UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup

Some stars and budding stars took center stage at race tracks around the world during the weekend as the calm before the Breeders' Cup storm descended on North America.

From Black Caviar running her undefeated record to 15 in a row in Australia to Camelot showcasing his potential for next year's English classics to Orfevre winning the Japanese Triple Crown, it was an illustrious few days of racing.

Oh. And there were some lovable, rescued kitties finding new homes at Hawthorne Race Course outside Chicago. See "News and Notes" below.

England

Galileo and Montjeu, the star stallions of Coolmore Ireland and both sons of Sadler's Wells, continue to turn out superstars and potential superstars. Galileo, with Frankel leading the charge, is at the forefront but Montjeu has had a hot run of late and Camelot's easy victory in Saturday's Group 1 Racing Post Trophy Stakes at Doncaster promises much more. Coming off a maiden win, Camelot, by Montjeu out of the Kingmambo mare Tarfah, lingered at the back of the small pack in the Racing Post, easily surged to the lead when given his cue and drew off to win comfortably. Zip Top was second, 2 1/4 lengths in arrears. Camelot ran the mile on good turf in 1:38.58 with Joseph O'Brien just steering. The only question left by his dominating performance was what goals trainer Aidan O'Brien will set for him in his 3-year-old season. He already is an early favorite for the Epsom Derby but O'Brien, asked whether he might point to the 2,000 Guineas, said, "He can probably do whatever you want. You saw the speed and pace he has. Whatever route he takes, it will be very exciting."

Australia

Black Caviar had no trouble at all running her perfect career record to 15 straight wins with an easy exercise in Saturday's Schwepps Stakes at Moonee Valley. After trailing her stablemate, Doubtful Jack, the 5-year-old mare took the lead entering the stretch and won by 6 lengths. Here De Angels was third, 1 1/4 lengths farther back, and Scenic Blast, a former Aussie Horse of the Year, finished fourth upon his return from an unsuccessful California campaign. Despite the ease of the 15th straight win, trainer Peter Moody admitted to pre-race nerves. "You don't want to put the cart before the horse," he said. "It looked easy on paper. But you're always a bit toey." Moody has not bowed to pressure to send Black Caviar over the water to find tougher competition. He has hinted, though, that if she remains undefeated in the spring, Royal Ascot could be on her dance card.

Pinker Pinker, a 4-year-old filly stepping up in class, upset Saturday's Group 1 Cox Plate, beating New Zealand star Jimmy Choux by 1 1/4 lengths. Rekindled Interest was third, a short neck farther back. The favorite and Godolphin Racing hopeful, Helmet, made the early going but folded when the pressure was applied and finished eighth. It was the first Group 1 triumph for Pinker Pinker, who was partnered by Craig Williams.

Japan

Orfevre opened a big lead in the stretch run of Sunday's Group 1 Kikuka Sho and coasted home first by 2 1/2 lengths to become the seventh Japanese Triple Crown winner and the first since Deep Impact in 2005. The Stay Gold colt also picked up his fifth consecutive graded stakes win and sixth overall from 10 career starts. Bearing in mind how well the Japanese contingent has fared in recent meeting in such spots as Hong Kong and this year's Dubai World Cup, the colt clearly bears watching on the international scene. In Sunday's race, jockey Kenichi Ikezoe kept Orfevre in touch with the leaders, sent him forward turning for home and had an easy time of it thereafter. Win Variation closed stoutly to finish second and Tosen Ra took third. The 3,000 meters went in 3:02.8 over firm going -- just 0.1 second off the course record. "I am both delighted and relieved to have won after all the pressure that we've been through," winning trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said of the Triple Crown battle. "I will have to see how he recovers from this race but if all goes well, challenges in the Japan Cup or the Arima Kinen is definitely an option … As a long-term goal, I hope to try him for the Arc [Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]."

France

Be Fabulous swept by pacesetting Cavalryman turning for home in Sunday's Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp and went on to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Miss Lago, Shankardeh and Tad De Boistron also ran by the tiring Cavalryman to finish second, third and fourth, respectively. Be Fabulous, a 4-year-old, German-bred Samum filly, finished in 3:21.47 with Maxime Guyon riding.

Italy

Quiza Quiza Quiza, running on her home ground and enjoying the soft going, came from behind the leaders to win Sunday's Group 1 Longines Lydia Tesio by a half length over English invader Beatrice Aurore. Kapital was home third. Quiza Quiza Quiza, a 5-year-old daughter of Golden Snake, was ridden by Fabio Branca as she picked up her second straight win.

Meanwhile, back in North America:

Delta Downs

Those looking ahead to next year's Triple Crown need to keep an eye on the bayous, where My Adonis on Saturday night took an important baby step down the Road to the Roses in the $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes. The Kentucky-bred son of Pleasantly Perfect, out of the Elusive Quality mare Silent Justice, stalked the pace and then easily blew clear in the lane, winning by 5 1/4 lengths. Tiz Moe was best of the rest with Flashy Kid third. My Adonis, with Elvis Trujillo up for trainer Kelly Breen, ran the mile on a fast track in 1:40.56. He now has two wins and three seconds from five starts and is expected to go next in the $1 million Delta Jackpot on Nov. 19. The $600,000 winner's share in that graded event is a certain ticket to the Kentucky Derby under the current entry rules.

Also Saturday night, Citizen Advocate led all the way to a 1-length win over Devious Intent in the $150,000 My Trusty Cat Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Ithinkisawapudycat (really!) finished third. Citizen Advocate, a Florida-bred Proud Citizen filly out of the Horse Chestnut mare Twilight Service, ran 7 furlongs in 1:26.94 with Luis Jurado in the irons.

Belmont Park

C C's Pal rallied by pacesetting Alseera after a stretch battle and went on to win Sunday's $60,000 Miss Golden Circle for fillies and mares by 3/4 of length over that rival. Belle of the Hall was third and the favorite, Kid Kate, struggled home fifth. C C's Pal, a 4-year-old, Florida-bred filly by Alex's Pal, ran the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.09 for John Velazquez.

Saturday was New York Showcase Day at Belmont with New York-breds contesting seven events.

Haynesfield, back in action after a five-month break with bad feet, took charge in the lane to win the $200,000 McMahon Adena Empire Classic by a length over Green Monster. Johannesburg Smile finished third after each of the three top finishers led at one point or another in the 9-furlong event. Haynesfield, winner of last year's Gold Cup over Blame, finished in 1:49.08 on a fast track with Ramon Dominguez up. Toby Sheets, assistant to winning trainer Steve Asmussen, said, "We've had a lot of ups and downs this year. His feet have bugged him a lot. We finally got it back together and he's been training really well."

General Maximus stalked the pace set by Dr Disco in the $125,000 Posse Hudson Stakes, caught that rival with a 16th to run and won by a length. Mineswept finished third. General Maximus, a 4-year-old Freud ridgling, got the 6 furlongs in 1:09.58 with Corey Nakatani riding.

Risky Rachel got by pacesetting favorite Lovely Lil early in the stretch run of the $125,000 Friendly Island Iroquois Stakes and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths over that rival. Spa City Princess finished third. Ricky Rachel, a 4-year-old Limehouse filly, ran the 7 furlongs in 1:23.14 with Javier Castellano in the irons.

Compliance Officer exploded to the lead in the stretch run in the $125,000 Bluegrass Cat Mohawk Handicap and quickly got off to a 5-lengths win over Lubash. Adirondack Summer finished third. Compliance Officer, the odds-on favorite, finished the 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:43.93 with Alex Solis aboard.

Hessonite came from well off the pace to win the $125,000 Justenuffhumor Ticonderoga Handicap for fillies and mares, beating the favorite, Gitchee Goomie, by 1 1/4 lengths. Frivolous Buck finished third. Hessonite, a 3-year-old Freud filly, ran the 1 1/16 miles on the yielding inner turf course in 1:45.87 under Dominguez.

Night Maneuver dueled with entrymate The Prize Fighter early in the $100,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes for 2-year-olds, edged clear and won by 1 1/2 lengths over late-running Jaw Crusher. The Prize Fighter held third while the third part of the entry, Western Tryst, finished fourth. That left the fifth-place finisher, Tug of War, to complete the nice trifecta. Night Maneuver, an Orientate gelding out of the Smoke Glacken mare Smoke N Shadows, ran the 7 furlongs in 1:23.56 with Ryan Curatolo up.

Bellacourt rallied to the lead at the top of the lane in the $100,000 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, then held on to win by a half length over Wildcat's Smile. Lenders Way was third and the favorite, Victory Island, finished ninth, never in the mix. Bellacourt, a daughter of Lion Heart out of the Strike the Gold mare Gold Court, got the 7 furlongs in 1:24.44 under Nakatani.

Keeneland

Great Hot made up ground into the turn in Saturday's $250,000, Grade II Lexus Raven Run Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, advanced to the leaders under urging from jockey Chantal Sutherland and was up in time, winning by a head over Groupie Doll. Dr. Diamonds Prize finished third but was disqualified to fourth for stretch interference, promoting Mizdirection to the show spot. Great Hot, a Brazilian-bred Orientate filly, ran 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:21.70 in her first start outside California. Last time out, she was second to Zazu in the 1 1/16-mile Lady's Secret at Santa Anita. Sutherland, formerly riding in Canada and now in California, said, "Coming out of the gate, I got a welcome to Kentucky, a couple of bumps, and then she recovered really nice from there. I was staying in just a really sweet spot." Asked what's next, trainer A.C. Avila said he would talk to the owner. But the Breeders' Cup is a possibility.

Sanada got running room on the outside at the top of the lane in Sunday's $125,000 Rood and Riddle Dowager Stakes for fillies and mares and scooted by the leaders to win by 3/4 of length. Upperline, who led briefly at mid-stretch, held on for second and the favorite, Cheetah, who also led briefly, settled for third. Sanada, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Pulpit filly, finished the 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:31.19 with Edgar Prado up. "We just can't find mile-and-a-half races for her very often," lamented winning trainer Barclay Tagg. "We always thought she'd like it that way. Edgar rode her to perfection and it worked out."

Daisy Devine got first shot at the lead in the stretch run of Friday's $150,000, Grade III Pin Oak Valley View Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and held on at the end to post a 43-1 upset win by a half length over the favorite, Bizzy Caroline. The early leader, In Step, finished third. Daisy Devine, a Kentucky-bred Kafwain filly, ran the 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:43.30 with Calvin Borel in the irons. Winning trainer Andrew McKeever said Daisy Devine "hasn't been the same" since finishing seventh in the Kentucky Oaks "until the last two weeks, when she's really come back to herself." He did not identify a next race for his filly.

Thursday's $100,000 Sycamore Stakes came off the turf, which was just fine for the 5-year-old, German-bred, Sanagas. After stalking the pace, the Lomitas gelding got by the leaders with a three-wide move, then outlasted Tahoe Lake to win by a half length in course-record time of 2:39.40 for the 1 5/8 miles. Rajiv Maragh had the mount for trainer Graham Motion. "This was the most professional race he's run," Motion said. "Every race, he's improved. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself but I think he's going to be a very useful horse, particularly next year."

Laurel Park

Candyman E came from well back in Saturday's $150,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, survived some traffic issues and still won by a half length over early leader Immortal Eyes. Sloan Ranger finished third. Candyman E, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Candy Ride gelding, finished the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.43 under Joe Bravo. "We were very happy to win it," trainer Tony Dutrow said. "We don't' even have a plan for this horse after this win because with this field anyone's number could have been up there on the board and it would not have been a surprise."

Baltimore Belle came from off the pace to win Saturday's $50,000 Lady Baltimore Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths over Dream Louise. In the Rough finished third. Baltimore Belle, a 4-year-old, Maryland-bred Bowman's Band filly, got the 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:48.35 with Rosie Napravnik handling the reins.

Access to Charlie tracked pacesetting Neversaidiwassweet in Saturday's $50,000 Twixt Stakes for Maryland-bred 3-year-old fillies, went by when asked by jockey Jeremy Rose and won off by 1 1/4 lengths. Art of the Hunt rallied to finish second and the favorite, Brushed by Love, finished third. Access to Charlie, a daughter of Indian Charlie, ran the 1 mile on a fast track in 1:39.44.

Santa Anita

Ismene got an uncontested lead in Saturday's $65,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies and jockey Patrick Valenzuela knew just what to do with that advantage. Despite quick fractions, the California-bred Tribal Rule filly coasted home first, winning by a length over the heavy, odds-on favorite, Sister Moon. Evelyn's Dancer finished third. Ismene finished the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.91. "She's the real deal," winning trainer Bill Spawr said. "I told him to take her back and make one run, but we have P. Val, so ... he said, 'I did take her back and make one run, but we were on the front.' … We're just giving her time and letting her mature because I think she could be special."

Woodbine

Pender Harbour, who won two-thirds of the Canadian Triple Crown this year, added Saturday's $125,000 (Canadian) Bunty Lawless Stakes for Ontario-sired horses to his resume without much trouble. The Philanthropist gelding went to the lead early under Luis Contreras and worked clear to win by a comfortable 4 1/4 lengths, ridden out. Welloiledmachine was second and Hippolytus finished third. Pender Harbour got the mile on soft turf in 1:38.66. "We' happy to win this race today and beat older horses and give away weight," winning trainer Mike De Paulo said. "I think we proved our point." But for his third-place finish behind the filly Inglorious in the Queen's Plate, Pender Harbour would have scored the Triple Crown. He finished eighth in the $1 million, Grade II Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing in his last start, however. De Paulo said he now will get some time off.

Kitty's Got Class stalked the pace in Sunday's $150,000 (Canadian) Fanfreluche Stakes for Ontario-foaled 2-year-old fillies, surged by the leaders at mid-stretch and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Bagatelle Park put in a late bid and finished second, a half length better than Nikkis Bold Gelato. Kitty's Got Class, an Old Forester filly out of the Doneraile Court mare Dancing Courtesan, ran the 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:10.78 with Emma-Jayne Wilson riding.

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Hawthorne Race Course

It was the Illinois Festival of Racing at Hawthorne Saturday, with six races for Illinois-bred horses, each worth $125,000.

Big Looie surged to the front at the top of the lane in the 1 1/16-mile Buck's Boy Handicap and won by 2 lengths over Racing Bran. The favorite, Color Me Blue, was colored third. Big Looie, a 4-year-old Military gelding, was clocked in 1:45.69 with Israel Ocampo aboard.

Peyote Patty stalked the pace in the Illini Princess Handicap for fillies and mares, took the lead when asked by rider Tim Thornton, then got clear to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Jitterbug Blues was along late to finish second, a half length better than early pacesetter Seans Silverdancer. Petyote Patty, a 6-year-old Cactus Ridge mare, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.09.

Four Left Feet came six-wide to get around the leaders in the 6-furlong Lightning Jet Handicap and got home first by a length over River Bear. Bowman's Secret was third and the odds-on favorite, Shrewd Operator, faded to finish sixth. Four Left Feet, a 3-year-old Trippi gelding, finished in 1:10.39 with Francisco Giles handling the reins.

Third Chance, the odds-on favorite, easily won the Powerless Handcap, scoring by 6 1/4 lengths over Wild Hope and running the 6 furlongs in 1:10.80 with Giles up. Wild Hope was second with Kathleen L third. Third Chance, a 3-year-old Kafwain filly, finished in 1:10.80 with Giles up.

Sweet Luca rallied smartly though the stretch in the Sun Power Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings, then was up in time to win by a half length over Feels Like Flying. The prohibitive favorite, Twelve Hundred, was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Sweet Luca, a Candy Ride gelding out of the Lord Avie mare Grand Crossing, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.86 with Eduardo Perez riding.

Class Break came from well back to win the Showtime Deb Stakes for 2-year-old fillies by a length over Sweet de Baran. Remembermealways was third. Class Break, a Sunday Break filly out of the Benchmark mare Markofclass, got home in 1:13.71 with Florent Geroux up.

Suffolk Downs

It's Me Mom led early in Saturday's $100,000 Robert M. O'Malley Sprint for fillies and mares, gave up the advantage to Nicole H and then came again to win by a length over that rival. Karmageddon finished third with a late run. It's Me Mom, a 3-year-old, Florida-bred daughter of Put It Back, got the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.67 under Willie Martinez.

Silk Spinner pressed the pace in Saturday's $50,000 John Kirby Stakes for Massachusetts-bred 3-year-olds, took command late and drew off to win by 5 3/4 lengths. Miscoe Gray led the rest and Sociano's Legacy finished third. Silk Spinner, a Silk Broker colt, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.53 with Gary Wales in the irons.

Golden Gate

Sourdough Sam rallied from last of eight to take Saturday's $50,000 Oakland Stakes 1 1/4 lengths over Shudacudawudya. Starboardlights was third. Sourdough Sam, a 4-year-old, California-bred Decarchy gelding, ran the 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:09.68 with David Lopez riding.

Hoosier Park

The Indiana oval continued a weekend mini-theme of state-bred festivals with four races on Sunday worth $84,000 each.

Northern Candyride had too much caffeine for his rivals in the Too Much Coffee Stakes, rallying from a pace-stalking position to win by 11/4 lengths over a late-running Brickyard. Heza Wild Guy finished third. Northern Candyride, a 4-year-old Candy Ride gelding, finished the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45 with Rodney Prescott up.

In the Frances Slocum Stakes for fillies and mares, My Bellamy and Dreamin Big battled around the track before My Bellamy edged clear at the end to win by 3/4 of a length. Wind Energy finished third. My Bellamy, a 3-year-old Bellamy Road filly, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45 4/5 with Alberto Pusac in the irons.

In the Crown Ambassador Stakes for 2-year-olds, Mack the Slew tracked the pace, worked his way to the lead in the lane and won by a length over the late rush of Article. Consumed was third at a nice price. Mack the Slew, a Pass Rush colt out of the Seattle Slew mare Maggie Slew, ran 6 furlongs in 1:11 1/5 under Jon Court.

And in the Indiana Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, Slacker was anything but, leading most of the way to a 1 1/4-length victory over entry-mate Indy Pie. Ain't She a Saint was third and Boogiewoogieblues completed the trifecta. Slacker, a daughter of Article of Faith out of the Lost Soldier mare Senora Soldar, finished 6 furlongs in 1:12 with Thomas Pompell up.

News and notes:

Now, about the aforementioned kitties:

Horse people usually have a soft spot in their hearts for other animals and the Hawthorne Race Course bunch is no exception. Twenty cats -- a consignment from about 700 rescued from deplorable conditions at a Florida facility -- arrived Thursday afternoon at Hawthorne to start new lives as house cats and barn cats. Trainer Christine Janks spearheaded the local effort to help the felines, which had been spayed or neutered, wormed, vaccinated and medicated as needed thanks to various humane organizations. Trainer Jan Ely was taking one as a barn cat and another, a carrier of feline leukemia and thus not to be placed with other cats, as a house pet. A Hawthorne press box scribe reported, "Looked at the list of trainers and other track personnel adopting and it is impressive. These people work seven days a week, 365 a year, taking care of their horses and they are still able to make room in their lives to help another."