UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup

Regal Ransom, winner of the UAE Derby this spring but eighth in the Kentucky Derby, returned to the races with a bang Saturday, winning the $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs while leading from gate to wire.

With Richard Migliore up, the Distorted Humor colt went right to the lead and was allowed to set a slow pace. Turning into the stretch, he shot out to a 4-length lead, then won by 1 1/4 lengths, ridden out.

Blame made up ground to finish second and Massone was third. The 1 1/8 miles on a fast track took 1:49.63.

Rick Mettee, assistant to winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor, said Regal Ransom originally was slated to come back during the Saratoga meeting but had some physical issues, now cleared up. "He really trained well at Saratoga," Mettee said of the Godolphin color-bearer. "We're not surprised he ran a big race."

Although the Super Derby in the past has served as a springboard to the Breeders' Cup Classic, Mettee said no firm plans have been made yet for Regal Ransom. In considering whether he should go on to the Breeders' Cup, Godolphin should note the colt's only race over an artificial surface, in last fall's Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita, resulted in a last-place finish.

In other potential Classic developments:

-- It's hard to see how it could figure in the Breeders' Cup picture but last year's Juvenile winner, Midshipman, had a successful return to the races Friday at Belmont Park, winning a conditioned allowance event by an easy 3 1/4 lengths after stalking pace-setter Just Ben. The Unbridled's Song colt suffered a soft-tissue injury during his winter in Dubai and did not get back into training for Godolphin until July. "The staff did a great job in getting him ready," said Godolphin assistant Rick Mettee. "This gives us a lot more options. We'll just digest all this. There's no definitive (next) race. We'll see."

In other weekend races with potential implications for the $25.5 million Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 6-7 at Santa Anita:

$1 million Sentient Jet Filly & Mare Sprint

Normally the $1 million Woodbine Mile would be a prep for the Breeders' Cup Mile -- in fact, it's a "Win and You're In" qualifier for that race. But Sunday's winner, Ventura, is headed instead to a defense of her title in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Ventura, a Bobby Frankel-trained Juddmonte Farms homebred, rallied from well back and dominated the stretch run. Jockey Garrett Gomez hand-rode the 5-year-old Chester House mare as she surged to the front and won by 1 length over Ferneley. Sterwins finished third, 3 lengths farther back. The favorite, Bribon, finished in fifth, only two noses farther in arrears and some of the other top finishers likely will have an impact on the Breeders' Cup Mile. Not Ventura, who now has won six of her 11 North American starts. She had not raced since April, when she finished second to Informed Decision in the Madison at Keeneland on Polytrack, but Gomez said fitness was not an issue. "You don't worry with Bobby," he said. "He knows this filly like the back of his hand. She was off for a while, but you could see she was feeling her oats and had those pre-race nerves. But I got her calmed down and after that, she settled in."

$3 million Emirates Airlines Turf

-- Marsh Side got home first in Sunday's $750,000 (Canadian) Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine. But the stewards ruled Marsh Side came in during the stretch run, interfering with two rivals, and set him down to fourth. That elevated Just As Well to first-place money, followed by the two victimized by the stretch trouble, Quijano and Champs Elysees. The 1 1/2 miles on firm turf went in 2:26.68. Winning trainer Jonathan Sheppard said he sympathized with Marsh Side's trainer, Neil Drysdale. "He's got an awfully good horse. He possibly was the best horse but he certainly beared across the course in the late stages." And he credited Just as Well's jockey, Julien Leparoux. "Even though we weren't really the recipient of it, I give Julien a lot of credit because he easily could have been in the melee. I think he saw it coming up and managed to sneak out from behind them and have a clear run down the middle. The horse ran a superb race."

-- Soldier's Dancer rated behind the early pace in Saturday's $250,000 PTHA President's Cup Stakes at Philadelphia Park, got around the leaders entering the stretch and drew off to win by 3 lengths over Vanquisher. Yate's Black Cat finished third. Soldier's Dancer, a 5-year-old, Florida-bred Lost Soldier gelding, ran the 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:54.89. Manoel Cruz had the mount for trainer David Vivian. It was Soldier's Dancer's 11th career win and second straight victory in the President's Cup.

-- Cloudy's Knight, returning from more than year's absence, saved ground up the backstretch hill in Saturday's $150,000 Kentucky Cup Turf at Kentucky Downs, moved up through the final turn and surged to the front through the long stretch and prevailed by 2 1/2 lengths. Rezif was gaining at the end but settled for second and Silver Mountain was third. The favorite, Deal Making, finished fourth. Cloudy's Knight, a 9-year-old, Kentucky-bred Lord Avie gelding, ran the 1 1/2 miles on the undulating, European-style course in 2:33.96 under Rosemary Homeister Jr., who has been on some stakes upsetters recently. Jonathan Sheppard, no stranger to winning off long layoffs, trains Cloudy's Knight. He now has 11 wins from 33 starts. His layoff was due to a tendon problem.

$2 million Emirates Airline Filly & Mare Turf

-- Princess Haya picked up her first added-money win in Sunday's $300,000 (Canadian) Canadian Stakes at Woodbine, rallying along the rail in deep stretch to just nip Forever Together by a nose. Much Obliged was only a head farther back in third. Princess Haya, a 4-year-old, Texas-bred Street Cry filly, ran the "about" 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:45.03 with Rafael Bejarano in the irons for trainer Michael Matz. "In the stretch, I could see the horses in the lead spread a little bit, so I came through and made my move on the rail," Bejarano said. "My horse gave me a big kick. She's got a big turn of foot." Assistant trainer Julie Barnes said the connections had some doubts about the Canadian. "It was a pretty tough race. She was stepping up a lot," Barnes said. "We figured if she finished third, she'd run really, really well. This is probably her distance. She just did it this time."

-- Ballynoe dropped back off the leaders in Saturday's $50,000 Claire Marine Stakes at Arlington Park, then split horses in the stretch run and was up in time to win by 1/2 length over Winter View. Sweet and Flawless finished third. Ballynoe, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Distorted Humor filly, ran the "about" 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:34.05. James Graham had the mount for trainer Tom Proctor.

-- Danzon was last of 11 in Saturday's $50,000 Belle-Meade Plantation Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf as the field entered the sweeping stretch turn at Kentucky Downs. Then, under urging from jockey Miguel Mena, the 6-year-old Royal Academy mare rallied smartly on the outside, gained the lead with a furlong left and got home first by 1 1/2 lengths. Secret Kin completed a $523.40 exacta and Lady Carlock was third.

$2 million TVG Turf Mile

It took most of the stretch run but Rutherienne eventually got the best of Quiet Meadow in the final jumps of Saturday's $100,000 Noble Damsel Handicap for fillies and mares at Belmont Park. The margin was a nose, with Social Queen another 3 1/4 lengths back in third. Rutherienne, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred Pulpit mare, ran the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.34 with Alan Garcia in the irons for trainer Christophe Clement. She now has won half of her 22 starts. "I'm delighted with my filly," Clement said. "It's been a long time since she won a race but she's been so consistent. Look at her career. She's never run a bad race. I know she only won by a nose today, but she's a very good filly." He said he will consult with owner Virginia Kraft Payson about Rutherienne's next race.

$2 million Grey Goose Juvenile

-- D'Funnybone, the odds-on favorite, had no problems in Saturday's $250,000 Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park. After tracking the early pace, the Florida-bred D'wildcat colt rallied three-wide to the lead on the turn and took over, winning off by 4 3/4 lengths under a hand ride by Edgar Prado. Discreetly Mine was second and Thiskyhasnolimit was third. D'Funnybone, trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., ran the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.4. "Very impressive," said Dutrow of D' Funnybone, who in his last start ran off to a 10 1/2-length score in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 17. "He had to show up on this track going a little further, he dealt with some tough customers, and he showed up the right way," Dutrow said. He added he plans just one more start this year for D' Funnybone, either in the Champagne at Belmont Park on Oct. 10 or in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. "I'd rather run him here, and then just stop on him for the year," said Dutrow. "I'm not crazy about California and the Polytracks, but there's a lot of excitement that goes with it and how can you turn it down?"

-- William's Kitten trailed the field until the turn in Saturday's $150,000 Sunday Silence Stakes at Louisiana Downs, then swung six-wide into the stretch, passed all six rivals and went on to win by 4 3/4 lengths. Perfect Lou was second and Fudge Truffle finished third. William's Kitten, under Garret Gomez, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:46.94. The turf-style late rush to victory could bode well as trainer Mike Maker reportedly is pointing William's Kitten to the Juvenile Turf. The colt is by Kitten's Joy out of the Menifee mare Blush.

-- Seattle Ruler stalked the pace in Sunday's $115,000 Barretts Juvenile at Fairplex Park in California, got to the lead nearing the stretch turn and easily pulled away to win by 3 lengths. The Skinny Man was second and Bench the Judge finished third. Seattle Ruler, a Kentucky-bred Roman Ruler colt, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:18.06 under Martin Garcia.

$1 million Juvenile Turf

Bridgetown posted a mild upset in Saturday's $300,000 (Canadian) Summer Stakes at Woodbine, stalking the pace, then getting off to a clear lead at mid-stretch before winning by 1 1/2 lengths over Becky's Kitten. Fantastico Roberto finished third and the favorite, Stormy Lord, got home fifth after contesting the early lead. Bridgetown, a Florida-bred Speightstown colt, ran the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.04 under Robert Landry. Now 2-for-3, Bridgetown came into the race off a victory at Saratoga. The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup and Landry said he thinks his colt has potential. After the mile, he said, "I still had a lot of horse. They would have had to do a lot to get by him. He could be a serious horse."

$2 million Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies

-- Awesome Maria pressed the pace in Saturday's $250,000 Matron Stakes at Belmont Park, then came to the lead with a furlong to run and won off by 2 3/4 lengths. Touching Beauty was second and Worship the Moon third. The odds-on favorite, Worstcasescenario, was eased in the stretch and beat only one rival. Awesome Maria, a Kentucky-bred Maria's Mon filly, ran the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.07 under Cornelio Velasquez. "I think she'll be better going longer," said winning trainer Stanley Hough. "I thought there'd be more speed in the race than actually came out. She's kind of got one pace to her, but fortunately, it's a pretty good pace." He said Awesome Maria is ticketed for the Oct. 10 Frizette at Belmont Park "if everything is right."

-- The Rumor's True got the better of favorite Seasoned in the final yards of Saturday's $100,000 Happy Ticket Stakes at Louisiana Downs, prevailing by 3/4 length. Smart Strike Diva finished third. The Rumor's True, a Louisiana-bred filly by Kafwain, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:48.14 with Robert Eramia up for trainer Steven Duke.

-- Judge Joan won a three-filly blanket finish in Saturday's $115,000 Barretts Debutante at Fairplex Park, holding off Repo by a nose. Well Deserved, the pace-setting favorite, was just another head back in third. Judge Joan, a California-bred daughter of Chief Seattle, ran the 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:18.5 with Aaron Gryder up for trainer Jeff Mullins.

$1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf

Bay to Bay dueled to the lead at mid-stretch in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Natalma Stakes at Woodbine, then held off Jungle Tale at the end to win by 3/4 length. Ernfold was third and the favorite, Elusive Galaxy, faded from the pace to finish fourth. Bay to Bay, a Florida-bred Sligo Bay filly, got the 1 mile on firm going in 1:36.06. David Clark rode for trainer Brian Lynch. "She always showed that she was a little bit special from the get-go," Lynch said. "She's virtually the best 2-year-old we have in the barn right now." The victory earned Bay to Bay an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup but Landry said that decision will be up to the owner, Robert Smithen. "She's not eligible, so there's still a considerable supplement involved," he said.

$1 million Turf Sprint

-- Fort Prado just keeps on churning for Team Block. The venerable grey son of El Prado -- an 8-year-old Illinois-bred -- split horses in the final yards of Saturday's $50,000 Kentucky Cup Turf Dash at Kentucky Downs and won by a head over the favorite, Yankee Ingenuity. Hold the Salt, who held the lead briefly in the stretch run, held on for third. Fort Prado, trained by Chris Block for Team Block and ridden by Eddie Perez, ran the 6 furlongs on a Euro-style turf course rated "good."

-- El Churruca dueled for the lead in Saturday's $100,000 Mr. Jenney Handicap for Pennsylvania-breds at Philadelphia Park, then drew off nicely in the stretch to win by 3 lengths over Shouldabeenaclown. Sunshineintherain finished third. El Churruca, a 4-year-old Monsieur Cat colt, ran the 5 furlongs on firm turf in 59.11 seconds with Jose Flores handling the reins.

$1 million Sentient Jet Filly & Mare Sprint

Coastal Solace took the lead on the second turn in Saturday's $200,000 PHBA Distaff for Pennsylvania-bred at Philadelphia Park and coasted home first, 1 length better than Jemilyn. Speechifying was third. Coastal Solace, a 4-year-old daughter of Coastal Storm, stormed home in 1:23.29 for the 7 furlongs with David Cohen in the irons.

In other weekend racing:

Belmont Park

You Go West Girl got to the lead a furlong from home in Sunday's $100,000 John Hettinger Stakes for state-bred fillies and mares and went on to win by a neck over Chestoria. Love Cove finished third. You Go West Girl, a 5-year-old Mr. Greeley mare, ran the 1 1/8 miles on the firm inner turf in 1:48.05.

Legally Blanca outsprinted favorite Strike the Bell in the final furlong to win Sunday's $65,000 Chaldea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 1/2 length. Haka finished third. Legally Blanca, a Kentucky-bred Northern Afleet filly, ran the 7 furlongs on firm turf in 1:21.79 for Jeremy Rose.

Prairie Meadows

Karama drifted out in the stretch run in Saturday's $75,000 Prairie Meadows Derby but still had enough to win by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths over Perfect Bull. The favorite, Theregoesjojo, ran evenly to finish third. Karama, a Florida-bred Macho Uno gelding, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.27 for jockey Perry Compton.

Best Lass lived up to her name in Saturday's $75,000 Prairie Meadows Oaks, drawing clear in the stretch to score by 5 1/4 lengths. Ravi's Song was second, well in front of Whenthetimeisright. Best Lass, a Pennsylvania-bred Werblin filly, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.7 with Terry Thompson up.

Philadelphia Park

Delaware River rallied from well back to win Saturday's $125,000 Smarty Jones Classic for Pennsylvania-breds at Philadelphia Park by 3 1/2 lengths over the favorite, Disco T. Sweet Sugar finished third. Delaware River, an 8-year-old Quiet American gelding, went to the post at odds of 11-1 and finished the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.74 with Frankie Pennington aboard.

Always For Love dusted eight rivals in Saturday's $100,000 Mrs. Penny Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred distaffers, winning by 9 lengths under only mild urging. Easter Bonus was second and Sprig of Lilac finished third. Always For Love, a 5-year-old daughter of Not For Love, got the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:47.19 with Victor Molina aboard.

Monmouth Park

Good and Lucky rallied from last of seven to win Saturday's $70,000 Formal Gold Stakes by 1/2 length over Actin Good. Encaustic finished third. Good and Lucky, a 6-year-old, Florida-bred Wild Rush gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.95 under Joe Bravo.

Way With Words stalked the early pace in Sunday's $70,000 Politely Stakes for fillies and mares, then went by and won by 1 length over pace-setting All Night Labor. Haven's Honey was third. Way With Words, a 5-year-old, Jersey-bred Sefapiano mare, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.44 with Eddie Castro up.

Louisiana Downs

Que Paso came from last of six to win Saturday's $75,000 Unbridled Handicap with authority, by 3 1/2 lengths over the favorite, Mogumbo Cat. Angelonmyshoulder was third. Que Paso, a 6-year-old, Virginia-bred Cherokee Run gelding, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.07 with Donald Simington up.

Martin's Bay led from gate to wire in Saturday's $75,000 River Cities Stakes for fillies and mares, drawing off at the end to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Category Seven with Cigar Starter third. Martin's Bay, a 5-year-old, Ontario-bred Graeme Hall mare, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.8 with Francisco Torres riding.

Southern Style captured Saturday's $50,000 Temperence Hill Stakes in style, winning by 2 lengths after racing off the pace until the turn. Tortuga Straits was second; Stoney Gold third. Southern Style, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Forestry gelding, ran the 6 furlongs in 1:10.07 with John Velazquez in the irons.

Hoosier Park

Classic Ramona was quickly on the lead in Saturday's $70,000 Richmond Stakes for Indiana-bred distaffers and held off the favorite, Brean Can, in the late going to win by 1 length. Racey Gracey finished third. Classic Ramona, a 4-year-old Crown Ambassador filly, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.6 under Emanuel Cosme.

Mo Faster was just that in Sunday's $70,000 Gus Grissom Stakes for state-breds, drawing clear early and holding well to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Laz Has Risen. Unreachable Star was third. Mo Faster, a 5-year-old Moro Oro gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:48.4 with Fernando De La Cruz in the irons.