American Pharoah with a stylish return in the Rebel Stakes
American Pharoah came back from his layoff in very fine form on Saturday as he crushed his rivals in the Grade 2 $750,000 Rebel Stakes. Sent off as the prohibitive 2/5 favorite, American Pharoah (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went right to the front and got away with setting very soft fractions, getting through an opening half mile in 49.63 seconds. Victor Espinoza kept American Pharoah wrapped up until they got to the the top of the lane and when he released the brakes, American Pharoah took off and pulled clear, winning by six and one quarter lengths. Madefromlucky ran on to finish second, almost three lengths clear of Bold Conquest (BetPTC.com Longshot) who ran third.
In the Grade 3 Azeri it was Gold Medal Dancer who got to the lead and was able to stave off the heavily favored Untapable (BetPTC.com Top Selection) to get the win. Sent off at odds of 8/1, Gold Medal Dancer and Luis Quinonez went right to the front and were flanked for much of the trip by Untapable who was just to her outside. Untapable came right up on level terms with Gold Medal Dancer turning for home and they battled all the way to the wire, with Gold Medal Dancer inching away late to win by half a length. Untapable was second with Mufajaah finishing up in third. In the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap it was a thrilling battle between Race Day and Midnight Hawk that resulted in Race Day winning by a neck. They were 1-2 all the way around the track and were neck and neck down the lane with Race Day and John Velazquez getting the nod over Midnight Hawk by a neck.
Warren’s Veneda stays red-hot, wins the Santa Margarita
Warren’s Veneda has been in career form as of late and added her first Grade 1 win to her ledger on Saturday as she crushed her rivals in the Santa Margarita Stakes. Sent off as the 3/2 favorite, Warren’s Veneda (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was last early on as Cassatt (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went out to set the pace. Cassatt led until the field came to the top of the lane when Warren’s Veneda and Tyler Baze blew by all of their rivals, drawing off down the lane to win by an impressive seven and one quarter lengths. Dame Dorothy (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) got up to finish second while Thegirlinthatsong ran third.
In the Irish O’Brien Stakes it was Go West Marie (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who had to overcome waiting for room and lots of trouble to still get up and win the $100,000 event. Go West Marie was in behind Bert’s Melody and Velvet Mesquite at the eighth pole and even though she had run, it looked as though she might not get room. But Gary Stevens brought her to the outside and she flew late to get up and get the win. She was able to hold off a late running Qiaona (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who ran on to finish second.
Mamdooha returns in style, wins the Correction Stakes
Mamdooha went to the sidelines on a winning streak and she returned to extend that streak on Saturday as she won the $100,000 Correction Stakes at Aqueduct. The race was tough to view because of heavy fog in the area, but Mamdooha (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) broke towards the back of affairs early on as long shot Bridgehampton went out and set the pace. Bridgehampton brought that lead into the stretch but a trio of runners, Mamdooha, Expression, and Aireofdistinction (BetPTC.com Top Selection) all came flying on the outside and it was Mamdooha who got the win by a head over Expression. It was just another head back to Aireofdistinction who finished up in third.