UNDER LIGHTS: Breeding season has begun, so a common sight is mares under lights, such as this barn at Stonestreet Farm in Kentucky.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Eskendereya shook off Jackson Bend rounding the final turn of the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park and romped home by 8 1/2 lengths under John Velazquez to register his first graded stakes win Feb. 20.
Photo: Adam Coglianese
The Fountain of Youth is the major tune-up for the $750,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) on March 20. Pletcher said afterward that he would expect to run Eskendereya in that race.
Photo: Adam Coglianese
Paul Pompa Jr.’s D' Funnybone opened up his 3-year-old season in style, cruising to a professional one-length win as the even-money favorite in the Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 20 at Gulfstream Park.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Bob Black Jack had a 14-month layoff to overcome but all the cards were in his favor when he wired the field in the $150,000 San Carlos Handicap (gr. II) by 2 1/2 lengths at Santa Anita Feb. 20.
Photo: Benoitphoto.com
Bourbon Bay, who had won the only prior 1 1/2-mile turf race during the Santa Anita meet, made it two-for-two when he romped home in the $150,000 San Luis Obispo Handicap (gr. IIT) for his first stakes triumph Feb. 21.
Photo: Benoitphoto.com
E. Paul Robsham Stables’ homebred Discreetly Mine took a full field gate to wire in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Photo: Lou Hodges
Jody Slew (left), who trailed the field after six furlongs, streaked down the middle of the racetrack in a determined stretch drive and caught pacesetter Quiet Temper in the final jump to pull an 8-1 upset in the Silverbulletday Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Photo: Lynn Roberts
Courageous Cat, last seen finishing a close second to champion Goldikova in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT), stalked the early pace before taking the lead in midstretch and then held off a late challenge to win the Canadian Turf Cup (gr. IIT) by a head at Gulfstream Park Feb. 20.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Wasted Tears made all the running to win the Honey Fox (gr. III) for fillies and mares on the Feb. 20 card at Gulfstream.
Photo: Adam Coglianese
Zabeel Racing International’s Conveyance (right) remained undefeated in four starts, as he sprinted to an early lead then held off late bids from Dublin and Cardiff Giant to win the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 20 at Oaklawn Park.
