Shared Belief dominates the CashCall Futurity
The $750,000 CashCall Futurity was the final Grade 1 ever run at Hollywood Park and Shared Belief sure made it a memorable one as he careened away to win by five and three quarter lengths. Shared Belief (BetPTC.com Top Selection) was sent off as the even money favorite and found a nice spot in second early on as long shot Brother Soldier went out to the front. Corey Nakatani stayed patient aboard Shared Relief as they went to the turn and Candy Boy and Gary Stevens made a huge back stretch move to come up and grab the lead. But Shared Belief had plenty left in the tank as he blew back by Candy Boy and drew off to win by almost six. Candy Boy held on to the second spot while Tamarando (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) ended up running third.
The Native Diver Handicap turned out to be the Jerry Hollendorfer show as the trainer saddled the top three finisher including winner Blueskiesnrainbows. Blueskiesnrainbows (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) went right to the front under jockey Martin Pedroza and set a moderate pace up front. Stablemate Hear The Ghost (BetPTC.com Top Selection) came roaring out of the pack as they came into the stretch and loomed up to challenge, but fell a half length short. Rousing Sermon got up to finish third and complete the Jerry Hollendorfer trifecta sweep. In the Hollywood Turf Cup it was Lucayan (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who had to overcome a massive tactical advantage to get the win. Lucayan was away last early on as Segway went up and walked on the front end setting a very slow pace. Temeraine (BetPTC.com Top Selection) came up and grabbed the lead turning for home and looked like he might take the race, but Joel Rosario and Lucayan came rolling home late to win by half a length.
Heart Stealer wins a hard fought Sugar Swirl at Gulfstream Park
Heart Stealer got the best of a three horse battle down the lane to win the Grade 3 $100,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Sent off as the even money favorite, Heart Stealer (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) sat back off the pace early on as R Free Roll (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) went out to set the early pace which was a quick one. Munnings Sister (BetPTC.com Top Selection) came right up alongside of R Free Roll and those two took off down the lane while Heart Stealer came roaring up down the crown of the track with Javier Castellano to get up and wear the top two down and win by a neck. R Free Roll held on gamely to get the second spot and was just a neck ahead of Munnings Sister who ran third. The $1 trifecta came back $46.40.
Sunbean holds off String King to win the Louisiana Champions Day Classic by a nose
Sunbean held off a fast rallying String King on Saturday to win the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic. Sent off at odds of 6/5, Sunbean (BetPTC.com Top Selection) fell into a good spot early on in third as Skip The Pinot (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) went out to set the early pace. Skip the Pinot took his lead into the stretch as Sunbean came with a bold three wide move coming to the stretch. String King was second throughout the race but was third when Sunbean blew by, but String King, who is regularly a turf runner, came flying late to get up and fall just a nose short of Sunbean at the wire. Skip the Pinot was just a length and a quarter back in the third spot.
Paladin Bay turns the tables on Lexie Lou and wins the Ontario Lassie
Paladin Bay and Gerry Olguin kept a close eye on Lexie Lou, not letting her get away nearly as easy in the Ontario Lassie as she had in their previous matchup. Paladin Bay (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) kept Lexie Lou (BetPTC.com Top Selection) within her sights and made a quick early move on the final turn to grab the lead. Lexie Lou battled back at the top of the lane, but Paladin Bay started to edge away in mid-stretch. Splashy Gizmo (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) rallied from last and was flying home late, but fell a neck short as Paladin Bay held on to get the win. Lexie Lou did hold on for the show spot.