Blended Citizen led a field of horses from off the pace to edge out Pony Up to win the $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (not Stakes). Coming out of the clubhouse turn, Mugaritz held the lead at a pedestrian 25.14 for the quarter mile, while Blended Citizen and Pony Up stayed back in eighth and ninth place, respectively. Mugaritz then sped things up as he opened up a six-length lead on the field heading into the far turn. The field caught up…
Undefeated Magnum Moon continued his winning streak, stunning the record crowd at Oaklawn with a 3-1/2 length victory over favored Solomini in the Rebel Stakes. Magnum Moon started well, settling for third place entering the clubhouse turn, then inched his way up to second a length behind the pacesetter Title Ready. Solomini and Sporting Chance were stalking in fourth and fifth position. The son of Malibu Moon and grandson of A.P. Indy made his move around the far turn and…
As expected, it was Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie finishing in the top two at the San Felipe Stakes. Depending on whether they agreed with the stewards’ decision, fans of both were either happy or dissatisfied. McKinzie won the race, but after two stewards’ inquiries between Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie, first place was awarded to Bolt d’Oro. Contrary to most handicappers beliefs, Bolt d’Oro broke well from the number 1 position and settled into fourth place behind Lombo. McKinzie, who was…
19-1 longshot Quip, not raced since the Kentucky Jockey Club Nov. 25, 2017, pulled an upset in the Tampa Bay Derby, throwing another monkey wrench in the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The favorite, World of Trouble, set the pace, but Quip was never farther than a half a length behind as he stayed glued to the front-runner. As the field entered the homestretch, Quip was neck and neck with World of Trouble, and for the next sixteenth of a…