There’s something about racing in June at Colonial Downs that brings out the best in Inti.
An 8-year-old gelding whose first two starts this season were lackluster, Inti regained the good form he showed last June when he won a first-level allowance by upsetting Colonial’s opening-day feature, the Grade 3, $50,000 Zeke Ferguson Memorial Hurdle on Saturday.
Jockey Sheldon Russell and trainer Juan Vazquez won individual titles at the 36-day Pimlico spring meet that ended Saturday.
Russel, 25, topped the jockey standings for the second time in three years with 28 first-place finishes, two more than both Xavier Perez and apprentice Victor Carrasco.
Vazquez earned his first training title in Maryland by winning 22 races, six more than Scott Lake. Dane Kobiskie (14), King Leatherbury (14), and Hugh McMahon (13) rounded out the top five.
PTK LLC topped the owner standings with 14 victories, three more than the Jim Stable.
2013 Belmont Stakes order of finish
Finish, Horse, Jockey
1. Palace Malice, Mike Smith
2. Oxbow, Gary Stevens
3. Orb, Joel Rosario
4. Incognito, Irad Ortiz Jr.
5. Revolutionary, Javier Castellano
6. Unlimited Budget, Rosie Napravnik
7. Overanalyze, John Velazquez
8. Vyjack, Julien Leparoux
9. Golden Soul, Robby Albarado
10. Will Take Charge, Jon Court
11. Giant Finish, Edgar Prado
12. Midnight Taboo, Garrett Gomez
13. Freedom Child, Luis Saez
ELMONT, N.Y. – It was an illuminating day at Belmont Park. The sun came out, and the light went on.
After a storm pummeled the area Friday, the sun shined bright on the old New York home of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday afternoon. And Palace Malice added to the wattage, the light finally coming on for a colt held in high regard for months by his trainer, Todd Pletcher.
Black Diamond Cat rallied for a 1 3/4-length win Saturday in the $75,000 Ponche Handicap at Calder Race Course, as Jackson Bend, the multiple Grade 1 winner making his first start since coming out of retirement, was fifth. The Ponche was one of four stakes on the card, all designed as preps for the Summit of Speed program that will be run at Calder on July 6. It is expected to produce starters for the Grade 2, $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap.
SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Midwest Thoroughbreds won their first stakes race of the Canterbury Park meet, with Signsealndeliver taking the inaugural running of the Dark Star Cup for trainer Roger Brueggermann, covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.66 under a bold ride from Ry Eikleberry.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Showing courage under fire despite less than optimal circumstances, Point of Entry fought his way to victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park.
Point of Entry was re-routed to the Manhattan after being scratched from the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs five weeks ago due to soft turf, and was thus making his first start since beating Animal Kingdom four months ago, and his second since finishing an unlucky second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Trainer Kelly Breen could have taken his filly Srumdiddlyumptious to run for a $75,000 purse at Delaware Park, but she would have had to stretch out around two turns instead of sprinting. Breen got to stay at home and run Srumdiddlyumptious on the main track when Friday’s heavy rain caused Monmouth Park to switch Saturday’s $61,200 Fort Monmouth from turf to dirt.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Jockey James Graham has averaged 1.7 turf stakes winners per Arlington meet since he began riding here in 2004. Saturday, Graham got two on the same card, piloting Keep Up to victory in the $66,400 Swoon's Son and Grandma's Rules one race later in the $66,700 Gaily Gaily.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Miz Ida came with a rush after wheeling out into the middle of the turf course to resume her winning ways Saturday in the 37th running of the Grade 3, $109,100 Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs.
With Shaun Bridgmohan aboard, Miz Ida was ahead of just one opponent after turning for home in the 1 1/16-mile race, but after she picked off Daisy Devine in the final 70 yards, she was a winner for the sixth time in her last 9 starts, finishing in 1:42.37 over firm going.
