Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Well Fancied holds off Gander

ELMONT, N.Y. - Well Fancied held off a late charge by Gander to win Saturday's $250,000 on New York Showcase Day at Belmont Park before a crowd of 10,214.

Well Fancied finished a half-length in front of Gander, who won the Empire Classic for New York-breds in 1999 and 2002. Mr. Determined, who was 68-1, finished third, 3 1/4 lengths behind Gander.

Completing the order of finish in the 1 1/8-mile Empire Classic were Spite the Devil, Compelling World, Traffic Chief, Acceptable Venture, Private Emblem, and Lord ofthe Thunder.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Invader One N Three takes Hudson

ELMONT, N.Y. - Two Finger Lakes shippers, One N Three and Impeachthepro, came to Belmont Park Saturday and took all the money in the $125,000 Hudson Handicap. One N Three won by three-quarters of a length over Impeachthepro. It was a neck back to No Parole in third in the six-furlong Hudson.

Bossanova, the 3-5 favorite, set a scorching pace and finished fourth, a neck behind No Parole. It was Bossanova's first start since winning the Mike Lee by 13 1/4 lengths in June.

Under Shaun Bridgmohan, One N Three came from off the pace with a wide move into the stretch.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Iroquois: Princess Dixie up in time

Princess Dixie accomplished what she couldn't last year by winning the $125,000 Iroquois Handicap.

Princess Dixie came with a late charge to catch She's Got the Beat in the final strides. Last year, Princess Dixie finished second in the Iroquois.

Princess Dixie, the 4-1 favorite, was a neck winner over She's Got the Beat in the seven-furlong dirt race for New York-bred fillies and mares. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back to Grab Bag in third.

Under Mike Luzzi, Princess Dixie rallied from the back of the 13-horse field.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Mohawk: Quiet Ruler does it again

Quiet Ruler, who won last year's Mohawk Handicap at odds of 45-1, pulled off another shocker in the $150,000 race, rolling to a 4 1/2-length win at odds of 20-1. For the second straight year, jockey John Velazquez picked up the mount after someone else had been named at the time of entry.

Trainer Russell Mueller said that Wilson Dieguez, whom Mueller named to ride, left town a couple of days ago. Mueller also said that the agent for Mark Guidry, who rode earlier on the card, declined to ride. Velazquez became available when I'm All Yours was scratched due to a fever.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Day and Dyna Da Wyna are too tough

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Under a flawless ride from Pat Day, Dyna Da Wyna wore down longshot Mexican Moonlight to win the $112,900 Valley View Stakes at Keeneland by three-quarters of a length Saturday.

Dyna Da Wyna, perfectly positioned early in the Grade 3 turf race for 3-year-old fillies, edged closer to the front with a quarter-mile to go. Down the stretch, Mexican Moonlight, a 24-1 shot under Corey Lanerie, hung tough, but Dyna Da Wyna proved clearly best, finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.54 over firm going.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Ticonderoga: Lady Bi Bi holds off Brandala

Trainer John Hertler suffered a tough beat earlier on the card when Schemer was narrowly defeated in the Maid of the Mist. Hertler made up for that loss by winning the $150,000 Ticonderoga Handicap with Lady Bi Bi.

Lady Bi Bi ($27) won the Ticonderoga, a 1 1/8-mile grass race for New York-bred fillies and mares, by a half-length over Brandala. It was another 4 1/4 lengths back to Beebe Lake in third.

Lady Bi Bi, who was ridden by Jose Santos, had the lead with a furlong remaining and held off a late charge by Brandala. The final time was 1:55.67 over a soft course.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Sleepy Hollow: Friends Lake rolls

Friends Lake received a perfect trip under Richard Migliore and rolled to a 3 1/2-length victory over Pa Pa Da in the $100,000 Sleepy Hollow for juvenile males. It was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Rb's Glitter.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Maid of the Mist: Capeside Lady wins by neck

Capeside Lady ($2.80) overcame a stumble at the start and a stubborn Schemer to win by a neck in the $100,000 Maid of the Mist for juvenile fillies. Clarksburg Queen finished third.

After recovering from her stumble, Capeside Lady made the lead turning for home. She was overtaken by Schemer in midstretch, but battled back along the rail and stuck her neck in front at the wire. Capeside Lady, owned by So Madcapt Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher, ran one mile in 1:41.37.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

French Charmer comes through at Calder

Jockey Chris DeCarlo had plenty of horse. He had French Charmer on a tight hold as the pair raced down the backstretch and around the far turn Saturday in the Flying Pidgeon Handicap at Calder. What he did not have was a place to run.

Trapped inside to the top of the stretch, DeCarlo found a spot for French Charmer as the pace-setting Drink a Toast drifted off the hedge turning for home. French Charmer burst through and drew away in the final furlong to win the $100,000 Flying Pidgeon by 1 1/4 lengths. Lost Appeal rallied late to edge Drink a Toast for second.

Sat, 10/18/2003 - 00:00

Bay Meadows: Angel Gift again

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Angel Gift ($3) repeated her 2002 victory with an easy five-length win in the $60,500 Golden Poppy Handicap.

Angel Gift, winless in five starts since scoring a three-length victory in the race last year, was fourth and four wide around the first turn. She took the lead down the backstretch and was never challenged. Rhiana, who sat behind her all the way, was second as the field of six paraded home in single-file order. The winning time was 1:42.78 for 1 1/16 miles.