohowdy sat off front-running Light the Path through an opening quarter of :23.37 over soft turf in the one-mile event. She hit the front after a half in :47.84, and drew off in the stretch to stop the timer in 1:40.59 under Shane Ellis.
Spanish Decree finished second, while Ariel's Melody ended up another 1 1/2 lengths back in third in the six-horse field of Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Storm Flag Flying stamped herself as a top contender for next month's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Sunday with a decisive 12 3-4-length victory in the $200,000, Grade 1 at Belmont Park.
Wild Snitch, who dueled with Vasquez for five furlongs, held second, one length ahead of Fircroft.
MUSKEGON, Mich. - Secret Romeo, a Michigan champion at 2 and 3, carries top weight of 124 pounds in the $45,000 Frontier Handicap on Tuesday.
The Frontier is a 1 1/8-mile stakes for Michigan-breds.
Secret Romeo has run just once at his home base of Great Lakes Downs this year, winning the Wolverine in May, but has put together a terrific season on the road. He has run in seven stakes races and has won five.
In nine starts this year, he has been worse than second just once, that coming in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - AB Noodle ($5) cruised to an easy three-length victory over Dancing in the $61,250 Carmel Handicap at Bay Meadows on Saturday.
The 3-year-old filly won her third straight stakes over the Longden Turf Course, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.75. She was unpressured early and held a five-length lead into the stretch before being geared down by winning jockey Jason Lumpkins.
"She was happy out there," Lumpkins said. "She laid her ears back and was ready to run today. She was just too much for them."
ELMONT, N.Y. - The Breeders' Cup Distaff picked up an unlikely starter Saturday when the usually speedy Mandy's Gold rallied from last to win the $300,000, Grade 1 by 2 1/4 lengths before 8,819 at Belmont Park.
You, part of an early pace duel with Raging Fever, finished second, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Shine Again. Minister's Baby and Raging Fever, the 9-5 favorite, completed the order of finish in the 1 1/16-mile race.
POMONA, Calif. - Early this year, Asong for Billy was a two-start maiden claimer heading nowhere. Enter trainer Paul Aguirre, who claimed the gelding for $40,000 and developed him into one of the surprises of summer.
Asong for Billy defeated maidens in his first start for Aguirre and owner Wong's Stable Inc., then followed with a romping win Aug. 21 that suggested stakes potential. Facing winners and switching to grass, Asong for Billy rolled by 5 1/2 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.
