UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup

Rule virtually ensured a spot in the 2010 Kentucky Derby with a gutty win in Friday night's $750,000 Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs in Louisiana.

By picking up the $450,000 winner's share in the Grade III race, the Roman Ruler colt almost certainly would have enough qualifying earnings to claim a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate -- if he continues to show the ability he displayed in the Jackpot, sponsored by Boyd Gaming.

Out quickly on the lead under jockey John Velazquez, Rule set a good pace around the 6-furlong oval with Uh Oh Bango chasing all the way. Through the stretch, Uh Oh Bango tried and tried to get past the leader but could not and Rule prevailed by a neck. Oak Motte finished third. Rule ran the 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track in 1:45.63.

"He put up a good fight," Velazquez said. "That other horse kept coming at him but every time I asked him for more, he kept giving it to me."

Rule came into the race off a track-record victory in the Jean Lafitte over the same surface last month.

The win gives owners WinStar Farm a strong early hand in the Derby preps. They sent American Lion to win the Grade III Hollywood Prevue and Super Saver to capture the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs last month. Rule and Super Saver are trained by Todd Pletcher, who is still trying to win his first Derby. Eoin Harty conditions American Lion for Win Star.

Elsewhere among the soon-to-be-3 set:

-- Ibboyee stumbled at the start of Sunday's $65,000 Damon Runyon Stakes for New York-breds at Aqueduct but recovered, settled and split rivals into the stretch. He then hit his best gear and got home first, 2 1/2 lengths better than the favorite, City Trooper. Shrimp Dancer waltzed home third. Ibboyee, a Medalist colt, ran the 1 mile and 70 yards in 1:42.78. Another Pletcher trainee, Ibboyee might face more modest goals. "He's done a lot of things right," Pletcher said. "At some point we might experiment with open company. But right now the plan is to stay here this winter and take advantage of his New York-bred eligibility."

-- Bear's Hard Ten stalked the pace in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Display Stakes, surged to the lead with a quick move at the top of the stretch and went on to win by 3 3/4 lengths over the favorite, Giant's Tomb. Redverse was third. Bear's Hard Ten, a Kentucky-bred colt by Rock Hard Ten, got the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:44.39 with Eurico Da Silva up. Making his two-turn and stakes debut, Bear's Hard Ten won for the second time in four career starts. "I think he's a very nice horse," said winning trainer Reade Baker, offering no excuse for the colt's dull effort in his last race.

-- Rig's Runner pressed the pace in Sunday's $120,000 New Mexico Eddy County Stakes for state-breds at Zia Park, got to the front in the final sixteenth and won by 1 1/4 lengths. Huntin the Trash was second and My Picasso, the early leader, held on for third. Rig's Runner, by Ghostly Moves, ran the 1 mile on a "good" track in 1:41.3 with Casey Lambert up.

-- Coyote Legend came around the leaders on the turn in Saturday night's $50,000 Groovy Stakes for Texas-breds at Sam Houston Race Park, then drew off down the stretch to win by 3 lengths over the favorite, Lydia's Last Step. Dandy's Legacy finished third. Coyote Legend, a Gold Legend colt, ran the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:24.75 with Bobby Walker Jr. up. Brett Calhoun trains.

Among the fillies:

-- Quiet Temper inherited the lead in Friday night's $500,000 Boyd Gaming Delta Princess at Delta Downs when the favorite, Truth and Justice, broke down at the top of the stretch. Quiet Temper then won off by 7 3/4 lengths over Bella Diamante with Joanie's Catch third. It was the first career win for Quiet Temper, a Kentucky-bred Quiet American filly, who ran the 1 mile on a sloppy track in 1:40.05 under Robby Albarado. Truth and Justice, winner of three straight races prior to the Princess, was euthanized, said trainer Kelly Breen.

-- Sweet Lemon Chello ran away with Saturday's $100,000 Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante Stakes for state-breds at Hawthorne Race Course, crossing the wire 8 1/2 lengths to the good of Heavenly Lass. Our Girl Magic finished third and the favorite, Cupid's Best, was fourth. Sweet Lemon Chello, a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid, got the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:47.54. Timothy Thornton rode for trainer Lisa Merritt. "They told me to just let her break, try to set right off the lead, and let her finish," Thornton said. "She was trying two turns for the first time but they said that it shouldn't be a problem."

-- Opus A rallied from well back to take Sunday's $65,000 East View Stakes for New York-bred fillies at Aqueduct by 4 1/2 lengths. Spirit of Rose was second and Myrtle's Gray finished third. Opus A, a daughter of Read the Footnotes, covered the 1 mile and 70 yards on the "good" inner track in 1:44.44 for jockey Alan Garcia and trainer Richard Violette Jr.

-- Tin Top Cat came to the leaders at the top of the stretch in Saturday night's $50,000 Bara Lass Stakes for Texas-bred fillies, slowly worked clear and won by 4 lengths over Ruby's Big Band. Dixieland Baby ran well late to take third and the favorite, Bud's Little Edge, finished ninth. Tin Top Cat, a Supreme Cat filly, ran the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:25.7 with Bobby Walker Jr. riding for trainer Brett Calhoun.

-- Salty Fries got past Antares World along the rail in the stretch run of Saturday's $65,000 Corte Madera Stakes at Golden Gate Fields and won by a head over that rival. Bleach Blonde was third. Salty Fries, a California-bred In Excess filly, ran the 1 mile on the all-weather track in 1:37.54 with Russell Baze up for trainer Terry Knight.

In other weekend racing:

International

Espoir City confirmed his status as a potential world-class performer with a front-running victory in Sunday's $3 million Japan Cup Dirt at Hanshin Racecourse. Under jockey Tetsuzo Sato, the 4-year-old Gold Allure colt won by 3 1/2 lengths over Silk Mobius. Golden Ticket finished third. The only foreign starter, Tizway, contested the early pace under Rajiv Maragh but faded to finish 12th. Vermillion, who won the Japan Cup Dirt two years ago and finished third last year, got home eighth in this year's running. Espoir City now has won four straight, including the Mile Championship in his last previous outing. "I know Espoir City has a lot more room for improvement," Sato said. "With a little more experience racing in various positions -- he doesn't necessarily have to lead -- I know he can be competitive in big races overseas."

Hollywood Park

Zardana got to the lead at mid-stretch in Saturday's $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap for fillies and mares and went on to post the upset win by 1 1/4 lengths over Silver Swallow. Cat by the Tale was third and the favorite, Teamgeist, finished sixth after stumbling at the start. Zardana, a 5-year-old, Brazilian-bred Crimson Tide mare, ran the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:42.24. Victor Espinoza rode for trainer John Shirreffs. She now has won seven of 17 starts. In her two previous starts on the main track, she had been out of the money. Espinoza said it was a challenge learning to ride Zardana. "She likes to run free or she gets angry," he said. "I thought today would be her day and that she would run big in this race. She's great right now."

Kinsale King upset Sunday's $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes, speeding to the early lead and holding off Delta Storm at the end to win by a neck. Mr. Cacht was third and the favorite, Noble Court, settled for fourth. Kinsale King, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Yankee Victor gelding, ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:09.67 with Martin Garcia in the irons for trainer Carl O'Callaghan.

Fair Grounds

Quick, now -- who was the post-time favorite in the 2009 Kentucky Derby? How soon we forget! It was Louisiana Derby winner Friesan Fire, who didn't fire in the Run for the Roses, beating only one rival. He then went on to finish 10th in the Preakness and hadn't been seen since -- until Thursday, when he finished third in the Fair Grounds allowance feature behind Good and Lucky and Glamour Guy. "He needed the race," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "He's a great, big horse who obviously needed the race and got a little tired."

Akilina got the lead in the stretch in Saturday's $60,000 Pago Hop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and held on to win by a head over Dancin Perfect. Askbut I Won'ttell finished third. Akilina had to withstand a claim of foul for drifting in the stretch before the result was posted official. The New York-bred Langfuhr filly ran the "about" 1 mile on "good" turf in 1:40.03 under Shaun Bridgmohan. Christophe Clement trains.

Zia Park

Black Hills found a little extra in the final sixteenth of Sunday's $200,000 Zia Park Distance Championship, got by Orientate Express and went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths over that one. The favorite, Song of Navarone, finished third, lacking a late punch. Black Hills, a 5-year-old, Florida-bred Judge T C gelding, ran the 9 furlongs on a "good" track in 1:53.22. Catalino Martinez had the ride for trainer Bart Hone.

In Saturday's $150,000 Zia Park Derby, Quindici Man dueled down the stretch with the favorite, Red Lead, before prevailing by a neck. Star Redeemer was far back in third. Quindici Man, a Kentucky-bred Came Home colt, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track in 1:46.2 under Antonio Castanon. In his last two previous races, Quindici Man won the Pomona Derby at Fairplex and the Jack Coady at Turf Paradise.

Sam Houston

Crook's Bodgit sat off the pace in Saturday's $100,000 Star of Texas Stakes for state-breds, got through on the inside near the top of the stretch and won by 1/2 length over Ablaze With Spirit. Becky's Express finished third. Crook's Bodgit, a 4-year-old Byars gelding, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.93 under Eduardo Perez.

Bubbler pressed the pace in Saturday's $100,000 Gallery Furniture Distaff Stakes, dueled around the turn and through the stretch and won by a neck over Pleasantly Balanced. Sweet and Flawless was 5 1/4 lengths farther back in third. Bubbler, a 3-year-old, Kentucky-bred daughter of Distorted Humor, ran the 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:52.46 under Eddie Martin Jr.

Calder Race Course

The $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap (G3) and $100,000 My Charmer Handicap (G3) scheduled for this weekend were postponed due to a quarantine of the stable area. A horse previously stabled at Calder tested positive for Equine Herpes Virus on Monday at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. The stakes will be rescheduled to a date to be determined.

Turfway Park

The weekend's other My Charmer Handicap was run and Exotic Bloom came away with a close victory. After racing in mid-pack, the 5-year-old, Florida-bred Montbook mare split horses with a furlong to run and won a sprint to wire by a neck over Celtic Princess. Danzon finished third and the favorite, Miss Lombardi, settled for sixth. Exotic Bloom, with Miguel Mena up for trainer Frederick Seitz, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:44.31.

Turf Paradise

Miss McCall sprinted to the lead in Saturday's $50,000 City of Phoenix Handicap for distaffers and never looked back, winning by 4 3/4 lengths. Profitability was the best of the rest and Blumin Beauty finished third. Miss McCall, a 3-year-old, Florida-bred Lightnin N Thunder filly, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.64 under Glenn Corbett.

Delta Downs

Harlan Street raced to the lead around the second turn in Friday night's $125,000 Delta Mile and won off by 2 lengths over Stonehouse. Spotsgone was third and the favorite, Z Humor, faded to finish fifth. Harlan Street, a 4-year-old Street Cry gelding, ran the 1 mile on a sloppy track in 1:39.41 with Diego Saenz aboard. Jonesboro, Stoney Gold and Tend were scratched.

Unforgotten rallied from last of eight to win Friday night's $125,000 Treasure Chest Stakes for fillies and mares by 3 1/4 lengths over Mayhaw. Southern Yankee was third. Unforgotten, a 5-year-old, Florida-bred Northern Afleet mare, got the 1 mile in the slop in 1:40.47 with Robby Albarado up.

Woodbine

Genius Kinshasa rallied past the leaders in deep stetch to win Wednesday's $125,000 (Canadian) Sir Barton Stakes by 1 length over the odds-on favorite, Sand Cove. Society's Chairman finished third. Genius Kinshasa, a 3-year-old, Ontario-bred Kinshasa gelding, ran the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track with Emile Ramsammy aboard.

The Ontario oval wrapped things up Sunday with the 1 3/4-miles, $150,000 (Canadian) Valedictory Stakes, with Cloudy's Knight and Rosemary Homeister Jr. winning a long battle with Eagle Poise to score by 1 length. Pool Play was third. Cloudy's Knight, a 9-year-old, Kentucky-bred Lord Avie gelding, finished in 2:59.32 on a fast track. The old warrior was coming off a nose defeat in the Breeders' Cup Marathon. "He was in such tip-top form," Homeister said. "Usually, he's very quiet in the post parade. He was bouncing, happy and wanting to do something. He broke out of the gate pretty sharp and was on the bit right away. I was trying to hold him and sit in behind horses. I was almost clipping heels a couple of times. Usually I can get him to relax, but he had his mind made up. He wanted to win both times around." His owners indicated Cloudy's Knight is doing well enough to merit a return to the races at age 10.

Aqueduct

Awesome Ashley rallied down the middle of the track to win Saturday's $65,000 Garland of Roses Handicap for fillies and mares by a neck over Lady Alexander. Distorted Passion was third and the favorite, By the Light, finished fourth. Awesome Ashley, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred Unbridled's Song filly, ran the 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:11.91 for jockey Rosie Napravnik.

Laurel Park

Sterling Vow came four-wide around the stretch turn in Saturday's $50,000 Squan Song Stakes for Maryland-bred distaffers and got home first at long odds, 3/4 length ahead of the odds-on favorite, Fascintin' Rhythm. Heaven's Voice was third. Sterling Vow, a 4-year-old Broken Vow mare, ran the 7 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:25.54 under Alberto Delgado.