Wise Dan dominates the Woodbine Mile
Wise Dan never really was pushed and still managed to set a track record as he galloped to an easy victory in the $1,000,000 Woodbine Mile on Sunday. Sent off as the 1/4 favorite in the field of six, Wise Dan (BetPTC.com Top Selection) sat a perfect garden trip early on as longshots Excaper and Dimension went out and battled early on. Wise Dan and John Velazquez came right up to those two at the head of the lane and just steadily drew away from the competition, with Velazquez constantly looking back for competition, when there was none to find. Za Approval (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) did rally up into second while Trade Storm (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) completed the trifecta.
Forte Dei Marmi (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) was able to hold off a late challenge from longshot Perfect Timber to win the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Stakes. Sent off as the 4/5 choice, Forte Dei Marmi was close up throughout Turkish went out to set the pace early on. But as the field started onto the far turn, it was Stormy Len (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who made a bold move after the lead. His lead was short lived though as Eurico Da Silva and Forte Dei Marmi grabbed the lead in mid-stretch, and repelled the challenge of Perfect Timber to win by a neck. Da Silva also took home the top honors in the Ontario Derby as he and His Race To Win split rivals late to get up and capture the Grade 3 event. Favored Winning Cause (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) grabbed the lead late, but couldn’t hold off His Race To Win, who drew away late to win by two and a quarter lengths. Minakshi pulled away late to take the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes.
Temeraine and Gary Stevens take the Kentucky Turf Cup
There were big purses all day long at Kentucky Downs on Saturday, but the biggest, the $400,000 Kentucky Turf Cup went to Temeraine and his connections as he got up late to win the Grade 3 event. Sent off at odds of 2/1, Temeraine towards the back of the pack early on as Whatthecatdrugin went out and set the early pace in the 12 furlong marathon. As they field came into the long uphill stretch, Olympic Thunder (BetPTC.com Top Selection) grabbed the lead and looked like he might just sneak away. But Gary Stevens and Temeraine had lots of run left and closed late to get up and win by a neck. Olympic Thunder finished second while Suntracer (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) ran third.
Favorite Coalport caught Trend in the final jump of the Franklin-Simpson Mile. Coalport was one of many runners who sat off the pace early at Kentucky Downs and flew late to get up and get the win. Longhunter (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) sat a garden trip from third early on in the Turf Dash, but he and Alan Garcia had all the momentum late as they rallied to get up and win by a half length over a fast closing Xbalanque who ran second, just passing Ancil (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) who ran third.
Boji Moon might have been the talk of the day though, as he came into the Kentucky Downs Juvenile a perfect two for two with two huge wins at Prairie Meadows. Well his first try on the turf was no problem as he and Brian Hernandez blew away their competition, opening up at will down the stretch to win by over five lengths. Here’s Johnny (BetPTC.com Top Selection) was on the pace early on, but was no match for Boji Moon late and had to settle for second. Lien On Kitten (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) caught a loose on the lead JJ Julep (BetPTC.com Top Selection) to win the Juvenile Fillies.
I’m Already Sexy all the way in the Pucker Up
I’m Already Sexy went right to the lead and never looked back, opening up through the stretch to dominate the Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes at Arlington Park on Saturday. Sent off as the even money favorite, Florent Geroux and I’m Already Sexy were allowed to gallop and set a moderate pace up front. As they went to the quarter pole, Entry Way tried to make a run at him, but never really got close as I’m Already Sexy pulled clear down the stretch to win going away by just under four lengths. Every Way saved the place position as My Option (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) ran third. Those three were the same order the entire way around.