Jockey Marlon St. Julien broke a long drought when he rode My Little Runaway ($27) to a come-from-behind victory in the fourth race Saturday at Churchill Downs.
St. Julien, who will begin riding in Chicago next weekend, had been winless with his previous 139 mounts, dating to March 18. He took the triumph in stride while accepting congratulations from dozens of fans. "I just hope they don't get me too bad in the [jockeys'] room," he said, smiling.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Despite more wet weather Saturday morning, three contenders for the June 9 Belmont Stakes put in workouts over a training track labeled good by the clockers.
Thunder Blitz, the fourth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby went seven furlongs in 1:27.48. At about the same time, Invisible Ink, the Derby runner-up, went five furlongs in 1:03.05 and Balto Star, the 14th-place finisher in the Derby, went five furlongs in 1:02.31.
STICKNEY, Ill. - Nine days after Chicago Six's disappointing defeat in the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup, Muchacho Fino can exact a measure of redemption for the J.R. Smith Sr. barn. The stakes are not as high, but the spot is difficult. Muchacho Fino faces five rivals in a high-class optional claiming route to be contested at 1 1/16 miles.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Hallowed Dreams, who has compiled a 21-for-22 career record while racing exclusively in Louisiana, will cross state lines for the first time to run in the $100,000 Valid Expectations, one of seven stakes worth a cumulative $1 million Monday at Lone Star Park.
Lone Star Million Day, to be conducted for the third time, is the richest day of racing in Texas. Last year's program drew a crowd of 18,319.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Irisheyesareflying, who was second in the Grade 2 San Bernardino Handicap in his last main-track race, is the horse to beat in the Grade 3 $150,000 All American Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Bay Meadows on Monday.
Major threats include Euchre, a Grade 2 winner from the Bobby Frankel stable, and Jorrocks, who won the $50,000 San Carlos Handicap at Bay Meadows on April 29 and who could be the "now" horse.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - He has been part of wilder celebrations. But after Nasty Storm gamely held off heavily favored Love at Noon to win the $109,700 Dogwood Stakes on Saturday, Denny Crum found himself at the vortex of a chaotic tornado of joy that wound its way to the Churchill Downs winner's circle.
ELMONT, N.Y. - Hero's Tribute, who at one time was considered a stronger Kentucky Derby threat than stablemate Monarchos, restored his reputation Saturday by splashing his way to a 3 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park.
Hero's Tribute dueled most of the way with E Dubai, who gave way in upper stretch and settled for second, 10 1/4 lengths ahead of Dayton Flyer. Sirpa, Meetyouathebrig, Telescam, and I Love Silver completed the order of finish.
NORTH RANDALL, Ohio - Beatmichiganagain scored a hard- earned half-length victory over Lady Cherie in the ninth running of the $40,000, six-furlong Brent's Princess Stakes at Thistledown.
The early pacesetter, Mandy G, weakened to finish third, 6 1/4 lengths farther back in the field eight Ohio-breds.
Beatmichiganagain ($4.40), a 4-year-old chestnut filly, prompted Mandy G into the stretch, went up to make the lead and opened a clear advantage, then was all out under strong urging by William Troilo to hold off the charging Lady Cherie.
Pine Dance, winless in six starts since last fall, splashed to a three-quarter length victory in the $75,000 Brandywine Stakes at Delaware Park.
Ridden for the first time by Ramon Dominguez, the 4-year-old Pine Dance ($9) ran the mile over a sloppy track in 1:37.22. It was his first race over a wet surface since he captured the Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park last September.
Quick Punch finished second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of the 8-5 favorite, Liberty Gold.
Six horses scratched because of the rainy conditions, reducing the field to seven.