Tonalist wins the Cigar Mile
Tonalist flew from off the pace to get another Grade 1 win to add to his mantle as he won the Cigar Mile on Saturday. Sent off as the 2/1 second choice, Tonalist (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was fifth early on as Private Zone (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went out and set the pace. The first quarter was very moderate in 24 seconds but he was very headstrong and fighting the rider who was trying to rate him. Private Zone brought that lead to the quarter pole but he was surrounded by challengers Matrooh (BetPTC.com Longshot) who took the lead in mid-stretch. But Tonalist and Red Vine (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) had started their rallies and they blew by late to get up. Tonalist was a neck in front of Red Vine at the wire and it was just another neck back to Matrooh who was third.
Forever Unbridled won a hard fought battle over Carrumba to win the Grade 3 Comely. Forever Unbridled and Carrumba came together at the quarter pole and put on a memorable stretch battle, knocking heads all the way to the wire with Forever Unbridled winning by a head. Mohaymen (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) turned in one of the most impressive performances of the day as he scored nicely in the Remson. Sent off at odds of 3/2, Mohaymen sat a good trip in third early on down on the rail. He came out at the top of the stretch and battled with Flexibility (BetPTC.com Top Selection) for a while before gradually edging away late to win by a length and a half. Lewis Bay (BetPTC.com Top Selection) took home the top honors in the Demoiselle Stakes. Both her and Thrilled (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) made their moves at the quarter pole but it was Lewis Bay who went best of all and pulled clear late to win by almost two lengths.
Effinex gets his Grade 1 win in the Clark Handicap
Effinex overcame a wide journey to score his first Grade 1 win as he took home the Clark Handicap. Sent off as the 5/2 slight favorite, Effinex (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was fifth early on as long shot Mr. Z went out to set the early pace. Race Day (BetPTC.com Top Selection) was the first to make a move after the lead and had it momentarily until Effinex came up to take the lead from him. Meanwhile Hoppertunity had begun his long sustained bid. Effinex was able to hold off Hoppertunity though by three quarters of a length to score the biggest win of his career. Hoppertunity was second with Looks To Spare finishing in third.
In the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club it was Airoforce (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who pulled away late to get the win. Sent off at odds of 7/2, Airoforce was back in mid-pack and made his move on favored Mor Spirit (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) as they came into the final furlong. Airoforce pulled away to win by a length and three quarters over Mor Spirit who just held off Mo Tom who got up for third. In the Grade 2 Golden Rod it was Carina Mia (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who went gate to wire. Sent off as the 2/1 second choice, Carina Mia coasted around the oval and won by four and a quarter lengths over Stageplay and Dream Dance who finished second and third.
Dortmund dominant once again
Dortmund once again made short work of his opponents as he crushed his rivals in the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar. Sent off as the 3/5 favorite in the field of five, Dortmund (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was second early on as Majestic City went out to set the early pace. Dortmund made his move early on the turn and took command and drew off down the lane, winning with ease by four and one half lengths. Imperative was second with Iron Fist finishing in third.
In the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby it was Chiropractor who flew down the lane to get up and win by a head. Sent off at odds of 14/1, Chiropractor was eighth early on Acceptance went out ahead of heavily favored Om (BetPTC.com Top Selection) in the early going. Om made his move after the lead at the quarter pole but didn’t have enough steam down the stretch as the closers all blew by. Chiropractor and March went by and they battled for the final yards with Chiropractor and Corey Nakatani prevailing by a head.