ETOBICOKE, Ontario - What a Breeze edged away from favored Gonetofarr in the final sixteenth for a gutsy triumph in the $144,180 Ontario Lassie Stakes for 2-yearold fillies.
"She doesn't like to get beat," said Jake Barton, who rode What a Breeze. "For as young as she is, she's really mature, and she loves to chase things down. When I got into her, she really responded."
The final time for the 1 1/16 miles over a muddy strip was 1:46.34.
What a Breeze returned $7.50 as the second choice.
ANDERSON, Ind. - Marciann and Fight for Ally both successfully defended their titles in stakes races for Indiana-breds.
Marciann wore down front-running Heresyour Chickey to win the $43,100 Frances S. Slocum Stakes for fillies and mares by 2 3/4 lengths. It is her third win in as many starts at the meet. Marciann won the race last year as a 3-year-old, beating older horses.
With Terry Thompson aboard Sunday, Marciann shadowed Heresyour Chickey through splits of 23.44 seconds, 47.49, and 1:12.96.
NEW ORLEANS - Flick could not win an allowance race at Keeneland in her previous start, but on Sunday she was two lengths better than five rivals in the $60,000 Pontalba Stakes.
Rallying strongly in the final furlong, Flick ($7) passed the pacesetter, Purple Princess, and went on to win by two lengths, running the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.20.
JAMAICA, N.Y. - Iron Deputy charged through a large opening along the inside turning for home, rocketed past pace-setting Saratoga Way in midstretch, and drew off to a four-length victory in Sunday's $82,500 Huntington Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Aqueduct.
Volley Ball, who broke slowly and then had to alter course in the stretch, got up for second, a half-length ahead of Mr. Kipp. Saratoga Way faded to fourth.
ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Len Shoemaker hopes Mr. Tack Nail can develop into a stakes-caliber horse. Wednesday's start in a $40,000 optional claimer at Golden Gate may give Shoemaker an indication of whether that will happen.
Three of Mr. Tack Nail's foes in the six-furlong race-Right Return, Millennium Song, and Lil' Country-have run in stakes, and two of the three are stakes-placed. Millennium Song is making his first start since a third-place finish in the Atherton at Bay Meadows on April 15. Lil' Country was third in the Golden State Mile here on Feb. 10.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - If all goes according to plan, What a Breeze will be looking to uphold a family tradition in next year's Woodbine Oaks.
"The Oaks is her long-term goal," said trainer Earl Barnett. "She's a big, strong, good-looking filly and she's got the will."
What a Breeze is a daughter of Hope for a Breeze, who won the 1992 Canadian Oaks for the Hopefield Farm of owner-breeder Stan Dodson.
GROVE CITY, Ohio - The filly Lady Cherie took command three furlongs from home and coasted to a seven-length victory over seven male rivals in Saturday's $45,000 Ruff/Kirchberg Handicap for Ohio-breds at Beulah Park.
Julio Felix rode Lady Cherie ($2.80) to victory. She covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.87. Michael Nance trains Lady Cherie, who now has 11 wins from 22 starts and earnings of $368,700 for owner M. Y. Stable Inc.
Wayne's Princess won Saturday night's $25,000 Miss Houston Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston by 2 1/2 lengths over favorite Point Gained, a half-sister to Horse of the Year contender Point Given. It was another length back in third to French Lass.
Wayne's Princess ($8.60), who contested the pace in the race for 2-year-old fillies, covered the seven furlongs in 1:25.70. Jockey Roman Chapa had the mount for trainer Danny Pish, who celebrated his 36th birthday Saturday.
ALBANY, Calif. - Cappuchino ($3), part of an entry with Twentythreejaybird, got a perfect stalking trip to win the $59,263 Golden Bear Stakes Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer expected the speedy Twentythreejaybird to win the six-furlong stakes race, but the colt broke tardily and bumped into Vito Corleone at the start. He rushed up to challenge Wild Celebration for the lead before fading to fifth in the field of seven.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile also-ran It'sallinthechase won his first stakes Saturday when he caught Expensive Risk at the wire to win the $75,000 MEC Mile at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. The one-mile race for 2-year-olds was one of two closing-day stakes at the track.
It'sallinthechase ($4.80) rallied to win by a neck. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to pacesetter April's Lucky Boy.
It'sallinthechase covered the mile in 1:38.95. Jockey R.D. Williams rode the colt for owner Darwin Olson and trainer Wilson Brown.