ARCADIA, Calif. - USS Tinosa won his first race outside of Ohio in Friday's Sham Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, USS Tinosa finished 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.11, winning by 4 1/2 lengths over Puerto Banus. The winner, bought privately by Peter Abruzzo and Barry Thiriot last fall, will continue on the Triple Crown trail. But trainer Jerry Hollendorfer does not yet have any specific plans for him.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Spanish Glitter became the first favorite to win a stakes this meet at Oaklawn Park when she rolled to a 5 3/4-length win in the $50,000 American Beauty Stakes at 4-5. Southern Tour rallied for second, 1 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Sweet And Firm.
In three previous stakes this meet, favorites had failed.
JAMAICA, N.Y. - Tony Dutrow continued his dominance of New York's winter stakes, and Saratoga Blues inched closer to a trip down the Triple Crown trail with a two-length victory in Saturday's $82,525 Whirlaway Stakes* at Aqueduct.
NEW ORLEANS - This time, My Brent's Diamond got Hallowed Dreams on the square. Serena's Tune softened up Hallowed Dreams in the early part of the race and My Brent's Diamond edged past her in the stretch to score a three-quarters of a length win Saturday at Fair Grounds in the $75,000 Pan Zareta Handicap*.
The win was the second straight for My Brent's Diamond, who is helping to make a name for her young trainer, Jerry Quinn.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Saarland's work did not go exactly as planned, but it went well enough for trainer Shug McGaughey to keep his horse under consideration for next Saturday's $500,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Saarland was scheduled to work five furlongs out of the gate in company with stablemate Jackpot. Unfortunately, moments after the doors opened Jackpot stumbled and lost his rider, leaving Saarland to go it on his own.
Despite working without company, Saarland turned in a sharp move going five furlongs in 1:02 before galloping out in 1:15 and change.
OLDSMAR Fla. - Last Thursday brought rain, blustery winds, and a dreary atmosphere to the Tampa area, but while the snowbirds were bemoaning the unusual weather, trainer Tony Cataldi thought the conditions were just fine.
Cataldi is a veteran of the New England racing scene and remembers mornings at places like Narraganset Park and Lincoln Downs where the wind-chill factor could freeze the coffee in your cup.
JAMAICA, N.Y. - Jockey Travis Dunkelberger appeared to escape serious injury, but two horses had to be euthanized in a nasty three-horse spill in Saturday's finale at Aqueduct.
Jockeys Raul Rojas and Julian Pimentel, who were also involved in the spill, were uninjured.
ARCADIA, Calif. - USS Tinosa won his first race outside of Ohio in Friday's * for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, USS Tinosa finished 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.11, winning by 4 1-2 lengths over Puerto Banus. The winner will continue on the trail of the Triple Crown, but trainer Jerry Hollendorfer does not have plans solidified.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Considering it will be widely perceived as a two-filly race, the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes attracted a lot of window dressing Sunday at Santa Anita.
Habibti and You renew a rivalry in the mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies; six others aim to upset. They include potential star Spring Meadow, and stakes winners Tali'sluckybusride and Bella Bella Bella. With speedball Rich Musique and two other longshots, the Las Virgenes is not a walkover for either favorite.
