OCEANPORT, N.J. - With only two wins in seven career starts, 9-1 Magic Storm, the longest shot in the five-horse field, won the Grade 2, $250,000 by a half-length over 7-10 favorite Alternate at Monmouth on Saturday.
Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, who won Oaks in 2000 with Spain, Magic storm was ridden Saturday by Eddie King, who picked up the mount only 20 minutes before the race when scheduled jockey Chuck Lopez was injured in the previous race.
MIAMI - In a virtual rematch of the Exclusive Praline Handicap two months earlier, Tour of the Cat outgamed Built Up to post a half-length victory in Saturday's $75,000 Groomstick Handicap at Calder. Tour of the Cat's final time of 1:15.99 for 6 1/2 furlongs established a track record.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Zone Judge, who was being ridden for the first time by Constant Montpellier, scored his first stakes victory in Saturday's Grade 3, $173,100 Play the King Handicap at Woodbine.
A 4-year-old colt owned by Winston Penny and trained by Dave Dwyer, Zone Judge was taken back off the early pace, swung to the outside after being blocked entering the stretch, and rallied for a two-length victory.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Farda Amiga, unraced since upsetting the Kentucky Oaks at 20-1 on May 3, overcame a cross-country ship, a 106-day layoff, and a wet racetrack to win Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 at Saratoga.
Under Pat Day, Farda Amiga rallied from well off the pace and wide to run down pacesetting Allamerican Bertie by three-quarters of a length. It was 2 3/4 lengths back to 8-5 favorite You in third. Jilbab, Nonsuch Bay, and Smok'n Frolic completed the order of finish.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Evening Attire closed furiously to wear down pacesetter Abreeze in Saturday's $300,000 over a track that had been kind to speed all afternoon.
Evening Attire won by 1 1/2 lengths. Dollar Bill, the favorite, finished third, 5 1/2 lengths behind Abreeze in the Grade 2 race.
The 1 1/4-mile Saratoga Breeders' Cup got off to a rocky start when Gander stumbled badly leaving the starting gate, pitching jockey Mike Smith to the ground. Smith was not injured, but took off his remaining mount in the 10th race. Gander appeared uninjured.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Pompeii, who was training toward an attempt at a repeat victory Friday in the Grade 1, $400,000 Personal Ensign Handicap, has been retired after injuring an ankle.
"She wrenched an ankle," trainer Elliott Walden said. "We're not going to make this race, and we felt like she's done enough to make a broodmare out of her."
DEL MAR, Calif. - In 37 starts, Grey Memo has won six stakes and more than $1.3 million. It would seem by now that he has tried everything racing could offer.
Just this year, the 5-year-old Grey Memo has won major races in Dubai - the $1 million Godolphin Mile on March 23 - and Southern California - the $250,000 San Diego Handicap on Aug. 4.
With those credentials, Grey Memo should qualify as a leading contender for the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Sunday, but instead he will be a longshot.
One reason for that is because Grey Memo has never raced at
NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Trainers Michael McEachern and Cynthia Bayley have each been suspended for 60 days and fined $250 after horses they train tested positive for prohibited substances after winning races at Thistledown. Both cases also have been referred to the Ohio State Racing Commission for possible further sanctions.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - The biggest field of the Bay Meadows Fair has signed up for Monday's feature, a one-mile $40,000 optional claiming race on the turf.
Eleven 3-year-olds were entered, including the entry of Marcutio and Sail the Sky.
The race could come down to a race between Marcutio, a two-time winner on the turf, and Blue Slew's Shoes, who is stakes-placed on the turf.
MIAMI - Trainer Bill Cesare announced this week that Cellars Shiraz will make her next start in the Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes at Arlington Park on Sept. 14. The decision comes as significant news for the rest of the local 3-year-old-filly turf division, eight of whom will start in Monday's $40,0000 Faneuil Hall Stakes.