War Dancer wins a thrilling Virginia Derby
War Dancer and Charming Kitten put on a stirring stretch battle, and a late closing Jack Milton made it three across the track when they hit the wire in the $500,000 Virginia Derby. War Dancer had the nose down at the end and scored the win. Sent off at odds of 7/1, War Dancer was back in fifth early on as Redwood Kitten went out to set the pace, being stalked by favored Rydilluc (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection). Charming Kitten (BetPTC.com Top Selection) stayed down on the inside and had to steady himself at the eighth pole because his stable mate Redwood Kitten bore in on him. He finally shook loose late, but meanwhile War Dancer had started his charge down the outside and was able to hold on to win by a head. Charming Kitten was second, just a head ahead of Jack Milton (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who finished third. Nellie Cashman was able to pull off a 19/1 upset in the Virginia Oaks. Nellie Cashman sat in second for much of the trip and took the lead late and held off a late closing Praia (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who rallied up to grab second, just a nose in front of Three Hearts who ran third.
Captaintreacherous goes all the way to win the Meadowlands Pace
Captaintreacherous never looked back as the big favorite paced all the way on the lead to win the $635,000 Meadowlands Pace on Saturday night. Sent off as the heavy 3/5 favorite, Captaintreacherous (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went right to the lead with driver Tim Tetrick and was able to set a very reasonable pace. He opened up at the quarter pole and never looked back, scoring by three and a quarter lengths in a time of 1:48.1. Odds on Equuleus rallied to grab the second spot ahead of Sunshine Beach (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who closed in to get third.
In the William Haughton Memorial it was Pet Rock (BetPTC.com Longshot) who scored a 9/1 upset in the undercard feature. Pet Rock took the lead down the back stretch and never looked back, holding off a late close from Bolt the Duer who got second. Pet Rock completed the mile in a stakes record time of 1:47.
Rahystrada wins the Arlington Handicap for the third time
Rahystrada did it again on Saturday as the 9 year old won his third Arlington Handicap and may well again be on his way to the Arlington Million. Rahystrada (BetPTC.com Top Selection) stalked Beer Garden throughout the early parts of the race, and jockey Rosie Napravnik turned him loose at the top of the lane and they never looked back, holding off a late rally from long shot Temeraine (BetPTC.com Longshot) who finished just ahead of Dullahan who ran third in his first start back in the States. That BetPTC.com exacta paid $183.80.
Infinite Magic pulled off a 12/1 upset in the American Derby, which is the final local prep for the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes. Admiral Kitten (BetPTC.com Top Selection) came flying late down the outside, but Infiinate Magic got a good trip down along the rail and held on for a gutsy win. Stormy Len finished up in third, just a head back from the winner. James Graham and Ausus found the winner’s circle in the Modesty Handicap, drawing clear late to win with ease over Artemus Kitten (BetPTC.com Longshot) who ran second after taking the lead in mid-stretch. Dark Cove (BetPTC.com Top Selection) made easy work of his competition as he and Rosie Napravnik drew off to win by almost two lengths over Suntracer (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who ran second in the Stars N Stripes Stakes.
Emolient cruises to win in the American Oaks
Emolient took to the turf well on Saturday as she went on to win the Grade 1 American Oaks on Saturday at Hollywood Park. Sent off as the 6/5 favorite, Emolient was second for much of the journey behind Sarach (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who was the pace setter. Emolient took over at the top of the lane and battled hard to hold off Emotional Kitten (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who ended up finishing a half length back in second. Topic (BetPTC.com Longshot) finished third to complete the trifecta.
Book Review (BetPTC.com Top Selection) took advantage of a hot pace and came on to win by two and a half lengths in the A Gleam Handicap. Favored Teddy’s Promise (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) had a perfect trip but could only finish second, just ahead of Byrama (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who finished third. Alpine Luck (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went all the way to win the Hollywood Juvenile Championship, holding off Ontology who ran second. She’s a Tiger (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) went wire to wire to win the Landaluce Stakes.