ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - The big horse isn't just gifted, he's brave. Beat Hollow dug down deep and won a thrilling Arlington Million, passing Forbidden Apple in the final yards while holding off a desperate rally from his arch rival, Sarafan.
Beat Hollow's winning margin was a head in the most competitive Arlington Million ever. Sarafan was second by a nose over Forbidden Apple, with only little more than a length separating the first six finishers in the race.
DEL MAR, Calif. - Disturbingthepeace became the first horse since 1991 to sweep Del Mar's major stakes races for sprinters with a hard-fought victory over Hot Market in the $150,000 Pat O'Brien Handicap.
The victory was the sixth straight for Disturbingthepeace, who has steadily progressed from a California-bred allowance sprinter to the West's best around one turn. But the 3-5 favorite gave his backers, and trainer Darrell Vienna, some anxious moments, because Hot Market would not go quietly.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Cat's at Home won his second stakes of the meet with a wire-to-wire victory in the Grade 2, $350,000 Iselin Handicap. Cat's at Home, at 10-1, won by three-quarters of a length over second choice Bowman's Band, with Runspastum a neck farther back in third in the 1 1/8-mile race.
Include, the lone Grade 1 winner in the field and the 1-2 favorite, finished sixth in the seven-horse field, beaten 16 lengths. Include's jockey, Jerry Bailey declined to comment on the race and trainer Bud Delp said Include looked like he pulled up okay.
ALTOONA, Iowa - Delray Dew ($6.80) dictated a slow pace under jockey Glenn Corbett and drew off through the stretch for a 3 1/2 length victory in the $50,000 Central Iowa Stakes.
The 6-5 favorite, Iowa-bred Sharky's Review rallied for second in the final strides, a neck in front of third-place Persimmon Ridge.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Due to Win and Due to Win Again, half-sisters trained by Edward Ruiz, ran one-two in the $50,000 Sangue Handicap. Pacesetter Wild Squaw finished third, followed by Golden Rhythm. Due to Win covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.61 over a turf course softened by heavy rains The entry paid $4 to win and $4.80 to place.
Lafayette, La - Oak Hall, beaten a neck, had his number put up in the Evangeline Mile via disqualification. Compendium, co-favored with Oak Hall at 8-5, showed the way throughout in the $75,000 headliner but came out abruptly with a furlong to run, soundly bumping Oak Hall just as Oak Hall was mounting a challenge.
Oak Hall, trained by Doyle Wardrop covered the distance in 1:39.00 over a strip rated as wet-fast.
Private Gold ($4) wore down the pacesetting Echeverria to capture the $100,000 James C. Ellis Juvenile by 1 1/4 lengths. Captain Amour finished a distant third. Trained by Patrick Byrne, Private Gold covered seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:24.44.
One race earlier, Ruby's Reception ($5.60) crushed her six opponents by nearly eight lengths in the $100,000 Anna M. Fisher Debutante for 2-year-old fillies, covering seven furlongs in 1:24.24.
City Sharpster ($8.40) drew off to an 8 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Larry Riviello President's Cup, covering a mile and 70 yards in 1:42. Saratoga Blues, the even-money favorite, was eased and finished last in the field of five 3-year-olds.
On the undercard, Night Caller ($19) upset the $75,000 Donald LeVine Memorial for older sprinters, and Betty's Hat ($3.80) captured the $50,000 Pistol Packer Handicap for statebred fillies and mares.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Zone Judge scored his first stakes victory in Saturday's Grade 3, $173,100 Play the King Handicap.
Trained by Dave Dwyer, Zone Judge was taken back off the early pace by jockey Constant Montpellier, swung to the outside after being blocked entering the stretch, and rallied for a two-length victory.
Zone Judge ($18.10) completed the seven furlongs on firm turf in a rapid 1:20.42, outfinishing Waltzin' Storm, part of an entry that went off as the even-money favorite.
MIAMI - In a virtual rematch of the Exclusive Praline Handicap two months ago, Tour of the Cat outgamed Built Up for a half-length victory in the $75,000 Groomstick Handicap. Tour of the Cat's final time of 1:15.99 for 6 1/2 furlongs set a track record.
Tour of the Cat set a pressured pace and readily disposed of early challenger Ballado's Devil leaving the turn, but was then engaged by Built Up. Tour of the Cat and Built Up raced as a team through the final furlong, with Tour of the Cat edging free in the closing strides.