The Pizza Man delighted his hometown fans with a stretch-running victory in the Arlington Million as the European contingent tasted success in the International Festival of Racing but still left with a somewhat empty feeling.
The Arlington card, meanwhile, was but the center of a weekend of top-shelf turf contests from France to California, with important detours in Canada and New York as well as Chicago.
Of special note were victories by Esoterique and New Bay at Deauville on the Channel coast of France. The former could be Breeders' Cup-bound; the latter, Arc-bound.
And .. Jamie Spencer may never want to return to Arlington after his mount was set down for a second time in a Grade I fixture at the home of the International Festival of Racing.
Let's "set down" to read this:
Turf
The Pizza Man, an Illinois-bred and a huge hometown favorite, delivered a deep-dish victory over some impressive American and European rivals in Saturday's Grade I Arlington Million. With Florent Geroux at the controls, the 6-year-old English Channel gelding bided his time down the backstretch over a course saturated by a mid-afternoon storm. The crowd roared as track announcer John Dooley called The Pizza Man's name at the start of his relentless move on the stretch turn. Entering the stretch, The Pizza Man got through between rivals and outfinished Big Blue Kitten, winning by a neck. The early leader, Shining Copper, held on gamely for third with Up With the Birds completing the superfecta. The favorite, Slumber, finished eighth. It was the culmination of a somewhat disappointing day for the international set in the International Festival of racing as Elleval finished fifth, Wake Forest sixth, Belgian Bill seventh, Bookrunner ninth and Maverick Wave last of 13. Virtually to a man, the losing riders said their mounts struggled with the yielding turf. "I think I was on the best horse today," said Joe Bravo, who rode Big Blue Kitten. "He didn't like the ground. When 'Kitten' kicks, he's a runner." The Pizza Man's start in the Million was a gutsy call for his owners, Midwest Thoroughbreds, and trainer Roget Brueggemann. The gelding is no stranger to graded stakes and won the last two editions of the Grade III Stars and Stripes over the Arlington grass. Last year, he parlayed that win into victory in the American St. Leger on Million day but this year the owners decided to go broke. More on the strength of sentiment than dispassionate handicapping, he went to the post at 6-1 odds in the Million and returned $13.60 for a $2 win ticket. "I'm always confident when I ride him," said Geroux, who quickly is emerging as one of the nation's top young riders. "He loves to win and knows where the wire is. But I had no horse the whole way. It looked like he was struggling over the very soft track but when I put him outside he started to hold up and grabbed the bit again and I was thinking, 'Oh boy, he's going for a big one here!'" Brueggemann said the off-the-pace tactic employed in this year's Stars and Stripes and again Saturday should be no surprise. "We can rate, we can do anything," he said. "And we've got a great rider." "I can't describe how happy I am," added Richard Papiese, principal of Midwest Thoroughbreds, who also lifted the Breeders' Cup Sprint trophy last fall with Work All Week. "That was more emotional than the Breeders' Cup for us because of what it means. I know it's tough times right now in Illinois, so I hope we can help turn the tide." The race is a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Turf, about which Papiese said, "It's possible ... We'll have to read the paper and see if we belong."
Highland Reel had them all the way in Saturday's $450,000, Grade I Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds at Arlington, making all the going and then jetting clear in the lane to win by 5 1/4 lengths in a bright spot for the European invaders. The Galileo colt, aggressively campaigned by trainer Aiden O'Brien in France, England and Ireland, ran 1 1/4 miles over firm but wet turf in 2:02.26 with Seamie Heffernan aboard for trainer Aidan O'Brien. Closing Bell closed fast to finish second, a head in front of the favorite, East Coast-based Force the Pass. The well-regarded French raider, War Dispatch, finished sixth and previously undefeated Italian runner Goldstream finished fifth. Highland Reel now has four wins and two seconds from eight starts but the victory was his first at the highest level. "There was so little pace in the race, if we couldn't make the lead and then make all, we didn't deserve to win," said O'Brien assistant T.J. Comerford. Heffernan agreed, adding, "I didn't see much pace, and he won easy." As with the Million, losing jockeys pointed to the deep course, which was downgraded quickly to yielding before the next race.
Lucky Speed sat behind the speed in Saturday's $350,000, Grade III American St. Leger at Arlington Park, moved when asked by jockey Andreas Stark and was up in time to deny Panama Hat by 3/4 length. Hyper, the favorite, finished third in the 1 11/16-miles marathon, timed in 2:46.50. Lucky Speed was coming off a close fourth-place finish in the 1 1/8-miles, Grade II Nijinsky at Woodbine but had run well at longer distances earlier in his career while racing in Germany. "We knew he needed more distance and that's what he got today in the American St. Leger," said Starke. "He can handle the American track very well. I am so happy. This is my first win in the United States and to win the St. Leger is amazing. It was the right conditions to bring him over here and I'm very happy." The 5-year-old Irish-bred is by Silvano, winner of the 2001 Arlington Million and sire of the top three finishers in the recent Group 1 Durban July at Greyville in South Africa. His first eight starts were in Germany and included a win in the Group 1 Deutches Derby at Hamburg in July of 2013.
Danish Dynaformer got back on the turf in Sunday's $500,000 (Canadian) Breeders' Stakes for Canadian-foaled 3-year-olds at Woodbine and showed his appreciation with a rousing, 7 3/4-lengths victory. Conquest Boogaloo beat the others with Lucky Lindy third. Danish Dynaformer, a Dynaformer colt out of the Danehill mare Danish Wildcat, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm going in 2:29.28 under Patrick Husbands. The Charles Fipke homebred is trained by Roger Attfield. The race was the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. Danish Dynaformer ran second in the Queen's Plate on the Woodbine all-weather course after winning the Plate Trial, then ran sixth going 1 3/16 miles on the Fort Erie dirt in the middle leg, the Prince of Wales Stakes. Queen's Plate winner Shaman Ghost finished second at Fort Erie and did not contest Sunday's event. "This is what he wants to do," Attfield said. "We made a big mistake going into the Prince of Wales but it didn't bother him. He worked well all week. He just ran phenomenally."
Interpol rallied from a pace-stalking position to win Sunday's $240,000 (Canadian) Sky Classic Stakes at Woodbine by a neck over Golden Sabre and another nose from Are You Kidding Me. The favorite, New York shipper Mr Speaker, was always close but lacked the needed kick in the final yards, settling for fourth. Interpol, a 4-year-old English Channel colt, got 1 1/4 miles on the firm turf in 2:01.05 with Emma-Jayne Wilson in the irons. He went to the post at odds of 21-1, the longest chance in the field of six. He finished fifth last time out in the Grade II Nijinsky Stakes, his stakes debut, well behind Are You Kidding Me and Golden Sabre. Wilson said trainer Sid Attard told her, " If it was slow enough he'll be there and settle real nice for you. It was exactly what happened."
Filly & Mare Turf
Watsdachances won Saturday's $700,000, Grade I Beverly D. at Arlington Park on a disqualification as Secret Gesture, an apparent easy winner, drifted out in the final strides and impeded another rival, Stephanie's Kitten. The interference allowed Watsdachances, who otherwise likely would have finished third, to take second by a neck over Stephanie's Kitten. Secret Gesture thus was set down to third behind the wronged rival -- a major disappointment for the trans-Atlantic raiders. Among the other Euros, last year's Beverly D. winner, Euro Charlene, faded from the lead to finish fourth, Wedding Vow was fifth, Carla Bianca was sixth and Lacy finished seventh. Jamie Spencer, who rode Secret Gesture, declined to comment on the disqualification. He also was aboard Powerscourt, who was demoted from first to fourth in the 2004 Arlington Million, also for stretch interference. Irad Ortiz Jr., up on Stephanie's Kitten, said, "The winner kept coming out. It definitely cost me second." The 1 3/16 miles on a yielding turf course, went in 1:57.36. Watsdachances was coming off a narrow loss in the Grade II Dance Smartly at Woodbine.
Sharla Rae had been on a bit of a slide -- albeit against tough competition -- since winning the California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields a week before Valentine's Day. But she rebounded in a big way in Saturday's $300,000, Grade I Del Mar Oaks, rallying from a pace-stalking trip to win by 3/4 length over Her Emmynency. The favorite, Prize Exhibit, was running well at the finish but could get no closer than third. Sharla Rae, a daughter of Afleet Alex, ran 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:46.58 under James Graham. Trainer Doug O'Neill said Graham rode the filly just right and he now has her figured out. "James put her in the race and she still shut it off and conserved herself. What a ride by James Graham," the trainer said. "It was a matter of me getting it right. I had her on turf, dirt, synthetic and all over the place but this is obviously where she wants to be. She's a quality turf filly."
Sentiero Italia circled the leaders into the stetch run in Friday's $300,000, Grade II Maker's Mark Lake Placid Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga and went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Miss Temple City. Strict Compliance, Heath and Consumer Credit completed the order of finish. Sentiero Italia, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, ran 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:49.25 with Joel Rosario up. It the third win from her last four starts for the Godolphin Stable runner -- a skein interrupted by a fourth-place finish in the Grade I Belmont Oaks Invitational. "We'll go forward from here, maybe the Queen Elizabeth at Keeneland or something in between," said winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. "But this is a big win and we'll soak this up for a little while before we find the next spot."
Habibi, a New Zealand-bred filly by Ekraar, bounced back from a trouncing in the Grade III Singspiel Stakes to win Saturday's $100,000 (Canadian) Flaming Page Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 1 length with a well-timed late move. The favorite, Button Down, led in the stretch and held on for second, 2 lengths ahead of Llanarmon. Habibi, with Emma-Jayne Wilson up, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:28.81. She now is 7-for-15.
Mizz Money tracked the early pace in Saturday's $100,000 Pucker Up Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Arlington Park, moved to the lead in the lane and held off Return to Grace to score by a nose at 14-1 odds. Prado's Sweet Ride was third and the favorite, Miss Chatelaine, finished sixth after a tardy start. Mizz Money, a Mizzen Mast filly, ran about 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:49.80 with Robby Albarado in the irons. She had not won since taking an allowance event at Fair Grounds back in February.
Turf Mile
Grand Arch saved ground down the backstretch in Saturday's $500,000, Grade II Fourstardave at Saratoga, came around pacesetting King Kreesa turning for home and held off the late-running favorite, Ironicus, to win by a neck. It was another neck back to Seek Again, 1/2 length to King Kreesa and a neck to Mshawish, who was making his first start since finishing third behind Solow and The Grey Gatsby in Dubai in March. Grand Arch, a 6-year-old Arch gelding, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.65 with Luis Saez in the irons. A consistent sort, he hit the board for the 18th time in 22 career starts and pushed his career earnings just north of the $1 million mark. "He's a horse that we've sort of campaigned toward this time of year," said winning trainer Brian Lynch. "He usually gets good and we were hoping he was going to bring his 'A' game today. We felt like he needed his last race there at Belmont but he certainly ran big in this race last year and he got the job done today." Ironicus' trainer, Shug McGaughey, lamented, "No pace, no trip."
Curlin's Fox led all the way to a 4 1/2-lengths victory in Friday's $80,000 Sandy Blue Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar, finishing in a good 1:33.25 over firm turf under Mike Smith. Singing Kitty was second, a head in front of Havanna Belle. It was another 10 1/4 lengths back to the favorite, Spirit of Xian. Carla Gaines trains the winner, a daughter of Curlin out of the Foxhound mare Foxysox. She had finished last as the favorite over the same trip last time out at Santa Anita in the Grade III Senorita, a race won by Prize Exhibit.
Turf Sprint
Richard's Boy rallied three-wide around the turn in Saturday's $50,000 Jess Jackson Owner's Stakes at Santa Rosa and outfinished Tiz Point, winning by a neck. Aaismeer was 1 length farther back in third. Richard's Boy, a 3-year-old gelding by Idiot Proof, got 5 furlongs on firm turf in 56.51 under Ricardo Gonzalez, missing the course record by just 0.04 second. He was coming off a fading, fourth-place finish behind Gimme Da Lute in the Real Good Deal Stakes at 7 furlongs.
Sprint
Ivan Fallunovalot came four-wide to the lead in Saturday's $75,000 David M. Vance Sprint Stakes at Remington Park and cleared, winning by 3 3/4 lengths over Imahit. Delaunay led briefly and tired to finish third. Ivan Fallunovalot, a 5-year-old Valid Expectations gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.01 with Calvin Borel riding. He has finished first or second in 11 of his last 12 starts, including a second-place showing behind Alsvid in the Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park in April.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Taris, making her first start of the year after recovering from a fractured ankle, pressed the pace in Sunday's $100,000, Grade III Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar, then went by and on to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Baruta was second, a neck in front of Uzziel. Taris, a 4-year-old Flatter filly, ran 6 1/2 lengths on a fast track in 1:15.31 with Gary Stevens riding. After also taking last summer off, the filly closed out her 3-year-old season with a pair of wins, including the Grade II Lexus Raven Run at Keeneland, and a second-place finish in the Grade I La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita. Trainer Simon Callaghan said, "It's pretty amazing she's come back so well. Honestly, she's been training so well we thought the right thing to do was to run her. She wasn't fully cranked up, probably 85 percent, but she's just a natural athlete."
Classic
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah worked Sunday morning at Del Mar for trainer Bob Baffert, who is still pondering whether to start the colt in the Grade I Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 29. Baffert was asked about parading his star next Saturday before the big crowd expected for the Grade I Pacific Classic. "If I was sure that we weren't going to the Travers, then it would be a no-brainer," Baffert said. "But when you put them in front of a crowd it can take something out of them. I'm just not sure about that yet." Baffert added he feels "a lot of responsibility with him -- to the racing industry, to everyone. I've got to make sure he's 100 percent. I've got to focus on the horse from here on out, make sure everything is right for him." He said a go-no go decision on the Travers likely will come after the colt's next work.
Woodbine Oaks winner Academic stalked the pace in Saturday's $200,000 (Canadian), Grade III Canadian Derby at Northlands Park, took over turning for home and quickly put paid to 11 rivals, winning by 8 lengths. Witt Six was second and it was another 6 1/4 lengths back to Cowboys Don't Cry in third. Bodhisattva was fourth and the favorite, Blue Dancer, faded from the lead to finish fifth. Academic, a Henny Hughes filly, ran 1 3/8 miles on a fast track in 2:18.49 with Justin Stein riding. After her Oaks victory, trainer Tim Rycroft entered the filly in the Queen's Plate, only to see her eased in the stretch run in that effort.
Smack Smack, at odds of 20-1, smacked his better-backed rivals in Saturday's $175,000 Governor's Cup at Remington Park in Oklahoma. The 4-year-old Closing Argument gelding, with Shane Laviolette in the irons, moved from mid-pack to the lead about 2 furlongs from the wire, was headed by Russelin in the lane but came again to win by 1/2 length over that one. The favorite, Code West, chugged up late to get show money. Smack Smack ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.31. It was his second straight victory following a long winless streak.
Dirt Mile
Stryker Phd rallied from far back to defeat a pair of California invaders in Sunday's $200,000, Grade III Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs near Seattle. Sammy Mandeville came from even farther back but couldn't quite match strides late and finished second, 1/2 length in arrears. Alert Bay led briefly midway through the mile but settled for third. Stryker Phd, with Leslie Mawing up, finished in 1:34.06 over a fast track. The 6-year-old Bertrando gelding, based at Emerald Downs, also won this race last year and finished second in 2013. Sammy Mandeville trains in Southern California; Alert Bay at Golden Gate Fields.
Juvenile
Exaggerator caught the favorite, Saratoga Mischief, with a sixteenth to run in Sunday's $200,000, Grade II Saratoga Special at -- well, Saratoga -- and inched past that rival to win by 3/4 length. Hammers Vision was another 4 3/4 lengths in arrears while finishing third. Exaggerator, a Curlin colt, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.39 with Junior Alvarado in the irons. It was his second straight win at the Spa and followed a fifth-place showing in his career debut at Santa Anita in early June. Julie Clark, assistant to winning trainer Keith Desormeaux, said, "I wasn't sure if he could get through on the rail and then he burst between the two. I thought that showed some real class for a baby." Alvarado called the colt "professional. He lets you do whatever you want."
Ruth Less Blue jumped out to a daylight lead in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Vandal Stakes at Woodbine, made all the going and held on to win by 1/2 length despite ducking in at the eighth pole. Conquest Daddyo rallied for second with Get'erdonebud third. Ruth Less Blue, a Giant Gizmo gelding, ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:10.71 with Michelle Rainford in the irons. He now has two consecutive wins after finishing second in the Clarendon Stakes in his career bow.
Texas Chrome ran right by pacesetting favorite Dubdubwatson in the stretch run of Saturday's $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity at Arapahoe Park, winning by 2 1/2 lengths over that rival. It was 9 1/2 lengths farther back to Let the Boy Sing, who completed the trifecta. Texas Chrome, a Texas-bred Grasshopper colt, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.02 with Deshawn Parker riding. He's now 2-for-2.
Smokey Image, the odds-on favorite, had some early traffic problems in Saturday's $50,000 Cavonnier Juvenile at Santa Rosa -- but not enough to prevent the Southern Image colt from emerging to score by 2 lengths over Algenon. The frontrunner, Taste's Secret, finished 7 lengths farther back in third. Smokey Image, with Juan Hernandez in the irons, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.46. He's now 3-for-3 after taking down his first two starts at Pleasanton.
Juvenile Fillies
Just Wicked pulled to even terms with pacesetting favorite Tonasah turning for home in Saturday's $200,000, Grade II Adironack at Saratoga, dueled for the lead and finally edged clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Delicate Lady finished 8 lengths farther back in third after a rough start. Just Wicked, a Tapit filly out of the Harlan's Holiday mare Wicked Deed, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.61 with Jose Ortiz up. She started her career with a second-place finish on the grass at Belmont -- trainer Steve Asmussen said the dirt races he wanted didn't go and she needed a race -- and then won on the Saratoga main course last month. "She had a great post today, Jose gave her a great ride and I think she beat a very good filly," Asmussen said.
Pretty N Cool got a classic trip and ran like a classy filly in Wednesday's $200,000, Grade II Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar. After waiting behind the pace for jockey Martin Garcia, the Scat Daddy filly surged to a big lead in the lane and cruised home first by 2 3/4 lengths over Gomo. One True Kiss finished third. Pretty N Cool, trained by Bob Baffert, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.94. She's 2-for-2. "I saw how fast that filly up front was going and I didn't want to go with her, so I took a hold," Garcia said. "I can do what I want with this filly. When I asked her, she went to the front." Baffert added, "We thought that she could run and she's shown it. I liked what she did today."
Ruby Notion led most of the way in Sunday's $60,000 Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park and held well, winning by 2 1/4 lengths, ridden out. Tight Weave and Silver Majorette filled the trifecta slots. Ruby Notion, a West Virginia-bred daughter of Great Notion, ran 5 furlongs on firm turf in 56.77 seconds with Rafael Hernandez up.
International:
France
Esoterique, bouncing back on one week's rest, captured Sunday's Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois by 1 1/2 lengths over stablemate Territories. Wild Chief was third in the 1-mile fixture, contested over testing ground. Esoterique, a 5-year-old Danehill Dancer mare, was held up early, accelerated smoothly and got through traffic to lead with about a furlong to run. She finished in 1:36.12 with Pierre-Charles Boudot riding for Andre Fabre. Last weekend, Esoterique fell just 1/2 length short of beating Muhaarar in the Group 1 Prix Maurice du Gheest over the same course, finishing second. And in June at Royal Ascot, the mare was second by 1 length, this time to Solow in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Mile and owner Edouard de Rothschild said that race will be considered, with a couple possibilities in between now and then.
French Derby winner New Bay had no trouble taking Saturday's Group 1 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville, chasing down the early leader in the final quarter mile and holding off Dariyan by 1 1/2 lengths at the end. Ampere was third. New Bay, with Vincent Cheminaud in the irons for Fabre, ran 1 1/4 miles on heavy going in 2:08.34. He now has three wins and two seconds from five starts and moves into the picture for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Oct. 4.
Otherwise:
Saratoga
Freudie Ann led from the start in Thursday's $100,000 Statue of Liberty Division of the New York Stallion Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies and won by 1 1/4 lengths over Loon River. Psychiatry completed the trifecta. Freudie Ann, a daughter of Freud, ran 1 mile on the firm inner turf course in 1:35.56 with Jose Ortiz up.
Tacticus stayed in touch with the pace in Wednesday's $100,000 Birdstone Stakes, a 1 3/4-miles marathon on the main track, then got to the lead and edged clear at mid-stretch to post a 2 1/2-lengths victory over Turco Bravo. Desvelo was third while the favorite, Micromanage, was eased and later walked off. Tacticus, a 4-year-old A.P. Indy colt, finished in 2:59.15 with Joel Rosario at the controls.
Del Mar
Chati's On Top broke last of nine in Sunday's $150,000 Solana Beach Handicap for California-bred fillies and mares but was on top at the end, winning by 1 1/2 lengths over Chaulk O Lattey. Mangita was third. Chati's On Top, a 4-year-old Old Topper filly, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.49 with Santiago Gonzalez up.
Indiana Grand
Memphisinmay rallied from a pace-stalking trip to upset Wednesday's $150,000 Governor's Stakes for Indiana-bred 3-year-olds, finishing a head in front of Son of a Nut, who was under pressure on the lead through much of the race. Daddy Justice was along for third. Memphisinmay, also a world-class barbecue competition in the Tennessee city, is a Rockport Harbor colt. With Joe Rocco Jr. up, he finished 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:42.64.
Lady Fog Horn rallied five-wide from the middle of the pack to take Wednesday's $150,000 Indiana First Lady Stakes for state-bred 3-year-old fillies by 1 1/4 lengths. The favorite, Heart's Song, followed the winner around the early leaders and finished second, a head in front of pacesetting Comforter. Lady Fog Horn, a daughter of Zavata, ran 1 mile and 70 yards in 1:42.12 under Albin Jimenez.
Arapahoe Park
Bourbon Sense made all the pace in Sunday's $100,000 Arapahoe Park Classic, then held on in the final sixteenth, winning by 1 length over Steelman Run. The favorite, Magical Twist, checked in third. Bourbon Sense, a 4-year-old Street Sense gelding, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:53.53 with Brian Theriot up.
Monmouth Park
Joya Real rallied from the back of the field in Saturday's $60,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes for fillies and mares and won a four-way sprint to the wire, finishing a neck better than Aquinnah, who, in turn, was a head better than Strikinglybeautiful and another neck in front of Kids Tuition. Joya Real, a 6-year-old Eddington mare, ran 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:01.96 with Roberto Albarado Jr. riding.
Thistledown
Rivers Run Deep ran pretty fast in the stretch run of Saturday's $75,000 Honey Jay Stakes for Ohio-breds, flowing off to a 6 3/4-lengths victory over Doctoriat. Dubacious was third. Rivers Run Deep, a 4-year-old Ready's Image colt, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.86 with Malcolm Franklin up.
Finger Lakes
Hard to Stay Notgo didn't wait around when the field hit the stretch in Friday's $50,000 Niagara Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies, kicking away to a 7 3/4-lengths victory over True Shot. Congaroo, Bajan Beach and Take Issue were in close attendance after that. Hard to Stay Notgo, a daughter of More Than Ready, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.26 with Angel Arroyo up.
Emerald Downs
Lady Rosberg surged to the lead in the stretch in Sunday's $65,000 Emerald Distaff Handicap and drew off to win by 3 3/4 lengths over Sarahline. Madame Pele was another 1/2 length back in third. Lady Rosberg, a 5-year-old Rosberg mare, ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:48.68 with Gallyn Mitchell up.
Mach One Rules showed the way in Saturday's $50,000 W.T.B.O.A. Stakes for 2-year-olds, shadowed most of the way by first-time starter Viewingthegold. At the wire, Mach One Rules ruled by a head over that stubborn 26-1 shot with Gold Rush Dancer 4 length farther back in third. Mach One Rules ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:15.78 with Leslie Mawing up. The top two are both by Harbor the Gold.
Princess Kennedy started near the back of the pack in Saturday's $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes for 2-year-old fillies and wound up, after a stretch rally, out front by 8 3/4 lengths at the wire. Freaky Kiki and My Heart Goes On filled out the trifecta. Princess Kennedy, a Kentucky-bred filly by Sun King, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:17.12 with Mitchell in the irons.
Northlands Park
Rock and Glory surged out to a huge lead in Friday's $75,000 (Canadian) City of Edmonton Distaff Handicap, then coasted home first by 3 1/2 lengths to the good of Truvi. Optimistic Lulu was third. Rock and Glory, an 8-year-old Rock Hard Ten mare, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.10 with Rico Walcott in the irons.
For Cash edged clear in the lane to win Saturday's $50,000 (Canadian) Westerner Handicap by 4 lengths over Wild Legend. It was another 1/2 length to the odds-on favorite, Killin Me Smalls, in third. For Cash, a 5-year-old Stephen Got Even gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.97 with Walcott up.
Clear the Runway trailed the field into the stretch in Saturday's $50,000 (Canadian) Sun Sprint Championship, then quickly got to takeoff speed and won by 1/2 length over Tiny Giant. Brackendale finished a close third while the favorite, Omar, faded to get home last. Clear the Runway, a 6-year-old Broken Vow gelding out of the Dynaformer mare Smokey Diplomacy, ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:18.14 with Dane Nelson riding.
Her backers loved the stretch run produced by Hero's Amor in Saturday's $50,000 (Canadian) Sonoma Handicap for 3-year-old fillies. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Street Hero shadowed the pacesetter Eustacia, then took over, winning off by 5 1/4 lengths over that rival. Some Gave All was up for third. Hero's Amor, with Nelson up, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.10.a
Charles Town
Lucy's Bob Boy ran by the pacesetting favorite, Hidden Canyon, and went on to win Saturday's $50,000 Frank Gall Memorial for West Virginia-breds by 5 1/4 lengths over that rival. Little Big Sime finished thid. Lucy's Bob Boy, a 6-year-old Flatter gelding, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:24.67 with Jevian Toledo up.
Gulfstream Park
Katie's Kiss circled five-wide to gain the lead in Sunday's $75,000 Summer Winds Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, outfinishing Huasca by 1/2 length. Summer Rae led early and salvaged show money. Katie's Kiss, a daughter of Kantharos, ran 5 furlongs on firm turf in 59.58 seconds with Tyler Gaffalione up.
Singanothersong finished a neck behind Do the Roar in Saturday's $50,000 Bonita Stakes, then was promoted to the win when the stewards ruled Do the Roar drifted out late, impeding his rival. The favorite, Successful Native, made a late run to finish third. Singanothersong, a 5-year-old son of Songandaprayer, was ridden by Emisael Jaramillo. Do the Roar, who finished 5 furlongs on firm turf in 55.87, was piloted by Ramsey Zimmerman.