Monday, February 1, 2010

Sunday stakes roundup

Despite a deep field and the presence of an Eclipse champion, Bickersons turned the Forward Gal into a laugher at Gulfstream on Saturday, romping to a seven-length score in the Grade II event.


The filly, winner of the Moccasin Stakes during an up-and-down campaign in California last fall, broke alertly under Joe Bravo and stalked the pace set by previously unbeaten Richiegirlgonewild. Bickersons took over approaching the quarter pole and the outcome was never in doubt from there.


Longshot Joanie's Catch made a noteworthy rally up the inside for second and Liam's Dream was third after a troubled trip. She Be Wild, making her first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies to cap her Eclipse campaign, raced wide throughout but never really fired, finishing an even fifth.


Meanwhile, on the undercard, Drosselmeyer won a nine furlong allowance to stamp himself as a 3-year-old to watch on the Florida road to the Derby. The Bill Mott trainee showed poise and determination in waiting for a hole to open in the stretch before edging away late under Kent Desormeaux.

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Gabby's Golden Gal may be ready to live up to the promise she showed last season, as the 4-year-old upset the Grade I La Brea at Santa Anita.


Under a patient ride from Martin Garcia, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro settled nicely off the pace before running down the leaders in the final furlong.


Proviso closed steadily for the place; Free Flying Soul, who led at the top of the lane, faded to third. Grade I winners Evita Argentina and Diamondrella never fired.

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The Coyote Lakes Stakes, the feature at Aqueduct on Sunday, was a carbon copy of the Gallant Fox run over the same conditions a month ago. The Todd Pletcher trainee Tiger's Rock wore down stablemate Nite Light to win the marathon event. Giant Chieftain once again rounded out the trifecta.


The time for the 1 5/8 miles was 2:45.07, significantly better than the 2:47.34 Tiger's Rock turned in in the Gallant Fox on New Year's Eve.

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