Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Arlington: Souris is Top Flight

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - For a filly who doesn't tip her hand in the morning, Souris is pretty darn good in the afternoon. A 14-1 winner in her career debut, Souris made it 2 for 2 with a convincing win in the $75,000 Top Flight Stakes at Arlington.

Trainer Steve Asmussen took his best young horses to Saratoga, but Souris stayed at Arlington. Asmussen said Souris had never distinguished herself in her morning breezes, and he was somewhat surprised when she cruised to an easy win over the talented Caucus when she made the races here Aug. 1.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Fabulous Brush is most fabulous in Bassinet

CINCINNATI - Fabulous Brush rolled to an impressive win Saturday in the $100,000 Bassinet Stakes at River Downs, adding to a sensational year for the stable of trainer Ken McPeek.

Fabulous Brush, ridden by Jose Martinez Jr., raced several lengths off a quick pace contested by Lilias Trotter and Miss Awesome before swooping past in midstretch to win by five lengths over Moonlight Sonata, the only maiden in a field of eight 2-year-old fillies. The winner paid $13.40 as the third wagering choice after finishing six furlongs in 1:11.40.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Valdivia wins 2 as shippers dominate

BENSALEM, Pa. - California-based Truly a Judge completed a super day for shippers by romping to a 5 1/4-length victory in the $145,500 Jewel Stakes, the featured event of the fourth annual Claiming Crown, held Saturday at blustery Philadelphia Park.

New York shippers Nowrass and Won Moro won the $125,000 Emerald and $71,500 Glass Slipper, respectively, while Chicago shipper Talknow won the $47,000 Express.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Full of Wonder rallies wide to win Niagara

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Full of Wonder notched his first stakes victory Saturday in the Grade 1, $324,400 Niagara Breeders' Cup Handicap at Woodbine.

"He ran a very powerful race," said winning rider Todd Kabel. "It seems like the farther he goes, the better it is for him."

Full of Wonder trailed the nine-horse field early in the 1 1/2-mile turf race, as Stage Classic led while being pressed by Attest, Sumati, and Moontazz.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Lawbook best in Affirmed

Lawbook put himself into position to become the fifth horse to sweep the open division of the Florida Stallion Stakes when he rallied to an easy 4 1/4-length victory over Supah Blitz in the $125,000 Affirmed Stakes at Calder on Saturday. Trust N Luck, the 4-5 favorite, lost his jockey, Gary Boulanger, after wheeling at the break of the seven-furlong dash.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Patience pays: Inda feels it's Kela's moment

DEL MAR, Calif. - Slowly, methodically, and with great care, trainer Eduardo Inda has let Kela progress through his allowance conditions. Now, after four victories and three second-place finishes in eight starts, it is time for Kela to, at last, step up and face stakes competition.

"He's ready," Inda said.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Spill ruins Delahoussaye's weekend

DEL MAR, Calif. - Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye is scheduled to return Monday after being thrown in a spill in Friday's sixth race.

Delahoussaye spent Friday night at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla where he underwent X-rays that proved negative. Because he did not receive attention until later in the evening, he was kept overnight, according to jockey agent Scotty McClellan. McClellan booked mounts for Delahoussaye over the weekend, while Delahoussaye's regular agent, Ray Kravagna, was traveling.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Major-league leap for Ibn Al Haitham

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Making the jump from a maiden win straight into stakes company is usually a formidable proposition. But Ibn Al Haitham was not your run-of-the-mill maiden when he raced on the grass for the first time and posted a convincing 9 1/2-length victory earlier in the meet.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Steady Ruckus eyes repeat

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Steady Ruckus makes his fourth appearance in the Halton on Monday and seeks his second consecutive score in the 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and upward. The $106,650 Halton is one of six sales stakes on Monday that are restricted to horses who went through the ring as yearlings at the local Canadian-bred sales.

Owned by Ed Lang, Steady Ruckus finished eighth in his first Halton, second to Bristol Pistol in the 2000 Halton, and turned the tables on that since-retired mare last year.

Sat, 08/31/2002 - 00:00

Ward aboard right ones in stakes

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Jockey Anderson Ward, who is selective in accepting mounts here, rides the favorite in both the Agassiz Stakes and Distaff Stakes on Monday. Two Sales Stakes, one for 2-year-old colts and geldings and one for 2-year-old fillies, also will be run here Monday.

Both the Agassiz and Distaff go at one mile, carry a purse of $30,000, and are for Manitoba-breds. The Agassiz is for 3-year-olds and upward and the Distaff is restricted to fillies and mares.