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Cupid ran his way into the heart of Kentucky Derby contention, two top female competitiors were upset and Upstart started up his 2016 campaign with a win, all in weekend racing. Clothes Fall Off won in New York while My Bikini Fell Off just missed in New Mexico. Just sayin'.
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On the international front, there was a surprise in the Golden Slipper in Australia and, perhaps, the unveiling of a new star in Hong Kong.
Final preparations were under way in Dubai for next Saturday's World Cup night, with $30 million on the line.
Prepare to catch up on all the weekend racing, starting now:
The Road to the Roses
Cupid joined the ranks of Kentucky Derby contenders with a front-running victory in Saturday's $900,000, Grade II Rebel at Oaklawn Park. Cupid, a Tapit colt trained by master Oaklawn raider Bob Baffert, got a breather midway through the 1 1/16-miles prep for the Arkansas Derby, then found enough left in the tank to hold off Whitmore in the stretch, winning by 1 1/4 lengths. Creator was third and Cherry Wine fourth. Martin Garcia rode the winner home in 1:43.84. Cupid, owned by the Coolmore connections, took three tries to get to the winner's circle, finally turning the trick last month at Santa Anita when he was sent around two turns for the first time. "The first two times, he needed the experience," Garcia said. "When he got two turns, he did it pretty easily." Cupid did seem to lose focus immediately after straightening out for the stretch run, turning his head sharply toward the grandstand side. "He was maybe too close to the rail and I've seen horses do that," Baffert said. But he added he was very pleased with the effort. "When that horse (Whitmore) came rolling down the middle of the stretch, I thought, 'We'll see what he's made of.' That's when I realized what he's made of. He started to kick back in. That's what you want to see at this time of year." The trainer said Cupid will return for the Grade I Arkansas Derby "as long as he doesn't get light on us." Baffert also trains Mor Spirit, who is headed for the Santa Anita Derby. Baffert-trained horses now have won six of the last seven editions of the Rebel. Ron Moquette, who battled food poisoning to get to the track and saddle Whitmore, said, "I'm sick of Baffert. As bad as I felt all day and night, I'm more sick of Baffert." He added the breather Cupid got early down the backstretch made the difference. C's, W's and greys were the key to solving the race. Five of the 14 starters -- and three of the top four finishers -- in the Rebel are grey, including Cupid, Creator and Cherry Wine. Whitmore, a chestnut son of Pleasantly Perfect, was coming off a second-place finish in the Grade III Southwest behind Suddenbreakingnews. The latter finished fifth Saturday.
The heavy hitters from the east finished 1-2 in Sunday's $415,000 Sunland Park Festival of Racing Stakes, a substitute for the canceled Sunland Park Derby. Collected, trained by Bob Baffert, led from the start, turned back a challenge from the Todd Pletcher-trained Gettysburg, and drew off to win by 2 lengths. Gettysburg finished second, 7 lengths ahead of the best of the locals, Concord Fast. Martin Garcia rode the winner over 9 furlongs of fast track in 1:48.90. Collected, a City Zip colt, collected $207,500 for the win but no Kentucky Derby points, which were stripped when the Sunland Derby was called off due to the equine herpesvirus epidemic that afflicted the backstretch earlier in the meeting. He won the Grade III Sham Stakes at Santa Anita in January but finished third in the Grade III Southwest at Oaklawn Park in his intervening start.
3-Year-Old Fillies
Thrilled got by pacesetting Family Tree in the late going in Sunday's $200,000 Plum Pretty Stakes at Sunland Park, the substitute for the Sunland Park Oaks. Thrilled, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Javier Castellano, finished 2 lengths to the good of Family Tree, from the Bob Baffert Barn. K P Wildcat led the locals but finished 7 lengths behind Family Tree. Thrilled, an Uncle Mo filly, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.35 and earned $124,000 but no points toward the Kentucky Oaks.
Distaff
Call Pat came running between horses at mid-stretch in Saturday's $350,000, Grade II Azeri at Oaklawn Park and collared the heavy favorite, Untapable, winning by a neck. Streamline was another 1/2 length back in third. Call Pat, a 6-year-old Lawyer Ron mare, got 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.44 under Joe Rocco Jr. It was her second straight victory at Oaklawn, where she now has scored four of her seven lifetime wins. Untapable, the 2014 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner, also finished second in this race last year, but went on to win by Grade I Apple Blossom. Both Call Pat and Untapable are expected to be on tap for this year's renewal of that Hot Springs fixture. "We always know she comes running," trainer Brad Cox said of Call Pat, who had only two horses beaten as the field turned for home. "I was hoping she wouldn't run out of ground. We just got up. But she ran a great race." Untapable's trainer, Steve Asmussen, said his mare "ran well. The winner runs well here and we always know how that is when you come in to Oaklawn. It is a horse-for-course place." Untapable was making her first start since finishing second in the Grade I Spinster at Keeneland last October.
Tara's Tango rallied by the favorite, Taris, in deep stretch and went on to win Saturday's $500,000, Grade I Santa Margarita at Santa Anita by 1 length. Living the Life finished third, another 1 1/4 lengths back. Tara's Tango, a 4-year-old Unbridled's Song filly, started last of five and made her move wide, turning for home. Taris, meanwhile, was settled behind pacesetting Penwith, moved to the lead at the top of the lane and simply couldn't hold on. With Rafael Bejarano up for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Tara's Tango covered nine furlongs on a fast track in 1:50.44 while adding blinkers to her equipment. It was her second straight win, following a similar effort in the Grade II Santa Maria last month. Taris had won two straight -- the Grade III Go For Wand Handicap at Aqueduct in November and the Grade II La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita in January. "The blinkers made a big difference today," Bejarano said. "They helped me a lot from the gate. I was able to put my horse into position right away. I waited for the opportunity and when we got to the stretch, she gave me a big turn of foot and I knew I could beat the favorite."
Classic
Upstart, widest of four in a cavalry charge down the stretch, got there first in Saturday's $350,000, Grade III Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park, denying Domain's Rap by 1 length. Argentine import Idolo Portendo finished third, 1/2 length to the good of Shotgun Kowboy. Upstart, a 4-year-old Flatter ridgling, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.12 with Joe Bravo up. It was his first start of the season after a 3-year-old campaign that found him second in the Grade I Florida Derby, third in the Grade I Haskell and fourth in the Grade I Travers. Bravo said his only instructions from trainer Rick Violette were, "Don't mess up, jock." He added, "No, I tell you, I'm going to give full credit to the whole Rick Violette team for bringing this horse together. When you're off that long, it's tough to get a horse ready to run. He left there really nicely, relaxed really good the first turn. Probably a little farther back than Rick wanted. But, he was so comfortable and relaxed. I was really happy the way he was going. You saw the move he made around the turn. He's back. He's a pretty nice horse. He proved it to everybody. I'm just glad he's a big, happy horse for the rest of the season."
Filly & Mare Sprint
Fantastic Style fought her way to the lead in a brisk opening half mile in Sunday's $100,000, Grade III Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita, shook clear and won off by 4 lengths, ridden out. Ben's Duchess and Cadet Roni completed the trifecta. Fantastic Style, a 4-year-old Harlan's Holiday filly, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.79 with Rafael Bejarano in the irons. She now has won four of six starts, including the Grade II Great Lady M Stakes at Los Alamitos in her previous outing. "She's been working really well in the mornings so I think she's just getting better and better," Bejarano said. Bob Baffert trains the filly for Kaleem Shah.
Stonetastic led from the first jumps in Saturday's $200,000, Grade II Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park and kicked away late, winning by 3 3/4 lengths. Tiger Ride beat the others with Engaginglee third. Stonetastic, a 5-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.22 with Paco Lopez at the controls. She finished second in the Grade II Sugar Swirl earlier in the meeting and, in her last start, won the Miami Shores Handicap. "I used her a little bit coming out of the gate to make the lead," Lopez said. "I made the lead and she held it. I know she hadn't won at 7 furlongs (in four previous tries) but she did it very well. She's a very nice filly. When she makes the lead like that, she's tough to beat." Trainer Kelly Breen said Stonetastic's next start hasn't been decided but noted the Grade I Humana Distaff on the Kentucky Derby undercard, also at 7 furlongs, would fit her schedule well.
Clothes Fall Off tracked a brisk pace in Saturday's $125,000 Correction Stakes at Aqueduct, took the lead early in the stretch run and held on to win by 1 1/2 lengths over the odds-on favorite, Paulassilverlining. Willet finished third. Clothes Fall Off, a 4-year-old filly by Daaher, ran 6 furlongs on the fast inner track in 1:10.68 with Manny Franco in the irons. It was her first stakes victory and followed a second-place showing last month in the Grade II Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park. "Manuel before the race had it in his head what he was going to be doing and it just happened to turn out perfectly," said Joe Lee, assistant to winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. "We were able to stalk and watch what Paulassilverlining was going to do. She ran great."
Ballet Diva set a pressured pace in Saturday's $75,000 Any Limit Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park but always held safe runner-up Put Da Blame On Me and won by 1 length over that stubborn rival. Colombian Queen finished third, 6 lengths farther in arrears. Ballet Diva, a daughter of Hear No Evil out of the Nureyev mare Dame Sylvieguilhem, ran 6 furlongs in 1:11.56 for jockey Jose Caraballo. It was her fifth career win.
Sprint
Morning Fire fired right out of the gate in Saturday's $75,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park and wasn't threatened thereafter, winning by 3 lengths after leading by more. Extravagant Kid was second and it was another 6 1/4 lengths back to Bullet Gone Astray to complete the trifecta. Morning Fire, a Friesan Fire colt, got 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:17.16 under Daniel Centeno. Earlier this year, he won the 7-furlongs Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. But he was unable to carry his speed around two turns in the Grade III Sam F. Davis, fading to finish third.
Iron Rob dueled to the lead in Sunday's $100,000 San Pedro Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita, opened a daylight lead in the lane and got home first, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of the odds-on favorite, Denman's Call. Mt Veeder was well back in third. Iron Rob, a Twirling Candy colt, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.05 with Stewart Elliott up.
International
Australia
Saturday's Group 1 Golden Slipper produced a gilt-edged upset as Capitalist held off a furious charge by Yankee Rose in a duel of long shots, winning by 1/2 length. Flying Arte, the second choice in the wagering, was nearly 2 lengths farther back in third and the favorite, Extreme Choice, took a knock on his way to stardom, getting home eighth, some 4 1/2 lengths in arrears. Capitalist, a Written Tycoon colt, posted his fourth win from five starts but was stepping up significantly in class for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. Extreme Choice, by contrast, had won all three previous outings, including the Group 1 Blue Diamond at Caulfield in preparation for the Golden Slipper. But it was Capitalist who shot to the lead inside the 200 meters, opened a gap and held on as Yankee Rose bore down on his outside. He finished 1,200 meters in 1:10.59 for jockey Blake Shinn.
The United States, with Kerrin McEvoy up, won Saturday's Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens, defeating the lukewarm favorite, Hauraki, by about 3/4 length. Criterion was well back in third at the end of the 2,000 meters. The United States, a 6-year-old, Irish-bred son of Galileo, was coming off a second-place finish in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington just a week earlier. After tracking the leaders, he found a path between horses at the 300-meters mark, shot to the fore and ran on well, finishing in 2:03.17 over good turf. The United States now goes to the sidelines in anticipation of a Cup campaign in the Australian springtime.
Winx posted a comfortable victory in Saturday's Group 1 China Horse Club George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill, leading a Chris Waller-trained trio to a 1-2-3 finish. Winx, winner of last year's Cox Plate, made it three in a row since returning to action in February. The 4-year-old Street Cry filly, with Hugh Bowman in the irons, asserted herself outside a trio of rivals 100 meters out and reported home 1 1/2 lengths ahead of stablemate Kermadec. Press Statement was another 2 lengths back in third. The 1,500 meters went in 1:28.70.
Tarzino justified his favorite's status in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas, defeating Montaigne by nearly 2 lengths while finishing 2,000 meters in 2:03.56 under Craig Newitt. Montaigne edged Jameka for third. Tarzino, a New Zealand-bred Tavistock colt, has moved up nicely for trainer Mick Price and posted his first win of the season, taking charge in the stretch after saving ground earlier right behind the leaders.
Hong Kong
Werther and Victory Magic shook loose from the field in the stretch run in Sunday's HK Group 1 BMW Hong Kong Derby and the John Moore stablemates duked it out to the wire with Werther coming away a winner by a head. Giovanni Canaletto made a late run from well back to finish third but Sun Jewellery, winner of the Classic Mile and the Classic Cup, the first two legs of Hong Kong's 4-year-old series, could never get involved and finished seventh. Werther twice had finished a narrow second to Sun Jewellery at the shorter distances but was a proven commodity at Sunday's 2,000 meters in Australia earlier in his career. With Hugh Bowman up, Werther got home in 2:01.76. "I didn't really put him to the grind for the Classic Cup," said Moore, who saddled his fifth Derby winner. "He wasn't cherry ripe, because the aim was always the Derby, so I was pleased with his Classic Cup run. We just put the finishing touches to him and when my retained riding boy, Thomas Yeung, got off him and said, 'He's never been better,' I knew I had him peaking at the right time." For Bowman, it was his first Group 1 winner, albeit a local Group 1, and he called it "the highlight of my career." He might get a chance to up that a notch as Moore said Werther now is a solid candidate for the international Group 1 Audemars Piguet QE II Cup next month. "He'll 100 percent be able to mix it with those horses," Moore said. "We'll see what the Japanese send over but, from my point of view, he's another star in the making." Moore already has made stars of such previous Derby winners as Designs On Rome and Viva Pataca.
In other weekend action:
Sunland Park
Making up from time lost to a contagion on the backstretch, the New Mexico track offered a rich schedule of stakes, in addition to the 3-year-old event noted above.
Caviar Kitty rallied from last of 10 to post a 51-1 upset victory in Sunday's $100,000 Harry Henson Stakes for fillies and mares, beating She's Reddy by 1 length. Belleofthebeach was third and the odds-on favorite, Tiger Moth, fluttered home sixth. Caviar Kitty, a 4-year-old Kitalpha filly, ran 1 mile in 1:38.19 with Francisco Duran riding.
Redneck Humor dueled with Forin Sea throughout Sunday's $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial, swapping the lead at the head of the stretch before rebounding to a 1/2-length victory. Forest Mouse finished third. Redneck Humor, a 5-year-old gelding by Da Stoops, ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.19 with jockey Martin Garcia getting a feel for the track.
Ten Penny Cents led the proverbial parade of longshots across the finish line in Sunday's $100,000 New Mexico Breeders' Derby for state-bred 3-year-olds, winning by 2 1/2 lengths over True Heat and another 2 3/4 lengths from King of Art. The trio went to the post at odds, respectively, of 24-1, 14-1 and 40-1 and the $1 trifecta paid $4,460.60. The favorite, Jonesey Who, was never involved and finished last. Ten Penny Cents, a Right Rigger gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.61 with Christian Santiago Reyes in the irons.
Tipsy Tea circled the leaders to get to the front in Sunday's $100,000 New Mexico Breeders' Oaks and went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Kimbell. Indian Tiva was another 10 1/2 lengths back in third. Tipsy Tea, a Seeking the Cat filly, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.67 with Roimes Chirinos up.
Tea Light led all the way to a 1/2-length victory over My Bikini Fell Off in Sunday's $100,000 La Coneja Stakes for state-bred fillies and mares. Traders Pride finished third. Tea Light, a 4-year-old Right Rigger filly, finished 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.25 with Santiago Reyes up.
On Saturday, G M Gage rallied from far back to score by a neck over Weather Dodger in the $85,000 New Mexico State University Handicap for state-breds. Weather Dodger had dueled with Song of Laura through much of the race and held second by only a neck over that rival. G M Gage, a 4-year-old gelding by Elijah's Song, finished 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:41.40 with Chirinos in the irons. {b: Fair Grounds}
Half the field scratched when Saturday's $50,000 Colonel Power Stakes came off the turf. Of the six left, it was Vigorous Titan surging to a big lead in the stretch and coasting in to win by 2 lengths over the favorite, Speightsong. D'cajun Cat was along to get show money. Vigorous Titan, a 5-year-old son of Cowboy Cal, ran 5 1/2 furlongs on the fast main track in 1:03.67 with Francisco Torres up.
Laurel Park
Sonny Inspired rallied four-wide around the turn in Saturday's $75,000 Ben's Cat Stakes and outfinished Any Court Inastorm by 1 length for the victory. Gursky led briefly and held on for third. Sonny Inspired, a 5-year-old Artie Schiller gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a muddy, sealed track in 1:11.23 with Jevian Toledo in the irons. Ben's Cat, the 10-year-old Maryland sprinting legend for whom the race is named, did not participate but worked 3 furlongs at Laurel on Thursday.
Santa Anita
Smoove It took charge after crossing the main track in Saturday's $100,000 Irish O'Brien Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares, drawing off to score by 3 1/4 lengths over the odds-on favorite, Velvet Mesquite. Qiaona finished third. Smoove It, a 5-year-old Square Eddie mare, ran about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.82 with Flavien Pratt up. {b: Golden Gate Fields}
Minks Aprise had to check early in Saturday's $50,000 Camilla Urso Stakes for fillies and mares, raced last of six and the blew by the field in the final furlong and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths as much the best. Toomuchisnotenough was second and pacesetter Fast and Foxy settled for third. Minks Aprise, a 4-year-old Northern Afleet filly, toured 6 furlongs of all-weather track in 1:09.54 with Russell Baze doing the honors.
