UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup

Eye of the Leopard is the new Thoroughbred king of Canada -- winner of Sunday's 150th running of the Queen's Plate at Woodbine.

Under jockey Eurico Da Silva, the bay son of A.P. Indy staked the pace in the $1 million race, came three-wide into the stretch and wore down Mr. Foricos Two U to win by a neck. Woodbine Oaks winner Milwaukee Appeal was another head back in third after 1 1/4 miles timed in 2:03.84 on the all-weather track.

Eye of the Leopard is a Sam-Son Farm homebred and gave the organization its fifth Plate win. Trainer Mark Frostad won the longest continuously run stake in North America for the fourth time; Da Silva for the first time.

"Well, it wasn't nearly as exciting as I had hoped," Frostad said. "But we managed to win the race. It was very nice. The horse ran a super race. Mr. Foricos Two U ran a super race. (Jockey) Mike Smith was trying to steal it from us, but we got there."

Da Silva said Eye of the Leopard "was traveling very comfortably. He just kept going at that pace, he got the job done -- that is the most important thing."

It was the third win in four career starts for Eye of the Leopard, who now is expected to go on to the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie on July 12. The third leg is the Breeders' Stakes, back at the Woodbine -- but over the E.P. Taylor turf course at 1 1/2 miles.

The victory in the Queen's Plate also puts a spotlight on the A.P. Indy colt and raises questions about how far he could extend his ability. An ultimate test could come in the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 6-7 in California, with the $5 million Classic as the top prize.

In another event that might impact the Breeders' Cup Classic, Grazen went right to the lead in Saturday's $100,000 Affirmed Handicap for 3-year-olds at Hollywood Park and never looked back, drawing clear in the final furlong to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Misremembered was second and Quindici Man finished third.

Grazen, a California-bred Benchmark colt, finished the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:41.4 with Rafael Bejarano up. "This horse is really getting better," Bejarano said. "He just loves being on the lead. When he's on the lead, it doesn't matter how fast he's going. We went a real fast second quarter but I always felt he was going real easy."

Winning trainer Mike Mitchell noted the competition "didn't give him any break this time. They went after him. I felt like he was running free and out there by himself. He was out of trouble, anyway. He's a good horse and he's learning what all this is all about."

In other racing that could impact the Breeders' Cup World Championships

$3 million Emirates Airline Turf

Battle of Hastings got to the lead early in the stretch run in Saturday's $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup for 3-year-olds at Colonial Downs in Virginia, then held on to win by a head over Straight Story. Lime Rickey finished third. Battle of Hastings, a British-bred Royal Applause gelding, ran the 1 3/16 miles on firm turf in 1:57.79. Tyler Baze rode for trainer Jeff Mullins. Battle of Hastings, originally campaigned in England, now has three wins and a second from his last four U.S. starts.

When Saturday's $250,000 New York Breeders' Cup Stakes came off the grass, trainer Marty Wolfson finally got his wish to run Icon Project on the main track. The results were so impressive -- a 13 1/4-lengths victory over favorite Criticism, that now Wolfson isn't sure what course to take with the 4-year-old Empire Maker filly. She ran the 9 furlongs on a muddy track in 1:49.38 under Jose Valdivia Jr. Icon Project began her career in France and first ran in the United States this winter at Gulfstream Park. "I told her owner, when she first came to this country, she was training so well on dirt I wanted to run her on dirt, but it didn't turn out that way," Wolfson said. "Now, I'm not sure in which direction we'll go. Jockey Javier Castellano, meanwhile, said Criticism "ran her heart out on a track she didn't like at all."

Musketier, drew off smartly in the stretch run to win Sunday's $150,000 Singspiel Handicap at Woodbine by 4 lengths over the favorite, Mission Approved. Cobotown Ron was third. Musketier, a 7-year-old, German-bred son of Acatenango, finished the 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:27.41. Jono Jones rode for trainer Roger Attfield. It was the sixth career victory for Musketier but his first since 2007 in France. He came into the Singspiel off a ninth-place finish in the Dixie at Pimlico on May 16 at 9 furlongs. "He's been sitting on a winning race for a little while," Attfield said. "I think I made a mistake sending him to Pimlico and shortening him up. He didn't handle the track. He's trained really, really well coming into this race."

Oil Man rallied four-wide into the stretch in Sunday's $100,000 Cinema Handicap for 3-year-olds at Hollywood Park and, with some urging from jockey Joel Rosario, went by the leaders to win by 1 length. Arcodoro was second and the favorite, Massone, finished third. Oil Man, an Irish-bred colt by Pyrus, got the 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:48.72. He is trained by John Sadler. "He showed that he really wants long distance," Sadler said. "He'll stay forever … Where this horse has a chance to make a dent is in some mile-and-one-quarter, mile-and-one-half races." He said Oil Man's next start will be in the $300,000 American Derby at 1 3/16 miles on July 11 at Arlington Park.

$2 million Ladies Classic

Unbridled Belle was "unbeatable Belle" in Saturday's $125,000 Obeah Stakes at Delaware Park, leading from the start and accelerating through the stretch to win by 11 lengths over Morena. The favorite, Skylighter, was third. Unbridled Belle, a 6-year-old, Kentucky-bred daughter of Broken Vow, got the 9 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:50.79 with Richard Migliore riding. Todd Pletcher trains. "She just relishes the Delaware Park course," said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. "She is not particularly fond of off-tracks, but the Delaware Park track clearly made up for that. Her next start will be the Del Cap."

Bon Jovi Girl got the widest trip of all in Saturday's $75,000 Susan's Girl Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Delaware Park but shrugged off the wide trip and a sloppy track to win by 8 lengths over Payton d'Oro. Warrior Maid was third. Bon Jovi Girl is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Malibu Moon. Jose Caraballo guided her over 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.27 under the orders of trainer Timothy Richey. Bon Jovi Girl increased her lifetime time record to five wins from 11 starts with earnings of $316,920.

$2 million Emirates Airline Filly & Mare Turf

Winter View put her head in front at the wire in Saturday's $150,000 All Along Stakes at Colonial Downs. Tejida was second and Dyna's Lassie edged out Astrologie for third. Winter View, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred mare by Thunder Gulch, ran 9 furlongs on the firm inner turf in 1:49.56 with Julien Leparoux riding for trainer Jonathan Sheppard.

$1 million Turf Sprint

Smart Enough also was fast enough in Sunday's $200,000 (Canadian) Highlander Stakes on the Queen's Plate undercard at Woodbine, leading all the way and winning off by 2 lengths over Field Commission. The favorite, Heros Reward rallied late to save third. Smart Enough, a 6-year-old, Kentucky-bred Horse Chestnut gelding, ran the 6 furlongs on "good" turf in 1:08.26 under Jeremy Rose. John Fisher trains. "We love to come to Woodbine. It's the best track in North America," said Fisher. "He got hurt in the Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland last year. It's taken us this long to get him back. I knew he was back after his race at Monmouth."

All but four of a once-full field scratched out of Saturday's $50,000 Buckland Stakes at Colonial Downs and Twiceasbeautiful was the best of the starters, winning by 3 1/4 lengths. Excessive Heat was second, Battingstar third and the favorite, Charlie Papa, fourth and last. Twiceasbeautiful, a 5-year-old, Florida-bred Texas Glitter mare, ran the 5 1/2 furlongs on the firm outer turf course in 1:05.45 with Julien Leparoux up for trainer Michelle Sharp.

$2 million Turf Mile

Stylish Citizen rallied wide into the stretch in Saturday's $100,000 (Canadian) Charlie Barley Stakes for 3-year-olds at Woodbine and was up in time to win by 1/2 length over Crown Isle. Bear's Prospector finished third and the favorite, Congor Bay, was fourth. Stylish Citizen, a Kentucky-bred Proud Citizen colt, ran the 1 mile and 70 yards on the all-weather track in 1:40.6. The race originally had been scheduled for the grass. "John asked me to try and get him back today. He settled very well. I didn't like the fact that down the backside Congor Bay got loose on the lead, but we had enough horse at the end to catch him," said winning rider James McAleney.

$2 million Sentient Sprint

Big Drama dominated the stretch run in Saturday night's $250,000 Red Legend Stakes for 3-year-olds at Charles Town Races, winning by 7 lengths as the odds-on favorite. Bunker Hill and Russell Road were second and third. Big Drama, a Florida-bred Montbrook colt, ran the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:24.03 with Eibar Coa riding for trainer David Fawkes.

Trust Or Bust wrested the lead from Sea Dubai in the upper stretch in Saturday's $250,000 Charles Town Invitational Dash, then edged clear to win by 2 1/4 lengths over late-running Secretintelligence. Sea Dubai held third. Trust Or Bust, a 4-year-old, Florida-bred gelding by Trust N Luck, got the 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.11 seconds. Gerald Aimodovar rode.

In other weekend racing:

Royal Ascot

Yeats romped home to a fourth straight Gold Cup victory Thursday, scoring by 3 1/2 lengths over Patkai. Geordieland was a far distant third. Yeats, an 8-year-old son of Sadler's Wells, finished the 2 1/2 miles in 4 minutes, 20.73 seconds with Johnny Murtagh along for the ride. He bided his time in third until the field was set down for the final stretch run, quickly got to the front and the outcome was not in doubt. No other horse has won the signature event of Royal Ascot four years running.

Ghanaati reprised her victory in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this year with a record-setting win in Friday's Group 1 Coronation Stakes. With Richard Hills in the irons, Ghannati, a daughter of Giant's Causeway, got the lead with little more than a furlong left and held off French hopeful Reggane to win by 2 lengths in course-record time of 1:38.32. Rainbow View was third. Again, winner of the Irish 1000 Guineas, finished seventh. Trainer Charlie Hills suggested he may send his filly against colts next time out in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in a little over one month's time.

Radiohead, the victim of some serious traffic problems less than 2 furlongs from home, recovered well to win Thursday's Group 2 Norfolk Stakes for 2-year-olds. The winner finished in 1:02.07, beating Reignier by 2 lengths.

American trainer Wesley Ward, who staged an unprecedented raid on the Royal Ascot with a string of U.S.-trained juveniles, came up aces in Wednesday's Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes, winning by 5 lengths with Jealous Again. Jockey John Velazquez took Jealous Again out to the early lead and she was never challenged. "In America, we train for speed," Ward told the Racing Post after the Queen Mary. "The reason I came over here was I thought the others in these 2-year-old races are trained to go on for next year." Ward also won the listed Windsor Castle Stakes a day earlier with another of his precocious fillies, Strike the Tiger.

Ward just missed on Saturday's closing day card as Cannonball fell a neck short of longshot Art Connoisseur in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes, a 6-furlong event that attracted some of the world's top sprinters. Lesson in Humility was third. Olivier Peslier took over riding duties from John Velazquez, who had another engagement. But Peslier saw Art Connoisseur find an opening on the rail and get first run at the leaders and he never could bring Cannonball to even terms.

Also Wednesday, Vision d'Etat got through an opening late in the stretch run to capture the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes by 1/2 length over Tartan Bearer. Never on Sunday was third. With Olivier Peslier riding, the French-trained Vision d'Etat covered the 1 1/4 miles on ground rated "firm to good" in 2:06.9. Vision d'Etat is a 4-year-old son of Chichicastenango.

Mastercraftsman battled gamely to the wire in Tuesday's Group 1 St. James's Palace Stakes before prevailing by a neck over Delegator. Lord Shanakill was third. Ridden by John Murtagh, Mastercraftsman gave trainer Aidan O'Brien his third straight win in the race, following Excellent Art and Henrythenavigator.

Paco Boy won the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, beating Cesare by 1 1/2 lengths and finishing the 1 mile in 1:39.31.

Woodbine

Smart Surprise led throughout in Saturday's $100,000 (Canadian) Hill 'n' Dale Stakes for fillies and mares, getting home 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Roses 'n' Wine. Arden Belle was third and the favorite, Serenading, settled for fourth. Smart Surprise, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred mare by Smart Strike, ran the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:43.68 with Patrick Husbands aboard for trainer Josie Carroll.

Belmont Park

Legal Consent survived a stiff stretch duel to win Sunday's $100,000 Mike Lee Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds by 1/2 length over Slevin. That's Rich finished third. Legal Consent, a son of Officer, ran the 7 furlongs on a muddy track in 1:24.72. Ramon Dominguez rode.

With Flying Colors rallied from last of four to win Sunday's $65,000 Floral Park Heatherten Stakes for fillies and mares by 2 1/4 lengths. Nicksappealinglady was second and Wyatt's Women third. The odds-on favorite, Cocoa Beach, did not fire and finished last, prompting payouts of $25.20 and $33.80 in the place pool. There was no show wagering. With Flying Colors, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred A.P. Indy filly, got the 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track in 1:44.1.

Delaware Park

Nicantor, a full brother to Barbaro, won his second straight race in an allowance event Wednesday at Delaware Park. Leading from the early going under Rosie Napravnik, the Dynaformer colt got home 1 3/4 lengths in front, finishing 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:52.95. Nicantor made his first three starts at Gulfstream part, finishing second twice. He won his first start at Delaware on May 13, going 1 1/16 miles on the grass. "We are not exactly sure where we may run him next," said trainer Michael Matz. "We want to take our time and see how he comes out of this race. But we were very pleased with his race today. At this point, there is a possibility his next start might be in the Virginia Derby" at Colonial Downs on July 18.

Arlington Park

Saturday was the Prairie State Festival, with six races for state-breds, each worth $100,000.

River Bear rallied between horses at the top of the lane in the White Oak Stakes and won by a neck over Mighty Rule, running 6 furlongs in 1:10.21 under Timothy Thornton. Bow Tie Pasta exchanged leads with Pathway down the stretch in the Purple Violet Stakes for 3-year-old fillies before prevailing by a neck over that rival, getting the 1 mile on the all-weather track in 1:38.11 with Eusebio Razo Jr. riding. Nicks came from well back in the Isaac Murphy Handicap for fillies and mares, getting through some traffic to win by 1 length over Secret Kin, finishing 6 furlongs in 1:10.62 for jockey James Graham.

Ocean Ace stalked the pace in the 1-mile Springfield Stakes for 3-year-olds, then challenged pace-setting Agnostic in the lane and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths over that rival, finishing in 1:37.4 with Fernando Jara riding. Apple Martini came from far back to capture the 1 1/16-miles Lincoln Heritage Handicap for distaffers by a nose over Sun for Fun, getting home in 1:46.43 with Razo in the irons.

And in the day's climax, 8-year-old Fort Prado rallied gamely down the outside in the stretch run to win the Black Tie Affair Handicap by a neck over the odds-on favorite, Gentleman Chester, with Free Fighter another head back in third. It was fourth time the son of El Prado, star of the Team Block stable, has won the Black Tie Affair. He captured the race in 2005, 2006 and 2007, with only a second-place finish behind Gentleman Chester last year preventing a five-year winning streak. He finished the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:46.78. "This horse has really been a hard luck horse the last two years," said trainer Chris Block. "He's gotten older and he's lost a step but he always tries his hardest. After becoming a millionaire last year the hard way -- I'm just proud as punch that he came back and won a race like this. This was pretty special."

Presque Isle Downs

Heart of a King led from the early going in Saturday's $100,000 Tall Ships Stakes for 3-year-olds and won by 1 1/4 lengths over Mikoshi. Heart of a King, a Kentucky-bred Lion Heart gelding, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on the all-weather track in 1:40.51 under Mario Pino.

Holly's Way rallied in the stretch to win Saturday's $100,000 Malvern Rose Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-old fillies by 1/2 length over Looky Here. Holly's Way, with Dale Beckner aboard, ran the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.24.

Winning Drive put in his winning drive in the stretch run in Saturday's $100,000 Lil E. Tee Handicap for Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-olds, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths over Anaan. Winning Drive, a Golden Missile gelding, finished the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.23 for jockey Erick Rodriguez.

Whistle Pig made a big noise in the stretch run of Saturday's $75,000 Presidentialaffair Handicap for Pennsylvania-breds, passing all four rivals and winning by 3/4 length. Night Stand was second and Remain Silent third. Whistle Pig, a 5-year-old Patton gelding, ran 6 furlongs in 1:08.85 with Josiah Hampshire Jr. in the irons.

Charles Town Races

No Advantage rallied smartly leaving the three-sixteenths pole in Saturday's $100,000 Wild and Wonderful Stakes and got home 1 length in front of Acting Zippy. Eddie C. finished third. No Advantage, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred colt by Posse, ran the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:24.44 for jockey Brandon Whitacre.

Juliet's Spirit took charge in the stretch in Saturday's $100,000 Lady Charles Town Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Onearmedbandit. Score One More was third. Juliet's Spirit is a Florida-bred daughter of Exchange Rate. With Larry Sterling Jr. in the irons, she ran the 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.35 seconds.

Monmouth Park

Our Edge just edged favorite Gone Astray by a head at the wire in Saturday's $70,000 Coronado's Quest Stakes for 3-year-olds. After leading much of the way, jockey Elvis Trujillo had all he could do to preserve the victory for the Florida-bred The Cliff's Edge colt. Endymion finished third. Our Edge got the 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track in 1:43.42.

Beacon Hill Road rallied five-wide into the stretch in Saturday's $60,000 Anderson Fowler Stakes for 3-year-olds and was up in time to win by 1/2 length over Southern Exchange. Valiancy finished third. Beacon Hill Road, a Kentucy-bred Forestry colt, ran the 5 1/2 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:02.94 under Carlos Marquez Jr.

Ask the Moon led the way to a 1 1/4-lengths victory over Talkin About Love in Sunday's $70,000 Lighthouse Stakes for fillies and mares. With Joe Bravo riding, the 4-year-old, Maryland-bred Malibu Moon filly got the 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track in 1:44.19.

At the Disco danced by the leaders with a quarter mile left in Sunday's $60,000 Bernie Dowd Handicap for state-breds, hit the electric slide and glided home first, 7 lengths ahead of Luna Park. Flirtatious Smile was third. At the Disco, a 5-year-old son of Disco Risco, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on the sloppy track in 1:40.99 under Eddie Castro.

Calder Race Course

Possetothemax chased the early leader in Saturday's $55,000 Reappeal Stakes, got to the front with a furlong to go and held off Lettie's Relic to win by a neck. Little Nick was third as the favorite. Possetothemax, a 4-year-old Posse gelding, got the 5 furlongs on "good" turf in 55.87 seconds with Eduardo Nunez in the irons.

Misty Oak won a three-way battle to the wire in Sunday's $55,000 Donthelumbertrader Stakes for 3-year-olds, scoring by a head over Grand Cash, with Livingston Street another neck back in third. Misty Oak, a Florida-bred Lemon Drop Kid colt, ran 7 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:27.89 under Eduardo Nunez.

Sunray Park

Awintersdream drew off in the late going to win Saturday's $75,000 C.O. Ken Kendrick Memorial for New Mexico-bred, 2-year-old fillies by 2 1/4 lengths over Shatrick. Small Town Trick finished third. Awintersdream, a daughter of Suave Prospect, ran 4 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 51.25 seconds with Alfredo Juarez Jr. in the irons.

Mylilmemo pressed the pace in Saturday's $75,000 Aztec Oaks for New Mexico-breds,, then got the lead and drew off to win by 4 1/4 lengths over Oh My Ghost. Pretty Danseur was third. Mylilmemo, a Hot War filly, ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.92 under Ken Tohill.

Ruidoso Downs

Train Rider Blues came from far back to win Sunday's $150,000 Ruidoso Sales Futurity by a neck over Glory Be Mine. Explosive Mine, the odds-on favorite, was always close but finished third. Train Rider Blues, a Desert God colt, ran the 5 furlongs on a fast track in 59.2 seconds with Carlos Rivas up.

Emerald Downs

Assessment pressed the pace in Sunday's $50,000 Budweiser Emerald Handicap, took the lead with a quarter mile to run and held on to win by a neck over Wasserman. Gallon finished third. Assessment, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred Jump Start gelding, ran the 1 mile on a wet-fast track in 1:36.2 with Gallyn Mitchell up.