UPI Horse Racing Roundup

Mohaymen moved to the very top ranks among Kentucky Derby prospects with a weekend win while Awesome Banner, Sunny Ridge and Smokey Image all showed potential for the Run for the Roses.

Da Big Hoss and Unbridled Forever provided bright spots for beleaguered Texas racing. Cathryn Sophia remained undefeated as a Kentucky Oaks candidate. Oaklawn Park and Aqueduct provided showcases for the speedsters.

On the international front, world-class sprinters provided two thrilling finishes in Hong Kong. South African Mike de Kock had great success, tinged with tragedy, in Dubai. And in South Africa, trainer Justin Snaith would have traded all eight of Saturday's wins for a first-ever triumph in the J&B Met. Or so he said.

No trades necessary to enjoy the following:

The Road to the Roses

Mohaymen scored his fourth win without a loss in Saturday's $350,000, Grade II Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, stalking the pace before drawing off to a convincing, 3 1/2-lengths victory in his 3-year-old debut. Greenpointcrusader, winner of the Grade I Champagne last fall at Belmont, settled for second, 2 1/2 lengths in front of Fellowship. Mohaymen, a gray colt by Tapit, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.07 with Junior Alvarado up, confirming his status in the top flight of Kentucky Derby contenders. "He took my breath away. Today was pretty special," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who handles the horse for Shadwell Stable. "It looked like on paper that he might break and be on the lead because there wasn't much pace. When that didn't happen I was a little nervous into the first turn and around the turn, but all went great. He's just a special horse. It makes it easy for us to train and to ride." Mohaymen's wins last year included the Grade II Nashua and the Grade II Remsen, both at Aqueduct in November.

Awesome Banner remained undefeated with a 5-lengths victory in Saturday's $200,000, Grade II Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. With Jose Caraballo up, the Awesome of Course colt set a pressured pace, then kicked away in the lane to win handily. Economic Model was third, just a nose better than Richie the Bull. Awesome Banner, trained by Stanley Gold for Jacks or Better Farm, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:21.81, winning for the third time in as many starts. In his previous outing, he won the Grade III Hutcheson by 4 3/4 lengths. Asked what's next for the colt, Gold said he's not sure. But he made it clear he's thinking roses and Twin Spires. "Certainly two turns is going to be on the horizon and if you want to think bigger than the Fountain of Youth, you have to start going along and getting (Kentucky Derby) points. We'll see," Gold said.

Sunny Ridge prevailed by 3/4 length in a tight, four-way finish to Saturday's $250,000, Grade III Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. Vorticity led most of the way and held on for second, 1 length in front of Adventist. The odds-on favorite, Flexibility, finished just a neck behind that one in fourth. Sunny Ridge, a New Jersey-bred gelding by Holy Bull, ran 1 1/16 miles on the fast inner track in an undramatic 1:46.99. "He's a real grinder. He has one pace and he likes to run all day," said winning jockey Manny Franco. "A win is a win. It's great," opined trainer Jason Servis. "We'll nominate for the Gotham and we'll nominate for the Wood, but we'll probably do one of them." Sunny Ridge won the Sapling at Monmouth last summer and wound up his 2-year-old campaign with a second-place finish behind Exaggerator in the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot in November. Flexibility was coming off a victory in the Grade III Jerome on Jan. 2.

Smokey Image ran his record to 6-for-6 with an 8 1/2-lengths victory in Saturday's $250,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita. Granted, he was running against his fellow California-breds. But the Southern Image colt won last year in open company and was making his first start for trainer Carla Gaines, who makes no bones about her hopes for Smokey Image. Victor Espinoza also got his first chance on the colt, though he didn't need to do much other than hold on. Smokey Image led from the first jumps and wasn't challenged. Tough It Out was second with Xingontothebone third as the winner finished 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.49. "We might start on the first turn of the (Kentucky) Derby course and see what happens now," Gaines said. "The San Felipe would be something we could look at ... Thinking about the Derby doesn't make me uneasy. Not at all! Hopefully, that's the route we'll take. But, day-by-day."

Whatawonderflworld stalked the pace three-wide in Tuesday's OBS Championship at the Ocala Training Center, then rallied to the lead in the lane and won by 1 length over Two Step Time. Golden Ray led early and saved show money. Whatawonderflworld, a Tiz Wonderful gelding owned by Gary Barber, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather surface in 1:45 with Jose Lezcano up.

On the grass, J R 's Holiday rallied from last of six to upset Saturday's $100,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes at Gulfstream Park, dropping to the rail late and winning by 3/4 length. Don't Be So Salty finished second but was demoted to fourth for some bumping during the stretch run. That promoted Azar and Little Mo into the trifecta. The favorite, Conquest Daddyo, broke a step slowly from the outside post and never reached contention, finishing last. J R 's Holiday, a Harlan's Holiday colt, ran 1 mile on good turf in 1:35.20 with Emisael Jaramillo in the irons for trainer Jose Garoffalo.

At the end of weekend action, Mohaymen was in second place in the Kentucky Derby points standings with 20, behind only Nyquist's 30. Sunny Ridge moved into the third slot with 18 points. {b: Kentucky Oaks preps}

Cathryn Sophia didn't make the lead in Saturday's $200,000, Grade II Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park, had some traffic issues and won by only 5 1/2 lengths in s a learning experience for the Street Boss filly. In her only two previous starts, she made all the going and won by double-digit lengths. Saturday, Cathryn Sophia was off a beat slowly and jockey Joel Rosario elected to let Island Saint take the point. But as the field neared the stretch, Rosario drifted his filly out for room and there was never any doubt about the outcome. Island Saint held second, 4 3/4 lengths to the good of Ballet Diva. Cathryn Sopia, trained by John Servis for Cash is King LLC, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.04. "Actually, believe it or not," said Servis, "I was more impressed with this race than I was with the first two. She beat a decent field of horses today and the way she did it, she did it like a good filly." He said the 1-mile Davona Dale on Feb. 27 is the next stop.

On Tuesday at the Ocala Training Center, Vieja Luna led throughout to win the filly division of the OBS Championship by 2 1/2 lengths over Silver Magnolia. Vieja Luna, a Street Hero filly trained by Marcos Fernandez, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:45 with Emisael Jaramillo up. The race was restricted to fillies who went through an OBS sale.

On the grass, Pricedtoperfection won Saturday's $100,000, Grade III Sweetest Chant Stakes at Gulfstream Park by 3/4 length over Spinamiss. Born to Be Winner, at 71-1 odds, led briefly in the stretch run and finished third, 1/2 length to the good of the favorite, Sapphire Kitten. Pricedtoperfection, a Temple City filly, toured 1 mile on good going in 1:36.98 under Joel Rosario. She finished ninth, beaten 5 lengths, over a yielding course in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, then just missed in her comeback effort in the Ginger Brew Stakes on Jan. 16.

Flora Dora tracked the pace in Sunday's $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct, ranged up outside the leaders in the lane and got clear late, winning by 1 length over Scatooch. The early leader, Lost Raven, held third. Flora Dora, a Florida-bred daughter of First Dude, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on the fast inner track in 1:45.40 with Jose Ortiz at the controls. She earlier won the My Dear Girl Division of the Florida Sire Stakes, then finished second in the Grade III Tempted and fourth in the Grade II Demoiselle, both at Aqueduct. Winning trainer Marialice Coffee said Flora Dora is targeted for the top. "We're definitely looking forward to the Busher (on Feb. 27) and then after that we'll look to rack up the points and qualify for the Kentucky Oaks," she said. A few races earlier on the card, Frosty Margarita, a daughter of Frost Giant, ran the same trip in 1:44.91 under Irad Ortiz Jr., winning the Maddie May Stakes, restricted to New York-bred 3-year-old fillies. Katniss the Victor beat the others in that race. Frosty Margarita now has four wins and three seconds from seven starts.

Songbird leads the Kentucky Oaks point standings with 30. Cathryn Sophia moved into a seven-way tie for eighth with 10 points.

Detouring across the waters:

Hong Kong

Giant Treasure got the nod over Luger at the end of Sunday's Group 1 Stewards' Cup at Shat Tin, scoring his first victory at the highest level and opening the prospect for a trip to Dubai in two months' time. The 1,600 meters of the Stewards' Cup came down to the final 150 meters as frontrunner Beauty Flame began to fade and Giant Treasure, Luger and Contentment all surged past that one in quest of the wire. Giant Treasure, on the rail under Christophe Soumillon, just did survive by a short head over Luger with Contentment a neck farther back in third. Giant Treasure finished in 1:34.16. Soumillon said the 5-year-old likes to run between rivals and has concentration issues, making him a difficult ride. Trainer Richard Gibson commended the rider for his work with the horse and said the addition of blinkers helped. "Christophe was saying after the race that he thinks this horse could stretch in distance, but we'll have a think," Gibson said. If that's the case, he added, he might have a go at the Group 1, 2,000-meters Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin next month, then consider Dubai. "I don't think he will love the dirt but I'm sure he will be able to run the Dubai Turf," the trainer said, indicating the 1,800-meters grass race at Meydan might suit better than the 2,000 meters of the Dubai World Cup.

Sunday's co-featured Centenary Sprint Cup at 1,200 meters carries only a local Group 1 rating. But it was easily the equal of the Stewards' Cup in brilliance as Aerovelocity returned from a health problem that kept him out of the Longines Hong Kong Sprint in December. With Zac Purton up, Aerovelocity drew alongside December winner Peniaphobia with 200 meters to run and looked like a clear winner. But then things got interesting as Aerovelocity started to duck down to the rail, bumping with his rival and causing opposing jockey Joao Moreira no little discomfort. Aerovelocity went on to win easily while Gold-Fun eventually passed Peniaphobia to finish second. The stewards had a close look before letting the result stand. "I wouldn't say I enjoyed the last 200 meters because I had a bit of a wrestle with him trying to keep him off the fence," Purton said. Aerovelocity won Group 1 events last year in Japan and Singapore and could have landed a US$1 million Global Sprint Challenge bonus with a victory over his home course in the Longines Sprint. Trainer Paul O'Sullivan said owner, Daniel Yeung Ngai, made a courageous decision to bypass that opportunity and will seek a well-earned reward in the new season -- somehow. "I haven't thought one day past today," O'Sullivan said. "I know what the options are and we'll probably prioritize the race back here in May (the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize). But I haven't even sat down and worked out the dates. It's a great thrill today for him to come back."

Dubai (By Richard Gross)

South African trainer Mike de Kock was clearly the two-legged non-equine star Thursday at Meydan, grabbing three wins, two places and a show. The tour de force included a Group 2 Al Rashidiya victory dance by Forries Waltz, who got home 1 1/4 lengths in front of stablemate Ertijaal with Earnshaw earning a third over 1 1/8 miles of green.

Anaerobio stole the oxygen from 11 competitors to give de Kock a 1-2-3 in the 3/4-mile turf handicap with Banaadeer and Royal Ridge trailing, and started off his huge evening with a win at the same distance on dirt by Alareef, making a statement over State Law with Stunned – let's avoid the obvious pun – third.

"Fitness prevailed over class tonight," said de Kock. "Forries Waltz got the better of Ertijaal, but the runner-up was impressive too and he will make big improvement after this. He has a dirt pedigree, being by Hard Spun, and we'll keep the dirt in consideration when we plan the rest of his campaign."

De Kock said 8-year-old Anaerobio responded to jockey Christophe Soumillon "like a horse half his age ... He fought like a Trojan to win his fourth race for us, the ninth of his career. Just when we thought of retiring him, he's shown us he's not done yet."

About his big evening, all the conditioner would say was "Our runners made us very proud tonight."

But the thrill of victory was certainly tempered by the agony of defeat on de Kock's big evening. Royal Ridge collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack while being hosed down after his race and de Kock's Rock Cocktail was pulled up in the evening's closing handicap and found to have a broken pelvis. "Royal Ridge ran the best race of his career," praised de Kock for his fallen charge. "He looked well and came running along hard late in the contest. Moments later the horse was dead. Rock Cocktail was taken to the Equine Hospital and we'll be waiting for a report on his condition. These incidents just brought us back to earth after a truly mesmerizing evening."

On a happier note, The March 26 Dubai World Cup is beginning to resemble an Arabian version of the Breeders' Cup Classic. Frosted touched down in Dubai Tuesday even as California Chrome emerged from quarantine for a light walk around in his new-but-familiar surroundings. Assistant trainer Alan Sherman said he was "bouncing around and feeling good." His appetite is reportedly fine as well. He has a gleaming coat, a private barn and a massage therapist, along with regular exercise rider Dihigi Gladney, groom Raul Rodriguez and vet Chuck Jenkins, so perhaps Meydan can be renamed The Spa – Dubai.

California Chrome's trainer, Art Sherman, is sticking with his original plan to bypass the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on Super Saturday March 5, a typical World Cup prep, and run instead in the 1 1/4-mile dirt handicap February 25, the same race Curlin used to prepare for his 2008 World Cup win. "It just gives us another week to get him ready," explained assistant trainer Sherman, "and it suits our schedule better after his long layoff."

The Dubai Racing Club raised the entry rating for the race, perhaps to accommodate the growing list of highly rated horses headed for Dubai. That list now includes Bob Baffert-trained 2015 Santa Anita Derby winner Dortmund, co-highest rated among World Cup nominees at 123 with Ireland's Fascinating Rock. Japan's Horse of the Year, Maurice, will be looking to follow in the hoofsteps of 2011 World Cup winner Victoire Pisa. Frosted is chilling in his new surroundings, Effinex is next. Curlin's son Keen Ice is waiting in the cube for trainer Dale Romans, who saddled winner Roses in May in 2005 and Mubtaahij will plant his hooves in a gate for de Kock's fourth attempt at winning a World Cup trophy with a previous UAE Derby winner. The World Cup tray is filling up with awfully good horses.

On Saturday at Meydan, Active Spirit donned blinkers for the first time and led all the way to an easy victory over Kentucky Derby-nominated Blue Creek in the evening's featured 1,600-meters handicap. Blue Creek, owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby, had won his career opener at the course and distance on New Year's Day while Active Spirit finished sixth on the same card after losing a shoe. He earlier won his career debut by 6 lengths. "You don't win a maiden by 6 lengths unless you have ability," said jockey Pat Dobbs "I was impressed with him." Blue Creek did catch Taqneen to finish second. Dobbs and trainer Doug Watson also prevailed in the 1,200-meters maiden event before the Active Spirit race with Tobaco, who had finished second in his two previous starts, one of those to Blue Creek. All of that activity could be in aid of the Group 2 UAE Derby on World Cup night -- not to mention the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.

South Africa

Smart Call, a 4-year-old filly, came roaring down the lane to upset Saturday's Group 1 J&B Met, winning by 3 1/2 lengths, going away. Queen's Plate winner Legal Eagle, who battled Legislate though much of the race, held on for second with Captain America finishing third. Legislate faded to get home sixth. The other well-fancied starter, Futura, raced well back in the field and beat only three rivals. Smart Call, a daughter of Ideal World out of the Horse Chestnut mare Good Judgement, ran 2,000 meters in 2:03.17 with jockey JP van der Merwe subbing for the injured Maichong Marwing. The filly had been impressive against other distaffers but trainer Alec Laird decided to see what she could do against the best of the males -- to his great pleasure. "We were hoping to win," he said. "But we never expected it to be as easy as that." In addition to the South African prestige, Smart Call earned a Breeders' Cup berth via the international Challenge series. Laird said he intends to use that option, starting the arduous quarantine process that will find his filly in England in June. He said she could prep for the Breeders' Cup in England, France or the United States once sprung from the South African bureaucracy.

Gulf Storm surged between rivals in the late going to win Saturday's Group 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship by a narrow margin from Brutal Force with the favorite, Carry On Alice, unable to carry on in the final jumps and settling for third. Gulf Storm, a 5-year-old gelding by Sail From Seattle, finished the 1,000-meters dash in 58.92 seconds with Corne Orffer in the irons.

While he didn't land either of the day's fixtures, trainer Justin Snaith saddled eight of the 12 winners on the card -- a feat believed unprecedented in South Africa. Snaith, still looking for his first victory in the Met, said at the end of the day he would swap the "eight-peat" for a win in that event. "I've got to win the Met," he said. Snaith's horses won the first six races on the day, then the ninth and the finale. In the Met, he saddled Legislate, Futura and Krambambuli, who beat only one. He had two starters in the co-featured race but neither was a factor.

Back in the US of A:

Turf

Da Big Hoss saved ground early in Saturday night's $200,000, Grade III John B. Connally Turf Cup, slipped through on the inside turning for home and drew off to win by 4 3/4 lengths over Kaigun. Big John B was 3/4 length farther back in third with a late run. Florent Geroux rode Da Big Hoss, a 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid. Equibase did not provide times for the race. He was sixth in the ultra-tough Breeders' Cup Turf in November, then finished third in the Grade III W.L. McKnight Handicap at Gulfstream Park before Saturday' triumph. "My horse broke well from the gate and settled early," said Geroux, a rising star on the national scene. "I just wanted to make sure to keep him clear and when I asked him, he finished well. It's a great feeling and the horse really seems to like the long distances. It's a very nice turf course. I wish racing were better in Texas as this is very nice racetrack." Texas racing is beset by regulatory and legislative issues rivaled perhaps only in Illinois.

What a View pressed the pace in Saturday's $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic at Santa Anita, got by the early leader with little problem and drew off to win by 3 1/4 lengths. Alert Bay was up for second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Boozer. What a View, a 5-year-old Vronsky gelding, ran 9 furlongs on good turf in 1:47.39 with Kent Desormeaux aboard. He was moving up for the first time from the optional claiming ranks, but with the sparkling credential of three wins and a narrow runner-up finish from his past six starts. "I've always thought he's a better horse when he has something to run at," said winning trainer Kenny Black. "When he's sitting second like that, he's better than when he's in front because he ducks and dives and jumps."

Distaff

Forever Unbridled waited patiently in Saturday night's $400,000, Grade III Houston Ladies Classic, moved three-wide to challenge entering the lane and won by 1 3/4 lengths in a strong hand ride by Joel Rosario. Cali Star nipped pacesetting Cassat for place money. Forever Unbridled, a 4-year-old Unbridled's Song filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.74. Trained by Dallas Stewart, Forever Unbridled finished third in last year's Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks and 11th in the Kentucky Oaks. She then was idle for five months and eventually wound up her season with a victory in the Grade III Comely Stakes at Aqueduct in November. "I didn't talk to Dallas, just to the assistant, and he told me to ride her with confidence, that she was the best horse in the race," said Rosario. "I just took my time. As I hit the three-sixteenths pole, she got ahold of the track and I knew we were in a good position."

Sprint

Sassicaia didn't have the easiest of trips but was up in time to post the upset win in Saturday's weather-delayed $150,000, Grade III Toboggan Handicap at Aqueduct. The 5-year-old son of Bernardi started last of 10, had to check to avoid a fallen rider, altered course in the stretch to find room and was just up between rivals to win by a neck. Mewannarose ran evenly to finish second at 46-1 odds, 1/2 length ahead of the even-money favorite, Green Gratto. Sassicaia, with John Bisano up, ran 6 furlongs on the fast inner track in 1:10.15. "The horse gave us all the indication that he wanted to run," said winning trainer Rudy Rodriguez. "He loves the inner track, he's run his best races on it and he was ready to fire and he showed it today." The spill involved Captain Serious, who walked off the track after being corralled by the outriders.

Ivan Fallunovalot attended the pace in Saturday's $100,000 King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn Park, moved to the lead when prompted by jockey Calvin Borel and drew off late to a 2-lengths victory. Alsvid was second with long shot W.B. Smudge another 1 length back in third. Ivan Fallunovalot, a 6-year-old Valid Expectations gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.21. The stewards disallowed objections lodged by the rider of Bayerd, who finished fifth. The winner of last year's King Cotton, Ivan Fallunovalot won two straight at Remington Park in the fall before finishing ninth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland. Winning owner Lewis Mathews Jr. said, "The second time around is even sweeter than the first because it is hard to do, to repeat. He has been such an amazing horse. When Jan. 1 rolls around they get a year older and you get a little nervous about them like any athlete." Trainer Tom Howard added, "We'll regroup and get him ready for the next one."

Sunday Rules beat some good ones in Saturday's $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint at Santa Anita, leading all the way, turning back a challenge and winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Raised a Secret was second, with Solid Wager third. The favorite, San Onofre, checked in fourth. Sunday Rules, a 5-year-old Tribal Rule mare, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.42 under Edwin Maldonado. It was her third straight win in her first try against males. She has won in open company on both dirt and turf.

Otherwise and/or elsewhere

Laurel Park

Candida rallied from a pace-stalking trip to win Saturday's $75,000 Conniver Stakes for Maryland-bred fillies and mares, finishing 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Brenda's Way. Miss Bullistic was up for third, 1/2 length ahead of the odds-on favorite, Lionhearted Lady. Candida, a 4-year-old Lemon Drop Kid filly, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:24.05 with Julian Pimentel up.

Santa Anita

Pacific Heat pressed the pace in Saturday's $200,000 Xpressbet California Cup Oaks for state-bred distaffers, took over when asked by jockey Flavien Pratt and won off by 5 1/4 lengths as the odds-on favorite. Patriotic Diamond and Cheekaboo filled the trifecta. Pacific Heat, a daughter of Unusual Heat, ran 1 mile on good turf in 1:35.75, winning for the third time in four starts. She was a fading eighth in the Grade I Starlet at Los Alamitos in her final try in 2015.

Velvet Mesquite stalked the pace in Saturday's $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint, surged to the lead late and edged clear to a 1 3/4-lengths victory. Qiaona was second and Heavens Stairway faded from the lead to finish third. Velvet Mesquite, a 6-year-old In Excess Mare, ran about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:13.14 with Kent Desormeaux in the irons.

Sam Houston

Less than 1 length separated the top six at the end of Saturday night's $75,000 Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint with Galton on top. Billy Two Hats was second, 1/2 length back in a tight photo with Brilliant Interest, D'cajun Cat and a dead-heat between Marchman and Meme Jo. Galton, a 5-year-old Offlee Wild gelding, finished 5 furlongs on firm turf in 56.69 seconds with Deshawn Parker in the irons.

Twirling Cinnamon ran by pacesetter He's a Ranger in the stretch run in Saturday night's $75,000 Space City Stakes for 3-year-olds and went on to win by 1 length as the odds-on favorite. Riding in the Wind was up for third. Twirling Cinnamon, a Twirling Candy colt, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.32 with Florent Geroux up.