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UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup

By ROBERT KIECKHEFER, UPI Racing Writer
Robert Kieckhefer
Robert Kieckhefer

For a change, there were no major surprises in weekend races as two major preps sent likely contenders onward toward the Kentucky Derby.

Bob Baffert had another big weekend in Arkansas -- also not an upset -- as he saddled the top two finishers in the Arkansas Derby and some other nice winners during Oaklawn Park's Racing Festival of the South.

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In a big weekend of top stakes, there also were no big shockers at any of the racing venues, from New York to Australia.

As Chicago White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson is fond of saying, "Cinch it up and hunker down" and check out the details of a busy weekend's action.


Kentucky Derby preps

ARKANSAS DERBY: Bodemeister looked every bit the "meister" in Saturday's $1 million, Grade I Arkansas Derby. Breaking from the outside position, which is never easy at Oaklawn Park, the Empire Maker colt was quickly on the lead, made a good pace and simply left his 10 rivals in the dust in the stretch run, winning by 9 1/2 lengths.

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Finishing second was Secret Circle, winner of one of the divisions of the Southwest Stakes in his last start and already a Kentucky Derby prospect. Sabrecat, also targeted for Louisville, finished another neck back in third. But none was any threat to Bodemeister, who got the 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:48.71. More impressive, he ran his final furlong in 11.97 seconds, indicating he was accelerating through the stretch, which bodes well for his ability to get the 1 1/4-mile Run for the Roses.

"I was out front by about a length or so and I set him down just in case anyone was coming," said winning rider Mike Smith. "I looked up on the board and I was like 7 (lengths) in front. That was ultra impressive."

Bodemeister and Secret Circle are both trained by Baffert and the former is named for his young son, who regularly accompanies the trainer to the races.

"We'll see what this took out of them and then we'll start talking (Kentucky) Derby," Baffert said. "Oaklawn is a very kind surface and the horses have been coming back great. Bodemeister should be in great shape. He ran hard and fast. We know distance won't be a problem."

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Sabercat's trainer, Steve Asmussen, said he was "very pleased" with his colt's performance. "It was very encouraging," he added. "It was the step in the right direction we were expecting and looking for."

The Arkansas Derby was Bodemeister's fourth career start. He was second in a maiden event at Santa Anita on Jan. 12, won by 9 1/4 lengths in his second race and then finished a close second to Creative Cause -- the best 3-year-old on the West Coast -- in the Grade II San Felipe last month.

TOYOTA BLUE GRASS: Dullahan was off a step slowly in Saturday's $1 million, Grade I Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland, worked his way toward the front on the stretch turn and then ran by pacesetting favorite Hansen in the final sixteenth, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over that rival. Gung Ho was 2 1/2 lengths farther back in third.

Dullahan, an Even the Score colt who has raced more on turf and all-weather tracks than real dirt, handled the 9 furlongs on Keeneland's all-weather in 1:47.94. His only two career victories have come at Keeneland and he has never finished better than third on dirt, including a fourth-place finish behind Hansen in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs last fall.

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Winning rider Kent Desormeaux said Dullahan was there when he needed him. "As soon as he straightened, there was a hole," Desormeaux said. "He ran through that and then he said, 'Now what I do?' And I asked him to keep going. He was very strong all the way to the wire."

Winning trainer Dale Romans said he was "just worried about him getting boxed in. A horse with a turn of foot like he has can get himself out of trouble." He said the 1 1/4 miles of the Kentucky Derby won't be a problem for Dullahan. "The further the better," Romans said.

Hansen's trainer, Mike Maker, said, "The pace was too fast. I knew in the first quarter. It was quicker than we wanted. But he was fresh today. The next one is the big one."

Dullahan and Hansen immediately headed to Louisville to continue preparations for the May 5 Run for the Roses. Maker said Gung Ho could go in the Grade II American Turf at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day, May 4.

Hero of Order, who won the Louisiana Derby at odds of 109-1, finished 13th in the Blue Grass but still has enough graded stakes earnings to make the Kentucky Derby, should trainer Gennadi Dorochenko so choose. The Tampa Bay Derby winner, Prospective, finished sixth Saturday and also has enough graded stakes earnings to make the field for the Run for the Roses. "We're kind of on the fence" about the Derby, trainer Mark Casse said Sunday morning.

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Kentucky Oaks preps

Mama Kimbo came out running in Wednesday's $300,000, Grade II Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park and never quit, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Amie's Dini. Jemima's Pearl was third under the wire. Mama Kimbo, a daughter of Discreet Cat, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.64 with Mike Smith aboard for Baffert, who also handles Jemima's Pearl. Mama Kimbo was coming off her maiden win at first asking at Santa Anita. Jemima's Pearl raced last year in Ireland, then won her first U.S. start, also at Santa Anita. "Bob really thought a lot of this filly," Smith said of Mama Kimbo. "He was very confident in her. He said to just let her break and to stay out of her way. That's all I had to." Baffert, still recovering from a heart attack in Dubai, said by phone, "That was good therapy for the heart. Jill, Bode and I were having fish tacos overlooking Del Mar watching the race." Amie's Dini now has finished second to Now I Know, On Fire Baby and Mama Kimbo and trainer Ron Moquett commented, "I've got to say, we have finished second to three of the nicest horses out there."

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Gypsy Robin went to the lead early in Sunday's $150,000, Grade II Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland, slowed things down and had plenty left at the end to win by 3 lengths over the favorite, Sacristy. Livi Makenzie finished third. Gypsy Robin, a Daaher filly trained by Wesley Ward, ran the "about" 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:28.46. She had finished her 2011 season with a win in the Sorority at Monmouth Park. "I tried to run the same way as at Monmouth Park when she won," said winning rider Jeffrey Sanchez. "I put her into the lead and tried to put everyone else to sleep."


Elsewhere:


Australia

Star juvenile Pierro remained unbeaten with a handy victory Saturday at Randwick over Black Caviar's half-brother, All Too Hard. All Too Hard started a step slowly in the Aus-Group 1 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes and wasn't able to make up the deficit, finishing second by 1 3/4 lengths. Limes was a head farther back in third. Pierro, who won the Silver Slipper a week earlier, now is 4-for-4. He finished in course-record time of 1:21.47. "They keep doubting him but he keeps winning," trainer Gai Waterhouse told Racing Post. "What else has he got to do? He beat the best quality Slipper field in a long time fair and square, and came out and won again today." Still, Pierro may have to square off again against All Too Hard in the Champagne Stakes next time out.

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Ethiopia, a maiden making his fourth career start, posted the upset win in Saturday's Aus-Group 1 Australian Derby at Randwick. With Rhys McLeod up, Ethiopia scored with a cleverly timed move down the outside of the field, getting up at the end to beat Polish Knight by a short head. He became the first maiden to win the Australian Derby since 1970, when Silver Sharpe turned the trick.


Japan

Gold Ship rallied from the back of a big field to win Sunday's Jpn-Group 1 Satsuki Sho, or Japanese St. Leger, the first leg of the island nation's Triple Crown. With Hiroyuki Uchida in the irons, the Stay Gold colt got through on the inside in the final two bends and hit the front 200 meters from the wire. He then easily pulled clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths. World Ace stumbled at the start but recovered to finish second and Brillante was third. Gold Ship ran the 2,000 meters in 2:01.3.


Charles Town

Caixa Eletronica stalked the pace in Saturday's $1 million Charles Town Classic, hit another gear in the stretch and went on to post the upset win by 3 lengths. Duke of Mischief, last year's winner, surged to the lead on the stretch turn but couldn't do anything about Caixa Eletronica's late run and settled for second. Mister Mardi Gras completed the all-longshot trifecta. The favorite, Tackleberry, was fourth, followed by Uh Oh Bango and early leader Pants On Fire as the Grade II event drew a talented and well-matched field of 10. Caixa Eletronica, a 7-year-old son of Arromanches out of the Skip Away mare Edyta, ran the 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:50.28 with Javier Castellano riding for trainer Todd Pletcher, who claimed the horse last summer for $62,500 for owner Mike Repole. He was coming off a sixth-place finish in the General George at Laurel Park and Pletcher said he exited that race with a lung infection. Although Caixa Electronica has had success sprinting, Pletcher said he was training well enough that he looked at the three-turn Charles Town race said to himself, "What the heck. Take a shot."

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Flashy Dresser shot through a narrow opening between the leaders in the late going of Saturday's $250,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds and finished fastest to win by 1 length over Mr. Handsome. Trippi's Secret finished third. Flashy Dresser, a Flashy Bull colt, got the 7 furlongs in 1:25.12 with Julien Leparoux riding, remaining undefeated in three starts. He was coming off a victory in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park last month and trainer Fred Seitz said he now will get a freshening.

Magical Feeling raced close behind the early leaders in Saturday's $200,000 Sugar Maple Stakes for fillies and mares, took charge in the stretch run and won by 1 1/4 lengths over Island Bound. Strike the Moon finished third. Magical Feeling, a 6-year-old Empire Maker mare, ran 7 furlongs in 1:25.10 with Roberto Alvarado Jr. up. She was coming off a win in the Grade II Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park in Maryland and a fifth-place finish in the Grade II Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park. She now has won 12 of her last 16 starts.

Immortal Eyes got clear in the stretch to win Saturday's $50,000 Webb Snyder Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths over Yukon Wildcat. Who's Big Daddy finished third. Immortal Eyes, a 7-year-old Greatness gelding, finished the 4 1/2 furlongs in 50.71 seconds with Travis Dunkelberger riding.

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Local hero Russell Road put another notch in his Charles Town belt with a dominant win in Saturday's $50,000 Confucius Say stakes for West Virginia-breds. The 6-year-old Wheaton gelding kicked clear when asked by jockey Luis Perez and won by 4 1/2 lengths over Son of a Bear, racing the 7 furlongs in 1:25.31.

Silver Heart won a battle for the lead in the $50,000 Original Gold Stakes for state-bred fillies and mares then took over in the lane, scoring by 2 lengths over Cat o' Nine Tails. Silver Heart, a 7-year-old Lion Hearted mare, ran 7 furlongs in 1:26.75 with Dunkelberger aboard.

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Oaklawn Park

With Havre de Gras bypassing the race, Friday's $500,000, Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap was a golden delicious opportunity for Plum Pretty. Even though she broke a step slow from the outside gate in her first start of the year, the 4-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly eased up behind the early leader, took the lead turning for home and won by 2 lengths, ridden out. Absinthe Minded chased resolutely to take second while fending off a challenge from Tiz Miz Sue, who settled for third, a neck farther back. Plum Pretty, with Rafael Bejarano in the irons, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.64. "We had some anxious moments at the start," said Baffert, who saddled his fifth straight graded stakes winner in Arkansas. "But once he got her into gear she just dragged him around there. She's always been sort of a big filly but her frame is filling out and it was great to get her back and get a win in there." Speaking by phone from California, the silver-haired conditioner said he hasn't picked out a next race for Plum Pretty, last year's Kentucky Oaks winner. "She comes home Sunday and as soon as she tips me off that she's ready to run again, we'll find a spot for her."

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Alternation chugged along on the lead through much of Saturday's $400,000, Grade II Oaklawn Handicap, repulsed a challenge from Stachys entering the turn and then kicked into gear for the final furlong, winning by 2 1/2 lengths. The favorite, Ron the Greek, looked to have a chance early in the stretch run but not after Alternation was set down for the drive and he settled for second, 1/2 length ahead of Yawanna Twist. Hymn Book finished fourth. Alternation, a 4-year-old Distorted Humor colt, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.94 with Luis Quinonez up. "We knew this was a crossroads race for him," said winning trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel. "Now, we know we can look at races like the Pimlico Special, the Stephen Foster or maybe something in New York."

Outta Tune emerged from a five-horse stretch scramble to in Saturday's $250,000, Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap by 1/2 length over Apriority. Hamazing Destiny finished third and the favorite, Izzy Rules, faded to finish fourth after setting the early pace. Outta Tune, a 7-year-old Jump Start gelding, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.35 for jockey Terry Thompson. It was his fourth straight win. "I knew it would come right down to the wire," Thompson said.

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Master Rick and Drill battled through most of the stretch in Saturday's $100,000 Northern Spur Stakes for 3-year-olds before Master Rick worked clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Explain finished third. Drill, the odds-on favorite, was the rare exception to Baffert's domination of this year's Arkansas stakes. Master Rick, a Master Command colt, finished the 1 mile on a fast track in 1:36.73 with Corey Nakatani in the irons. "It was a good opportunity for him today, but we're going to find more big races for him," said winning trainer Steve Asmussen.

Another World rallied four-wide entering the stretch in Thursday's $100,000 Red Bud Stakes for fillies and mares and was just up in time to win by a head over Remit. Cascabella finished third. Another World, a 4-year-old Maria's Mon filly, got the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.47 with Cliff Berry up. It was her first stakes win and second straight victory. "She was one of those deals where we believed the quality was there, but it was going to have to be up to her to show it," said winning trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel. "We got a big break when the race lost Tiz Miz Sue (who instead went to Friday's Apple Blossom). Honestly, if she hadn't scratched, we probably wouldn't have gone in here."

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Beat the Blues beat the odds Thursday, posting a mild upset in the $75,000 Carousel Stakes for fillies and mares. With Miguel Mena in the irons, the 5-year-old Great Pyramid mare stalked the pace, then surged to the lead in the lane and won by 1 3/4 lengths over Mysterious Chimes. Gleaming was third and the favorite, Salty Strike, settled for fourth. The 6 furlongs went in 1:09.67.

Glinda the Good rallied five wide from well back in the field and went on to win Friday's $100,000 Instant Racing Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 3 lengths over Amazing Shoes. Keewatin Ice finished third and the favorite, Morrow Cove, ran a flat race to finish sixth. Glinda the Good, a Hard Spun filly, ran the 1 mile on a fast track in 1:39.44 with Corey Nakatani riding. Baffert did not have a horse in this race. "She may be a lot of fun this summer," said winning trainer Steve Asmussen.


Aqueduct

It's Tricky sat just off the pace in Saturday's $200,000, Grade II Distaff Handicap, moved when given the cue by jockey Eddie Castro and quickly got clear to win by 3 1/2 lengths over C C's Pal. Dontbeshy I'll Buy was third as the longest price in the five-horse field. It's Tricky, a 4-year-old Mineshaft filly, covered the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.39. She finished second to Royal Delta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, then returned to win her 2012 debut in the Grade II Top Flight Handicap. "She ran a mile and a sixteenth the time before," noted Castro. "But she broke sharp and was right there. I had to keep her busy a little bit at the three-eighths, but when she was going, she was going. She was perfect in the stretch." Godolphin Racing's Jimmy Bell said the next race for It's Tricky is the $400,000, Grade I Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park on May 28, back at 1 1/16 miles.

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My Redbyrd rallied from last of six to win Saturday's $75,000 Videogenic Stakes for fillies and mares by 1 1/2 lengths over pacesetting Sharnberry. Check Point checked in third. My Redbyrd, a 4-year-old Royal Academy filly, finished the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:44.88 for jockey Alex Solis.

Mahubo won a three-horse dash to the line in Friday's $75,000 Three Coins Up Stakes, scoring by a neck over Indy Scent and another head over Rustler Hustler. Mahubo, a 6-year-old, South African-bred National Emblem gelding, ran the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.62 with Rosie Napravnik in the irons for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Caixa Eletronica and Redding Colliery were late scratches, the former opting for the $1 million Charles Town Classic -- which he won.

Inherit the Gold won a stretch battle with Isn't He Perfect in Sunday's $75,000 Action Stakes, scoring a neck victory. Tech Fall was third, 2 1/2 lengths farther behind. Inherit the Gold, a 6-year-old Gold Token gelding, finished 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:50.13 with Eddie Castro handling the reins.


Keeneland

Groupie Doll rallied three-wide into the lane in Thursday's $300,000, Grade I Vinery Madison Stakes for fillies and mares and kicked clear late to win by 3 lengths over She's Cheeky. Ariana D finished third and the favorite, 2011 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Musical Romance, faded to finish fourth. Home Sweet Aspen, sadly, finished last of eight. Groupie Doll, a 4-year-old Bowman's Band filly, ran the 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:23.76 with Rajiv Maragh up and wearing blinkers for the first time. Groupie Doll wintered in Florida, finishing third in the Grade III Sabin Stakes and third in the Grade II Inside Information Stakes behind Musical Romance before shipping north. "I think the blinkers helped a lot," Maragh said, "because in her previous race she was too far out of it down the backstretch and I was having to work on her really hard." Musical Romance's trainer, Bill Kaplan, said his filly never got a chance to relax. "We're probably going to go over to Churchill," he said. "This doesn't discourage us."

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Data Link, restrained through the early furlongs, hit the afterburners in the final furlong of Friday's $300,000, Grade I Maker's 46 mile and got home first by a neck. Get Stormy led the way in the grassy feature, then gave way grudgingly at mid-stretch to Turallure, who, in turn, let Data Link by in the final yards. Turallure held second and Doubles Partner edged Get Stormy for third. Data Link, a 4-year-old son of War Front, finished in 1:34.31 over firm going with Alex Solis up. Winning trainer Shug McGaughey said he had respect for both Get Stormy and Turallure. "But I did think if we got to the quarter pole if we weren't too far back, he would have a chance to catch up because I thought he would kick." Data Link, according to the Trakus system, ran the final quarter in 22.46 seconds and the final furlong in 11.29 seconds.

Daisy Devine had 'em all the way in Saturday's $300,000, Grade I Jenny Wiley Stakes for fillies and mares, leading all the way to a 1-length victory. Bay to Bay ran second from start to finish and Tapitsfly got home third. The two favorites, Aruna and Zagora, finished last and next-last. Daisy Devine, a 4-year-old Kafwain filly, 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.21 with James Graham up. She now has four straight wins, dating back to the Grade III Pin Oak Valley View at Keeneland last fall. "She's just a bigger, stronger filly this year," Graham said. "She does anything you want her to do -- picks up, slows down, does whatever you ask her to do and does it the right way." Trainer Andrew McKeever said he was "reasonably confident" going into the race.

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Lonesome Street rallied from last of seven to win Saturday's $175,000, Grade II Commonwealth Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths over the favorite, Bergerac. Right One finished third. With Joel Rosario up, Lonesome Street circled the field five-wide into the stretch and finished the 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:21.17. He is a 5-year-old son of Broken Vow. "I thought they were going a little quick early," Rosario said. "This horse likes to make one move. When I asked him, he just takes off, so that was great."

Perfect Officer caught pacesetting longshot Great Mills in the final strides of Saturday's $100,000, Grade III Shakertown Stakes, winning by a nose. Zeb was 3 lengths farther back in third. Perfect Officer, a 6-year-old Officer gelding, ran the 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in course-record time of 1:01.53 for jockey Javier Castellano. He was making his first start since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint last fall over the Churchill Downs lawn. He now has eight wins from 28 career starts. Winning owner Davis Ross called the win "Wonderful. It's hard to express in words. We claimed this horse actually early last year, and he's just continued to impress us throughout the year."

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Calder Race Course

Good Morning Diva hooked up with Big Screen a furlong out in Saturday's $150,000 Calder Derby and battled to the wire before the former prevailed by a neck. Seven and a quarter lengths farther back, Musical Flair finished third. The race was moved from the turf to the "good" main track and Good Morning Diva, a Lion Heart colt, finished the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.96. "I gave him a little tap at the half-mile pole and he responded," said winning rider Fernando Jara. "And then again at the quarter pole, I asked, and he came again. And he just kept going. That other horse came to him, and he just kept going." It was the second win from four starts for Good Morning Diva.


Santa Anita

Saturday's $150,000, Grade III Las Cienegas Handicap came off the hillside turf course and onto the fast main track with two of the six entrants scratching. The best of the four actual starters was Mizdirection, a 4-year-old Mizzen Mast filly who rallied from last to win by 1/2 length over Teroda. La Nez and Saanneen completed the order of finish. Mizdirection, with David Flores riding, got the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.50.

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Woodbine

Town Prize was quickly on the lead in Sunday's $150,000 (Canadian) Woodstock Stakes for 3-year-olds and increased his advantage to the wire, scoring by 5 1/4 lengths over the favorite, Hogy. Menlo Castle finished third. Town Prize, a Speightstown colt, ran the 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:08.22 with Eurico Da Silva up. "He's a very talented horse," said Da Silva. "He did everything easy. He didn't break that sharp but he put himself on the lead and, from there, he just enjoyed himself running."

Tu Endie Wei, last year's Canadian champion 2-year-old filly, shook loose from her rivals with authority in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Star Shoot Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, drawing off to win by 5 1/2 lengths over Casa Loma. Logan's Peak finished third. Tu Endie Wei, the prohibitive favorite, ran the 6 furlongs in 1:08.88 with James McAleney riding. "I thought she went super last start, last year (winning the Glorious Song Stakes)," said winning trainer Reade Baker. "It was really a big race and she trains better and looks better than she did then, so I expected this."


Parx Racing

Darn That Raven came wide around the early speed into the stretch run in Saturday's $75,000 Foxy J.G. Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred fillies and mares and went on to win by 3 3/4 lengths. The early leader, Officer Big Red, was second and Whisperdownthelane finished third. Darn That Raven, a 4-year-old Dance with Ravens filly, got the 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.74 with Kendrick Carmouche up.

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Lucky Lewis finished first in Saturday's $75,000 Lyman Handicap for state-breds but was disqualified for interference in the lane and set down to sixth. That promoted Golddigger's Boy, Sloane Ranger and Rod's Five Star to the top three spots. Golddigger's Boy is a 5-year-old son of Jump Start. The 7 furlongs took 1:21.86.


Pimlico

Bold Affair rated off the pace in Saturday's $50,000 Primonetta Stakes for fillies and mares, went on when asked by jockey Abel Castellano Jr. and drew clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Aquitania finished second and Enchante was third. Bold Affair, a 4-year-old Two Punch filly, punched the clock at 1:10.06.


Will Rogers Downs

Flat Black was up in the final strides to win Monday's $50,000 Clem McSpadden Memorial Route 66 Stakes for colts and geldings by 3/4 length over the pacesetting favorite, My Star Runner. Steal Your Face passed tiring rivals to take third. Flat Black, a 4-year-old Flatter gelding, got the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.65 with Rohan Singh in the irons.

Jazzin' Okie battled for the lead early in Tuesday's $50,000 Wilma Mankiller Memorial Stakes for fillies and mares, then drew off late to win by 5 lengths over Miranda Diane. Burst of Life finished third. Jazzin' Okie, a 4-year-old Candy Ride filly, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.19 for jockey Adrian Ramos.

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Sunland Park

Fog Alert came from well back in the field in Sunday's $100,000 Sunland Park Handicap, wore down the early leaders in the stretch run and won by 2 lengths over Forest Mouse. Vamoose was third and the favorite, Red Lead, settled for fourth. Fog Alert, a 5-year-old Thunder Gulch gelding, ran the 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.78 under Ken Tohill.

Kiss My Hennessey raced on the pace in Saturday's $75,000 Copper Top Futurity for New Mexico-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings, surged to the lead in the final furlong and won by 1 1/2 lengths over Key to the Venture. Indy's Ransom got home third. The favorite, Alarm Bell, finished next-last of nine. Kiss My Hennessey, a Roll Hennessey Roll gelding, ran the 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.75 seconds with Miguel Hernandez up.

In the companion $75,000 event for state-bred 2-year-old fillies, Hennessey road kicked clear in the late going to win by 3 1/2 lengths over Star of Wonder. Fallon Fontane finished third. The winner, another by Roll Hennessey Roll, finished in 52.53 seconds with Casey Lambert in the irons.

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