Hardest Core scores a shocking win in the Arlington Million
Of the seven horses in the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Saturday, Hardest Core was given one of the least chances to win. But the 11/1 long shot came roaring down the outside late and got up to win the prestigious race by a length. Hardest Core sat close up early on in third for much of the running of the race as Side Glance went out to set a very moderate pace, including a half mile in 49.45 seconds. Magician (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) sat second early and made a big move after the lead at the top of the lane and took over. But Magician’s lead was short lived as Hardest Core and veteran journeyman Eriluis Vaz got up and grabbed command and edged away late to win by a length. Magician was second ahead of Side Glance who held third. Real Solution, who won the race last year finished dead last.
The Euro runners got on the board in the Beverly D. as Euro Charline rallied form off the pace under jockey Ryan Moore to get the win. Euro Charline was sixth early on as La Tia (BetPTC.com Top Selection) set the early pace, which was measured and not overly taxing. La Tia brought the field into the stretch and even kicked clear at the eighth pole by over two lengths. But Euro Charline burst through when she saw daylight and reeled in that runner and was able to hold off a flying Stephanie’s Kitten who rallied from last to get up and run second. The Grade 1 Secretariat it was Adelaide (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who grabbed the lead and drifted out near the outer railing down the lane, but still held on for a length and a half win. It was one of the more memorable runnings of the Secretariat with Adelaide veering out so far and winning over Tourist and Sheldon who ran second and third respectively.
The Pizza Man scored a mild upset when he won the marathon American St. Leger Stakes. Sent off at odds of 5/1, The Pizza Man (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) was second early on and took the lead on the turn and never looked back, winning by a length over Dandino (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who rallied gamely to finish second.
Stopchargingmaria wins the Alabama Stakes
Stopchargingmaria just seems to find a way to get things done, and she did once again as she took home the $600,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday. Sent to post as the even money favorite, Stopchargingmaria (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was close up throughout and made her move at the top of the lane, taking over from Size who faded once she was headed. Stopchargingmaria had to gut it out the entire stretch, but she just kept finding more than her rivals and won by three quarters of a length. Joint Return finished up second at 24/1 and Miss Besilu (BetPTC.com Longshot) finished third at 30/1, completing a $879 trifecta.
In the Lake Placid stakes it was Crown Queen (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who beat her three rivals in taking home the top honors. Crown Queen was second early on behind long shot Duff One and when they turned into the lane, they were all four across the track. But Crown Queen and John Velazquez just gutted it out, getting the win by half a length.
Personal Diary flies late to get the Del Mar Oaks
Corey Nakatani had Personal Diary last as they went into the final turn of the 9 furlong $300,000 Del Mar Oaks. But they passed all their seven rivals in those final three eighths of a mile as Personal Diary blew them away late to win by two and three quarter lengths. Personal Diary sat back in last early on as My Conquestadory (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) went out to set the pace. My Conquestadory was joined by Sea Queen at the top of the lane, but neither could hold off the oncoming rush of Personal Diary who zoomed by to get the win. Stellaris (BetPTC.com Top Selection) got up for 2nd at 11/1 odds and My Conquestadory finished in third.
Edison dominates the Canadian Derby
Edison made a huge move down the backstretch and poured it on down the lane as he won the $200,000 Canadian Derby on Saturday. Sent off as the 5/2 second choice, Edison (BetPTC.com Top Selection) sat back in mid-pack early on as long shot Shootinthebrush went out to set the pace. Private Money Game (BetPTC.com Longshot) took over the lead as they started down the backstretch for the final time in the 11 furlong marathon event. But that lead was short lived Edison blew on by under Rico Walcott and pulled away to win with ease, by eleven and one half lengths in the end. Remembertobreathe finished up in second with Private Money Game running third.