Weekend stakes roundup

With so much action from coast to coast - on the Derby trail, major stakes for older horses, and then some - the only proper way to recap is a roundup like this. Videos are courtesy of the NTRA on YouTube, except for the Kilroe, which was posted by WHR Video.

Santa Anita Handicap: Is there a horse in training today who is more versatile than Einstein (Spend A Buck-Gay Charm, by Ghadeer)? The seven-year-old Brazilian-bred got a perfect trip under Julien Leparoux to score by about a length, pushing his career earnings to over $2 million. It was the first start on a synthetic surface for Einstein, who owns three grade I wins on turf and a win in the grade II Clark Handicap on dirt (he was also second behind Curlin in the grade I Stephen Foster on dirt). Trainer Helen Pitts, who became the first woman to win the Big 'Cap, noted that her charge will probably return to California for some of the major stakes in the summer and could target the Breeders' Cup Classic, also at Santa Anita this year. This horse is so exciting to watch, and this win opened up so many new doors for him. Should make a couple of divisions very interesting this year.
The race was marred by the breakdown of the promising four year old Blue Exit (Pulpit-Black Speck, by Arch), who was pulled up turning for home. He was alter euthanized at the barn due to a fracture. Our condolences to his connections and all who loved him.

Gotham: Speaking of horses who shone on new surfaces, I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even-Meguial, by Roy) ran off with the Gotham by more than eight lengths in his first start on natural dirt. Seems the change of scenery helped, as he looked very comfortable striding out on the surface. The highly regarded allowance winner Mr. Fantasy (E Dubai-Twice Forbidden, by Spectacular Bid) led to the quarter pole, but looks like this was too far for him; wilted when I Want Revenge came to him and faded back to third behind Imperial Council (Empire Maker-Jaramar Rain, by Thunder Gulch), who closed fairly well for a piece of it. I Want Revenge will stay in New York and train up to the Wood Memorial. Look for Imperial Council to re-emerge there as well.


Santa Anita Oaks: It wasn't pretty but Stardom Bound (Tapit-My White Corvette, by Tarr Road) claimed her fifth straight grade I win in the Santa Anita Oaks. The Eclipse champion filly was seven wide at the top of the lane and rallied from second to las to get up by a nose over Third Dawn (Sky Mesa-Chalmette, by Quiet American), with pacesetter Hooh Why (Cloud Hopping-Magic Merger, by Corporate Report) hanging on bravely another nose behind in third. It sounds like IEAH may now reconsider running her back against the boys in the Santa Anita Derby. Certainly worked harder than she was "supposed" to here, but I will make note of this; good horses still find ways to win when circumstances are against them.


Kilroe Mile: Speaking of girls taking on the boys, the brilliant Juddmonte homebred Ventura (Chester House-Estala, by Be My Guest) almost pulled it off here, but lost focus in the stretch and was just nipped by the hard-charging Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat-Chipeta Springs, by Alydar). Ventura took the lead from brave pacesetter Dixie Chatter (Dixie Union-Mini Chat, by Deputy Minister) at the sixteenth pole, but then shifted in for a few strides, which was all it took for Gio Ponti to win the photo. It was the first grade I win for Gio Ponti, who is also racing's newest millionaire.


Azeri Stakes: Rising star Acoma (Empire Maker-Aurora, by Danzig) claimed her third straight stakes, taking the lead in midstretch and drawing clear. The half-sister to Arch is a model of versatility herself, taking the Dogwood on the Churchill main track last May before winning the River Run and Mrs. Revere on turf leading up to this.


Toboggan Handicap: Ah Day (Malibu Moon-Endette, by Thirty Eight Paces) returned from a layoff of nearly seven months to rally for the win here, just nipping fellow Maryland-bred Eternal Star (Five Star Day-Retsina's Princess, by Eternal Prince) on the wire. The six year old is a neat little moneyearner. Good to see him back.

Razorback Handicap: It was a brave rally by Let It Rock (Trippi-Timeless Measure, by Timeless Native) between horses in midstretch to claim this one. Also notable was the effort by runner-up Shim's Pride (Awesome Again-Shiroyama, by Seattle Slew), who came from last at the head of the stretch.