Unbridled’s Note gets the checkered flag in the Daytona Stakes
Unbridled’s Note was bet down to favoritism and rewarded his backers with a strong win in the $100,000 Grade 3 Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita. Sent off as the 3/2 favorite, Unbridled’s Note (BetPTC.com Top Selection) and Corey Nakatani settled back off the pace early on as long shot Truest Legend went out and set the early fractions. El Commodore stalked him early on and took command as they came to the top of the stretch and crossed over the main track. Unbridled’s Note was fifth as they arrived at the top of the stretch, but Nakatani saved ground and came after the leaders as they straightened away. El Commodore spurted clear momentarily but once Unbridled’s Note started to lengthen his stride, he burst out of the pack and got up in the final yards to win by a half length. El Commodore finished up in second with Gallant Son (BetPTC.com longshot) rallying up for third.
In the Eddie Logan Stakes it was Enterprising (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) and Hall of Famer Gary Stevens who rallied off the pace to score a narrow win. Sent off as the 9/5 second choice, Enterprising sat a nice stalking trip down on the rail throughout the mile turf event. Lucky Views and Flagman went out to the early lead and were able to set just moderate fractions as Royal Banker (BetPTC.com Top Selection) and Enterprising sat just in behind them. Royal Banker was the first to launch his move as he came calling after the lead three wide. Enterprising waited just a little longer and launched his bid shortly after and he came with furious strides, getting up late to score by three quarters of a length over Royal Banker.
Singanothersong takes home the Mr. Prospector Stakes at Gulfstream
Singanothersong stalked speedy Star Harbour early on and took command into the lane and edged away late to win by a length and three quarters. Sent off at odds of 9/2, Singanothersong (BetPTC.com Longshot) was second early on as Star Harbour (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went out and set the early pace. Star Harbour brought that early lead into the stretch, but Singanothersong and Juan Leyva drew up alongside and started to pull clear. Fort Loudon burst from out of the pack and looked like he might come and catch Singanothersong, but Singanothersong found another gear late and won by almost two lengths. Fort Loudon was second and Star Harbour held on for third.
In the El Prado Stakes it was Mr. Online (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who marched all the way on the lead to get the win. Sent off at odds of 5/1, Mr. Online and Kendrick Carmouche went right out to the front and set a very moderate pace early on. They kicked away over two lengths turning into the stretch but favored Salto (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) came roaring from out of the pack and made a late charge. Salto kept gaining ground with each and every stride but Mr. Online found the wire just in time, a head in front of Salto at the line.
Twilight Eclipse wins a rained off the grass edition of the W.L. McKnight
Twilight Eclipse seemed quite happy to run on the dirt at Calder on Sunday, as he dominated the off-the-turf W.L. McKnight Stakes. Sent off as the heavy 1/2 favorite in the scratch laden field of eight, Twilight Eclipse (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went out to the lead right away under Jose Lezcano and set a ridiculously slow pace of 26.46 for the first quarter and a half mile in 53.66 seconds. Twilight Eclipse started to open it up as they reached the top of the lane and poured it on, drawing clear to win by seven lengths. Dannhauser was second all the way around and held that place spot at the wire ahead of Flatter This who rallied up to get the third spot.