Mon, 02/24/2003 - 00:00

O'Connell's four a Tampa record

Kathleen O'Connell on Sunday became the first trainer in the 77-year history of Tampa Bay Downs to win four races on a single card. The feat was a personal best for O'Connell, who also sent out Ivanavinalot for a second-place finish in Sunday's Grade 2 Davona Dale Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

"I thought all four had a great shot today. They were all in good spots," said O'Connell, who through Sunday was tied for third in the Tampa Bay trainer standings with 16 victories. She also has three wins at the Gulfstream meet.

Mon, 02/24/2003 - 00:00

'Tiger' looks very tough to tame

ALBANY, Calif. - Seven 3-year-olds will meet in Wednesday's Golden Gate Fields feature, a $50,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

The field includes an uncoupled entry for leading trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who will send out Silver Tsunami, a half-brother of Metatron, and Eye of the Tiger, a Triple Crown nominee who might be Hollendorfer's best 3-year-old.

Stakes-placed Hawaiian Lyon, Natural Balance, and West Saratoga are also in the lineup, as are Midafternoon and Attack Force, who have received fresheners since winning their last race.

Mon, 02/24/2003 - 00:00

Dubai could be next for My Cousin Matt

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - After winning his first graded stakes - Saturday's Grade 2 General George at Laurel Park - a journey to Dubai may be next for My Cousin Matt.

On Monday, My Cousin Matt's trainer, Scott Lake, expressed keen interest in running in the $2 million Golden Shaheen, a race on the $13.5 million Dubai World Cup card at Nad Al Sheba on March 29.

An invitation would have to be extended for My Cousin Matt, who was back at Lake's Belmont Park barn on Monday, to run in the Golden Shaheen.

Mon, 02/24/2003 - 00:00

Ruling Star primed to improve

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - It can be tough to predict what a horse will do the second start back from a layoff. Will the horse benefit from its comeback race or did the effort tire him out?

Handicappers will have to make that decision twice in Wednesday's $50,000 optional claiming feature at six furlongs when leading contenders Cowboy Stuff and Ruling Star both make their second starts since the fall.

Mon, 02/24/2003 - 00:00

Laurel: Tempest Fugit all the way

Tempest Fugit broke first and took the early lead in the $100,000 John B. Campbell Handicap at Laurel Park, then set the pace with Quiet Gratitude just behind him. Quiet Gratitude made his strongest bid at the three-eighths pole, but never seriously challenged, and Tempest Fugit won by a length.

Lyracist was 3 3/4 lengths behind in third, while P Day, the 5-2 favorite, was never in contention and finished seventh in the field of eight.

Tempest Fugit ($9.60), trained by Jason Servis, ran 1 1/8 miles on a good track in 1:49.90.

Mon, 02/24/2003 - 00:00

Delta Downs: Calleybluebayou upsets

Calleybluebayou, at 40-1, drove to a 2 1/2-length win over Rubies N Roses in the $100,000 Green Oaks for 3-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies bred at Delta Downs. It was another two lengths back in third to Kilt Lilt. Forty Dolls, the odds-on favorite under Shane Sellers, ran an even fifth.

Calleybluebayou ($81.60) raced in eighth early, and rallied through the stretch to cover the seven furlongs, in 1:27.50 over a fast track. Jockey Carl Woodley rode the winner for trainer Richard Scherer.

Sun, 02/23/2003 - 00:00

Buddy Gil wins Baldwin Stakes

Horsephotos
Buddy Gil ($55.40) pulls a 26-1 upset in the $114,550 Baldwin Stakes at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Buddy Gil was sent to trainer Jeff Mullins from northern California in January to find dry weather and more opportunities on turf.

On Sunday, in his first start in Southern California and first race on grass, Buddy Gil pulled an upset at 26-1 in the $114,550 at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Gary Stevens, Buddy Gil ($55.40) closed from fifth to win by two lengths over the Mullins-trained King Robyn, the early pacesetter. The $1 Mullins-trained exacta of Buddy Gil and King Robyn paid $239.50.

Sun, 02/23/2003 - 00:00

Witt Ante wins Clyde B. Stevens

Witt Ante won his third consecutive race Saturday night when he rolled to a dominating seven-length win over Lac Laronge in the $100,000 Clyde B. Stevens for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

It was another six and a quarter lengths back in third to Soot.

Sun, 02/23/2003 - 00:00

Term Sheet wins Jersey Village

Henna Haroon/Coady Photography
Term Sheet ($3.60) wins his third consecutive race Saturday night in the $35,000 Jersey Village Stakes

Term Sheet continued his strong meet at Sam Houston Race Park when he won his third consecutive race at the track Saturday night in the $35,000 Jersey Village Stakes. He finished a length and a half in front of Agrivating General, who was two lengths clear of third-place finisher Desert Air.

Term Sheet($3.60) settled about four lengths off the early pace set by Desert Air, then rallied through the stretch to cover the mile and a sixteenth for Texas-breds in 1:44.03. Jockey Jeremy Beasley rode the winner for Ackerley Brothers Farm and Steve Asmussen.

Sun, 02/23/2003 - 00:00

Lock to Load victorious in Winter Derby

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. - Lock to Load, one of seven starters trained by Paul Jones, won his first stakes in Saturday's $206,000 for 3-year-old Quarter Horses.

Lock to Load finished a nose in front of the Jones-trained Dealadash, who was a nose ahead of Dale Badon, who is trained by Blane Schvaneveldt.

Jones's starters also finished fourth (Red Hot Blitzer), I Ought to Be First (fifth), Stel Corona (seventh), Deefirst (ninth) and Sum Specialy Strawfly (tenth). Eight of the ten runners finished within a length.