Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Yatsko making up for lost time

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Yatsko will be going for his third stakes score in under a month here on Tuesday at Fort Erie in the $60,000 Peninsula Stakes.

A 6-year-old gelding with four wins in 33 lifetime starts, Yatsko heads a field of nine. Scheduled for seven furlongs on the turf, the event is for Canadian-breds who have started at least twice at the current meeting.

Yatsko won the Benburb Stakes by a half-length on July 21, and the Cool Reception by a neck on Aug. 5. Go Figure finished second in both races.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Chiselling by a nose

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Chiselling made a torrid run to deal Jazz Beat a heart-breaking nose defeat Saturday in the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes, allowing Juddmonte Farms and Bobby Frankel to become the first owner and trainer to win two races the same year in the International Festival of Racing at Arlington Park.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Golden Apples over Astra

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Golden Apples gave owner Gary Tanaka his second victory in the last three runnings of the Beverly D. after getting a great trip and scoring by three-quarters of a length over favored Astra in the Grade 1 event.

Golden Apples, trained by Ben Cecil, returned $6.80 as second choice in a field of six fillies and mares. Tanaka won the 2000 Beverly D. with Snow Polina.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Longest shot wins Oaks

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.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Tour of the Cat sets mark

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.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Zone Judge upsets Play the King

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.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Farda Amiga amazes in Alabama

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.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Evening Attire wins

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.

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Injured Pompeii won't defend Personal Ensign

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."

Sat, 08/17/2002 - 00:00

Veteran Grey Memo tries something new

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