Weekend Racing Recap

by Ed Meyer

posted on November 30, 2009 in General Discussion, News, Other Events | 2 Comments >>

This week actually began with quality racing on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) through Sunday. We will give you a glimpse of some of the best races that the tracks had to offer.

We will begin our national recap with Aqueduct.

Thursday The Fall High Weight Handicap / G-3Cherokee Country made a strong finish down the lane to win by 1/2 length. He was ridden by Jose Lezcano, and paid $26.20.

Friday The Top Flight Handicap / G-2Sara Louise held off the charge of the pack down the lane to pay $3.40.

Saturday – The Demoiselle Stakes / G-2Tizahit, under the guidance of Edgar Prado, reacted under right hand urging to win by a length and pay $7.90.

The Remson Stakes / G-2 – This race was for two-year-olds, and Buddy Saint wins by a decisive 4 3/4 lengths down the lane under Jose Lezcano to pay $3.50.

The Gazelle Stakes / G-1Flashing goes from flag fall to that’s all under the well-timed hand of Richard Migliore to pay $8.50 to win.

The Hill n Dale Cigar Mile / G-1 – This prize goes to Kodiak Kowboy, who was boxed in, and dug in deep and gets his picture taken under Shaun Bridgmohan to pay $8.70.

Churchill Downs

ThursdayFalls City Handicap / G-2Seranading goes on to victory, stalking the pace to win under the ride of Julien Leparoux to pay $11.60.

Friday –  The River Hills / G-3Rahystrada, under the hold of Leandro Concalves, hits home and lights up the board paying a whopping $115.80.

The Clark Handicap / G-2 – The winner was Blame, under the hand of Jamie Theriot. He traveled five wide, and conquered the field to pay $10.80.

Saturday –  The Grand Canyon Handicap – The entire card, dedicated for two-year-old races, was called the “Stars of Tomorrow.” The 1 1/16th on the turf was taken by Lost Aptitude, under the whip of Jon Court. Court stayed close to the rail, and guided home a winner to pay $6.40.

The Golden Rod Stakes / G-2Sassy Image made a four wide move, which proved to be the perfect course to the winner’s circle. Robby Alabardo was the pilot paying $4.60.

The Caressing Stakes – Calvin Borel came off the rail and went 3-4 wide away from the rail and scored with Sheer Beauty, paying $18.20 to win.

The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes – Once again, Calvin Borel found his way into the winner’s circle. Borel went back to the rail and jumped on the hook. He guided Super Saver to the win to pay $6.80.

Turfway Park

The Holiday Inaugural Stakes – Opening day was Sunday afternoon, and the track kicked off action with a $50,000 stake. The winner was Coy Cat, under Larry Sterling, who closed stoutly to pay $30.60.

Hollywood Park

Friday – The Citation Handicap / G-1 – This race was a part of the turf festival that took place over three days at Hollywood Park.  Bobby Frankel was smiling down on his longtime assistant Humberto Ascenia. This race went to Fluke, and the finish was anything but that. He made a bid between runners, and never looked back until he came back to the winner’s circle. Fluke paid $20.00 to win.

Saturday The Generous Stakes / G-3 – The victor was a stalking, well-timed Who’s Up, under Victor Espinoza paying $21.80.

The Matriarch Stakes / G-1 – The winner was not a surprise at all. Ventura was the odds-on favorite, who stayed third and made a pouncing move to take down the cash. Once again, Humberto Ascneia, Bobby Frankel’s longtime assistant, scored this victory. The crowd backed this sentimental play heavily at the windows, and Garrett Gomez did not disappoint on this mare once again.

Sunday

The Miesque Stakes / G-3 – A three wide bid by The Mailet was the winner’s move. Under the guidance of Joel Rosario, this two-year-old filly making her wide bid, paid a nice $25.40.

The Hollywood Derby / G-1The Usual Q.T. made a wide bid entering the stretch, and gets the job done.  Victor Espinoza knows the lay of the land, and is no stranger to the winner’s circle. The Usual Q.T paid $11.40 to win.