LOUISVILLE, Ky. - When Frank Brothers sent out District in the Ack Ack Handicap here opening day, he suspected the horse might have been placed a bit ambitiously.
His suspicions were well founded. District, making his first start since January, faded to eighth after tracking the pace in the Ack Ack, seemingly reinforcing the age-old racetrack maxim that not even the most demanding training regimen can supplant a race under the belt.
Hallowed Dreams withstood a jockey objection and stewards inquiry to win her comeback from a two month layoff Saturday night 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.
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 on Saturday 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.
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 $150,000, Grade 2 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.
MIAMI - Grey Ballet served notice she was back on top of her game last month when she finished second in the Calder Oaks. She left no doubt Saturday after rallying to a half-length victory over Blondaway in the $60,000 Lenta Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Tails of the Crypt unleashed a big stretch kick to mow down Streakin Rob in the final strides for a three-quarter-length score in Saturday's $112,500 Display Stakes for 2-year-olds at Woodbine.
Tails of the Crypt raced six lengths off the early lead under Jake Barton, who swung him wide for the drive. Streakin Rob set rapid fractions of 23.21 seconds and 46.93 in the 1 1/16-mile race, and had a two-length lead at the eighth pole.
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 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.
It took a photo to separate the first three finishers in Saturday's $50,000 Pennsylvania Futurity at Philadelphia Park.
Oswayo, who was five lengths behind with only an eighth of a mile remaining in the seven-furlong stakes for statebred 2-year-olds, finished a nose ahead of Pal's Partner in 1:23.63. Previously unbeaten Volley Ball, the even-money favorite, was another neck back in third.
MIAMI - With his 97 victories, good for third in the rider standings at the recently concluded Calder meeting, Manny Aguilar served notice that he would be a major factor during the Tropical at Calder meet. With a dozen victories over the first 10 days of the new meet, Aguilar has grabbed the top spot in the standings and is off to a flying start in quest of his first riding title.