Stellar Wind up just in time to win the Summertime Oaks
Stellar Wind had to call upon all of her class on Saturday as she prevailed in a thrilling photo finish to win the $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita. Sent off as the 2/5 favorite, Stellar Wind (BetPTC.com Top Selection) sat just off the pace as Conquest Curlgirl went out and set a very moderate tempo. As they came to the top of the lane, Conquest Curlgirl gave up the lead to Tara’s Tango (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) while Stellar Wind came with a three wide bid at those two. Tara’s Tango put a head in front of Stellar Wind in midstretch and those two battled all the way to the end, with Stellar Wind winning by the narrowest of margins, a nose. Tara’s Tango was second while Conquest Curlgirl finished up in third.
In the Singletary Stakes it was Soul Driver (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who crushed his competition, winning the mile turf event by an astounding four and a a half lengths. Sent off at odds of 7/2, Soul Driver was away ninth early on as All Indians opened up early and set a wicked pace. All Indians folded up shop as they came to the quarter pole and Soul Driver absolutely inhaled his competition as they came into the stretch. He was two in front by the eighth pole and never looked back, pulling clear to crush Zinvor (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who ended up running second as the 5/2 slight favorite.
Mr. Z holds off Tencendur to win the Ohio Derby
Mr. Z had been so close so many times, but Saturday it was him who was in front when it mattered most as he won the $500,000 Ohio Derby by a nose. Mr. Z went right to the front under jockey Joe Bravo and was able to get through a trouble free half mile in 48.08 seconds. Divining Rod (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was the first to take a run at Mr. Z as he came right alongside of him turning for home. But Mr. Z turned him back and then had to hold off Tencendur who had started to rally. Mr. Z dug in though and was able to hold on and win by just a nose. Tencendur was second while Divining Rod could only manage third as the 2/1 favorite in the race.
Dame Dorothy cruises to a win in the Bed O’Roses
Dame Dorothy turned in a very strong performance on Saturday as she easily wired the field in the $150,000 Bed O’Roses Handicap at Belmont Park on Saturday. Sent off as the heavy 3/5 favorite in a scratch-laden field, Dame Dorothy (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) cruised to the early lead under Javier Castellano and got only mild pressure from Street Story (BetPtC.com 3rd Selection). Street Story took one run at Dame Dorothy in mid-stretch and got to within half a length, but Dame Dorothy found plenty more and edged away to beat Street Story by a length and a half.
Blues Blaster goes all the way in a shocker to win the Oak Tree Handicap
Blues Blaster pulled off a stunning 40/1 upset as he went all the way on the lead to win the $65,000 Oak Tree Handicap on opening weekend at Oak Tree at Pleasanton. Blues Blaster and jockey Charles Lopez got to the lead right away and had pretty constant pressure from Eagle Screams throughout the early stages of the race. They arrived at the top of the lane pretty much as one and in mid-stretch just a head separated them. But Blues Blaster had more left in the tank and held off Eagle Screams to win by half a length. Eagle Screams finished second while heavy favorite G.G. Ryder could only manage fourth.