(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Pamplemousse ran to the lead out of the gate and dared his 10 rivals to come and get him. No one did. The gray colt romped to a six-length victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, solidifying his status as one of California’s top 3-year-olds and a leading Kentucky Derby candidate.

A month after leading from start to finish in winning the one-mile San Rafael…

(Edited Gulfstream Park report)

Edward P. Evans’ 3-year-old Virginia homebred colt Quality Road broke alertly in Saturday’s $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (Grade 2) at Gulfstream Park, took command in the upper stretch of the one-mile test and drew clear to score by 4¼ lengths over Samotowka Stables and partners’ Theregoesjojo in the longtime Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby preview.

Ridden by John Velazquez for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, Quality Road was making only the third start of his…

Graham Ross
Fair Grounds

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Tom Curtis’s Milwaukee Miracle came from far back to score a 2 1/2-length victory in the $60,000 Gentilly Stakes, the first of two stakes races for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds Saturday at Fair Grounds.

In the $60,000 Sarah Lane’s Oates Stakes for fillies, Daniel Family Farms’ Wanna Cuddle used similar late-running tactics to tally by 2 3/4 lengths.

(Edited Gulfstream Park report)

Making his second start after a nine-month layoff, Peachtree Stable’s 5-year-old Canadian-bred Twilight Meteor stalked the early pace in Saturday’s $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (Grade 3) at Gulfstream Park before forging to the front in the upper stretch and holding on for a one-length victory in the one-mile test under jockey John Velazquez.

A chestnut son of Smart Strike, Twilight Meteor finished fourth in an allowance race over the course on Jan. 29 in his…

Francis LaBelle Jr.
Aqueduct Racetrack

Earlier this year, jockey Ramon Dominguez announced that, after 11 years and five riding titles at Delaware Park, he was moving to New York where he had improved his business after commuting for two years.

Saturday afternoon, he showed that business is booming.

Dominguez rode four winners at Aqueduct Racetrack, including a 3¼-lengh victory aboard Darley Stable’s Barrier Reef in the 54th running of the $71,305 Stymie Stakes, to boost his meet-leading total to…

Ed Golden
Santa Anita Park

European invader Dansant enjoyed taking in the scenic sights at Santa Anita for the first time Saturday morning, jogging twice around the track in preparation for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.

“He’s settled in very well and he’s very alert,” said Cindy Niemetz, West Coast representative for the International Racing Bureau. “He’s scheduled to canter tomorrow.”

(Edited Gulfstream Park report)

Jockey Javier Castellano, in his first ride since returning from an injury, fell from his mount Saturday and was under observation while complaining of soreness at Memorial Regional Hospital.

Castellano was aboard Valid Name in the first race at Gulfstream Park. The mishap occurred on the far turn.

Castellano was conscious and complaining of a sore back and right leg. He took off his remaining mounts Saturday but was still listed to keep Sunday’s mounts, as…

(Edited Gulfstream Park report)

Robert LaPenta’s 4-year-old Cool Coal Man, winner of last year’s renewal of the Fountain of Youth Stakes (Grade 2) for trainer Nick Zito, breezed a half-mile in 49 flat Saturday morning as he prepares for his second start this season following a sharp allowance victory here going 6½ furlongs on Jan. 28.

(Edited Santa Anita Park report)

ARCADIA, Calif. – Surviving a stewards’ inquiry and the fate of a nose bob at the wire, Sleep Tight narrowly gained her third straight victory Friday when capturing Santa Anita’s $51,168 Funallover Purse for fillies and mares while running 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.10.

(Edited Fair Grounds report)

NEW ORLEANS, La. – John Gunther’s House of Silver, under a well-judged ride by jockey Jesus Castanon, led from flag fall to finish in the $46,000 turf allowance feature Friday at Fair Grounds.

House of Silver held off a late challenge by Fifty Five to be a half-length the best at the wire.