INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A return to a sprint, the track at which she trains, and cooler weather proved a winning trifecta for Ayanna, who took over soon after the start and led the rest of the way in the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Hollywood Park.
Ayanna ($5.80) coasted home 3 1/2 lengths in front of Ponche de Leona, who rallied for second, one length in front of Unforgettable R N.
Hallowed Dreams ($2.40) withstood a jockey objection and stewards inquiry to win her comeback from a two-month layoff in an allowance feature at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. It was a length back in second to Dr. Lewis, whose rider, Steve Bourque, alleged interference at the top of the stretch. The claim was disallowed.
Hallowed Dreams could make her next start in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint at Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Dec. 8.
ANDERSON, Ind. - Three-year-old Freon Flier ($8) rolled to his fourth straight win by leading gate to wire for a one-length victory over older rivals in the $103,800 Michael G. Schaefer Mile Stakes at Hoosier Park.
Trained by Michael Trivigno, Freon Flier has come to hand nicely since midsummer. Since romping by over nine lengths in a $30,000 nonwinners-of-two lifetime claimer, Freon Flier has been first or second in his last eight races, including six wins.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Fonz's, who displayed plenty of promise at Hollywood Park last summer before going to the sidelines, made a triumphant return to the races when he led a parade of longshots home in the Grade 3, $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes for 2-year-olds.
Fonz's, a 6-1 shot, outdueled 9-1 Popular through the stretch to win by a half-length, with 13-1 shot Labamta Babe another 3 1/2 lengths back in third. Eastern invader Heavyweight Champ was fifth, and 7-5 favorite Roman Dancer sixth in the field of seven.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The same owner-trainer team that captured the Kentucky Derby here last spring with Monarchos was back in the Churchill Downs winner's circle Saturday after Snow Dance earned a hard-fought victory in the $172,500 Mrs. Revere Stakes.
Like Monarchos, Snow Dance ($4.80) is a gray 3-year-old. "I love those grays," said owner John Oxley.
With Craig Perret aboard for trainer John T. Ward Jr., Snow Dance had to work virtually every step of the Mrs. Revere, a Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile turf race restricted to 3-year-old fillies.
JAMAICA, N.Y. - In a field full of horses past their prime, the up-and-coming Mr. Pleasentfar may be coming into his.
Mr. Pleasentfar, a 4-year-old Brazilian-bred, was swung five wide by Jose Santos entering the stretch and ran down favorite Eltawaasul inside the sixteenth pole to win Saturday's Grade 2 $150,000 Red Smith Handicap by three-quarters of a length before 8,282 at Aqueduct.
Eltawaasul, who dueled early with longshot Serazzo, held second, a nose ahead of Regal Dynasty. It was the second consecutive win for Mr. Pleasentfar.
LAUREL, Md. - When the two fastest Thoroughbreds in America went head-to-head at Laurel Park on Saturday, Xtra Heat won the battle. But she lost the war.
After that Maryland-based 3-year-old filly raced Caller One into defeat, Delaware Township ($8.80) flew past them both and drew away to a decisive victory in the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash. He scored by three lengths over another stretch-runner, Early Flyer, as Xtra Heat faded to finish third. Kona Gold, the champion American sprinter of last season, was a lackluster fourth.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - While there are two weeks remaining in this lengthy Woodbine meeting, it would appear that the jockey and trainer races could come right down to the wire.
Todd Kabel, whose last title here came in 1995, rode three winners Sunday to bring his season total here to 132, three more than second-place Patrick Husbands.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A return to a sprint, the track at which she trains, and cooler weather proved a winning trifecta for Ayanna, who took over soon after the start and led the rest of the way in the $100,000 * for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday at Hollywood Park.
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino begins its 80-day live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet Tuesday on an upswing. Purses at the New Mexico track have increased dramatically since the introduction of slot machines in 1999, and the facility has been renovated since last year's meet and is in the process of being expanded.