INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Buffythecenterfold remained unbeaten in two starts with a front-running win in the $110,600 Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park.
Ridden by Matt Garcia, Buffythecenterfold fought for the early lead with Himalayan through fractions of 22.01 and 44.99 seconds before emerging with the lead at the quarter pole.
Through the stretch, she was challenged by Tricks Her and Little Bit a Swiss, but held on to win by a length, finishing six furlongs in 1:10.99.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - Boston Common was first out of the gate and led every step to the wire to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup at Monmouth by 2 3/4 lengths over Listen Here. It's A Monster was third.
Boston Common ($22) was the second longest price in the field despite a 3-2-1 record in six starts at the Jersey Shore six-furlong distance. Under Eddie Martin Jr., Boston Common covered the distance in 1:09.35 over a fast track before a crowd of 12,289.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - La Martina was in a drive to the wire to win her third career stakes race in the $125,000 Walmac Lone Star Oaks at Lone Star Park. It was three-quarters of length back in second to Dyna Penny, who finished a half-length clear of third-place finisher Academic Angel.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Kona Gold is chasing history this season, and as trainer Bruce Headley admits, "history is going against him."
No horse has carried more than 124 pounds and won the Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park. Kona Gold will carry 126 pounds Saturday in the Grade 2, seven-furlong stakes, which is being run for the 51st time. Beyond the Triple Bend, Kona Gold is aiming for another record - the first horse to run in five Breeders' Cups.
MIAMI - Trainer Angel Salinas will attempt to sweep the season's first 2-year-old stakes at Calder when he sends the undefeated King Robyn out against eight rivals in Saturday's $100,000 Criterium Stakes.
The Criterium highlights a 12-race card that also includes the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Purse. The Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation is widely known as one of the foremost organizations promoting horse health and safety throughout the United States.
NEW YORK - Jockey Antonio Pena was back breezing horses on Thursday morning after narrowly escaping serious injury in a spill in Tuesday's fifth race at Philadelphia Park.
After the spill, Pena's condition appeared grave, and he needed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the way to the hospital. Once there, doctors said they feared he had a cervical spinal injury.
Pena was unseated at the start of a six-furlong sprint and was apparently kicked or kneed in the head by his horse just after he fell.
SALEM, N.H. - Stylish rolled to a four-length victory over Sword Princess and defending champ Step With Style in the $75,000 Rockingham Breeders' Cup Handicap, giving trainer Bill Mott a third straight stakes victory this meet.
Herb Castillo Jr. rode Stylish when Julian Pimentel, who was originally named on the horse, didn't make the trip from Monmouth Park.
Stylish kicked clear in the final furlong in withering heat and humidity to win her second stakes this year. She covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.93 over a firm turf course.
SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Hugh Robertson's stable has been tough to beat in stakes over the Canterbury Park turf course this meet. His Chicago-based outfit has always maintained a presence at Canterbury, but this season its presence has been magnified as Robertson has won three of the first four grass stakes offered at the meet.
Mac Robertson, who oversees his father's Canterbury string, will have his hands full Saturday after entering three horses in the $35,000 Minnesota HBPA Mile for fillies and mares on the turf.
MUSKEGON, Mich. - Born to Dance, last year's Michigan horse of the year, heads a field of seven 3-year-old fillies entered in the $45,000, seven-furlong Plymouth Stakes at Great Lakes Downs.
Born to Dance, owned by Ro Parra and trained by James Jackson, was undefeated over this track last year. In her first start here this season, Born to Dance was humbled by the older Sefa's Rose in the Larkspur Handicap.