Check out this week's episode of HRTV's Pursuit of the Crown, Despite the Odds has a cameo appearance.

Al Khali Takes US Debut

As expected, Chef (Smarty Jones) went to the lead, but Al Khali (Medaglia d'Oro) wasn't far off of him. Also joining in the fun was Atomic Rain. Chef tired in the stretch and Atomic Rain seemed poised for the win. But, he bore out in the stretch allowing Al Khali to take the lead. Atomic Rain continued to run erratically, as Stately Character closed well to just nip Atomic Rain for 2nd. Al Khali was tiring a bit late, but overall it was a promising U.S. debut. I wouldn't give up on Chef either, as he was stretching out from 7 furlongs. Trainer Todd Pletcher seemed a bit noncommittal about where Al Khali would show up next.

Read more about the race here.

Result: March 6, 2009
Gulfstream Race 9
Allowance

Equibase Chart

Mythical Power Prevails

Street Car sprinted to the early lead, getting clear from the field. Valkyrie Missile and Mythical Power (Congaree) began advancing to challenge. Valkyrie Missile soon gave up the fight, but Mythical Power was persistent. He wore down his stablemate Street Car, to take his maiden victory by a neck. These two were a good eight lengths clear of the Kings Village, who closed late to get his nose down for third.

Result: March 6, 2009
Santa Anita Race 3
Maiden Special Weight

Equibase Chart

On Approval gets a Wiggle and a Wink

L. A. Devine set the early pace, pursued by Royal Fortune. Wiggle and a Wink (Congaree) wasn't far off of these two. Wiggle and a Wink made her move wide coming down the hill, sticking her head in front. But Royal Fortune was not done. It looked as though Royal Fortune and Wiggle and a Wink would fight it out to the wire, but they were soon joined, and passed, by On Approval, who came rolling late to get the victory.

Result: March 6, 2009
Santa Anita Race 5
Maiden Special Weight

Equibase Chart

Other Results for March 6

Canadian Royalty (colt; Peace Rules - Northern Babe by Polish Numbers) went to the lead in his Maiden Claiming race at Charles Town, hounded by favorite Sunshine Bob. It was nip and tuck for a while, but in the stretch, Canadian Royalty began to draw away. But, the race wasn't offical yet, there was a claim of foul by Sunshine Bob's jockey. I felt a certain sense of deja vu, as Canadian Royalty finished first last time out on February 6, but was disqualified to 2nd. This time, however, the verdict was different, and Canadian Royalty is a maiden no more.

Dancin Perfect (filly; Pleasantly Perfect - Dancewiththebride by Belong to Me) made a move on the outside, but flatten out and finished 7th in her turf Allowance race at Fair Grounds. The winner, More of the Best, went gate-to-wire with Francisco Torres, who is just back from an injury.

Amethyst Rose (filly; Saarland - Quiet Talk by Valid Appeal) was up on the pace early, then faded a bit to finish 5th in her Maiden Claiming race at Turfway.

March 7 Entries

Haynesfield Takes on Gotham

March 7, 2009
Aqueduct Race 9
Gotham Stakes (gr. III)
1 1/16 miles
3-year olds
Post Time: 4:18 PM ET HRTV/TVG

I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this one, as frankly I can't remember the last time the Gotham got this much coverage. Mr. Fantasy (E Dubai - Twice Forbidden by Spectacular Bid) might be the best thing since sliced bread (or at least Big Brown), but I'll take Haynesfield's (Speightstown - Nothing Special by Tejabo) three stakes wins over Mr. Fantasy's maiden and an allowance, despite the margins. Of course, they will both have to contend with I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even - Meguial (ARG) by Roy) and Axel Foley (Officer - Morganza by Clever Trick), who have been playing in bigger ponds. And then there are Masala (Lion Heart - Countess Marq by Marquetry) and Imperial Council (Empire Maker - Jaramar Rain by Thunder Gulch), both exiting interesting allowance races at Gulfstream. Russell Road (Wheaton - Roberta Grump by Verification) is the West Virginian wonder horse, having won 6 in a row, mostly facing state-breds (although his last stakes win was in open company at Laurel). Personally, I find Naos (Lion Heart - Miss Moonwaki by Miswaki) intriguing, mostly as he is out of a half-sister to my favorite horse Mr. Freeze. He finished 6th in the Jimmy Winkfield, behind Giant Ryan (Freud - Kheyrah by Dayjur), who was 5th. The winner of the Jimmy Winkfield, Taqarub, was 9th in the Fountain of Youth last weekend. You can read the Gotham preview here. Watch That Handicapping Show here. Find out who the fastest horse is here. Learn more about I Want Revenge here. And, find Jason Shandler's Selections here. And for good measure, here are the past performances.

Saarlight Seeks the Wide Country

March 7, 2009
Laurel Race 9
Wide Country Stakes
7 furlongs
3-year old fillies
Post Time: 4:49 PM ET

Haynesfield is not the only Maiden Watch horse in a stakes on March 7, as maiden Saarlight (Saarland - Crystal Blaze by Spectacular Bid) takes on 8 in the Wide Country Stakes at Laurel. Saarlight has run once, finishing 2nd in a Maiden Special Weight race at Aqueduct on February 4. In that race, she lost by just the bob of the head. Saarlight is out of the winning mare Crystal Blaze. Crystal Blaze has produced 5 winners, including stakes winner Currency Quest.

Strut the Canary (Mineshaft - Flash of Fashion by Petionville), Huge (Meadowlake - Wonders Delight by Icecapade), and Call of a Lion (Lion Hearted - Cavalanche by Caveat) ran in the Marshua Stakes at Laurel on February 7. Strut the Canary was the winner, Huge finished 2nd, and Call of a Lion stumbled out of the gate and lost her rider. Strut the Canary has run 4 times. She was 2nd in her debut, and then won 3 straight. Huge has made 6 total starts, winning one and finishing 2nd twice. She has had additional stakes experience in the Jamestown Stakes, in which she was 8th, and the Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies Stakes on October 18, in which she was 5th. Call of a Lion has run 7 times, recording 3 wins and 2 seconds. One of her seconds was in the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championships at Laurel in December.

Haley's Lolipop (Cuvee - Two Foxie by Fair Skies) finished third in the Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies, in front of Huge. She previously had finished 4th in the Monmouth Park NATC Futurity on September 27. Her most recent start was on December 19 when she won an Allowance/Optional Claiming race at Laurel.

The last filly with stakes experience is Listentothewindblo (Partner's Hero - Star Kell by Star de Naskra), who was 5th in the Dearly Precious Stakes at Aqueduct on February 14. Prior to that, she recorded a win and two seconds, including a second in an Allowance/Optional Claiming race at Laurel on January 21. The winner of that Allowance/Optional Claiming race was Don'tgetsuspicious (E Dubai - Poco Bambino by Nureyev), who has won three in a row, while running on or near the pace.

Fondant (Candy Ride (ARG) - Fond by Old Trieste) and Mint Brownie (Salt Lake - Lady Manolo by Meadowlake) both won their debuts leading throughout (Mint Brownie by 13 lengths). They then met in their second start, a 6 furlong Allowance/Optional Claiming race at Laurel on February 20. Fondant was the winner and Mint Brownie finished 3rd. Fondant and Mint Brownie would be a very tasty exacta (maybe throw in Haley's Lolipop for the tri).

Keep Me in Mind to Count the Gold, my Strong Inheritance

March 7, 2009
Philadelphia Park Race 6
Maiden Special Weight
1 mile and 70 yards
3-year olds
Post Time: 2:31 PM ET HRTV

Keep Me in Mind (Smarty Jones - Bells Are Ringing by Sadler's Wells) makes his 5th start overall, and his third of 2009. He finished 2nd in his two previous 2009 starts, including a February 15 race at a mile and 70 yards, the same distance as this race. His 2008 results included a 5th in the Christopher Elser Memorial Stakes on November 1. All of his racing has been at Philadelphia Park. Keep Me in Mind sold for $130,000 as a yearling, and is out of the winning mare Bells Are Ringing. Bells Are Ringing has produced 2 winners, including stakes winner Abbey Road. Bells Are Ringing is also a half-sister to Unbridled's Song.

Finishing 3rd and 4th behind Keep Me in Mind on February 15 at Philadelphia Park were Megagold (Omega Code - Bold Glitter by Bold Show) and Dixieland Cowboy (Bowman's Band - Barbarasgoneagain by Lil Fappi). These two also met on January 20 at Philadelphia Park, with Megagold finishing 4th and Dixieland Cowboy 9th. Megagold also had made two starts at the Meadowlands, finishing 2nd once and 3rd once. Megagold sold for $21,000 as a 2-year old, and is out of the winning mare Bold Glitter. Bold Glitter has produced 3 winners. Dixieland Cowboy also ran on February 8 at Philadelphia Park, finishing 5th. Dixieland Cowboy is out of stakes winner Barbarasgoneagain, who earned $128,488. Barbarasgoneagain has produced 5 winners from 7 to run.

Count the Gold (Banker's Gold - Black Tie Countess by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) also ran in the January 20 race at Philadelphia Park against Megagold and Dixieland Cowboy, finishing 8th. Since then, he's finished 2nd at Philadelphia Park on February 7. He started the year by running 7th at Philadelphia Park on New Year's Day. Count the Gold's 2 2008 starts were in stakes company, he was 3rd in the Christopher Elser Memorial Stakes at Philadelphia Park on November 16 (in front of Keep Me in Mind), and 3rd in the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes at that same track on December 6. Count the Gold is the 3rd foal out of a winning mare, who is a half-sister to 4 winners.

Strong Inheritance (Strong Hope - Blushing Heiress by Blushing John) finished 4th, in front of Count the Gold on January 1 at Philadelphia Park. That was his debut. Since then, he's run twice at Laurel, finishing 2nd both on January 30 and February 18. Strong Inheritance sold for $10,000 as a weanling, and $53,000 as a 2-year old. He is out of grade II winner Blushing Heiress, who earned $356,540. Blushing Heiress has produced 2 winners, including stakes winner Winsome.

Pettarano (Johannesburg - Nashly by Island Whirl), who is making his 2009 debut, did his previous running at Delaware Park. In four starts, he finished 2nd once and 3rd once. He sold for $30,000 as a yearling, and is out of stakes-placed Nashly. Nashly has produced 8 winners, including stakes winner Cruise Along.

Mundo En Fuego (El Corredor - Red Satin Slippers by Peteski) finished 7th in his debut at Delaware Park on October 6, and then finished 3rd at Philadelphia Park on November 28, and 2nd there on January 5. He sold for $130,000 as a yearling, and $375,000 as a 2-year old. Stakes-placed Red Satin Slippers, dam of Mundo En Fuego, earned $144,868 in her career. Red Satin Slippers has produced the stakes winner Cantrel.

U. S. Deputy (Not For Love - Limes 'n Lemons by Deputy Minister) was 3rd in his only start on September 27 on a muddy Philadelphia Park track. He was a $120,000 a yearling. U.S. Deputy is a full-brother to stakes-placed Lemons of Love, who has earned $314,345.

Bull Toccet (Toccet - Prima Neenya by Spend a Buck) has run 5 times, including 3 times in 2009. In 2008, he was 5th and 10th in two Aqueduct races. This year, he previously was running in Florida, finishing 6th at Gulfstream on January 7, 4th at Tampa on February 8, and 5th on the Tampa turf on February 21. He brought $75,000 as a yearling and $150,000 at 2. Stakes-placed Prima Neenya, dam of Bull Toccet, was a winner, and earned $102,638. She has produced 2 winners.

Denver (Fusaichi Pegasus - Screamer by Roanoke) has run twice, both times at Gulfstream Park. He finished 5th, behind Dunkirk, at 7 furlongs on January 24, and 6th at a mile on Februry 21. Denver sold for $35,000 as a weanling, and is out of grade II winner Screamer. Screamer earned $290,822, and has produced 4 winners, including grade III winner El Roblar.

Touched by a Star (Toccet - Miss Dark Star by Cape Town) has run once, finishing 10th at Churchill Downs on November 19. He sold for $65,000 as a yearling, and $130,000 as a 2-year old. Touched by a Star is the 2nd foal out of the winning mare Miss Dark Star. Miss Dark Star's first foal, Thundering Glory, was a winner.

Completing the field is the filly Cowgirlinthesand (Bowman's Band - Castlesinthesand by Castle Guard), who has run 6 times, all at Philadelphia Park. Last year, she finished 4th three times and 5th twice. One of the 4th place finishes came in the Eavesdrop Stakes. This year, Cowgirlinthesand has run once, finishing 5th on January 31. She is out of the winning mare Castlesinthesand. Castlesinthesand has produced 9 winners, including stakes winner Barracouta.

Smart Attire has a Score to Settle with the Platinum Devil

March 7, 2009
Oaklawn Park Race 8
Maiden Claiming ($30,000)
6 furlongs
3-year olds
Post Time: 5:33 PM ET HRTV

Smart Attire (Smarty Jones - Alaska Queen by Time for a Change) made one 2008 start, finishing 10th on November 1 at Churchill Downs, and one 2009 start, finishing 7th on February 13 at Oaklawn Park. Smart Attire is a half-brother to grade II winners Keats and Fairbanks, and three other winners.

Salty Cal (Salt Lake - Lucky in Love by Bold Badgett) finished 8th, behind Smart Attire, on February 13 at Oaklawn. Previously, he was 6th at Oaklawn on January 24, and 4th at Remington Park on November 30. Salty Cal, who sold for $40,000 as a yearling, is the first foal out of stakes-placed Lucky in Love, who earned $269,058.

Condobound (Menifee - York Woods by Mining) finished 3rd in his only start, on February 14 at Oaklawn Park. He sold for $15,000 as a yearling, and is out of the winning mare York Woods. York Woods has produced 8 winners, including grade II stakes winner Middlesex Drive.

Spin Doctor (Posse - World of Gold by Spinning World) has also made one Oaklawn Park start, finishing 8th on January 17. He is out of the winning mare World of Gold. World of Gold has produced stakes winner Dakota Phone and stakes-placed Black Hills Goldie, from 3 to run.

Campfire Coffee (High Yield - Sister's Shamrock by American Chance) has also run once, but at Retama on August 29, finishing 5th. Stakes winner Sister's Shamrock, dam of Campfire Coffee, has produced the winner Icanmakeitrain.

The remaining entrants are unraced, including Score to Settle (Even the Score - Pink Slippers by Private Terms), who sold for $90,000 as a yearling. Score to Settle is a half-brother to three winners, including one debut winner.

Bringing $50,000 as a yearling was Platinum Devil (Hennessy - Formal Process by Diablo). Platinum Devil is out of the winning mare Formal Process, who has produced stakes winner Real Appeal. Real Appeal has earned $245,437 in 13 starts.

Cecilsluckymistake (Seattle Fitz (ARG) - Trupon On by Ponche), who sold for $30,000 as a yearling, is out of stakes-placed Trupon On, who was a debut winner. Cecilsluckymistake is Trupon On's first foal.

Annie C's Lil Tee (Lil E. Tee - Ralsa by Blushing John) is a half-brother to 3 winners, including one debut winner. His dam, Ralsa, is a half-sister to stakes winner Slam Bammy.

The Real Chas (Eavesdropper - Twill by Binalong) is out of stakes-placed Twill. Twill has produced one winner from one to run.

Cajun Tiger (Hold That Tiger - Royal Devotion by His Majesty) is out of the winning mare Royal Devotion. Royal Devotion is the dam of 7 winners, including grade II winner Devoted Brass. Devoted Brass earned $354,466, and was a debut winner.

Nomorewineforeddie (Scrimshaw - Tulip Creek by Hickman Creek) is the 2nd foal out of the winning mare Tulip Creek. Tulip Creek's first foal, Sonny Blue, was a debut winner.

Also in Action March 7

Exclusive Scheme (filly; Saarland - Pyramid Scheme by Distant View), who got her maiden win last time out at Aqueduct on February 6, faces New York-breds in an Allowance race at Aqueduct. Post time is 12:30 PM ET for this one mile contest.

Heir to the Stone (colt; Birdstone - Mi Mariposa by Two Punch) also faces New-York breds at Aqueduct, going 6 furlongs in allowance company. He'll break from post 5 in this one scheduled for a 1:26 PM ET post. This will be Heir to the Stone's 3-year old debut. He last ran on December 14 at Aqueduct, finishing 2nd at 6 furlongs. He has been working regularly since late December to prepare for this one.

Also at Aqueduct, In Speight of It (colt; Speightstown - Honest Deceiver by Is It True) faces 8 in a 6 furlong Allowance/Optional Claiming contest. Post time is 2:52 PM, as he breaks from hole 7. Interestingly, also in this race is Mike From Queens, who finished 3rd in both the Whirlaway and the Count Fleet behind Haynesfield. I guess he's had enough of that one. In Speight of It broke his maiden in his 3rd start, at Saratoga on August 31. He last ran on December 30 at Philadelphia Park, finishing 4th.

Bakarat (filly; Peace Rules - Honeycomb Honey by Relanch), who broke her maiden last time out at Gulfstream Park on February 12, faces 8 at that track in a Starter Allowance race. She'll break from post 2 in this mile race scheduled for 3:12 PM ET.

Passum Pattie (filly; Peace Rules - Princess Patti by Polish Numbers) faces 6 in an Allowance/Optional Claiming race at Laurel. Post time is 3:53 PM ET for this 5.5 furlong race. I'm thinking an exacta of Passum Pattie with Whackthekat. Passum Pattie won her last race, an Allowance contest at Charles Town on February 5. Overall, she has 3 wins in 5 starts.

Presidente d'Oro (gelding; Medaglia d'Oro - Temis (CHI) by Lord Florey) makes his 5th start, going About One Mile in a Maiden Claiming race on the Fair Grounds turf. He'll break from post 5 at approximately 2:02 PM ET. Last time out, he finished 6th while running a mile and a sixteenth on the Fair Grounds turf on February 23.

Darlin Saarland (filly; Saarland - Rahy's Darlin by Rahy), who just ran last Sunday, is entered again in race 1 at Fonner Park. Admittedly, she didn't run much in her first start, finishing 9th. This one is a 6 furlong Maiden Claiming race with a post time of 3:30 PM ET.