Real Solution gets Arlington Million win via DQ
Real Solution and The Apache (BetPTC.com Top Selection) put on a thrilling stretch drive for the last furlong of the $1,000,000 Arlington Million, with the Apache prevailing by a hard fought head. But shortly after the race, the Inquiry sign went up and the judges began to examine the stretch run. The Apache drifted out under strong left handed urging and the stewards ruled that he cost Real Solution an opportunity at the win, therefore Real Solution was put up top. The race started out as expected as Little Mike went out and set a moderate opening quarter mile of 24.34. Mull of Kilough came up to put some added pressure on Little Mike and those two along with Rahystrada were up front as they came to the quarter pole. The Apache and Christophe Soumillion flew to the lead at the top of the stretch and pulled clear with a sixteenth to go. Meanwhile Real Solution and Alan Garcia got underway in a big way as they came roaring down the crown of the track. The two hooked up and after the DQ, Real Solution gave owner Ken Ramsey his third Grade 1 win of the day. The Apache was placed second while long shot Side Glance finished up in third.
In the Beverly D. it was Dank (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who put on a very impressive turn of foot to pull away and win the Grade 1 event by over four lengths under jockey Ryan Moore. La Tia got loose on the lead and as they came to the stretch, heavily favored Marketing Mix just wasn’t keeping up. Dank burst to the front with a huge move and pulled away, leaving long shots Gifted Girl and Ausus (BetPTC.com Longshot) to pick up the pieces to run second and third. Admiral Kitten caught a loose on the lead Stormy Len (BetPTC.com Longshot) to win the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes, another win for the Ramsey barn. Admiral Kitten was far back early on but came rolling four wide under jockey Rosie Napravnik to get up and grab the win.
Discreet Marq takes home the Del Mar Oaks
Discreet Marq took advantage of a perfect garden trip to take home the win in the $300,000 Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Saturday afternoon. Sent off at odds of 9/2, Discreet Marq and Julien Leparoux were third early on behind Need You Now and and Unusual Way, who battled through moderate fractions early. Discreet Marq pounced on those rivals at the head of the lane and opened up a lead in mid-stretch. However Wishing Gate and Garrett Gomez came flying from out of the pack to make a charge late, but the wire came up in time as Discreet Marq held off Wishing Gate by three quarters of a length. Emotional Kitten ended up third while race favorite Kitten’s Dumplings (BetPTC.com Top Selection) ran fourth.
Herbie D. goes all the way in the Longacres Mile
Herbie D. (BetPTC.com Top Selection) went right to the front and never looked back as he went all the way to win the $200,000 Grade 3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs on Sunday. Sent off as the 2/1 second choice, Herbie D. got a beautiful break from the gate and hustled to the lead under jockey Amadeo Perez. They set brisk fractions of 22.71 and 45.04, but Emerald Downs is always a very fast track on mile day, so he was well within himself. Perez asked Herbie D. to kick away at the top of the lane which he did, opening up a nice lead, as Stryker Phd and Golden Itiz came roaring down the center of the track into contention. But Herbie D. held on and got the win, scoring by a length and a half in the end. Stryker Phd held off Golden Itiz for the second spot while race favorite Politicallycorrect never threatened and finished 9th.
Broadway Empire dominates the Canadian Derby
Broadway Empire (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) left little doubt who the best three year old in Edmonton is as he careened away to a huge four length romp in the Canadian Derby on Saturday. Sent off as the 3/2 favorite in the full field of twelve, Broadway Empire was able to save ground early as Rico Walcott got him over to the rail in behind Success Rate (BetPTC.com Top Selection) and Title Contender. Walcott gave Broadway Empire his cue as they went to the backstretch for the second time and he opened up a huge lead of nearly ten lengths as they went to the final turn. Reporting Star (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) burst out of the pack to get into the second spot, but could only close the gap to four lengths when the wire came up. Alberta native trainer Robertino Diodoro was very excited after the race saying winning his home province’s biggest race was really a thrill.
Commander (BetPTC.com Top Selection) once again dominated the Westerner Handicap for the second straight year, besting Senor Rojo (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) and Toccetive (BetPTC.com Longshot) who ran second and third. Commander is now 7 for 8 at Northlands Park in his career. Saturday Nite Ride (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) went all the way under Aaron Gryder to win the City of Edmonton Distaff.