Mon, 07/15/2002 - 00:00

Chiselling gets nose out front in Lexington

ELMONT, N.Y. - While trainer Bobby Frankel was denied a stakes win on the West Coast on Sunday, he got one on the East Coast when Chiselling got up in the final strides to nose out Finality in the $150,000 Lexington Stakes at Belmont Park.

The Randy Schulhofer-trained duo of Irish Colonial and Union Place finished third and fourth.

Mon, 07/15/2002 - 00:00

Canterbury: K's Patton upsets Juvenile

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - K's Patton pulled a 6-1 upset in the $50,000 Canterbury Park Juvenile Stakes, with a six-length win over 4-5 favorite Bold America.

Chicago shipper Bold America set fractions of 22.11 seconds and 46.06 while dueling with Giant Slam into the turn of the 5 1/2-furlong race. K's Patton raced outside Bold America and Giant Slam turning for home, and surged clear, completing the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.65 under rider Marco Ccamaque. Bold America held second by three-quarters of a length from Giant Slam.

Mon, 07/15/2002 - 00:00

Lone Star: Action Tonight rallies

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Action Tonight won his second stakes of the Lone Star Park meet with a half-length win over Worker Man in the $89,100 Middleground Breeders' Cup. It was another 4 1/2 lengths back in third to Flag Dancer.

Action Tonight ($4.40) raced about four lengths behind Flag Dancer and Slam Bam, who dueled through the opening half-mile of the six-furlong race for 2-year-olds in 44.41 seconds. Action Tonight commenced his bid on the final turn, and ran past the leaders in the stretch. He covered the distance in 1:10.62.

Mon, 07/15/2002 - 00:00

Woodbine: Portcullis fires late

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Portcullis stamped himself as a serious contender for the Aug. 10 Breeders' Stakes with a come-from-behind score in the Grade 3, $163,050 Toronto Cup Handicap at Woodbine.

Portcullis trailed early in the 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds, as Classic Case and Funny Soldier traded places on the early lead through moderate fractions. Portcullis commenced his rally at the top of the stretch, and closed along the rail to win by a half-length under Slade Callaghan.

Mon, 07/15/2002 - 00:00

Puck likes Jersey just fine, thank you

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Puck liked Monmouth so much in his first start here in the Grade 3, $100,000 Long Branch Stakes on Saturday that he will be staying until the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on Aug. 4.

Puck remained in his stall in the barn of John Forbes after the Long Branch and will make the Jersey Shore his home in the three weeks leading up to the $1 million Haskell, the premier race of the meet for 3-year-olds. Juan Duarte, assistant to trainer Bill White, said that Puck exited his biggest career victory in great condition.

Mon, 07/15/2002 - 00:00

Phantom Light's problem: 13 doesn't go into 12

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The horses are set and the riding assignments confirmed for Sunday's $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

But there's still one important piece of the puzzle missing, as there are 13 candidates for Sunday's race and only 12 will be allowed to start.

With preference based on lifetime earnings, the horse on the bubble is Phantom Light, owned by Stronach Stable and trained by Roger Attfield.

Sun, 07/14/2002 - 00:00

Irguns Angel makes it three straight in A Gleam

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Irguns Angel wore down pacesetting Secret Liaison in the final yards at Hollywood Park on Sunday to capture the $200,000 and earn her third straight victory since returning from ankle surgery.

Irguns Angel was off for eight months before returning to action on May 2. She won two straight against softer company in preparation for the A Gleam, a seven-furlong, Grade 2 race for older female sprinters.

Sun, 07/14/2002 - 00:00

Stakes sweep for Asmussen

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Trainer Steve Asmussen swept both closing day stakes at Lone Star Park on Sunday, and overall won seven races on the 14-race card to shatter the track record for trainer wins on a program.

Asmussen also came within one win of tying the North American trainer mark for wins on a card, eight, which was set by J.C. Williams at Waterford Park in West Virginia in 1979.

The previous Lone Star record for trainer wins on a card was four, which was shared by Asmussen and Cole Norman.

Sun, 07/14/2002 - 00:00

Asmussen wins seven at Lone Star

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Steve Asmussen won seven races on the 14-race closing day card at Lone Star Park on Sunday to come within one win of tying the North American mark for trainer wins on a program.

J.C. Williams set the national record in 1979 when he won eight races on a card at Waterford Park in West Virginia.

Asmussen's seven wins Sunday set a Lone Star record. The previous record for trainer wins on a program was four, which was shared by Asmussen and Cole Norman.

Sun, 07/14/2002 - 00:00

Sky Jack prevails in Gold Cup

Benoit & Associates
Sky Jack (right) holds off Momentum by a nose to capture Sunday's Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - From longshots to logical contenders, Sky Jack fought off all challengers to win Sunday's $750,000 at Hollywood Park.

Through an exciting stretch duel, Sky Jack prevailed by a nose over Momentum, after fighting off an early threat from 30-1 Macaneo. Momentum finished three lengths in front of Milwaukee Brew, the 7-5 favorite who won the Santa Anita Handicap earlier this year.