SAN MATEO, Calif. - Super Quercus, who had been racing well versus tougher down south, ran down the leaders in deep stretch to win the $200,000, Grade 3 Bay Meadows Handicap by a length Saturday.
With Russell Baze aboard, Super Quercus lagged far back in fourth place in the about 1 1/8-mile grass race, as Most Likely opened a long lead. Takarian raced second, with Sign of Hope third most of the way, and the first four were each separated by several lengths.
ELMONT, N.Y. - When racing manager Demi O'Byrne purchased Left Bank and Circle of Life out of the 1999 Calder 2-year-old the in training sales for owner Michael Tabor, he told trainer Todd Pletcher that a Grade 1 win was expected from each of them.
Circle of Life got her's later that summer in the Spinaway. On Saturday, Left Bank got his Grade 1 by running down 3-5 favorite Squirtle Squirt in deep stretch to take the $300,000 Vosburgh by a half-length before 8,723 at Belmont Park. It was 9 3/4 lengths back to Big E E in third.
ELMONT, N.Y. - The patience Godolphin Racing has showed with Express Tour was rewarded on Saturday when the 3-year-old colt returned from a 105-day layoff to record a 5 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2, $150,000 Jerome Handicap at Belmont Park.
Illusioned finished second, a nose in front of 6-5 favorite Burning Roma. Scorpion and Hero's Tribute completed the order of finish in the Jerome, which was rescheduled from Sept. 15, when racing was canceled due to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
FLORENCE, Ky. - Trip ran her record to 3 for 3 at Turfway Park by pulling a surprisingly easy win in the $200,000 Turfway Breeders' Cup Saturday on Kentucky Cup Day. Trip ($16), a 4-year-old Lord at War filly bred and owned by Claiborne Farm, stalked the pace before drawing off to win by three lengths over Precious Feather, who at 45-1 was the longest shot in a field of seven fillies and mares.
Trip had captured the Bourbonette and Fairway Fun Stakes in her previous races at Turfway. "That was one of the major reasons we ran her here," said trainer Frank Brothers.
BOSSIER CITY, La. - Trainer Cole Norman won five races from seven starters Friday at Louisiana Downs to equal the track's record for most wins on a card by a trainer. Jack Van Berg accomplished the feat on Dec. 5, 1976, and Frank Brothers turned the trick twice, on May 16, 1982, and Sept. 3, 1984.
MIAMI - A surface that has favored outside closers and the prospect of a legitimate pace could be the combination that finally puts Sugar N Spice back in the winner's circle in Monday's $35,000-added The Nany Stakes at Calder Racecourse. The Nany drew a field of seven filly and mares going 6 1/2 furlongs.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Monrow, who is three for three at Bay Meadows, seems well spotted to win another in the $34,000 allowance feature at a mile on the turf Monday.
The race is restricted to fillies and mares who have not won $3,000 twice other than maiden or claiming. Monrow, having already won at the level, is in for the optional claiming price of $40,000.
A 5-year-old daughter of Fool the Experts, Monrow came off some poor Del Mar races to win back-to-back races at this level last fall. One of those was on the main track, while the other was on the turf.
POMONA, Calif. - The Morris Monroe comes off a scorching win in the Aprisa Handicap Sept. 12, which sets him up as the likely favorite in Monday's closing-day feature at Fairplex, the $50,000 Governor's Cup Handicap. The 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds and upward lured eight.
NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Mercer's Launch assumed command after a half-mile and won the $30,000 Emerald Necklace Stakes for 2-year-old Ohio-bred fillies by 1 3/4 lengths at Thistledown Saturday. Ohio Ann overcame an awkward start to get up for second, 1 1/4 lengths before Little Forest.
Owned by Scioto Farm Supply, trained by Jeffrey Williams, and ridden by Jason Eads, Mercer's Launch covered six furlongs in 1:12.74 over a fast racing strip and returned $5.60.