London Lane shocks the Colonial Turf Cup
London Lane was far and away the least respected horse in the $300,000 Colonial Turf Cup on Saturday night at Colonial Downs, as he was sent to the post at odds of 50/1 in the eight horse field. London Lane and Horacio Karamanos sat back in seventh early on Two Notch Road and Swift Warrior (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) went out to set the pace, which was only moderate, with an opening quarter in 24.57 and a half mile in 49.04. Swift Warrior took command going to the far turn and opened up a three and a half length lead in mid-stretch. But both Hyper (BetPTC.com Longshot) and London Lane both had started their rallies from the back of the pack as they were last and second to last as they entered the homestretch. Hyper came up and grabbed the lead for just a stride or two, but London Lane had the best late momentum and powered by to win by three quarters of a length. Hyper finished in second, just a neck ahead of Swift Warrior.
In the Grade 3 All Along it was Channel Lady (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who scored with ease as the 9/5 favorite. Channel Lady was actually an overlay from her morning line of 7/5 as Appealing Cat (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) was sent to post as the favorite in a shocking turn of wagering. Welcome Dance (BetPTC.com Longshot) went out and set the early pace and led to the top of the stretch, when Channel Lady was unleashed with her move by Javier Castellano and she blew past Welcome Dance and gradually edged away down the stretch to win by a length over a fast closing Idle Talk who ran second at 26/1. Clare Skies Ahead finished up in third. Hudson Steele (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) took home the Da Hoss Stakes off of nearly a year layoff for trainer Todd Pletcher. Hoofit finished up in second with Change of Command (BetPTC.com Top Selection) rounding out the trifecta. In the Old Hat Handicap it was Saintly Love (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who made it five wins in a row with a two length score over Target Sighted (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who completed a $36 ice cold BetPTC.com exacta. Julius Geezer (BetPTC.com Longshot) and Livingston Street (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) finished third and fourth for a $153.40 superfecta.
Conquest Whiplash debuts with win in Victoria Stakes
Trainer Mark Casse’s Conquest Whiplash was well backed for her debut in the $150,000 Victoria Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday afternoon as she was bet down to 4/5 odds. She didn’t disappoint either as she bounced right out to the front and never looked back under jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva. Conquest Whiplash broke like an experienced runner and opened up a two length lead by the time they got to the turn in the five furlong event. No Fruit Degroote and Irish Media, both runners with experience, were chasing from second and third but couldn’t keep pace down the lane as Conquest Whiplash pulled clear to win by two and three quarter lengths. Ba Ba Brett (BetPTC.com Longshot) rallied furiously down the far outside to get up into the second spot at odds of 16/1 while Bold N Golden (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) came from last to get third and complete a BetPTC.com trifecta worth $135.70 for every two dollars wagered.
Let Faith Arise closes in to win the California Wine Stakes
Let Faith Arise (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) and Russell Baze lived up to their favored billing on Saturday at Pleasanton when they rallied from sixth early on to get up and win the $50,000 California Wine Stakes. Tribal Gal (BetPTC.com Longshot) went out for the early lead in the six furlong event and was chased by Marks Mine (BetPTC.com Top Selection) early on. As they straightened away Tribal Gal was joined by Marks Mine as they battled at the eighth pole, but neither could hold off Baze and Let Faith Arise as they stormed past late to draw off and win by a length and a half in the end, finishing the six furlongs in a quick 1:09.31. Marks Mine finished up in second while Tribal Gal was third.
Doinghardtimeagain all the way in the Hollywood Oaks
Doinghardtimeagain had no hard time on Saturday at Hollywood Park, as she and Rafael Bejarano went out and cruised to a facile win in the Grade 2 Hollywood Oaks. Sent off as the 4/5 favorite, Doinghardtimeagain (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went right to the lead and was unopposed early on as Ondine (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) applied very gentle pressure a length back early on. Doinghardtimeagain was asked for a bit more into the stretch and she responded while Iotapa grabbed the second spot, but couldn’t get within two and half lengths at the finish. Ondine finished back in third.