Preakness 2016: UPI Horse Racing Roundup

Exaggerator has arrived at Pimlico Race Course, preparing to take on Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist in Saturday's Preakness Stakes while races elsewhere around the world set up some fascinating matchups in other big races coming this spring.

Among those, Acapulco is headed for England. And an Irish colt's victory in France could have a big impact soon in England.

Straight Girl won the Victoria Mile in Japan for the second straight year. And the newest ranking of the world's top horses pinpoints Hong Kong as a "place to race" the best.

Speaking of England, Belardo posted an upset win in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. And for the first time, a colt by retired superhorse Frankel went to the races. Did he win? Check out the England section.

But first, let's check out Baltimore:

The Triple Crown

Exaggerator arrived at Pimlico Race Course Sunday, six days before he will try again to defeat Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and sidetrack that rival's march toward a Triple Crown. "It was uneventful," trainer Keith Desormeaux's assistant, Julie Clarke, said after driving a pickup truck hauling a van holding Exaggerator during a 10-hour, 15-minute trip from Churchill Downs. "The weather was cool and the traffic was really good." The late-running colt could hope to have the same conditions in Saturday's Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Exaggerator was gaining ground while finishing second to Nyquist at Churchill Downs but did get a reasonable run in the big field. Nyquist shipped to Baltimore shortly after winning the Derby and galloped a mile on Sunday, putting even more of a smile on the face of his trainer, Doug O'Neill. "He's a special horse," O'Neill said. "When you get here in the morning and walk down the shedrow and you're able to look in his eye, you know you're right alongside greatness ... It's only been eight days since he won the Derby, so you'd expect a little deflation in his energy level, but he was as strong as ever." Post positions for the Preakness will be drawn Wednesday.

Belmont Park

Cavorting ran right by the favorite, Carrumba, in the stretch run in Saturday's $250,000, Grade II Ruffian Stakes and, well, cavorted off to a 5-lengths victory over that rival. Spelling Again ran evenly to finish third. Cavorting, a 4-year-old Bernardini mare, showed great promise last summer at Saratoga, winning the Grade I Test and Grade II Prioress, but had not visited the winner's circle since. With a clear run from off the pace in the Ruffian, she covered 1 mile on a fast track in 1:34.05. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin credited jockey Javier Castellano. "I always like to ask the jockeys what they think and Javier said, 'I think there's enough speed we can lay third or fourth.' I said, 'Great. I'd love that.' And it worked perfectly. Winning that way, it looks like she'll be able to get a mile or plus." He pointed to the Grade I Ogden Phipps on Belmont Stakes Day -- at 1 1/16 miles.

A pair of stay-at-home Aqueduct types, Strike Charmer and Tapitry, finished a long shot 1-2 in Saturday's $150,000, Grade III Beaugay Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Recepta rallied from last to finish third, 3 lengths ahead of the pacesetting favorite, My Miss Sophia. The latter two last raced at Keeneland. Strike Charmer, a 6-year-old Smart Strike mare, tracked the pace, altered course in the stretch and pulled clear to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:39.22 under Irad Ortiz Jr. She now has two wins from her last three New York starts, sandwiched around a sixth-place finish during a brief January vacation in Florida. "She looks like a filly that's coming the right way," said winning trainer Mark Hennig. "We didn't know if we were going back to listed races or going forward. We won't go looking for Tepin but we'll find a spot."

Unified made it 3-for-3 in his young career -- and opened the door at least a crack to a shot in the Belmont Stakes -- with a 3/4-lengths victory over Governor Malibu while stretching out to 9 furlongs in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Peter Pan for 3-year-olds. Under Jose Ortiz, the Candy Ride colt tracked the pace, surged to a daylight lead in the lane and coasted home. Wild About Deb finished third. Unified finished in 1:47.14, backing up his victory in the Grade III Bay Shore at Aqueduct last month at 7 furlongs in the mud. He won at first asking at Gulfstream Park in February. "We trained him hard for this race, and he took it like a man," said winning trainer Jimmy Jerkens. "He didn't miss an oat. He actually looks like he's carrying more flesh than he did when he ran the last time. Only the good ones do that." Asked about the Belmont, he said, "There would have to be a lot of horses going by the wayside for that to happen. But you'd be an idiot nowadays to rule anything out, because things change overnight. It's improbable, but not impossible." Christophe Clement, who trains Governor Malibu, also didn't rule out the Belmont for his colt.

Wake Forest raced near the rear of the field in Saturday's $400,000, Grade I Man o' War Stakes, advanced quickly into the stretch and took the lead late after solving some traffic issues. He then outfinished Money Multiplier, winning by 3/4 length over that one with Can'thelpbelieving third. Kaigun finished sixth, Morandi seventh and Go Around eighth in a field of nine. Wake Forest, a 6-year-old German-bred son of Sir Percy, got 1 3/8 miles on the firm inner turf course in 2:12.94 with John Velazquez showing the way. Wake Forest came to the United States to run in last summer's Grade I Arlington Million, where he finished fifth behind The Pizza Man. He then was idle until finishing second to Kaigun in the Grade II Pan American at Gulfstream in April. Chad Brown trains the top two. "It's nice to run one-two," Brown said. "I'm sorry there had to be one horse lose after running so great, but they both ran terrific. Getting a race under his belt, running such a hard race coming off a layoff and then having six weeks helped. The whole thing came together nicely. Everything worked out for this horse today." He said he will look at his prospects for the Grade I Woodford Reserve Manhattan on June 11 but Wake Forest "would be a the top of the list."

Turco Bravo tracked the early speed in Sunday's $100,000 Flat Out Stakes, seized the lead in the lane and went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Securitiz. Neck 'n Neck was third. Turco Bravo, a 7-year-old, Chilean-bred gelding, ran 1 3/8 miles on a fast track in 2:15.73 for jockey Javier Castellano. Trainer Gary Contessa said he is eyeing the $400,000, Grade II Brooklyn Invitational on June 11.

Churchill Downs

Acapulco ran to her notices -- and likely earned some transatlantic frequent flyer miles -- with a 3 1/2-lengths victory in Saturday's Unbridled Sidney Stakes for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs. With Robby Albarado up for trainer Wesley Ward, Acapulco dueled her way to the lead and easily drew off, finishing 5 furlongs in 57.47 over firm going. Late Spring was second with Lindisfarne third. Acapulco, a 3-year-old Scat Daddy filly, was the only 3-year-old in the six-horse field. She broke her maiden in last year's Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, then finished second in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August. She won her seasonal debut on the all-weather course at Turfway Park. Ward said he would like to see Albarado ride Acapulco in her Royal Ascot return but that the owners, Coolmore, could be committed to Ryan Moore. While no one would object to having Moore aboard their horse, Ward said he likes Albarado "because he knows her so well. He does a lot of the work with her. We'll see. It's not my call but (Albarado) is who I'd ask to use if Ryan is unavailable." Added Albarado, "I just hope Ryan Moore rides another horse."

Santa Anita

I Will Score did in Saturday's $100,000, Grade III Lazaro Barrera Stakes for 3-year-olds, dueling Smokey Image into submission early, then holding off Mrazek by a neck at the end. Smokey Image held third in the 7-furlongs sprint. I Will Score, a Roman Ruler colt, finished in 1:21.30 with Martin Garcia aboard. He was coming off a second-place finish in the Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Last year he was third in the Grade III Robert B. Lewis Stakes, behind Mor Spirit and Uncle Lino. "He was just learning before, in his previous races," Garcia said. "Now, he's a more mature horse, he's a better horse. He can run anywhere."

Woodbine

Thatlookonyerface produced some happy looks on the faces of his backers as the Summer Bird gelding won a four-way photo in Saturday's $150,000, Grade III Marine Stakes for 3-year-olds -- at 31-1 odds. Thatlookonyerface, with Gary Boulanger in the irons, started last of six, moved up on the turn and got just enough room between horses for the winning bid. Bear'sway held the advantage briefly and settled for second, a nose back and a nose in front of Greatest Game. It was only another neck to Dragon Bay in fourth. The favorite, Riker, last year's Canadian champion 2-year-old, showed the way early but faded to finish fifth. Thatlookonyerface ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:45.14. "I didn't have much choice where to go," Boulanger of the tight stretch run. "Thank God he had enough courage to go in there. He fought all the way to the wire. Today was our day." The long odds were despite a reasonable run -- fourth, placed third -- in last month's Wando Stakes, at 96-1. Bear'sway and Dragon Bay were 1-2 in that heat.

Gamble's Ghost rallied from next-last in Sunday's $150,000 (Canadian) Selene Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and edged away in deep stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Caren was second, 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Thrilled. Gamble's Ghost, a Ghostzapper filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:45.05. For future reference, as in Woodbine Oaks and/or Queen's Plate thoughts, she is an Ontario-bred. She had two wins and two seconds last year at Woodbine before finishing sixth in the Grade III Tampa Bay Oaks in her only start down south. Trainer Josie Carroll said the Florida race was a better effort than it appears on paper and that Gamble's Ghost has progressed well during the winter. "She's a very elegant filly. She filled out. She didn't get real tall, but she has a nice shape to her," Carroll said.

Let's detour across the waters for bit:

Japan

The seas parted and Straight Girl came flying down the middle of the course to take the lead at mid-stretch in Sunday's Group 1 Victoria Mile for fillies and mares, then kicked away smartly to take the event for the second straight year. The 7-year-old mare was 2 1/2 lengths in front of Mikki Queen at the wire, finishing in 1:31.5 with Keita Tosaki in the irons. Shonan Pandora, Smart Layer and Rouge Buck followed in order. Straight Girl, a daughter of Fuji Kiseki, used last year's win in the Victoria Mile as a springboard to an even more impressive win against male competitors in the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes. She tossed in a clunker in her season opener, finishing ninth in the Group 2 Hanshin Himba. Thus, the 17-1 odds in Sunday's race. "Her response was terrific and we were very fortunate to find a clear path open right in front of us in the home stretch," Tosaki said. "I felt I didn't have to use my whip, but with top Group 1 competition chasing us, I drove her to the finish line just in case. The Hanshin Himba Stakes was a good start to get her back in form. To be able to show a race like that at 7 means we still have a lot to look forward to."

France

This section could be France/England/Ireland, thanks to The Gurkha. The Galileo colt, bred, owned and trained in Ireland, visited Deauville Sunday and ran away with the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, or French 2,000 Guineas, becoming a general favorite for the Investec Derby at Epsom. It was only the third race for The Gurkha and he had only a minor win to his credit. But when jockey Ryan Moore asked him to go with a furlong left, he left the opposition well in his wake, winning by 5 1/2 lengths over long shot Final Selection. Among some of the better fancied, Dicton finished third, George Patton fourth, Zarak fifth and Taareef seventh. "I haven't discussed it," co-owner Michael Tabor said of the Derby. "But it's a nice thought." Trainer Aidan O'Brien said he always has been high on the colt. "What he does next is a decision for the lads," he said, adding the French Derby, the Epsom Derby and the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot all have been mentioned.

All was not lost for the French on the Channel shore on Sunday as La Cressonniere, who took the lead with 2 furlongs to run in the Poule d'Essai Des Pouliches, or French 1,000 Guineas, held on gamely for the victory. At the end, the Le Havre filly was first by 1 length over Nathra with Qemah third. Spectre finished fifth. Jean-Claude Rouget trains both La Cressonniere, who remains undefeated after four starts, and Qumah. He said La Cressonniere is a likely candidate for the Group 1 Prix du Diane on June 19 at Chantilly. "She has the pedigree to stay, is very easy and can do everything so she will go to the Diane," he pronounced. Qemah, he said, is more likely for Royal Ascot and the Group 1 Coronation Stakes.

England

Belardo kicked in in the final furlong in Saturday's Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, flying by Euro Charline to win by 1 length. Endless Drama trailed along to take third away from the favorite, Limato. Toormore finished fifth. Belardo, a 4-year-old, Irish-bred colt by Lope De Vega, ran the straight mile in 1:38.18 with Andrea Atzeni in the irons for Roger Varian. The colt finished a close second to Solow in his 2015 finale, the Queen Elizabeth II on Champions Day and won his seasonal debut at Doncaster before finishing fourth behind Toormore in his last outing. "Belardo salvaged his career last year when chasing home Solow at Ascot and that really told us that we ought to keep him in training," Varian said. "To win a race like this is why connections have kept him in training, so I am delighted for Sheikh Mohammed and his Godolphin operation and Prince Faisal. They have kept patience with the trainer and have been rewarded now ... He will certainly be trained for Royal Ascot now and, God willing, we get there in one piece." Euro Charline's trainer, Marco Botti, said the Breeders' Cup could be a long-range goal for his mare, who won the Grade I Beverly D. at Arlington Park in 2014. Gyr Leon, trainer of Endless Drama, said the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot might be lovely, barring firm ground.

Astronereus, the outsider in a five-horse field, got the job done in Saturday's Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury as Eagle Top was more of an eagle flop, finishing an uninvolved fourth. Astronereus, a 5-year-old son of Sea the Stars out of a German mare, picked up his first win at the group level, getting 1 1/2 miles on good turf in a rather leisurely 2:38.41 with Patt Dobbs up for trainer Amanda Perrett. Owner John Connolly spoke yearningly of Australia. "My heart is still set on going back out to Melbourne Cup," he said. "We had Tungsten Strike run in the race a few years ago. But the ground might be a worry there."

Frankel's "first to race" also was "first to win". Cunco, with Robert Havlin up, got away cleanly Friday in the second race at Newbury and settled behind the early pace. Inside the last of the 6 furlongs, Havlin asked him to go and the bay colt immediately hit another gear, taking over the lead in the final 100 yards and winning by 3/4 length. "He took a few strides to hit top gear," said Havlin. "But I'd say he's got a few gears left." Cunco is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Chrysanthemum and owned Don Alberto Stable.

{b:Hong Kong } Dubai World Cup and 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and Australia's ace sprinter-miler Winx lead the May edition of the world's top horses. But three of the top 10 in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings emerged as winners of Hong Kong's most recent international Group 1 fixtures. Maurice and Werther, co-rated No. 3, took down the Champions Mile and the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup, respectively, at Sha Tin. Chautauqua landed the Chairman's Sprint Prize. Anthony Kelly, Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing, said, "This year's Audemars Piguet QEII Cup was, by all accounts, the best ever renewal of the race and in winning so comprehensively Werther stepped out as a prospective champion." The locally trained runner gives Hong Kong a top hope for next season's Group 1 events. Chautauqua invaded from Australia to become the first-ever runner from that country to land a Hong Kong Group 1. Maurice, one of the world's elite milers, represents Japan.

California Chrome and Winx head the list with 126 ratings. Maurice and Werther share 124 marks with Postponed and Nyquist.

Meanwhile, back in the States: {b: Monmouth Park}

Welcome back to the New Jersey oval. Delta Bluesman was first home in Saturday's $75,000 Decathlon Stakes but then placed last of five by the stewards for interference during the run down the backstretch. That moved up A.P. Indian, Any Court Inastorm and Fabulous Kid. The adjudged winner is a 6-year-old Indian Charlie gelding. Jonathan Gonzalez rode 6 furlongs in 1:09.45 over a fast track.

Thistledown

He's Taken circled rivals late in Saturday's $75,000 Michael F. Rowland Memorial for Ohio-breds and went on to win by 3/4 length over Jac's Fact. Mound was just a head farther back in third. He's Taken, a 4-year-old gelding by Hostile Takeover, ran 6 furlongs on a muddy, sealed track in 1:12.40 with Ashley Kauffman in the irons.

Santa Anita

Bellamentary dueled to the lead in Sunday's $75,000 Angels Flight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, then took over and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Forever Darling. Kay Kay finished third. Bellamentary, a Bellamy Road filly, got 7 furlongs on firm turf in 1:22.10 under Martin Garcia.

Arcature stalked the pace in Saturday's $75,000 Singletary Stakes for 3-year-olds, opened a 2-lengths lead in the lane and held on by a head over Tristan's Trilogy. Lucky Bryan was third. Arcature, an Archarcharch colt, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.95 with Flavien Pratt riding.

Golden Gate Fields

Ed Johnson, the odds-on favorite, led all the way to a 2 1/4-lengths victory over Pure Comedy in Sunday's $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds. He's a Tiger was a neck farther back in third. Ed Johnson, a Paddy O'Prada colt, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.43 with Russell Baze up.

Central Heat rallied from well back to take Saturday's $65,000 Golden Poppy Stakes for fillies and mares by 1/2 length over Chocolatier. Envahir finished third. Central Heat, a 7-year-old mare by Unusual Heat, covered 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.54 with Baze in the irons.

Emerald Downs

Barkley stalked the pace in Sunday's $50,000 Auburn Handicap for 3-year-old colts and geldings, then put a head in front of pacesetting favorite, Mach One Rules, at the wire. Access This was third. Barkley, a Munnings colt, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:14.21 under Javier Matias.

Lone Star Park

More Than Most was better than all the rest in Sunday's $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, jetting off to win by 7 1/4 lengths. Zippit E was second, 1 length to the good of Cosmo Cassis. More Than Most, by Indygo Mountain, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:39.21 with C.J. McMahon up.

Texas Chrome was even better than that in the $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings. The Grasshopper colt won by 10 1/2 lengths. Grass Court and Ship Rock were the distant second and third. Texas Chrome, with Iram Diego up, finished in 1:39.64.