BALTIMORE, Md. – James F. Olson & R.A. Hill Stable’s Fiddlers Patriot pressed the pacesetter from the start before drawing clear in the stretch to capture in the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico Race Course.

John Velazquez was at the controls as the son of Proud Citizen made his 2012 debut for trainer George Weaver.  Super Chunky, who also raced close to the pace, finished 2¼ lengths back in second, while pacesetter Ju Jitsu Jax settled for third.

Defending champ Ben’s Cat, the race favorite,  broke slowly and closed from far back to finish fifth.

Fiddlers Patriot completed the five-furlong distance in 56.12 and paid $10.60.

Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes Quotes:

George Weaver (winning trainer, Fiddlers Patriot) – “I was a little bit timid about running this horse five-eighths. Sometimes going five-eighths you have to run and gun the whole way. I know he has good early speed, but I was a little bit reluctant to run five-eighths. He was ready to run and we thought we’d run today and at least know if he does handle five-eighths. Now we have a lot more options.”

John Velazquez (winning jockey, Fiddlers Patriot) – “The last few times I rode him it had rained and the turf was soft. He was bouncing around. I know he’s a quick horse. Today he broke well and saved ground. I followed the speed around the turn and let him go turning for home. We had a perfect trip.”

Sheldon Russell (jockey, beaten favorite, Ben’s Cat) – “He didn’t break as sharp as I would have liked. We were badly bumped on the turn. These big runners are always a concern because speed is holding strong on the turf. He galloped out strong.”

PHOTO CREDIT-Jim Duley, Maryland Jockey Club
Fiddlers Patroit comes off the pace to win Jim McKay Turf Sprint.

BALTIMORE, Md. – Charles Reed and Mike Zanella’s Bold Affair notched her third straight stakes win in Maryland this year when she rallied to beat four other fillies and mares in the $100,000 Skipat Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Trained by Howard Wolfendale and ridden by Abel Castellano Jr., the 4-year-old daughter of Two Punch settled behind the leaders down the backstretch before launching a four-wide bid heading into the lane. Bold Affair wore down Valiant Passion and Afleet Lass in the stretch while edging away to a 1 ½-length victory.

The winner, who won the Conniver Stakes at Laurel and the Primonetta at Pimlico in her two previous starts, finished the six-furlong distance in 1:11.71 and paid $4.40.  Valiant Passion and Afleet Lass finished second and third.

It’s Me Mom, the even-money favorite, faded to fifth after pressing the early pace.

Skipat Stakes Quotes

Mike Zanella (winning part-owner, Bold Affair) – “The filly is phenomenal. We’re having so much fun with her. It’s fantastic to win a race on Preakness weekend. It’s a game of luck, and we happen to be the lucky ones.”

Abel Castellano Jr. (winning jockey, Bold Affair) – “She got away a little slow today and she was not acting too good in the gate.  I was fourth in the back and I wanted to stay pretty close because there were some fast fillies in there. Johnny’s (Velazquez) horse (Valiant Passion) got to the lead and he looked like he wanted to keep going, so I better move now. It worked out good.

Willie Martinez (jockey, beaten favorite, It’s Me Mom) – “She wasn’t herself today. She got off a step slow and the track was a hair too cuppy for her. She normally gets over every surface and she’s extremely fast. I just couldn’t get her to take the bridal. Everything seemed like she was spinning her wheels in the same direction.”

PHOTO CREDIT-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
Bold Affiar wins Skipat.

BALTIMORE, Md. – Cathal A. Lynch’s Universal Language caught breakaway leader Franstein in deep stretch to win the $25,000 Kattegat’s Pride Starter Handicap, the opening race on Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Day program at Pimlico Race Course.

A field of seven met the starter in the 1 1/16-mile test for Maryland-bred fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $7,500 or less in 2011-2012. Kendrick Carmouche rode the daughter of Dance with Ravens, who is trained by her owner. Franstein held on to finish second, a 1 ½ lengths behind the winner. Congaree Princess rallied to take third.

Universal Language, who was winning for the fifth time in seven starts this year, covered the distance in 1:47.31 and paid $3.40.

Kattegat’s Pride Starter Handicap Quotes:

Tom Foley (assistant to winning trainer Cathal Lynch, Universal Language) – “This is a very tough mare. She’s always a very tough mare. She won her last race here easily. I thought we were in a good spot today. This is a very nice win for us, because the trainer’s two sons, Charlie and Anthony, own this horse. The horse was very calm coming down and very quiet in the stall. But as soon as she hit the track, she woke up.”

Kendrick Carmouche (winning jockey, Universal Language) – “We wanted to sit a little bit closer with the short field. She broke a step slow, so I just sat on her. You just sit on her, and she always makes her same run and switches over. I knew once I got to the eighth-pole, we had it won. She always gives me a good kick.”

PHOTO CREDIT-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
Universal Language wins Kattegat’s Pride Starter Handicap.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Danderek led throughout to win for the first time in the United States in a $57,940 optional claimer Thursday at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Owned by Vegas Racing Team LLC and trained by Francesco Santella, the 6-year-old Fantastic Light gelding was ridden by Jose Valdivia, Jr. and completed the 1 ¼ miles on turf in 2:02.05.

Out of the Grand Lodge mare Maureena, Danderek has won five of 22 and earned $72,502.

Able to get away with pedestrian fractions (25.46, 50.14, 1:14.24 and 1:38.31 for the mile), the 5-1 shot had more than enough left in the final two furlongs to hold off the late run of Renegade Storm by 1½ lengths.

In providing Santella with his first win of 2012, Danderek, who was making his fourth start in this country, paid $12, $6.40 and $3.60.

If Danderek is going to win back-to-back, the English bred will do so for new connections. He was claimed for $40,000 by trainer Dan Blacker for owners Dan Capen and Gary Margolis.

Never better than third in five previous tries over the Betfair Hollywood Park grass, Renegade Storm returned $6.40 and $4. The show price on Antidote, the 5-2 favorite and the winner’s closest pursuer for most of the trip, was $2.80. He wound up a half-length behind Renegade Storm.

Completing the order of finish were Falcon Rock, who has lost 16 in a row since winning his U.S. debut March 6, 2010, Jairzinho, Erbeia and Ain, the 5-2 second choice.

Jockeys Agapito Delgadillo and Joe Talamo both won twice Thursday. Talamo, who won the second with Whole Enchilada and the fourth with Awe’ Some Kitten, is tied for the lead in the rider standings with Rafael Bejarano. Through 13 days of the Spring/Summer meet, Bejarano and Talamo each have 13 victories.

Delgadillo, who took the opener with Quick Answer and the fifth with Sizzling Gold, has nine wins, leaving him tied for third with Joel Rosario.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert won the eighth with favored Visible Marq to extend his lead in the standings. The defending Spring/Summer champ, Baffert has 13 wins, eight more than runner-up Peter Miller.

Racing resumes Friday. Post time is 7:05 p.m.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jay Em Ess Stable’s She’s Picky rallied down the Churchill Downs stretch and edged passed pacesetter and favorite Doilookfatnthese inside the sixteenth pole to win the $57,528 Thursday afternoon feature for fillies and mares by one length.

Ridden by Corey Lanerie and trained by Paul McGee, She’s Picky covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track in 1:45.55.

A 4-year-old daughter of Maria’s Mon, She’s Picky won for the third time in her 10th career start and increased her lifetime earnings to $117,351 with Thursday’s check of $34,800.

She’s Picky returned $13.80, $5.20 and $3.60. Doilookfatnthese, ridden by Miguel Mena, returned $3.60 and $2.60 with Puddy Tap finishing 3¾ lengths back in third under Shaun Bridgmohan and paying $3.40 to show.

Racing continues Friday with an 11-race Twilight Racing program that begins at 2:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). Racing will be followed by the second Paddock Concert Series of the Spring Meet featuring Citizen Cope, who is scheduled to take to the Paddock Stage with his unique blend of hip-hop, rock, blue and soul at approximately 8 p.m.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trickmeister took the lead and never looked back Thursday afternoon at Belmont Park, defeating 2011 Travers winner Stay Thirsty in the $90,000 Vanlandingham overnight stakes.

Away sharply under Ramon Dominguez, Trickmeister led the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.23 and a half in 45.72. Stay Thirsty, who had pressed the pacesetter though the first half-mile, dropped back briefly to third before rallying through the stretch to finish 1¾ lengths behind the winner. Trickmeister, who completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:39.86, returned $4.80 as the 7-5 second choice. His final time was .48 seconds off the track record of 1:39.38 set by Birdrun in 2009.

“That was a tough customer he faced today, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Rick Dutrow, Jr., who trains Trickmeister for IEAH Stables and Pegasus Holding Group. “He ran big today. He had pressure on him the whole way, and Ramon said every time he asked him and needed him, the horse responded the right way. So, we’re very excited.”

Mike Repole’s Stay Thirsty, the even-money favorite, was making his first start since finishing 11th in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he was pleased with the colt’s 4-year-old debut.

“You figure in a race like this you wouldn’t have to set a track record in order to win, but (Trickmeister) ran an awfully good race and you have to give him credit for that,” said Pletcher. “Coming off a six-month layoff and giving a horse like (Trickmeister) six pounds is a tall order. Alan (Garcia aboard fourth-place finisher Joan’s Choice) was holding him in, so (Stay Thirsty) had no place to go. He got shuffled back, and we were giving the entire field six pounds and hadn’t run in six months. You wouldn’t expect to have to run 1:39 3/5 to win, but that’s what we would have had to do. For where we were and where we wanted to be, this is a good start.”

“It didn’t work out for today, but in the long term this was a very good return race for him,” added Stay Thirsty’s jockey, Javier Castellano. “He has gotten bigger and stronger from last year, and he is a very mature and intelligent horse.”

According to their respective trainers, the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap, run at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 4 at Saratoga Race Course, is a major target for both horses.

“Naturally, our goal is the Whitney,” said Dutrow. “I’d like to get another one of these races into him, and then run him in the Whitney. He loves that track up there. I’m hoping he stays together the right way. And I’m hoping we get to run him in another race like this where he shows up again. And then we’ll be extremely excited.”

Trickmeister’s only loss to date came earlier this year in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at GulfstreamPark, in which he finished sixth after setting the pace. The 5-year-old son of Proud Citizen is 6-0-0 from seven career starts, with $251,200 in earnings.

Arthur’s Tale finished 3½ lengths behind Stay Thirsty, followed by Joan’s Choice and Sastre. Swag Daddy was scratched.

NYRA/Adam Coglianese
Trickmeister defeats Stay Thirsty in the $90,000 Vanlandingham overnight stakes.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Exiting a pair of graded races, Dhaamer responded to class relief with an impressive victory in the $72,950 Round Table Stakes Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park.

The 11-10 favorite against eight opponents, the 5-year-old Irish bred powered home in the final quarter of a mile to win by 4½ lengths under jockey Joel Rosario.

Trained by Mike Mitchell for owner Edward J. Brown, Jr., the gelded son of Dubai Destination and the Ahonoora mare Arjuzah completed the 1½ miles on turf in 2:27.65.

Second in the Grade III Tokyo City March 24 and fourth in the Grade II San Juan Capistrano April 22 in his first two races in the United States, Dhaamer earned his fourth lifetime victory. The chestnut, who has started 13 times, has earned $114,272.

Providing Rosario with his second win in the Round Table – he had also won the most recent renewal before Sunday in 2009 with Obrigado – Dhaamer paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.40.

Reserved off the pace set by Lumberyard Jack and longshot St. Joel, Dhaamer began his surge on the outside around the final turn, then swept to the front early in the stretch.

The lone female in the field, Quaintly, who saved ground throughout under Victor Espinoza, found room to rally inside the tiring pacesetters, but was no match for the winner. Runner-up in both of her outings in this country for trainer Patrick Biancone, Quaintly paid $5.80 and $3.20.

Porfido, who would have been the oldest stakes winner in the history of Betfair Hollywood Park had he been successful in the Round Table, gained third by a half-length over Dynamic Host, the 4-1 second choice. The show price on the 10-year-old, who was three-quarters of a length behind Quaintly, was $3.40.

“There were no instructions today,’’ said Mitchell. “When you have a rider like Joel you don’t say much because you don’t know how these things are going to go.

“He had plenty left in the tank. He came out of the San Juan Capistrano well; he was bucking and playing and feeling good a day or two after the race, so you just knew he wasn’t knocked out. He’ll probably go next in the (Grade III, $150,000) Sunset (Handicap July 15).’’

Completing the order of finish were Lumberyard Jack, Bud I Crushed It, Goldwaki and St. Joel. Falcon Rock was scratched in favor of a race Thursday.

One race before the Round Table, jockey Patrick Valenzuela picked up his first win since ending his retirement last month, prevailing by three-quarters of a length aboard favored Langfuhrs Lightning.

The victory was the first for Valenzuela, 49, since he won with 14-1 shot Miss Mittagong last Nov. 12 at Betfair Hollywood Park. He was 0-for-24 at the Spring/Summer meet prior to Sunday’s win.

Racing resumes Thursday. Post time is 1 p.m.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable’s Latigo Shore swept past favored Ballyclough nearing the quarter pole and drew off to win Sunday’s $57,224 allowance feature by 5 1/2 lengths over Tangled Sheets.

Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. and trained by Ronny Werner, Latigo Shore covered the five furlongs on a sloppy main track in :57.21.

A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Malibu Moon, Latigo Shore won for the third time in 14 starts and the first time in outings over a sloppy track. The victory was worth $34,800 and raised Latigo Shore’s earnings to $146,943.

Latigo Shore returned $8.20, $4.40 and $3. Tangled Sheets, ridden by Jesus Castanon, returned $6.20 and $3.40 with City Cool finishing 1½ lengths back in third under Shaun Bridgmohan and paying $3 to show.

Racing resumes Thursday with a nine-race program that begins at 12:45 p.m. (EDT) and features a $7,216 carryover in the Pick 6.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, the Lawyer Ron colt won for the third time in as many starts at seven furlongs.

A winner of four of six around one turn, Drill, the 6-5 favorite, lifted his earnings $419,710. Out of the Storm Cat mare Cat Dancer, the $300,000 yearling purchase has won four of 11.

Third behind pacesetter American Act and stablemate Gun Boat for most of the trip, Drill and jockey Martin Garcia angled off the rail early in the stretch, then split horses to prevail in the closing yards.

In winning by a half-length, Drill completed the distance over Cushion Track in 1:22.98. He paid $4.40 and $2.80. There was no show wagering.

American Act, who was able to win the Harry Henson Stakes April 26 despite bearing out badly at the quarter pole, returned $3.20 while finishing a half-length in front of Gun Boat. Boompa, the longest shot in the lineup at 7-1, trailed throughout.

This was the second time American Act had been runner-up behind Drill. The two finished a nose apart in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes Feb. 19 at Santa Anita.

“I just talked to Bob on the phone,’’ said assistant trainer Mike Marlow. “He thought (Drill) ran well and Gun Boat might need blinkers, he was hanging a little the last eighth of a mile.

“But I think Drill is just a better horse. It’s a good thing Gun Boat was the other horse or he might not have let him out (when Drill was seeking room early in the stretch). Drill kind of likes a target, just like he got today.’’

The win was the first in the Barrera for both Garcia and Baffert, Three of Drill’s wins have come in tandem with Garcia, including the Grade I Del Mar Futurity last Sept. 7.

“I was just trying to save as much ground as I could,’’ said Garcia, who won two other races with Baffert-trained runners – Eaton Hall (sixth) and Lady Ten (seventh).

“I wasn’t really worried about that other horse (American Act) getting out because he never did that before and I don’t know why he did it that day. But whatever happened, I was ready for it.

“(Drill) was really into the bridle today and we were going so easy.’’

After winning only once during the first eight days of the Spring/Summer meet, jockey Joel Rosario has gotten warm.

Rosario, who has been the leading rider at both the Spring/Summer and Autumn seasons the last three years, won three times Thursday and bettered that with a four win day Saturday.

Two of Rosario’s victories came for trainer Caesar Dominguez – Anna You’re Up in the first and 15-1 shot J Louie in the fourth.

Tied for third in the rider standings with Alonso Quinonez, trailing leader Rafael Bejarano (13) and Joe Talamo (11), Rosario also scored with Valkyrie Missile in the second and Clearance Clarence in the fifth.

File photo
Drill

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – One race after saddling 2011 Florida Stallion Stakes hero Fort Loudon to victory in the $75,000 In Summation, trainer Stanley Gold was back in the Calder Casino & Race Course winner’s circle with Jacks Or Better Farm, Inc.’s homebred filly Redbud Road, a determined winner of the $75,000 French Village when returning from a seven-month layoff to prevail by three-quarters of a length while covering six furlongs in 1:11.29.

“Just like last year,” winning jockey Luis Saez exulted after the race. “The last three times she worked, I was on her. And the last time, when we worked her from the gate, she broke perfect and worked great. Right then, I knew I was going to win this race.”

Redbud Road was sharp from the gate again on Saturday, and Saez had the filly forwardly placed while pressing stablemate Awesome Belle through an opening quarter in :21.89.

When that rival started backing up after a half-mile split that was clocked in :44.79, Redbud Road willingly inherited the lead, quickly opening up a two-length advantage on the field before holding off a legitimate late challenge from Miss Quisqueya to hold sway by a safe margin.  

“When the other filly tried to come get her,” Saez said. “My filly just kept going.”

“I knew she was dead ready,” Gold said of Redbud Road’s ability to have success off an extended break. “She’s had a steady diet of good solid works, and I knew that she wasn’t going to be short. Sometimes the plan works, and sometimes it doesn’t. This time it worked out.”

Redbud Road, a two-time stakes winner at Calder during her juvenile season, returned $9.60, $4.20, and $3.20 for her French Village victory. Miss Quisqueya paid $3.60 and $2.60 for second. It was 2 ¾ lengths back to Citizen Advocate, who brought back $2.60 for third.

Completing the order of finish was Sinister Tale, Who Is Camille, Another Romance, Awesome Belle, and Given Enchantment.

Redbud Road improved her overall record to four wins from seven starts, with the winner’s share of the French Village boosting her lifetime earnings to $236,955. The homebred daughter of Awesome of Course was bred in Florida and is out of the mare Ladyinareddress, who won the $100,000 Office Queen Stakes at Calder in 2004.