It was a great weekend for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and their stallion, Kitten's Joy, who sired the winners of three top midsummer races.
On a weekend when most of the action was on the grass, Big Blue Kitten dominated the Grade I Sword Dancer at Saratoga, Admiral Kitten ran late to win the Grade I Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park and, a short time later, Real Solution won the Grade I Arlington Million on a disqualification.
The Ramseys bred and own all three winners.
There was plenty more.
Kentucky Oaks winner Princess of Sylmar is a shoo-in for year-end honors after her third straight impressive win. Last Gunfighter added another notch in the 3-year-old division.
While Europeans did just fine at the Arlington Park International Festival of Racing, American trainer Wesley Ward had himself a fine time on the French seaside -- so much so he's inviting his fellow Yank trainers to come join in the fun.
And a word to the wise: If you find yourself at Charles Town in West Virginia, don't bet against Lucy's Bob Boy. Really.
Let's get rolling, just like the Ramseys.
The $1 million, Grade I Arlington Million came down to a battle deep in the stretch between South African runner The Apache on the inside and Real Solution, a 4-year-old Kitten's Joy colt, on the outside. The two swapped leads nearing the wire and The Apache got there first. But the stewards, after seeing The Apache drifted out three lanes, herding his rival, reversed that order of finish.
British-based Side Glance, who finished fourth in this year's Dubai World Cup, raced well to get home third. The favorite, Argentine import Indy Point, was never in contention and finished last of 13 as the 1 1/4 miles over firm going went in 2:00.99.
Alan Garcia rode the adjudged winner and lodged the successful claim of foul against Christophe Soumillon, who rode The Apache for trainer Mike de Kock.
"I had plenty of horse to go by and the other horse bumped us more than four times, made me lose my momentum," Garcia said. "If that didn't happen, we might have won by two or three lengths." Soumillon disagreed, arguing, "As you can see, we were the better horse. But he got scared by the [infield] screen and shifted out. We were the best horse."
Real Solution added his own bit of internationalism to Arlington's International Festival of Racing. He began his career in Rome with three straight wins, then moved to trainer Chad Brown in New York this spring, where he finished fourth, then third, in graded stakes.
While the Arlington Million was a nail-biter at the end, the $600,000, Grade I Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga was tense until near the end for backers of Big Blue Kitten. With Joe Bravo up, the 5-year-old son of Kitten's Joy saved ground for much of the 1 1/2 miles, then had to wait for running room entering the stretch. Once he got clear, he exploded through the final furlong, finally bursting past Twilight Eclipse to win by a length. Nutello finished third and the favorite, Boisterous, showed little while fading to finish eighth.
Brown said Bravo told him he "felt he was the winner every step of the way. He said, 'I just love this horse. I'll work the trip out,' and he did."
Bravo said he was fine once he found running room. Then, he added, "The happiest I was, was turning for home. I'm looking at each rider and they're riding their horses and I hadn't even asked the Kitten yet."
Big Blue Kitten now has won four of his last five races -- a streak broken only by a second-place finish to Boisterous in the Grade II Monmouth Stakes. With Point of Entry, last year's Sword Dancer winner, sidelined by injury, Big Blue Kitten and his stablemate move to the head of the division.
"He's a Breeders' Cup-caliber horse at 1 1/2 miles on firm turf at Santa Anita," Brown said. "What race we use to get there, I'm not sure. But we'll probably only run him one more time until the Breeders' Cup."
Two races before the Million, Admiral Kitten came from the clouds to win the $500,000, Grade I Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds by 1 1/4 lengths over Stormy Len. The favorite, Jack Milton, struggled home third. Admiral Kitten, with Rosie Napravnik up for trainer Mike Maker, ran the 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:02.17. Admiral Kitten had a bit of a home-court advantage. He traveled back and forth from his Churchill Downs training base to finish second in the Grade III Arlington Classic in May, then returned to finish second in the Grade III American Derby last month -- his fourth straight runner-up showing. In addition, his sire, Kitten's Joy, won the Secretariat in 2004, then returned to finish second in the following year's renewal of the Million. "After four second-place finishes, we were due for a good trip one of these times," Maker said. "He had lost ground to the winners in those races and Rosie saved ground on both turns here and he came with his run." Napravnik added, "We were able to sit back and relax, that's kind of the horse's style."
In Arlington Park's fourth feature of the day, Dandino rallied late to defeat Suntracer by a half length in the $400,000 American St. Leger, with Najjaar third. Dandino, a 6-year-old, British-based son of Dansili, ran the unusual distance of 1 11/16 miles on firm turf in 2:50.78 with Ryan Moore up. It was the second year in a row a horse owned by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock narrowly defeated a horse owned by the local Team Block in this event. Last year, Jakkalberry defeated Ioya Bigtime in the late going. Dandino has raced primarily in England, with occasional forays abroad for big races. He finished second last year in the Grade I Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine in Canada -- his best previous foreign showing. Moore said the win was not without its challenges. "I was locked in the whole race," he said. "But he was the best horse. He picked it up natural. I thought I'd keep it simple, but they were on top of me the whole race."
Up With the Birds raced in mid-pack in Sunday's $500,000 (Canadian) Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine, drove by the leaders in the lane and got home first by 2 3/4 lengths, ridden out. River Seven couldn't keep up in the final sixteenth and finished second while Pyrite Mountain's late bid was able to snare no more than show money. Up With the Birds, a Stormy Atlantic colt, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:28.69 with Eurico Da Silva in the irons. The race, third jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, was restricted to 3-year-olds foaled in Canada. Up With the Birds was second in the Queen's Plate but did not contest the Prince of Wales. He now has five wins, two seconds and a third from eight starts. Mark Samuel, chief executive officer of winning owner Sam-Son Farms, said Up With the Birds "was a couple steps away from greatness in the Queen's Plate. We thought we had a great horse going into that race and he ran a great race. He proved his class on a different surface. He's looking like he's very versatile, looks like he can go all sorts of different distances."
Forte Dei Marmi rallied from the middle of the field to win Sunday's $200,000 (Canadian), Grade II Sky Classic Stakes at Woodbine 2 1/2 lengths. Hampstead Heath also charged from well back late in the race but settled for second and Grand Arch finished third after leading briefly. Forte Dei Marmi, a 7-year-old, British-bred gelding by Selkirk, finished 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in course-record time of 2:00.12. He also won this race last year, then went on to finish third in both the Grade I Northern Dancer and the Grade I Canadian International, both on the Woodbine green course. He struggled earlier this year but now has two straight wins.
3-year-old fillies
Kentucky Oaks winner Princess of Sylmar all but locked up year-end honors in this division by thrashing a short field in Saturday's $600,000, Grade I Alabama at Saratoga. After waiting behind a trio of early leaders, jockey Javier Castellano fearlessly sent the Majestic Warrior four wide spinning into the stretch and she quickly kicked clear and won by 2 1/2 lengths. Fiftyshadesofhay pressed the early lead and held best of that bunch to take place money. It was 3 3/4 lengths farther back to the early leader, Carnival Court, in third. Princess of Sylmar finished 11 /4 miles on a fast track in 2:03.21. The Todd Pletcher trainee now has seven wins from her last eight starts, also including the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks earlier in the Saratoga meeting. "There wasn't a whole lot of pace," Pletcher noted. "She was doing it on her own. She was in a nice rhythm, so I thought she was in a perfect spot. I thought she won pretty convincingly. Anytime you run a mile and a quarter, it can be a taxing race, but I thought she did it well within herself." He said Princess of Sylmar's owner is committed to running her as a 4-year-old and possibly as a 5-year-old so he doesn't want to do anything now to burn her out. "At the same time," Pletcher added, "she is doing unbelievably well and sometimes you have to take advantage of that. So we have some thinking to do."
Filly & Mare Turf
Dank, with Ryan Moore in for the ride, hit the accelerator midway down the Arlington Park stretch in Saturday's $750,000, Grade I Beverly D. Stakes and quickly shot away to win by 4 1/4 lengths over fellow British raider Gifted Girl. Locally campaigned Ausus was along for third while the odds-on favorite, Marketing Mix, finished a nose farther back in fourth. Dank, a 4-year-old Dansili filly, ran 1 3/16 miles on firm going in 1:53.38, just 0.18 second short of the course record set by Reluctant Guest in 1990. Dank, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was stepping up in class to the Grade I event but had two wins and a third from three starts earlier in the year in England. "She's been real aggressive all year," winning rider Ryan Moore said. "She wasn't at her best in the last couple but she was in excellent condition coming into this and when she kicked in, it was all over." Marketing Mix's jockey, Gary Stevens, said his mount was pulling the whole way, which compromised her late kick. "I knew a ways out it was going to be difficult," he said.
Discreet Marq shipped in from Saratoga to Del Mar for Saturday's $300,000, Grade I Del Mar Oaks and made the journey pay off with a workmanlike, 3/4-length victory over Wishing Gate. Putting a little damper on the day for their owners, Emotional Kitten and the favorite, Kitten's Dumplings, finished third and fourth. Discreet Marq, a New York-bred daughter of Discreet Cat, ran 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:47.38 with Julien Leparoux moving at just the right time after a pace-stalking trip. She now has won three straight races and showed a new dimension while racing beyond 1 1/16 miles for the first time. Christophe Lorieul, assistant to Christophe Clement, said the only question about the race was the distance and that Clement worked Discreet Marq behind horses to prepare her for the extra effort. "She's very ratable," he said. "She can do anything you want." Leparoux agreed, saying: "The plan was to get her to relax, to get her in behind horses and get her to relax. She did that quite well. Then when I got her outside, she went."
Nellie Cashman got there first in Sunday's $200,000, Grade II Woodford Reserve Lake Placid Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga but didn't run straight enough to suit the stewards and was set down to third. Caroline Thomas picked up the big check as a result and Watsdachances moved up to place. The 1 1/8 miles on the firm inner turf course went in 1:47.36. Javier Castellano was aboard Watsdachances, whose chances were most impacted by Nellie Cashman's drifting. "It cost me the place," he said. "I could have won by a neck. Who knows?" Forest Boyce rode Nellie Cashman.
Dayatthespa sat just off the pace in Friday's $150,000 Yaddo Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares, went to the lead in the stretch and won by 1 3/4 lengths. Wholelottashakin was up for second, 1/2 length better than Inimitable Romanee. Dayatthespa, the prohibitive favorite, ran 1 1/16 miles on the firm inner turf course in 1:42.57 for jockey Javier Castellano. She won five straight races last year, culminating in the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in the fall. The 4-year-old City Zip filly struggled a bit earlier this year, however. Friday's race never seemed in doubt and trainer Chad Brown admitted he'd given Dayatthespa a bit of a breather. "It's important. It's only her third start of the year," Brown said. "She got beat down at Monmouth and I just felt I like I needed to get her back on track and run her in an easier race she could handle. This served a purpose, so you're going to see her in graded stakes the rest of the year."
Leigh Court led from the start in Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian), Grade III Ontario Colleen Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine and survived the last-ditch effort of Overheard to win by 3/4 of a length. The favorite, Coffee Clique, lacked a late punch and finished third. Leigh Court, a Grand Slam filly out of the French Deputy mare Padmore, ran the mile on firm going in 1:33.32 under Gary Boulanger. It was her first race on the grass. "She worked once on the grass and really liked it and was really happy," Boulanger said. "It's always been about her being content and not being aggressive. Her and I seem to get along really well."
Turf Mile
Halo Dolly was up in the final strides to win Sunday's $150,000 Solano Beach Handicap for California-breds at Del Mar. Bella Viaggia led briefly and held second. The favorite, Unusual Hottie, finished third. Halo Dolly, a 5-year-old Popular mare, got home in 1:33.42 over firm turf with Rafael Bejarano riding.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Reneesgotzip sprinted to the lead in Sunday's $150,000, Grade III Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar and was never threatened, winning by 4 1/4 lengths over Winding Way. Sweet Marini finished third. Reneesgotzip, a 4-year-old City Zip filly, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:14.48 with Garrett Gomez up. After finishing third in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Reneesgotzip finished second, beaten just a neck by Book Review, in the Grade I La Brea on the Santa Anita dirt on Boxing Day. She then did not race until last month and now is 2-for-2 on the year.
Classic
Last Gunfighter ranged up from last of five turning for home in Sunday's $150,000, Grade III Philip H. Iselin Stakes for 3-year-olds at Monmouth and battled down the stretch with San Pablo before prevailing by a head over that one. It was several beats before Jaguar Paw crossed the finish line in third. Last Gunfighter, a First Samurai colt, finished 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:52.03 with Joe Bravo up. He has never finished worse than third in 12 career starts, now including three graded stakes wins. "I was told in the paddock that he's a grinder, which played a part in how I rode him," Bravo said. "I knew I wasn't going to get that one, quick punch so I wound up moving at the three-eighths pole. He has a big, powerful stride and he just kept coming and coming, all the way to the wire." With most of the other top East Coast 3-year-olds gearing up for next weekend's Grade I Travers at Saratoga, Last Gunfighter might have a showdown later in the year against the survivors of that shootout.
Prayer for Relief rallied from last of five in Saturday's $175,000 Governor's Cup at Remington Park in Oklahoma and dueled down the lane with Worldly before winning by a head. Stachys was third, 1 1/4 lengths further in arrears, followed by Alternation and long shot Liberty Bound. Brethren was a late scratch. Prayer for Relief, a 5-year-old son of Jump Start, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:50.42 with Ricardo Santana Jr. in the irons for trainer Steve Asmussen. Prayer for Relief, who was briefly a Kentucky Derby candidate back in 2011, now has two seconds and two wins in his current campaign. He took the Grade III Prairie Meadows Cornhusker in his last previous start. Asmussen assistant Daren Flemming said Prayer for Relief has "really come around. But actually, he's never run a real bad race."
Dirt Mile
Herbie D led all the way to a 1 1/2-length win in Sunday's $200,000, Grade III Longacres Mile. Stryker Phd was second and Golden Itiz finished third. Herbie D, a 5-year-old British Columbia-bred gelding by Orchid's Devil, got home in 1:35.12 under Amadeo Perez. The favorite, Politicallycorrect, was sent in from New York by trainer Wesley Ward but was never in the mix and finished ninth.
2-year-olds
While the Euros were running well at Arlington, an American 2-year-old was in France, taking Deauville by storm. No Nay Never, recently sold to the Coolmore interests, romped in Sunday's Group 1 Darley Prix Morny Stakes for 2-year-olds. With David Flores up for trainer Wesley Ward, the outsized son of Scat Daddy brooked no competition and won by a comfortable 1 length from Vorda. Rizeena was third with Ryan Moore operating on short rest after winning a pair of Grade I events Saturday at Arlington Park. Ward said he had considering withdrawing No Nay Never from the race when the ground came up slight soft but relented. The win backed up a maiden victory at Keeneland and a somewhat surprising triumph in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. "We're at the forefront of Americans coming over," Ward told Racing Post. "You guys come over to the States and win at the Breeders' Cup and a lot of Grade 1s. But everybody is very afraid to come over here 'cause it's a long way to go home when you get beat and a big expense at that. Now that I've done this in a couple of different countries, I'm hoping that a couple of my buddies will come over and enjoy the racing in Europe."
Also Sunday at Deauville, Romantica got to the lead a furlong out in the Group 1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet for fillies and mares and raced home comfortably to win by 11/4 lengths from Sarkiyla. Dalkala finished third. Romantica, a 4-year-old Galileo filly, was making her first start since May. She now has four victories but Sunday's was her first in a Group 1.
Del Rio Harbor dueled an early rival into submission midway through Saturday's $50,000 W.T.B.O.A Lads Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings, took charge and won by 1 1/2 lengths over Mebossman. The favorite, Noosito, missed the break, rushed into contention and could do no better than third. Del Rio Harbor, a Harbor the Gold gelding, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.84 with Rocco Bowen riding. He now has three straight wins, including the Emerald Express in his last previous outing.
In other action:
Saratoga
Hangover Kid started last of nine in Thursday's $150,000 West Point Stakes for New York-breds, swung six-wide for running room entering the stretch and was up in time to win by a length over Hear the Footnotes. The early leader, Kharafa, was a nose farther back in third and the favorite, Lubash, settled for fourth after having traffic issues. Hangover Kid, a 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid, ran 1 1/16 miles on the good inner turf in 1:43.34 with Irad Ortiz Jr. up. Asked about his next race, trainer Jason Servis said, "I don't know. He's Grade 1 placed [third in the Grade I United Nations] and he's won a stake. We might look at some big stuff."
Awesome Vision was along late to take Friday's $100,000 Saratoga Sunrise Stakes for state-breds by a length over Bigger is Bettor. Most Happy Fella ran third. Awesome Vision, a 4-year-old Awesome Again colt, completed 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:50.99 with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons.
Del Mar
Sarach stalked the pace in Friday's $90,000 Sandy Blue Handicap for 3-year-old fillies, went by in the lane and won by a length over late-running Miss Empire. Redressthebalance finished third. Sarach, an Arch filly, got the mile on firm turf in 1:33.94 with Martin Garcia riding.
Arlington Park
I'm Already Sexy surged to the lead early in the stretch run in Saturday's $75,000 first division of the Hatoof Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and quickly got clear, winning by 4 3/4 lengths. Another of the Ramseys' Kitten horses, Bold Kitten was second and the favorite, My Option, finished a head farther back in third. I'm Already Sexy, a Ready's Image filly, ran about 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.93 under Florent Geroux.
In the second division, Team Block got some minor consolation for their second straight narrow loss in the Secretariat as I O Ireland rallied to win a neck at odds of 22-1. Every Way was second by a half length with three other runners less than a half length from that one. Always Kitten -- yes, another one! -- finished sixth but was beaten less than a length for all of it. I O Ireland, an Illinois-bred Giant's Causeway filly, got home in 1:41.69 with Eddie Castro aboard.
Monmouth Park
Hard Enough was pressed hard on the lead in Saturday's $60,000 Restoration Stakes for 3-year-olds but held on and eventually also turned back the final challenge of Michael With Us to win by a head. Another head separated Always Curious in third and yet another head, Chamois in fourth. Hard Enough, a Hard Spun colt, ran 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:47.16 for jockey Paco Lopez.
Louisiana Downs
Saturday was Louisiana Cup Day. The turf was firm and the track was fast for progeny of the Sportsman's Paradise, including jockey Mark Guidry.
String King ran like a favorite should in the $100,000 Classic, leading all the way to a 2-length victory over Hud's Rebellion and finishing 1 1/16 miles on the grass in a speedy 1:40.70. Richard Eramia was at the controls. In the $100,000 Distaff , Little Polka Dot made a pressured lead hold up to the end, scoring by 3/4 of a length over late-running Paoli. Little Polka Dot finished the same distance on the same course in 1:42.14 with Mark Guidry in the irons.
In the $60,000 Sprint, appropriately named Louisiana Glory came from well off the pace to win by a half length over Palmy Bay. Louisiana Glory, with Colby Hernandez riding, got 6 furlongs on the main track in 1:10.12. The $60,000 Filly & Mare Sprint went to odds-on favorite Sittin At the Bar, who rallied late and strong to win by 4 3/4 lengths over pacesetter Amanda Michelle. Guidry rode Sittin At the Bar for 1:10.46 before hitting the finish line.
The $75,000 Louisiana Cup Derby found the favorite, Skip the Pinot, skipping away from the field in the stretch to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Johnny Handsome was second as Skip the Pinot ran 1 1/16 mile in 1:44.76 with Guidry having an excellent day. Guidry also steered Tensas Harbor to a 20-1 upset win in the $75,000 Oaks, rallying from near the back of the pack to win by 2 lengths over the early leader, Miss Goodthing. That race was over in 1:46.05.
Burning Warrior, the favorite, ran to his notices in the $50,000 Juvenile, leading most of the way to a 4-length win with Sweet Top Cat the best of the rest. Burning Warrior, an A.P. Warrior gelding, ran 6 furlongs in 1:10.47 with Filemon Rodriguez up. And Lady Notional got home first in the $50,000 Juvenile Fillies but was set down to fourth for drifting out in the stretch. That advanced 30-1 chance Pagini to the win and Lady Grantham to second. The race went in 1:13.02 with Nicasio Gonzales piloting the adjudged winner.
Delaware Park
Onepointhreekarats led from the start in Thursday's $50,000 Unbridled Belle Stakes for fillies and mares and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Welcome Guest. The favorite, Bryan's Jewel, checked in third. Onepointhreekarats, a 5-year-old Medaglia d'Oro mare, ran 1 mile and 70 yards in 1:39.98 with Jeremy Rose in the irons.
Northlands Park
Broadway Empire surged to a huge lead early in the stretch run in Saturday's $200,000 (Canadian), Grade III Canadian Derby and held on to win by 3 lengths over East Coast invader Reporting Star. It was another 6 1/2 lengths back to Shooting Jacket in third. Broadway Empire, a Kentucky-bred Empire Maker gelding, ran 1 3/8 miles on a sloppy track in 2:19 3/5 with Rico Walcott up. He had been running in Southern California this spring, finishing second in the Came Home Stakes at Hollywood Park. He now is 2-for-2 at Hastings.
Saturday Night Ride led all the way to a 5 1/2-length victory in Saturday's $75,000 (Canadian) City of Edmonton Distaff. The 4-year-old Flower Alley filly ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track before rains came in 1:45 3/5 with Aaron Gryder riding. Gosailgo was second and Madeira Park got show money.
Commander took a commanding lead in Saturday's $50,000 (Canadian) Westerner Handicap and prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over Senor Rojo. Last year's Canadian Derby winner, Toccetive, finished third. Commander, a 5-year-old Broken Vow gelding, finished 1 1/16 miles in the slop in 1:44 with Gryder up.
Tell Me Lies led from the start in Friday's $50,000 (Canadian) Sonoma Handicap for 3-year-old fillies and held well at the end to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Silkworm. Marry Me Vicky finished third. Tell Me Lies, with Amie Pooli up, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:47 3/5.
Hastings
Miss Derek stalked the pace in Sunday's $50,000 (Canadian) Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap for 3-year-old fillies, advanced steadily in the late going and was along in plenty of time to win by 1 1/4 lengths over pacesetter I Think So. Locket was third. Miss Derek, a Florida-bred daughter of Brother Derek, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.17 with Enrique Gonzalez up.
Bluegrass Pride rallied three-wide into the stretch in Sunday's $50,000 (Canadian) Richmond Derby Trial Handicap, got to the fore and held off Tracker at the end by 3/4 of a length. Hopeseeker finished third. Bluegrass Pride, a Pennsylvania-bred Bluegrass Cat gelding, finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.94 with Richard Hamel in the irons.
Emerald Downs
E Z Kitty opened a huge lead turning for home in Sunday's $65,000 Emerald Distaff Handicap, then coasted home first by 3 1/2 lengths over Wando Woman. Whiskey Minor finished third in the 9-furlongs event, clocked in 1:49.24 over a fast track. Anne Sanguinette rode the winner, a 5-year-old He's Tops mare.
Canterbury Park
Second Street City stalked the pace in Saturday's $50,000 Hoist Her Flag Stakes for fillies and mares before blowing by en route to a 7 1/4-lengths victory. Missjeanlouise and Roses Plus both ran best late to finish second and third. Second Street City, a 5-year-old Consolidator mare, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.08 with Denny Velazquez riding.
Starry Eyed Kate survived a three-way battle for the lead to win Saturday's $50,000 Minnesota H.B.P.A. Stakes for fillies and mares, surviving a final surge by Grandma's Rules to score by a neck. Lily the Pink held on for third. Starry Eyed Kate, a 5-year-old daughter of Roar, got about 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:45.77 for jockey Alex Canchari.
Charles Town
Lucy's Bob Boy wasted little time ending the suspense in Saturday's $50,000 Frank Gall Memorial for West Virginia-breds. The 4-year-old Flatter gelding broke alertly and led the way to a 5 1/4-length victory over Golden Set. Son of a Bear ran evenly to finish third. Lucy's Bob Boy, with Gustavo Larrosa in the irons, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:25.14. Lucy's Bob Boy has made 17 starts at Charles Town, winning 14 times and finishing second in the other three races. In his one road trip, he got home fifth in the Grade III Salvator Mile at Monmouth, beaten only 4 lengths.
Delaware Park
Colonial Flag stuck a neck in front of pacesetter Tippie Tap at the very end of Saturday's $50,000 Rosenna Stakes for fillies and mares. The favorite, Warm Glow, got warmed up a little late from the back of the pack and settled for third, 1 1/4 lengths farther in arrears. Colonial Flag, a 4-year-old Pleasant Tap filly, ran about 9 furlongs on good turf in 1:53.66 for jockey Joshua Navarro.
Finger Lakes
B Shanny was easily best in Saturday's $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial Handicap for New York-breds, jetting away in the stretch to score by 4 1/2 lengths over Sundae on Sunday. Al's Deputy came from last of eight to finish third. B Shanny, a 4-year-old Street Cry gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.27 under John Davila Jr.
Arapahoe Park
Cloud Harbor shipped in from Ruidoso Downs and emerged from a multihorse scramble to win Sunday's $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity for 2-year-olds by a length over Ima Happy Strike. Da Belldozer finished third and the favorite, Fast But Furious faded from the lead and got home fifth. Cloud Harbor, a Rockport Harbor colt, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.90 with Enrique Gomez up. He now is 2-for-2 after winning first time out in New Mexico.
Thistledown
Diavoletto wore down pacesetting Sneak a Colt Treat in the final yards of Sunday's $50,000 Honey Jay Stakes for Ohio-breds, winning by 3/4 of a length. Pyrite Green finished third. Diavoletto, a 4-year-old gelding by Stephen Got Even, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.02 with Agustin Bracho riding.
