American Pharoah jogs in the Haskell Invitational
American Pharoah returned to the races in style as he scored an easy win in the $1,750,000 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday. Sent off as the heavy 1/9 favorite, American Pharoah was second early on as Competitive Edge went out and cut out the early fractions. Victor Espinoza and American Pharoah came after Competitive Edge and took the lead at the three eighths pole and quickly started to pull away. As they came into the stretch American Pharoah was just galloping and was geared down late to win by two and a quarter lengths over Keen Ice who closed to get second. Upstart finished in third as the second choice in the wagering.
Texas Red holds off Frosted to win the Jim Dandy Stakes
Texas Red got his first win of the season as he won a fierce battle with Frosted down the lane to win the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday afternoon. Sent off at odds of 9/5, Texas Red (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was second early on as Japan went out and set the early fractions, including a half mile in a reasonable 48.15 seconds. Texas Red and Kent Desormeaux swept to the lead at the top of the lane and Frosted (BetPTC.com Top Selection) came with his rally and chased Texas Red. Texas Red dug in though and was able to hold off Frosted by a half length to get the win.
Red Rifle (BetPTC.com Top Selection) turned in a very flashy performance on Saturday as he won the Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap. Sent off at odds of 6/1, Red Rifle and Javier Castellano were seventh early on as Iron Power doled out the fractions. Castellano stayed towards the inside and at the top of the lane Red Rifle exploded between runners to grab the lead and pulled away down the stretch to win by two and a half lengths. War Dancer made a late run to get second ahead of Imagining (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who ran third. Rock Fall added another big victory to his ledger as he scored by the narrowest of margins in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt. Sent off at even money, Rock Fall (BetPTC.com Top Selection) stalked the leaders early and came flying late to catch The Big Beast (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) in the final jumps to get up and win by a nose.
In the Grade 2 Amsterdam it was Holy Boss who scored with style to win by two and a half lengths. Sent off at odds of 2/1. Holy Boss and Ricardo Santana sat behind Victory is Sweet early on. They pounced on that runner and took command into the stretch and edged away to score over Requite (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) and race favorite Barbados (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who ran second and third respectively.
Beholder dominates the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes
Beholder continued her dominance of the west coast filly and mare division as she crushed her rivals in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes. Sent off at odds of 1/5 Beholder stalked the leaders early on and took over on the far turn under minimal urging from Gary Stevens. She opened up down the lane and hit the wire seven lengths in front of Yahilwa (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who finished in second. Warren’s Veneda (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) finished up in third after lacking room on the final turn.
Madefromlucky wins the West Virginia Derby
Madefromlucky overcame a tough outside post position to win the $750,000 West Virginia Derby on Saturday at Mountaineer. Sent off at odds of 5/2, Madefromlucky and Joe Bravo found a spot in midpack early on as long shot Alliseeisgold went out and set the fractions. Super Collosal made the first run at Alliseeisgold and took the lead at the top of the lane while Madefromlucky made his move just in behind that runner. Madefromlucky wore down Super Colossal outside the sixteenth pole and edged clear late to win by a length and a half. Super Colassal was a half length ahead of War Story who flew to get up for third.