UPI Horse Racing Roundup

Harzand won the Investec Derby in England, Minding took the Oaks, Almanzor pulled the upset in the French Derby, Maurice was defeated in Japan and Beholder and Postponed continued to roll in a very busy weekend of Thoroughbred racing.

Let's jump right in. {b: England}

Harzand, a product of five generations of breeding by the Aga Khan, hit the front at just the right time in Saturday's Investec Derby at Epsom and held off a furious charge by US Army Ranger, winning by 1 1/2 lengths. Idaho stayed on gamely to finish third.

On Saturday morning, Harzand was only a 60-40 chance even to run in the Classic as he spread the shoe on his off-fore hoof during transit. Trainer Dermot Weld said the shoe was removed and refitted and Harzand passed a veterinary inspection only hours before the off.

Harzand, a son of 2009 Derby winner Sea the Stars, becomes the fifth Derby winner for the 80-year-old Aga Khan, matching his grandfather's accomplishment. Patrick Smullen, who scored his first Derby win, kept Harzand in a handy position behind Idaho through the bulk of the race, only hitting the front at the top of the final sprint.

As Idaho battled gamely on the winner's inside, Ryan Moore had US Army Ranger in full flight on the outside -- but could never get to even terms with the winner.

"I could sense Ryan coming and I spotted the white face of US Army Ranger," Smullen said, "but this horse responded for me and I knew that he would get to the line well. The race went perfectly. It was just a little rough early on but I got to follow Idaho into the race and I used him as my target. To be fair, this is a very good horse."

For the Aga Khan, the victory was another long-term payoff from decades of effort and investment.

"All the effort goes into it before the horses are even bred because you are looking at the matings," His Highness said. "Then you breed, you raise, you run and then you take them to stud if they are good enough ... In this case, with this horse, it is an operation which goes back five generations."

Weld said the shoe mishap was a potential disaster.

"He was pretty unlikely to run today after what happened," the trainer said, adding Harzand drew blood when he pulled off the shoe. He said the colt needed to pass three tests before he was cleared to run, the last being Smullen's okay as he warmed him up on the course.

"I told him that if he wasn't happy with him at the start then he should just pull him out," Weld said. "I watched him go down on the big screen with Pat and he trotted down sound. So here we are. Such is life."

As to the future, he said, "We'll see how he is when he gets home and I'll speak to His Highness but I imagine he'll go to the Irish Derby now."

He may have familiar company if he takes that route. Aidan O'Brien, who trains both US Army Ranger and Idaho, said he will look forward to that pair competing again after their good efforts.

"We will see how both horses come out of the race but we could think of something like the Irish Derby," O'Brien said.

Minding won Friday's Group 1 Epsom Oaks by a comfortable 1 3/4 lengths over Architecture but not before jockey Ryan Moore reminded all and sundry why the world's top riders are in such high demand. At a critical point, just as he was ready to make his move, Moore found himself trapped behind retreating foes and alongside fresher rivals. After working his way clear, Moore coolly let Minding regain her stride, gradually worked to the front and she held on well for the win.

Harlequeen finished third as Minding hit the finish in 2:42.66 over good to soft turf. Minding now has five wins and three seconds from her eight careers starts. The Galileo filly, out of the Danehill Dancer mare Lillie Langtree, won the English 1,000 Guineas, then was narrowly defeated by a long shot opponent in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

O'Brien, who trains the winner for Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, said: "She's an incredible filly to win the Guineas the way she did, then go to the Curragh at short notice when it didn't work out for her, and then come here ... She has speed, class, stamina and a great mind. Ryan did brilliantly to win on her given what she went through during the race. They make an incredible pair."

Moore, for his part, admitted to the traffic trouble but not to any doubts about his filly's ability to overcome it.

"The pace was slow and then when Mr. Smith's horse moved back, I just didn't have any room at that stage," he said. "I wanted to be patient with her and take the chance when it came. I got a bit smashed up on the rail for a bit but her class got us out of trouble."

While Harzand and Minding made the headlines, Postponed confirmed his status among the very best horses on the globe with a dominant victory in Saturday's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup at Ascot. With Andrea Atzeni at the controls, the 5-year-old son of Dubawi swept past pacesetting Roseburg a furlong from home and kept going, winning by 4 1/2 lengths over the very good filly Found. Roseburg held on for third, 1 1/4 lengths better than another very good 4-year-old filly, Simple Verse.

Postponed was making his first appearance since taking the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on World Cup night and now has won five straight races.

"He is a machine," said Atzeni. "He's just a proper racehorse. You can put him anywhere in the race, he travels good, he goes on any ground, he quickens up and I am very, very lucky."

Owner Sheik Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum said since Postponed seems at his peak, he will continue running for a while.

"I have already decided that, if Postponed is sound, then he will go back to the Sheema Classic next year," Sheik Mohammed said.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said he was pleased with Found's run, would have hoped for a better pace and might consider the 2015 Breeders' Cup Turf winner for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot later this month.

Arod was a late scratch from Friday's Group 3 Investec Diomed Stakes, leaving Tullius as the favorite -- and the narrow winner -- in the 1 mile-plus event. Custom Cut led the way but could not hold the margin as Tullius outfinished Decorated Knight by a short head. Custom Cut was only another head back in third. Tullius, an 8-year-old gelding by Le Vie Dei Colori, finished 1 mile, 114 yards in 1:47.90 with Jimmy Fortune aboard for trainer Andrew Balding. "

He is getting older and wiser but he is very tough and has always tried. He has never run a bad race," Fortune said. "When I thought I was beat half a furlong out, I put my stick down and then he actually ran on again."

The aptly named Epsom Icon got first run past the leaders in Saturday's Group II Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom and held on gamely to win by 3 1/2 lengths over the heavy favorite, Sayana. Rosie Cotton finished third.

Epsom Icon, a 3-year-old daughter of Sixties Icon, scored just her third win from eight starts and first since last August at Newbury. Sayana, by contrast, was coming off three straight wins in France, most recently the listed Prix Maurice Zilber at Chantilly.

"She's an improving horse," said winning rider Silvestre De Sousa. "She's a nice filly and is one for the future."

France

Almanzor found a decisive turn of foot in the final furlongs to post an upset win in Sunday's Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club or French Derby at Chantilly. The Jean-Claude Rouget trainee eased home 1 1/2 lengths ahead of regally bred Zarak, denying the Aga Khan an English-French Derby double. Dicton, who was supplemented to the field, finished third, giving France a clean sweep of the placings. Almanzor, by Wootton Basset out of the Maria's Mon mare Darkova, won for the fifth time in seven starts. None of the previous victories was at anything close to the Classic level, however.

"You couldn't say before that he was among the favorites," Rouget said.

It was the first Group 1 victory for his sire and the first in 10 years for his rider, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, who last won at the highest level in the French 1,000 Guineas with Tie Black on May 14, 2006.

Japan

Logotype used a soft pace and a big heart to post a rather stunning upset over Maurice in Sunday's Group 1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse. Let go on the lead, Logotype ended Maurice's seven-race winning streak with his first win since the Group 1 Satsuki Sho in 2013. Hong Kong runner Contentment didn't like the ground or the pace and finished last. Maurice and Contentment finished 1-2 last time out in the Group 1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin in Hong Kong but Sunday was, unaccountably, Logotype's day.

After taking the lead early on the run down the backstretch, jockey Hironobu Tanabe relaxed the 6-year-old son of Lohengrin and let him lope along while saving all the ground. After cutting the corner into the stretch, he found another gear and Maurice fell short with a late effort down the middle of the track. Fiero was only a nose behind Maurice in third.

"I think the jockey and I shared the same feeling," said the winning trainer, Tsuyoshi Tanaka. "It was a field containing some very good horses, not just Maurice, and I just told the jockey, 'Give it your best shot, don't worry about making a mistake and don't try and hold him back.' As he went into the straight, I just prayed that he would just go on."

Maurice, who finished second by 1 1/4 lengths, may have needed a bit more time after last month's Champions Mile and three weeks in quarantine, said jockey Tommy Berry.

"But he still would have ended up in the same position in the race with that lack of tempo," Berry said. "But he might have just relaxed a little bit better."

Contentment's trainer, John Size, said jockey Brett Prebble told him the horse "was empty and had nothing to give" in his 10th start of the season. {b: South Africa}

It was not a good day for the favorites Saturday at Scottsville.

The Secret Is Out apparently was no secret before the Allan Robertson Championship for 2-year-old fillies and was the only favorite to emerge as the victor in any of the four Group 1 races on the card. The Captain Al filly went off a strong choice and came home first by 3/4 length. Fursa and Visuality completed the first three. Cloth of Cloud was scratched. Always In Charge wasn't quite the favorite in the Group 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medal. But jockey Anton Marcus did get him home first, defeating Seattle Singer by 3 lengths with the favorite, Oomph, checking in fifth.

Talktothestars won the Group 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint at a satisfying price, beating runner-up African Ruler by 2 1/4 lengths as the favorite, Captain Alfredo, struggled home eighth. And Real Princess took the Group 1 City of Pietermaritzburg, finishing 1 1/4 lengths to the good of Fly By Night. The favorite and one of the day's hottest attractions, Carry On Alice, was fifth in this one.

Meanwhile, back in North America:

Distaff

Saturday's $400,000 Grade I Vanity Mile at Santa Anita was billed as a showdown between two champions -- Beholder and Stellar Wind. But it turned out to be no contest as Beholder went to the post as the odds-on favorite and ran to her odds. With Gary Stevens along for the ride, Beholder took the lead on the far turn and Stellar Wind could only save second as Beholder won by 1 1/2 lengths in a hand ride. Finest City finished third and the early pacemaker, Lost Bus, was fourth. Taris, who could have been in the mix with the top two, was scratched. The winner, a 6-year-old Henny Hughes mare, ran 1 mile in 1:35.97. The $1 exacta paid $1.80, which means you lost 20 cents if you boxed 'em.

Stevens, who has ridden plenty of great ones, is running out of things to say about Beholder. After Saturday's effort, he commented reverently: "She's the best thing I ever have ridden, or I ever will ride. I'm blessed to be on her back."

Trainer Richard Mandella added: "I'm lucky to experience something that very few people in history have -- to have a great horse this long. Good horses come along, and there are a few great ones, but to be great and stay great, it really is special. There's something very special about her."

Beholder has won Eclipse Awards as best in her division for three straight years. She missed last fall's Breeders' Cup Distaff after a brief illness and Mandella is pointing her to this year's renewal at Santa Anita.

Turf

Ten started in Saturday's $200,000, Grade III Penine Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds and less than 2 lengths separated the first eight at the finish. Camelot Kitten, the favorite, got there first with his late run. Highland Sky was a neck back in second and a nose in front of Call Provision. That one, in turn, was a neck in front of Toughest 'Ombre. Camelot Kitten, a Kitten's joy colt bred and owned by the Ramseys, finished 9 furlongs on firm going in 1:49.25 with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons.

"Camelot Kitten ran great," said trainer Chad Brown, who also saddled Call Provision and Converge, who finished seventh. "He got a terrific trip on the inside saving all the ground. Irad worked out a beautiful trip with the horse. He's now 2-for-2 with blinkers and he's a horse that's starting to figure it all out."

Turf Mile

Saturday's $400,000 Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita was a wide-open affair -- until Midnight Storm stormed out of the gate, set a pressured pace and held on bravely to win by 1/2 length over Tourist. Twentytwentyvision got show money and the favorite, Heart to Heart, retreated in the stretch run to finish fourth.

Midnight Storm, a 5-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.55 with Rafael Bejarano up.

"He likes it firm like today, and when you get that firm turf course, he'll give you a performance like this," said winning trainer Phil D'Amato. "It's vindication, because I thought he should have won it last year. He was kind of up against it, but he's vindicated, and now he's a Grade I winner. Onward to the Breeders' Cup."

Middleburg saved ground into the turn in Sunday's $100,000 Grade III Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth Park, eased out for running room and hit the front with a sixteenth of a mile to go. The 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid then held off a late bid by Vyjack to win by a neck. Rose Briar was third and the favorite, Reporting Star, reported home last of six. Middleburg, under Joe Bravo, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.62. It was his first start since a narrow loss to Smokem Kitten in the Grade III Miami Mile at Gulfstream Park in April.

The only question about Catch a Glimpse before Saturday's $500,000 Grade III Penn Mile for 3-year-olds at Penn National was: Can she run with the males? She could and she did, leading comfortably from the start and winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Airoforce was the best of the boys, 1 length ahead of Giant Run. The favorite, Beach Patrol, finished next-last of seven. Catch a Glimpse, a City Zip filly, zipped 6 furlongs on firm turf in 1:34.39 with Florent Geroux up. It was her seventh straight win -- a streak that includes the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall.

In Saturday's $200,000 Penn Oaks at Penn National, Sweet Victory stalked the pace, came three-wide to take the lead leaving the turn and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths over the favorite, Pricedtoperfection. Involuntary finished third but was set down to fifth, awarding show money to Outsider Art. Sweet Victory, a Virginia-bred Blame filly, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.68 with Javier Castellano up.

Dimension, a major long shot in a five-horse field, came from last to upset Sunday's $200,000 (Canadian), Grade II Connaught Cup for 4-year-olds and up at Woodbine. The 8-year-old Medicean gelding, with David Moran in the irons, closed the gap on the leaders turning for home, battled through the stretch and got there first, 1/2 length ahead of Passion for Action. Bye Bye Bernie was third and the favorite, Stacked Deck, faded from the lead to finish last. Dimension ran 7 furlongs on firm turf in 1:21.84.

"He loves it up here with the European style turf course," said winning trainer Conor Murphy. "But he hasn't had a lot of luck in this race. Two years ago, he stumbled out the gate and never got into it and last year it rained heavily a couple of hours before the race and he really needs quick ground."

Turf Sprint

Take Cover got by Spring to the Sky in the final yards to win Saturday's $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup at Penn National by 1/2 length. The favorite, Ben's Cat, returned on just two weeks rest after winning the Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico and finished third, 1 length farther back, with a late effort. Take Cover, a 4-year-old War Front colt, covered 5 furlongs on firm going in 56 seconds flat with Joe Bravo at the controls.

Filly & Mare Turf

Time and Motion got into motion rounding the bend in Sunday's $200,000 Wonder Again Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park and was along just in time to win by 1/2 length over the favorite, Harmonize. Last Waltz finished third. Time and Motion, a Tapit filly, ran 9 furlongs over the firm inner turf course in 1:47.48 with John Velazquez up. She finished fifth in last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf but has won all three of her starts this season.

Sprint

Alsvid took the lead in the stretch in Saturday's $100,000, Grade III Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs and held on gamely to beat the favorite, Limousine Liberal, by a head. Union Jackson finished third. Alsvid, a 7-year-old Officer gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.26 for jockey Chris Landeros. The victory ended an 11-race winless streak that started after Alsvid beat 2014 champion sprinter Work All Week by 2 lengths in last year's Aristides.

"He's the gift for sure," said winning trainer Chris Hartman. "He did a good job. Chris put a beautiful ride on him so it was a perfect trip, perfect ride and everything went smooth. That's a perfect race for that horse."

He said he has no firm plans for Alsvid.

Saturday's program at Gulfstream Park was devoted primarily to "Summit of Speed Preview" stakes, each worth $75,000 and theoretically pointing the way to the July 2 "Summit of Speed" itself.

Recapping them briefly:

Requite led all the way to a 3 1/2-lengths victory as the favorite in the Parrot Key Stakes for 3-year-olds and up, running 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.18 under Eddie Castro. Successful Native got through on the rail in the stretch run to take the Bonita Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths over Daring Kathy, finishing 5 furlongs of firm turf in 55.04 seconds with Matthew Rispoli up. Dearest, the odds-on favorite, left no doubt in the Royal Palm Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, kicking away to win by 6 lengths while going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track in 1:16.80 for jockey Emisael Jaramillo. Xaverian outfinished the favorite, Hammers Terror, to take the Raymond Earl Stakes at 1 mile on the grass by 1/2 length in 1:33.67 under Cornelio Velazquez. My Miss Venezuela led all the way to a 2 1/4-lengths score in the Sea Lily Stakes for fillies and mares while getting 6 furlongs on the main track in 1:10.86 with Jaramillo riding. Susie Bee came from mid-pack to win the Amelia Island Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 mile on the turf as Jaramillo guided her over 1 mile on the lawn in 1:33.37. And Awesome Banner drew off with authority in the stretch to capture the Big Cypress Stakes for 3-year-olds, going 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.85 with Elvis Trujillo in the irons.

Classic

S'maverlous tracked the pace in Saturday's $200,000 Mountainview Handicap at Penn National, moved to the lead entering the lane and drew clear, winning by 2 1/2 lengths over Red Rifle. Charitable Annuity got show money. S'maverlous, a 6-year-old Tiz Wonderful gelding, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.55 with Florent Geroux in the irons.

Elsewhere and elsewhen:

Woodbine

Charming Delilah dueled down the stretch with Chic Thrill in Saturday's $100,000 (Canadian) Sweet Briar Too Stakes for fillies and mares and prevailed by 1/2 length. Midnight Miley was 3/4 length farther back in third. Charming Delilah, a 5-year-old Stephen Got Even mare, ran 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:25.64 with Emma-Jayne Wilson riding.

River Maid put a nose in front of She's Explosive at the wire in Saturday's $125,000 (Canadian) Ballade Stakes for Ontario-sired fillies and mares, winning by that margin. Scotty's Model finished third. The odds-on favorite, Galina Point, had a bit of a rough trip and finished sixth. River Maid, a 4-year-old filly by Where's the Ring, ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:11.46 under Gary Boulanger.

Pimlico

Coco as in Chanel led all the way to a 16-1 upset win in Saturday's $100,000 Stormy Blues Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, topping an obvious hunch bet exacta with Elegant Supermodel. Hidden Treat was third. Coco as in Chanel, a daughter of Awesome Again, ran 5 furlongs on firm turf in 57.15 seconds with Angel Cruz in the irons.

Parx

Eighth Wonder stumbled at the start of Saturday's $100,000 Jostle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies but quickly recovered, led the rest of the way and won by 5 lengths over American Doll. Decoratedwithstyle finished third. Eighth Wonder, a Pioneerof the Nile filly, got 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:17.62 under Jose Flores.

Roxbury N Overton stalked the pace in Saturday's $100,000 Lyman Stakes for Pennsylvania-breds, rallied to the lead and won by 2 lengths over pacesetter He's Got Talent. Bump Start finished third. Roxbury N Overton, a 4-year-old Andiron colt, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.88 under Hector Caballero.

Disco Chick surged to a huge lead in Saturday's $100,000 Foxy J G Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred fillies and mares and won by 6 lengths, well geared down in the final sixteenth. Rokin Jojo beat the others with Ignite third. Disco Chick, a 5-year-old Jump Start mare, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.65 with Trevor McCarthy up.

Monmouth Park

Brandy's Girl stalked the pace in Saturday's $60,000 Crank It Up Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, came three-wide on the turn to take the lead and drew off, winning by 2 1/2 lengths as the odds-on favorite. Tizanillusion and World Peace were an ironic second and third. Brandy's Girl, a daughter of Posse, ran 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:03.14 with Paco Lopez at the controls.

Churchill Downs

Latent Revenge led from the start in Saturday's $67,000 Mighty Beau Stakes and held for a 1/2-length victory over Rivers Run Deep. Bucchero finished third and the favorite, Hogy, was fourth. Latent Revenge, a 4-year-old colt by Latent Heat, ran 5 furlongs on firm turf in 57.52 seconds with Francisco Torres up.

Emerald Downs

Talk about a tight finish! Six 3-year-olds went to the post in Sunday's $50,000 Coca Cola Stakes at 1 mile. At the finish, they were separated by a nose, a nose, a nose, a nose and yet another nose. Barkley caught the pacesetting favorite, Mach One Rules, on the line. Access This was third. Barkley, a Munnings colt, finished in 1:35.88 on a fast track with Javier Matias in the irons.

Arlington Park

Go Lady Jay got going right away in Saturday's $50,000 Purple Violet Stakes for Illinois-bred 3-year-old fillies and wasn't caught, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Flin Flon. Missalaney was third and the favorite, Silver Lode, reported fifth. Go Lady Jay, a daughter of Run Away and Hide, ran 1 mile on the all-weather track in 1:37.87 with Jesse Lantz up.

Santa Anita

Hunt stalked the pace in Sunday's $75,000 Siren Lure Stakes down the hillside turf course, took over just past the dirt crossing and drew off to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Toowindytohaulrox was second, 2 1/4 lengths to the good of the early leader, Act. Hunt, a 4-year-old, Irish-bred gelding by Dark Angel, finished about 6 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:12.73 for jockey Flavien Pratt.

Prairie Meadows

It's the Swede, making her second start in as many weeks, led all the way in Friday's $63,000 Bob Bryant Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and won by 1 length over Native Princess. Who's Smokin finished third. It's the Swede, a Yes It's True filly, got 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.58 with Sasha Risenhoover riding. The filly won the Mamie Eisenhower Stakes over the same course and distance on May 20.

One Fine Dream raced behind the pace in Saturday's $63,000 Gray's Lake Stakes for Iowa-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings, moved up around the turn and scored by 3 3/4 lengths. Scrutinizer was along for place money, 3 lengths ahead of Bralin's Grace. One Fine Dream, a Woke Up Dreamin gelding, finished 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:12.14 with Ramon Vazquez riding.

Evangeline Downs

Fear the Cowboy advanced to challenge the leaders midway on the stretch turn in Saturday night's $100,000 Evangeline Mile at Evangeline Downs, then outfinished odds-on favorite Great Minds to win by 1/2 length. Aces High was third. With Dusty Shepherd up, the 4-year-old Cowboy Cal colt, bred by the University of Kentucky, finished 1 mile on a sloppy track in 1:31.71.

Sunny Oak was along in the late going in Friday's $70,000 Arcadiana Stakes for Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies to get by the favorite, Believe in Bertie, and win by 3/4 length over that rival. The winner, a Giant Oak filly, ran 7 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:23.67 with Diego Saenz up.

Look Into My Eyes powered between rivals in the lane in Friday's $60,000 Tellike Stakes for fillies and mares and shook clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Boom Bam Bing. The 4-year-old City Zip filly covered 5 furlongs in 57.99 seconds with Emanuel Nieves in the irons. The race came off the turf.

Steel Cut waited behind the pace in Friday's $75,000 Spotted Horse Stakes for fillies and mares, took over when asked by jockey Donnie Meche and won by 1 length over late-running Forest Lake. Steel Cut, a 5-year-old Cactus Ridge mare, finished 1 mile in the slop in 1:39.18.

Extra Credit was along late to win Saturday night's $75,000 Lafayette Stakes for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds by 3/4 length. Mageez and Dr. Zip City also ran well late to finish second and third. Extra Credit, a Proud Citizen colt, ran 7 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:23.99 with Colby Hernandez riding.

Sir Ghengis was quickly on the lead in the off-the-turf, $60,000 Need for Speed Stakes and carried his speed, winning by 2 1/2 lengths. Win Lion Win was second, with Tiz Cherry Wine, Solar Charge and Reflector all in a bunch behind. Sir Ghengis, a 5-year-old Tale of the Cat gelding, ran 5 sloppy furlongs in 57.83 seconds with Kerwin Clark up.

Thistledown

Justalittlesmoke got a wide trip in Saturday's $75,000 Michael G. Mackey Memorial Angenora Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares but had no trouble rallying five-wide to a 2 1/4-lengths victory. Tune Up was second and Rowlands Big Smile finished third. Justalittlesmoke, a 4-year-old Smoke Glacken filly, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.22.

Hastings

Avadiva caught pacesetting Macho Babe in deep stretch and won Saturday's $75,000 (Canadian) Strawberry Morn Handicap for fillies and mares by 1/2 length over that foe. The favorite, Arabella's Muse, made a late bid but settled for show money. Avadiva, a 5-year-old Skimming mare, finished 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.63 with Skyler White Shield in the irons.

Modern led throughout Saturday's $75,000 (Canadian) John Longden 6000 Handicap and held, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Crackdown. Sabado Alegre was third. Modern, a 6-year-old Tiznow gelding, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:15.92 with Richard Hamel up.

Stanz in Command got home first in a three-way scramble at the end of Sunday's $50,000 (Canadian) River Rock Casino Handicap for 3-year-olds, beating the favorite, Silvertown, by a neck and the pacesetter, Crushin Candy, by another 1/2 length. Stanz in Command, a Second in Command gelding, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:17.09 with Hamel in the irons.