Cindy's Horse Racing Website Index

Weekend Major Stakes Recap

Date: 07/13/04

Last weekend was a busy one with nine major stakes across the country. Here is a recap of them all courtesy of the NTRA and Breeders' Cup Limited.

Race:   $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), 3-year-olds & up, 1 1/4 miles
Track:   Hollywood Park
Finish Order:   1 - TOTAL IMPACT (CHI), 2 - OLMAVADOR, 3 - EVEN THE SCORE
Margins:   1 1/4, half, 4
Also Ran:   YESSIRGENERALSIR, ROYAL MORO, GIFT OF THE EAGLE, CONTINENTAL RED
Owner: Sultan Mohammed Saud al Kabeer
Trainer: Laura DeSeroux
Jockey: Mike Smith
Time:   2:00 3/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - Saturday's renewal of the prestigious Hollywood Gold Cup lacked star power, but was very entertaining with Sultan al Saud Kabeer's 6-year-old Chilean-bred TOTAL IMPACT (CHI) driving to a 1 1/4 length victory under jockey Mike Smith in the mile-and-a-quarter test. Wertheimer Family's 5 -year-old homebred OLMODAVOR made a good bid to finish second for trainer Richard Mandella with Ro Parra's 6-year-old EVEN THE SCORE a half-length back in third as the 7-to-10 favorite. Total Impact stalked the pace set by Jim Jackson's Texas shipper YESSIRGENERALSIR on the way to his first victory since capturing the 2003 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap at Hollywood for trainer Laura DeSeroux. The son of Stuka came into the Gold Cup after finishing third in the Mervyn LeRoy and second in the Californian, both races won by Even The Score. The first three to finish in the Gold Cup could meet again in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22 where the water by the seaside will be deeper. Gerald A. Ford's 6-year-old Pleasantly Perfect, winner of the 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - at Santa Anita, continues to train well for his expected return to competition for Mandella. Winner of the Dubai World Cup on March 27 in his last start, the son of Pleasant Colony is being pointed for the San Diego Handicap on Aug. 1 as a prep race for the Pacific Classic. Also expected for that race is Kaegle Brothers and partners' 4-year-old SOUTHERN IMAGE, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and Pimlico Special earlier this season. Trainer Michael Mackowsky was forced to take the son of Halo's Image out of consideration for Saturday's Gold Cup because of a nagging sore foot.

Race:   $400,000 Swaps Breeders' Cup (G2), 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles

Rock Hard Ten
Track:   Hollywood Park
Finish Order:   1 - ROCK HARD TEN, 2 - SUAVE, 3 - BOOMZEEBOOM
Margins:   3 3/4, 3, 2 1/2
Also Ran:   CAPITANO, BRANDS HATCH, BEAR IN THE WOODS
Owner: Madeleine Paulson and Ernie Moody
Trainer: Jason Orman
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Time:   1:47 2/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - Madeliene Paulson and Ernie Moody's 3-year-old ROCK HARD TEN made his much anticipated return to competition after the Visa Triple Crown in Saturday's Swaps Breeders' Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park and didn't disappoint as the 3 - to-5 favorite. Jockey Corey Nakatani was aboard the big Kris S. colt for his first start since finishing fifth in the Belmont Stakes as they drew off to win by 3 3/4 lengths. Jay Em Ess Stable's Kentucky invader SUAVE finished second as John Karubian and partners' BOOMZEEBOOM finished third in the field of six after setting a moderate pace in the 1 1/8 miles test. Rock Hard Ten, homebred by co-owner Paulson, was making only the sixth start of his career in the Swaps and had finished second to Smarty Jones in the Preakness Stakes prior to the Belmont. Trainer Jason Orman was not specific about what might be next for Rock Hard Ten, but indicated that the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 28 would be an option considered.

Race:   $150,000 Dwyer Stakes (G2), 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles
Track:   Belmont Park
Finish Order:   1 - MEDALLIST, 2 - THE CLIFF'S EDGE, 3 - SIR SHACKLETON
Margins:   3 3/4, 1/2, 14 1/2
Also Ran:   GOLDEN LOOK, PREACHINATTHEBAR, SHANIKO
Owner: Robert N. Clay
Trainer: Allen Jerkens
Jockey: Jorge Chavez
Time:   1:40 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge - Robert N. Clay's MEDALLIST went to the front early in Sunday's Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park, opening up an eight-length lead at the top of the stretch under jockey Jorge Chavez. The Allen Jerkens-trained son of Touch Gold coasted home a 3 3/4 lengths winner in the field of six 3-year-olds. Robert V. La Penta's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner THE CLIFF'S EDGE won the battle for second over Tracy Farmer's SIR SHACKLETON, the other half of trainer Nick Zito's 3 - to-5 entry. Medallist was making his first start since a brilliant score in the Withers Mile at Aqueduct on May 1 and appears to have quite a future. Jerkens will look to try the homebred around two turns with no specific plan. Zito was quite pleased with The Cliff's Edge's performance in his first start since finishing fifth in the Kentucky Derby and will point him next for the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8.

Race:   $500,000 Virginia Derby (G3), 3-year-olds, 1 1/4 miles on turf

Kitten's Joy
Track:   Colonial Downs
Finish Order:   1 - KITTEN"S JOY, 2 - ARTIE SCHILLER, 3 - PRINCE ARCH
Margins:   2 3/4, 4 3/4, 12 3/4
Also Ran:   LIPAN, CLASS CONCERN, JANE'S LUCK, IRISH LADDIE, NO PLACE LIKE IT
Owner: Ken and Sarah Ramsey
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Edgar Prado
Time:   2:01 1/5 (firm)

Road to the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf - If there was any lingering doubt about the leading 3-year-old turf runner in America this season, Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred KITTEN'S JOY put that to rest in the Virginia Derby Saturday at Colonial Downs. Trained by Dale Romans, Kitten's Joy rallied through the stretch under jockey Edgar Prado to win the mile-and-a-quarter test by 2 3/4 lengths over Timber Bay Farm and Mrs. Thomas Walsh's New York shipper ARTIE SCHILLER. Raymond Cottrell, Sr.'s PRINCE ARCH finished third, 4 3/4 lengths behind Artie Schiller. Kitten's Joy appeared unbeatable since being switched to turf in New York last fall, winning five straight, including stakes victories in the Tropical Park Derby at Calder, Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park and American Turf at Churchill Downs on Derby weekend. The chestnut colt by El Prado suffered his first and only loss on grass when beaten a head last out in the Jefferson Cup at Churchill by Prince Arch.

Race:   $250,000 Milady Breeders' Cup (G1), fillies & mares, 1 1/16 miles

Star Parade
Track:   Hollywood Park
Finish Order:   1 - STAR PARADE (ARG), 2 - QUERO QUERO, 3 - PESCI
Margins:   3 /2, head, 2
Also Ran:   VICTORY ENCOUNTER, TANGLE (IRE)
Owner: Gary Tanaka
Trainer: Darrell Vienna
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Time:   1:41 4/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Distaff - Presented by Nextel - Gary Tanaka's 5-year-old STAR PARADE (ARG) has been competitive with the best in the California filly and mare ranks over the last two seasons, including a victory over Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Adoration in the Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park in early December. Sunday, the daughter of Parade Marshal was back in the Hollywood winner's circle after a near wire-to-wire victory in the Milady Breeders' Cup. Old Friends Inc.'s QUERO QUERO finished 3 1/2 lengths back in second with Joe Pesci and partners' PESCI a head further back in third in the field of five. Star Parade, third in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood in her previous start, set a moderate pace under jockey Victor Espinoza and responded gamely when briefly challenged by Quero Quero. Tom Mankiewicz' VICTORY ENCOUNTER had won the Vanity but finished a non-threatening fourth as the 2 - 1 favorite in the Milady.

Race:   $112,600 Poker Handicap (G3), 3-year-olds & up, one mile on turf

Christine's Outlaw
Track:   Belmont Park
Finish Order:   1 - CHRISTINE'S OUTLAW, 2 - MILLENIUM DRAGON (GB), 3 - SILVER TREE
Margins:   Neck, 2 1/2, 1
Also Ran:   MEGOMAN, CHILLY ROOSTER, BURNING ROMA, PROVINCETOWN, PISCES, MULTIPLE CHOICE
Owner: R.C. Hill Stable
Trainer: George Weaver
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
Time:   1:32 2/5 (firm)

Road to the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile - R. C. Hill Stable's 4-year-old CHRISTINE'S OUTLAW is making a highly successful transition from turf to dirt and was very game winning Saturday's Poker Handicap at Belmont Park by a neck under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. George Weaver trains the Wild Again colt, a solid but inconsistent performer in main track stakes last year and early this season. Prior to the Poker, Christine's Outlaw finished second going seven furlongs in his career debut on turf at Belmont in early June and came back to win a 'three other than' allowance on June 20. Christine's Outlaw was a generous 13 - to-1 in the Poker and held off Darley Stable's 5-year-old MILLENNIUM DRAGON (GB) , the 2 - to-1 favorite for trainer Kiaran McLaughln. Millennium Dragon had finished second in the Dixie Stakes at Pimlico and Manhattan Handicap in his two previous starts. Weaver indicated that Christine's Outlaw was likely to start next in the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga on Travers Day, Aug. 28.

Race:   $500,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G3), 3-year-olds & up, six furlongs

Champali
Track:   Calder Race Course
Finish Order:   1 - CHAMPALI, 2 - CLOCK STOPPER, 3 - BUILT UP
Margins:   Nose, neck, neck
Also Ran:   MY COUSIN MATT, TWILIGHT ROAD, VALID VIDEO, GOLD DOLLAR, LOVE THAT MOON, ALOHA BOLD, SUPER FUSE
Owner: Lloyd Madison Farms
Trainer: Greg Foley
Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Time:   1:10 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Sprint - Trainer Greg Foley said early in the week that Lloyd Madison Farm's 4-year-old CHAMPALI is the best horse he's ever had. The son of Glitterman didn't let him down Saturday at Calder Race Course as he held on for a game nose victory over Overbrook Farm's CLOCK STOPPER in the Smile Sprint Handicap. Jockey Jerry Bailey was aboard Champali for the first time in the rich dash, a highlight of the track's annual 'Summit of Speed' program. Champali took a narrow lead early but had to turn back a bold bid from Raymond Susi's Calder-based 6-year-old BUILT UP in the upper stretch before holding off Clock Stopper and jockey Pat Day in a four-horse photo finish. Built Up was only a neck behind Clock Stopper with Richard Englader's New York invader MY COUSIN MATT another neck back in fourth in the field of 10. Champali had won the Aristides Handicap impressively in his last start at Churchill Downs and the Smile was his third straight victory. Foley indicated he planned one more start for Champali before the Breeders' Cup Sprint, but had not determined where or when his final prep would come. Clock Stopper, also shipping in from Churchill Downs, ran a huge race for trainer Dallas Stewart as the 9-to-5 favorite. The 4-year-old Gilded Time gelding was making his third start this year and appears bound for the Breeders' Cup as well. He won the Perryville Stakes last fall at Keeneland with Champali third. The Smile Sprint lost a major contender when trainer Todd Pletcher was forced to scratch Kenneth English and Alan Braun's 4-year-old Alke, who would have likely been the favorite in his first start since finishing second in the Dubai Golden Shaheen Stakes on March 2. Padua Stable's Cajun Beat, winner of the 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint for trainer Steve Margolis, finished fourth in the Golden Shaheen. The 4-year-old is due to return from his layoff at Padua Farm in Ocala soon, and will be sent to trainer Bobby Frankel at Belmont Park to begin his Breeders' Cup defense campaign.

Race:   $500,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (G2), fillies & mares, six furlongs

Ema Bovary
Track:   Calder Race Course
Finish Order:   1 - EMA BOVARY (CHI), 2 - BEAR FAN, 3 - LADY TAK
Margins:   2, 3 3/4, 2
Also Ran:   MARY MURPHY, PUXA SACO, HARMONY LODGE
Owner: Richard T. Beal, Jr. & Lana Ramsey-Borg
Trainer: Larry Ross
Jockey: Roberto Gonzalez
Time:   1:10 4/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Sprint - Early in the week, trainer Todd Pletcher called the field of six fillies and mares drawn for Saturday's Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder Race Course the "Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint." Peter Fan and Wesley Ward's 5-year-old mare BEAR FAN, riding a four stakes win streak, was made the 4-to-5 favorite under John R. Velazquez. Impressive winner of the Genuine Risk and Vagrancy handicaps at Belmont Park in her last two starts, Bear Fan gained a narrow lead in the upper stretch, but was no match for Richard T. Beal, Jr. and Lana Ramsey-Borg's EMA BOVARY (CHI) in the final furlong. Trained by Larry Ross, 5-year-old Ema Bovary invaded from Golden Gate Fields as the third choice and drew clear to win by two lengths under regular jockey Roberto Gonzalez. Bear Fan finished a clear second with Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's 4-year-old filly LADY TAK finishing 3 3/4 lengths back in third after dueling through the first half-mile in 44 seconds.. Eugene and Laura Melnyk's 6-year-old HARMONY LODGE never threatened and finished sixth under Jerry Bailey. Ema Bovary, purchased privately for $65,000 early in her 3-year-old season in Chile, had a nine-race win streak broken in her last start, finishing second in the Desert Stormer Handicap at Hollywood Park on June 5 with a rough trip on the rail. Ross indicated the daughter of Edgy Diplomat (Deputy Minister) would be given some time off before a fall campaign. While not altogether ruling out supplementing (20 per cent) to the Breeders' Cup, he said that the Princess Rooney "was her Breeders' Cup." Wesley Ward, co-owner, breeder and trainer of Bear Fan has said that he is pointing Bear Fan to the Breeders' Cup Sprint and the Pine Bluff mare's performance Saturday would hardly discourage that program.

Race:   $150,000 A Gleam Invitational (G2), fillies & mares, seven furlongs
Track:   Hollywood Park
Finish Order:   1 - DREAM OF SUMMER, 2 - TUCKED AWAY, 3 - ELUSIVE DIVA
Margins:   3 1/2, neck, 1
Also Ran:   COCONUT GIRL, STORMICA, ELLOLUV
Owner: James Weigel
Trainer: Juan Garcia
Jockey: Mike Smith
Time:   1:21 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Sprint - James Weigel's 5-year-old homebred mare DREAM OF SUMMER made an auspicious stakes debut Saturday in the A Gleam Invitational at Hollywood Park, scoring by 3 1/2 lengths over Nico Niernberg's TUCKED AWAY. Branch and Koenecny's ELUSIVE DIVA finished third in the seven-furlong test as J. Paul Reddam's 4-year-old filly ELLOLUV finished last, six of six as the 9-to-5 favorite in her first start in six months for trainer Craig Dollase. Elloluv finished a game second in the Breeders' Cup Distaff - Presented by Nextel at Santa Anita last fall and finished up the track as the 6-to-5 favorite in the La Brea Handicap in late December. Dream of Summer had won four of five previous starts on the main track, punctuated by an unfortunate attempt on turf last summer. Trained by Juan Garcia, the California-bred daughter of Siberian Summer was making only her second start this season and appears to have quite a future.

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