In weekend racing, Paynter and Alpha were tops among 3-year-olds and Amazombie showed he's ready to repeat his sprint title.
Meanwhile, Richard's Kid continued his remarkable comeback from a lost year in Dubai. Rail Trip earned a trip to the Breeders' Cup -- but for which race? And there were enough upsets and promising new contenders to tickle anyone's fancy.
Across the water, British fans will be diverted from the Olympics briefly on Wednesday as the undefeated superstar Frankel tries to run his record to 12-for-12 in the Quipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
Enough teasing. Here's the goods:
Classic
Paynter proved his outstanding performance in the Belmont Stakes was no fluke -- and moved right to the top of the 3-year-old division -- with a rather dominating win in Sunday's $1 million, Grade I Haskell Invitational over some of the other Triple Crown refugees. Paynter, a relative latecomer from Bob Baffert's deep barn, let Gemologist set the pace in the Monmouth Park setpiece, came three-wide to take over in the stretch and quickly got clear to win by 3 3/4 lengths. Nonios chased the pace all the way and held on for second with Stealcase third after a bad start. Handsome Mike, Dullahan and Gemologist completed the order of finish. Paynter, an Awesome Again colt, completed the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:48.87 with Rafael Bejarano in the irons. Paynter won at first asking back in February, then came right back to finish fourth in the Santa Anita Derby. He then was second in the Derby Trial and won a Pimlico allowance race before nearly stealing the Belmont on the lead, eventually finishing second. Dullahan won the Blue Grass at Keeneland, finished third in the Run for the Roses and seventh in the Belmont. Gemologist won the Wood Memorial but staggered home 16th in the Derby. He had been sidelined since then. Baffert, who watched the race from California, won the race for the sixth time and three times in a row. "When you win, they always feel like the first one," he said. "They're all exciting and they never get old."
After jockey Ramon Dominguez opted to let Alpha go to the lead, there wasn't much to Saturday's $600,000, Grade II Jim Dandy for 3-year-olds at Saratoga. Alpha, making his first start since finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby, set a deliberate pace over the sloppy track and when Neck 'n Neck tried to reel him in at mid-stretch, he couldn't make any meaningful progress. At the end, it was Alpha by 2 lengths over Neck n' Neck with Liaison third and Teeth of the Dog fourth. Alpha finished the 9 furlongs in 1:50.54. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he and Dominguez discussed the option of taking the lead from the inside post position and Dominguez told him, "'If he breaks well, I'm going.' I said, 'I'm all for that.' He wasn't going to rush him off his feet, but he wanted to be on the lead. So it was a great call, and it all worked out." Dominguez added Alpha felt "superb all the way around there. Turning for home when I shook him up, he just took off for me. It's an indication he'll handle farther." McLaughlin said Alpha "most likely" will carry the Godolphin blue silks on to the $1 million Travers on Aug. 25 at 1 1/4 miles. Alpha has finished first or second in all but two of his eight career starts and those disappointments came in the Derby and the 2011 Breeders' Cup Juvenile -- both at Churchill Downs. This year's Breeders' Cup is at Santa Anita.
Baffert was a winner on the other coast, too. The venerable Richard's Kid continued his comeback march with a nifty 1 1/2-length win in Friday's $100,000, Grade III Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar. After trailing the pace through much of the race, jockey Rafael Bejarano kicked the 7-year-old gelding into gear in the lane and he quickly shot by leader Worth Repeating and went on about his business. Worth Repeating held second by 3 3/4 lengths over Balladry. Richard's Kid, the odds-on favorite, ran the 1 1/2 miles on the all-weather track in 2:29.22. Richard's Kid spent most of last year in Dubai without a win. He was returned to Baffert this year and won the Prove It Stakes at Hollywood Park on June 12 before getting home second to stablemate Game On Dude July 7 in the Hollywood Gold Cup. "We knew he was a good horse and he loves this track and he had worked really good over it," Baffert said. "He had them over a barrel today. He's got so much class and he just loves this surface, as we all know. Rafael came back and said, 'He had a nice workout.' The Pacific Classic is next."
Street Life couldn't have been any wider turning into the stretch run of Friday's $100,000, Curlin Stakes for 3-year-olds at Saratoga. Running from the back of the six-horse field, the Street Sense colt took the overland route to the front, then drew clear to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Five Sixteen was second and Ever So Lucky finished third. Street Life, with Jose Lezcano in the irons, negotiated the 9 furlongs over a sloppy, sealed track in 1:50.68. "I wanted some pace to run at," said winning trainer Chad Brown, lamenting two late scratches. "As it turned out, the pace was honest enough, and Jose kept him interested early, and that was a good thing ... . As long as the horse is OK and doing well, he'll be ready for the Travers."
Toby's Corner pressed the pace in Saturday's $175,000 Mountain View Handcap at Penn National, then took over and shook clear to win by 11/2 lengths in course-record time of 1:49.15. Isn't He Perfect was second and Not Abroad finished third. Jeremy Rose was up on Toby's Corner, a 4-year-old Bellamy Road colt. Toby's Corner won last year's Wood Memorial, in which Uncle Mo finished third and Isn't He Perfect fifth. He then was sidelined until this year and posted his first win in his fifth start.
Sprint
Amazombie, the reigning U.S. champion sprinter, did it again Sunday in the $300,000, Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes at Saratoga. The Factor got to the lead in the stretch run but couldn't do anything about Amazombie rushing past him and on to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The Factor held second, a head in front of Capital Account. Comma to the Top and Don Tito completed the order of finish. Amazombie, a 6-year-old Northern Afleet gelding, ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:08.65 with Mike Smith up. He finished third in this race last year, then won the Ancient Title at Santa Anita and the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Winning trainer and part-owner Bill Spawr said he's eyeing the same schedule this year but complained the Crosby, like the Ancient Title, should be a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In." "I don't understand it," he groused. He was happier talking about his horse. "We feel, training him, that he's got more muscle to him than he's ever had. It's a good feeling to beat a good field like this. It's a good feeling to beat The Factor." Spawr also said Smith thinks Amazombie is better on dirt than synthetics, which would bode well for his northern California races to come.
Currency Swap got by pacesetting Doctor Chit at the sixteenth pole of Sunday's $200,000, Grade II Amsterdam Stakes for 3-year-olds at Saratoga and beat that one to the wire by 1 3/4 lengths. Unbridled's Note finished third. Currency Swap, a High Cotton colt, ran the 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:15.33 under Rajiv Maragh. "He loves it here," said winning trainer Terri Pompei, referencing Currency Swap's win in last year's Three Chimneys Hopeful. Maragh said he wasn't worried about the pace of the race. "I just wanted to have a clean trip and be in striking position, regardless of how fast they were going," he said. "I got a good outside trip on Doctor Chit. I just stalked and pounced." Pompei said she will point Currency Swap to the Grade I King's Bishop at 7 furlongs on Travers Day, Aug. 25.
Royal Currier stalked the pace in Sunday's $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes at Monmouth, got the lead in the stretch and was all out to hold off Travelin Man by a nose at the wire. Raging Six finished third in a tough field. Royal Currier, a 4-year-old Red Bullet gelding, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.63 with Joe Bravo in the irons.
Jenna's Wabbit wan weally fast again Wednesday in the $125,000 (Canadian) Deputy Minister at Woodbine, leading all the way to a 1 3/4-length victory. With Eurico Da Silva up, Jenna's Wabbit got the 7 furlongs on the all-weather course in 1:23.00, ridden out. Courtville was second and Bear and Rod filled out the triactor. It was his third win in a row and fifth stakes triumph overall.
Ladies Classic
Brushed by a Star led from the early stages in Sunday's $200,000, Grade II Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park, shook clear and went on to post a 10-1 upset win. Successful Song, at nearly 20-1, finished second while the favorite, R Gypsy Gold, was up for third with a belated move on the rail. Afleeting Lady finished sixth. Brushed by a Star, a 4-year-old Eddington filly, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in1:44.15 with Corey Nakatani aboard. It was the third straight victory for Brushed by a Star. "We gave her the winter off and she's had a great 4-year-old season," winning trainer Grant Forster said. "She's a big, strong filly and she's come back even better this year."
Turf
Smart Bid got the best of a five-horse charge to the wire at the end of Saturday's $100,000 East Hanover Stakes, scoring by a head over See Tobe. Mythical Hero was third, another 3/4 of a length back, and it was another neck back to Freud's Honor in fourth. Eversoul trailed yet another neck, finishing fifth. Smart Bid, a 6-year-old son of Smart Strike, got the 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:29.47 with Jeremy Rose up. It was a bit of a breakthrough. It was only the second win for Smart Strike in the past 16 months, although he had been running competitively in stakes races from New Orleans to Toronto.
Filly & Mare Turf
Winter Memories caught the leaders on the outside in the stretch run of Saturdy's $600,000, Grade I Diana Stakes at Saratoga, quickly went on to a daylight lead and held off a late run by Dream Peace to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Zagora was third, followed by Tapitsfly, Hungry Island and a badly outclassed Law of the Range. Winter Memories, a 4-year-old El Prado filly, ran the 9 furlongs on the "good" inner turf course in 1:48.50 with Javier Castellano aboard. "There wasn't much speed in the race," winning rider Javier Castellano said. "That was my concern. It worked out great. It was amazing. She was able to cover up. She was able to finish so well today." Trainer James Toner credited Castellano for keeping Winter Memories a little closer to the pace than he might have done in other circumstances. She now has two wins and a second from three starts this year -- all graded stakes. Dream Peace, a world traveler previously based in France, now will stay in the United States, said owner Nicholas de Chambure. "Hopefully we'll be able to pick up a Grade 1 win for her," he said. "We're very happy though. She ran a very good race." It was Dream Peace's first start since finishing eighth in the Singapore Airlines Cup in May at Kranji.
Centre Court rallied between horses in Wednesday's $200,000, Grade II Lake George Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and was just up to win a spirited, four-way battle to the wire. Better Lucky was a neck back in second, followed a head by Samitar and another head by the favorite, Stephanie's Kitten. Centre Court, a Smart Strike filly, ran the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.71 for jockey Julien Leparoux. She came to the race off a win in the Grade III Regret at Churchill Downs last month. Winning trainer Rusty Arnold said he will look at the Grade II Woodford Reserve Lake Placid on Aug. 19 at the Spa but then plans to return to Keeneland. "The ultimate goal is the Queen Elizabeth. That's our home track," Arnold said.
Laughing was on the lead a half mile into Sunday's $150,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth and rolled on home first, a length better than Shimmering Moment. Island School ran well late to take show money. Laughing, a 4-year-old, Irish-bred Dansili filly, got the 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:48.93 with Rafael Bejarano in the irons. "They were rocking in the first part," Bejarano said, "and I was a little worried. But I put her on the lead and that's where she was very comfortable."
Awesome Fire broke poorly and then suffered traffic problems in the stretch but still managed to win Sunday's $250,000 (Canadian) Wonder Where Stakes by a half length over Lateegra. Black Bird Rock led in the stretch and held third. The favorite, Dene Court, made the early pace but faded to finish last. The race was restricted to 3-year-old, Canadian-bred fillies. Awesome Fire, a daughter of Strong Contender, ran the 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:04.12 with Chantal Sutherland back in town to ride for her brother and winning owner, Hugh Sutherland. "She's the real deal," Sutherland said. "I thought we were stuck in the gate. I thought it was all over. Chantal pulled it out of her hat again."
Turf Sprint
Artest, running back on six days' rest, surged to the front with a quick burst of speed in Thursday's $100,000 Quick Call Stakes for 3-year-olds at Saratoga and won going away by 1 1/2 lengths. Drago's Best got first run to the lead but could do no better than hold second, 3/4 of a length better than the early leader, Gentlemen's Code. The lukewarm favorite, Full, finished last of 10. Artest, a Hard Spun colt, got the 5 1/2 furlongs on firm going in 1:02.19 with John Velazquez up. "We'll see how things play out," winning trainer Michelle Nihei said. "He's obviously a horse that comes back quickly. We won't come back in seven days, of course."
A parade of long shots filled the first three positions in Saturday's $200,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap at Penn National. Kyma came from well back to finish a neck in front of Car Thief and Super Chunky rallied from last of 10 to finish third, another neck back. It was yet another neck to the favorite, Ben's Cat, in fourth. Kyma, sent to the post at 35-1 odds, ran the 5 furlongs on firm turf in 56.58 seconds with Dana Whitney in the irons. Despite the log odds, the Belong to Me gelding picked up his fifth win from seven career starts and second straight victory.
Sensible Lady rallied from last of seven to win Friday's $100,000 Jenny Wade Stakes for fillies and mares at Penn National by 1 1/4 lengths over Krusin Kelly. Somasach finished third. Sensible Lady, a 3-year-old Street Sense filly, ran the 5 furlongs on yielding turf in 56.34 seconds with Xavier Perez up. She now has won three of her last four starts -- all stakes.
Roxy Gap opened a short lead at the top of the stretch in Sunday's $150,000 (Canadian) Royal North Stakes for fillies and mares and held off Atlantic Hurricane to win by a half length. Jenny's So Great was good enough for third. Roxy Gap, a 4-year-old Indian Charlie filly, got the 6 furlongs on firm turf in 1:09.18 with Patrick Husbands riding.
Turf Mile
Suggestive Boy rallied between rivals in the stretch run of Wednesday's $114,000 Wickerer Stakes, endured some bumping and finally edged clear to win by 3/4 of a length over Calimonco. Key Decision was third. Suggestive Boy, a 4-year-old Argentine-bred colt, ran the mile on firm turf in 1:33.21 with Joe Talamo up. It was his second U.S. start, following a runner-up finish behind Jeranimo in the Shoemaker Mile. He won three straight Group 1 events in South America before being shipped north. "He ran a big race and he looks like he could be an extraordinary horse," winning trainer Ron McAnally said. He said he will try Suggestive Boy and his other Argentine import, Interaction, on the Del Mar all-weather track to see what his options are.
Tune Me In dueled with Get Serious through the early furlongs of Sunday's $150,000, Grade III Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park, got the lead and then had to withstand the late bit of Queensplate Kitten to win by a neck. Get Serious held third. Tune Me In, let go at 25-1 odds, ran the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.39 under Paco Lopez. He is a 5-year-old Concorde's Tune gelding.
Dirt Mile
Rail Trip pressed the pace set by the favorite, John Scott, in Saturday's $200,000, Grade II San Diego Handicap at Del Mar, put a head in front in the stretch and went on to win by a half length. Kettle Corn finished third. Rail Trip, a 7-year-old Jump Start gelding, ran the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:43.14 with Jose Valdivia Jr. in the irons. It was his first win in more than two years, encompassing eight starts and provided Rail Trip a "Win and You're In" ticket to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in November. Trainer Ron Ellis said that's an option. "I've always thought he would be an excellent miler," Ellis said. "We worked real hard stretching him out to a mile and a quarter but I always thought he would be a real good middle-distance horse. We'll see." Meanwhile, Ellis said before the race if Rail Trip ran well, he would consider the Pacific Classic for him "and we'll certainly give it some thought. We'll see how he trains and how we go forward but it's going to be a consideration."
Gourment Dinner paid for one for his backers after Sunday's $100,000 Majestic Light Stakes at Monmouth. After lagging well back for the first half mile, the 4-year-old Trippi colt came four-wide to engage Ponzi Scheme in a stretch battle and got home first by a neck. Small Town Talk was third and the favorite, Brujo de Olleros, finished fourth. Gourmet Dinner, a 7-1 shot, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.20 with Javier Castellano riding.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Spirited Miss bid for the lead three-wide turning for home in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Duchess Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and won off by 1 3/4 lengths over late-running Actiontwo. Katie Get Excited was just another neck back in third. Spirited Miss, a Sky Mesa filly, ran 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:23.48 with Patrick Husbands up.
Juvenile
Uncaptured got to the front at the top of the stretch in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Vandal Stakes for Canadian-foaled 2-year-olds and went on to win by a length over River Seven. Dynamic Sky was far back in third. Uncaptured, a Lion Heart colt out of the Arch mare Captivating, got the 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:10.37 with Patrick Husbands riding.
Two T's at Two B -- that's the name! -- led all the way to a 3 3/4-length win in Saturday's $75,000 Dr. Fager Division of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder Race Course. Dixie High finished second and Billos Boy was third. Two T's at Two B, an Untuttable colt, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.68 with Eduardo Nunez in the irons. He has won all three career starts by a combined 16 1/4 lengths. "When he came to the three-eighths pole, I asked him to take off," Nunez said. "He opened up his lead, and when I saw that no one was coming to us, I eased up on him. Everything he does, he does like a professional horse."
Fishin Frank led all the way under pressure in Saturday's $100,000 D.S. "Shine" Young Memorial Futurity for Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds at Evangeline Downs and scooted under the line first by 3/4 of length over Go Lil Tiger. The odds-on favorite, Desert Ransom, settled for third. Fishin Frank, a Salute the Sarge gelding, ran the 5 furlongs in 58.70 seconds under Kerwin Clark.
Kiss My Hennessey led all the way to a 6 1/2-length thrashing of nine rivals in Sunday's $172,000 Rio Grande Senor Futurity for state-breds at Ruidoso Downs in southern New Mexico. Ramblin' Star was second and Thermal got home third. Kiss My Hennessey, a gelded son of Roll Hennessey Roll, rolled 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:04.42 with Casey Lambert up.
Mike Man's Gold seized the lead in the stretch run in Sunday's $50,000 Premio Esmeralda Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs and held on to beat Finallygotabentley by a half length. Caraboo Road took third. Mike Man's Gold, a Liberty Gold colt, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.04 with Javier Matias up.
Juvenile Fillies
Candy Coded Kisses shook off early pressure in Saturday's $75,000 Desert Vixen Division of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder Race Course and kicked clear late to win by 4 lengths at long odds. Putyourdreamsaway finished second as the favorite and So Blessed was up for show money. Candy Coded Kisses, a daughter of Omega Code, finished in 1:12.27 under Cecilio Penalba. She broke her maiden last time out in a maiden claimer against males. Penalba said he had planned to be on the lead but Candy Coded Kisses "was happy to put herself in that early position. And then, when I asked her to go, she did it very easy."
Tujuacagofast -- that's the name! -- came from well off the pace to win Saturday's $100,000 D.S. "Shine" Young Memorial Futurity for Louisiana-bred, 2-year-old fillies at Evangeline Downs by 1 1/4 lengths over Suitefriendsofmine. Dawn's Cherokee finished third. Tujuacagofast, a Bwana Charlie filly, ran the 5 furlongs in 59.45 seconds with Colby Hernandez in the irons.
Back Seat Roll caught K B's Princess in the final yards of Sunday's $159,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity for New Mexico-breds at Ruidoso Downs, winning by a neck over that rival. Desertsmagic finished third. Back Seat Roll, a daughter of Roll Hennessey Roll, got the 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:05.18 with Enrique Gomez at the controls.
Elsewhere:
Germany
Pastorious backed up his win four weeks ago in the German Derby by sweeping aside the competition to an 8-length win in Sunday's Group 1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis at Munich. With Andreas Starke up, the Soldier Hollow colt stayed close early, took the point 2 furlongs out and erased all doubt. The field was no slouch, either. Durban Thunder was the best of the rest with Zazou third -- both globetrotting international Grade I competitors. Pastorious got the 1 1/4 mile on soft going in 2:12.04.
France
British invader Elusive Kate shot from the stalls in Sunday's Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville and by the time the local contingent got round to chasing her, the race was in the bag. At the wire, the 3-year-old Elusive Quality filly was 1 3/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Golden Lilac. Mashoora finished third. With William Buick at the controls, Elusive Kate negotiated 1 mile of good French sod in 1:37.40. It was only her second start of the year, following a second-place showing in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket just two weeks earlier.
England
Sri Putra collared Asfare near the wire to win Saturday's Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes by a neck. Side Glance finished third. Sri Putra, a 6-year-old son of Oasis Dream, ran the 10 1/2 furlongs on good to firm ground in a quick 2:05.74 with Neil Callan up. He came to the race off a seventh-place finish behind Nathaniel in the Coral-Eclipse. The win was only his sixth from 27 starts.
The big news in England -- aside from the Olympics, of course -- is Frankel's scheduled date in the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday. The 4-year-old Galileo colt will be defending his perfect record of 11 wins from 11 starts with the main competition expected to come from rising Godolphin star Farhh. The latter was a half-length second to Nathaniel last time out in the Coral-Eclipse. Eight have been declared for the Sussex, including Frankel's stablemate, half-brother and rabbit, Bullet Train. Aidan O'Brien has three entered, including Power, who was a major disappointment in the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Saratoga
Lunar Victory tracked the pace in Monday's $100,000 Evan Shipman Handicap for New York-breds, took over quickly when asked for run and won in a hand ride by 2 1/2 lengths. Sailmate passed pacesetting Johannesburg Smile late to take second. Lunar Victory, a 5-year-old son of Speightstown, got the 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.30 with Junior Alvarado steering.
Hessonite took command in the stretch run in Friday's $100,000 Irish Linnet Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares and got home first by 4 1/4 lengths. Inimitable Romanee was next with Considerate third. Hessonite, a 4-year-old Freud filly, toured 1 mile of the yielding inner turf course in 1:36.41 under Ramon Dominguez.
Alaura Michelle took up the lead with a sixteenth to go in Sunday's $100,000 Nani Rose Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and got home first by a length over the early leader, Sweet and Lovely. The favorite, Karlovy Vary, checked in third. Alaura Michelle, a daughter of Arch, toured 1 mile of the "good" inner turf course in 1:37.60 with Eddie Castro riding.
Del Mar
Starlight Magic came from far back to win Saturday's $200,000, Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies by 1/2 length over Warren's Amber. The favorite, Willa B Awesome, finished third. Starlight Magic, a Mariano Marini filly, ran the 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:23.57 with Rafael Bejarano at the controls. Trainer Mark Glatt said he will look at the $100,000 Torrey Pines on Sept. 2, giving his filly a little time between races.
Canterbury Park
Hammers Terror led from the early jumps in Saturday's $150,000 Mystic Lake Derby, won by a length over fellow Woodbine shipper Delegation and then survived both an inquiry and an objection before the result was posted official. Three local runners, headed by Take Heart, filled the next three spots and the two Churchill Downs shippers finished in the bottom two slots. Hammers Terror, an Artie Schiller colt, finished the "about" 1 mile on firm turf in 1:37.16 with local rider Lori Keith up. The dispute revolved around the winner veering out sharply in front of Delegation in the stretch run. The stewards ruled the action did not impact the order of finish. "I'm not sure what he reacted to at the wire," Keith said. "I knew that they were going to take a long look at it due to how dramatic it appeared. He's a great horse, easy to ride, and once I knew they were going to keep my number up, I was thrilled." The race had Canterbury's biggest purse since 1991, thanks to an agreement with Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which owns and operates the nearby Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.
Prairie Meadows
Shadowbdancing waltzed off with Saturday's $100,000 Prairie Meadows Handicap in a quickstep, leading all the way and clearing at the end to win by 7 lengths. Hope for Today finished second and It Happened Again settled for third. Shadowbdancing, a 7-year-old son of Montbrook, ran the 1 1/4 miles on a fast track in 2:03.41 for jockey Quincy Hamilton.
Penn National
Martita Sangrita kicked in late in the stretch run of Friday's $100,000 Red Carpet Stakes for fillies and mares and outfinished Clare Skies Ahead to win by 3/4 length. Safe Crossing finished third. Martita Sangrita, a 5-year-old Johar mare, ran the 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:42.74 with Luis Garcia in the irons.
Srumdiddlyumptious pressed the pace in Friday's $75,000 Femme Fatale Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, got the advantage in the lane and held on to beat Singlet to the wire by a half length. Hot Roots was third. The winner, a Roman Ruler filly, finished the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.40 with Charle Lopez riding.
Calder Race Course
Prize Doll got the lead at mid-stretch in Saturday's $75,000 Ms Brookski Stakes for fillies and mares, got clear and held off Timezone to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Timezone then was set down to sixth for interference. That promoted Wicked Night and Brinca to place and show money. Prize Doll, a 4-year-old Pure Prize filly, ran the mile on firm turf in 1:36.22 with Manoel Cruz in the irons.
Delaware Park
Bet the Power got home first in Saturday's $60,000 Stonewall Farm Ocala Hockessin Stakes but then was set down to second, elevating Picko's Pride to the win spot. It's Never to Late finished third. Picko's Pride, a 4-year-old Cactus Ridge colt, had Ricardo Santana Jr. up. Bet the Power, under Joe Rocco Jr., finished the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.75.
Monmouth Park
Senator Beck came from last of six to win Saturday's $75,000 Desert Vixen Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by a half length over Peace Preserver. Composition led in the stretch but faded to finish third. Senator Beck, a daughter of Artie Schiller, ran the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.49 with Paco Lopez riding.
Parx Racing
Traffic Light got the green light early in Saturday's $75,000 Crowd Pleaser Handicap for 3-year-old Pennsylvania-breds, leading from the start and winning off by 6 lengths. Yourhonorandglory was second and Pollard's Boy finished third. Traffic Light, a Peace Rules gelding, ran the 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track in 1:41.92 with John Bisono up. The race originally was carded for the turf.
Greatlookinblonde rallied from off the pace to win Saturday's $75,000 Power by Far Stakes for state-bred fillies and mares by 2 3/4 lengths over Officer Big Red. Pink Candy was third. Greatlookinblonde, a 4-year-old Albert the Great filly, ran the 6 furlongs on the sloppy main track in 1:10.02 with Roberto Alvarado Jr. riding.
Santa Rosa
She Spirit di Su took command in the final furlong to win Saturday's $50,000 Horseman of the Year Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 1 3/4 lengths over Light Up the Sky. Ms Pianist finished third. She Spirit di Su, an Irish-bred Invincible Spirit filly, covered the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:46.58 with Julien Couton aboard.
Calle Vista rallied down the stretch to win Sunday's $50,000 Luther Burbank Handicap for fillies and mares by a length over Bleach Blonde. Cathy's Crunches took third. Calle Vista, a 6-year-old Pleasantly Perfect mare, ran the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:46.55 with Kerwin John up.
