Solid Wager last to first in Cary Grant Stakes

Del Mar, CA

Solid Wager rallied from last to first in the $100K Cary Grant Stakes at Del Mar Sunday.

Under newly married jockey Joe Talamo the gelding kicked into gear down the stretch. Passing the entire field en route to a half length victory.

The race returned very quick fractional times of :22 and :44 for the 7f distance that set the table for the closer.

Raised a Secret and Got Even rounded out the trifecta. While defending champion and favorite Big Macher simply didn't have it finishing in seventh. 

Solid Wager returned $20 to win and was the only one making a strong run at the end. Finishing the 7f in a solid 1:22 final time.

Solid Wager now has over $300K in earnings for winning trainer Peter Miller. 

Lucky Folie Wires field in Desi Arnaz stakes

Del Mar, CA

Lucky Folie took the field wire-to-wire in the $100K Desi Arnaz Stakes Sunday.

Ridden to victory by Hall of Famer Gary Stevens. The second choice kicked clear early, running very quick splits of :22 and :44 for the distance, and dug-in deep stretch for the half-length win.

The below even money favorite Pretty N Cool loomed around the turn, but simply did not have any run down the lane. Weakening to last.

Longshots Treasuring and Street Fancy rounded out the top three, but if going to make an impact at this level they should have made more of a dent in the lane.

Lucky Folie returned $6.40 to win and ran the 7f in a fast 1:23 final time. She is one to watch moving forward after this classy performance.

The two-year-old is now 2-for-3 lifetime with $114K in earnings and according to trainer Richard Mandella her next start could be in the Starlet at Los Alamitos Dec. 12th. 

Tough it out Doesn't Beat Much in victory

Del Mar, CA

Tough It Out broke his maiden by defeating eight rivals in a weak Cal-bred maiden special weight event Thursday.

The two-year-old gelding showed patience when waiting for room down the lane to unleash his winning move before the wire. Problem is his winning move wasn't all that fast.

The final time for the 1m turf race was a slow 1:36 including very slow splits of :47 and 1:24.

It was a great ride by the red-hot Santiago Gonzalez and the first time gelding was ready on the stretch out after two sprint races.

He returned $12.40 to win and a clear second was the favorite Gio Mio. Everyone else was no match for the top pair.

No one in this event, including Tough It Out, has a strong turf or route pedigree.

This is a race to take note of moving forward. Rating all of these runners below average for this type of level. Including the winner, if he is moved up too much in class when facing winners for the first time.

American Pharoah leaves no doubt in Classic

Lexington, KY

The Triple Crown champion American Pharoah made his final act a winning one in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday.

The champ took control right out of the gate and simply ran them off their feet. Cruising to a smashing 6 1/2 length victory in the Breeders' Cup richest race.

The superstar ran the 1 1/4 mile race in a track-record time of 2:00.07.

American Pharoah paid $3.40 to win and left no doubt as to was best.

Second place finisher Effinex ran a solid race to stay in contact with the favorite for most of the race and third place finisher Honor Code was not threatening. 

The 3-year-old colt is the first horse to win the Triple Crown and the Classic in the same year.

American Pharoah will now start his new career as breeding stallion at a farm in Kentucky.   

Songbird dominates Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

Lexington, KY

Songbird made short work of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies field on Saturday.

The California based filly broke on top and never looked back en route to a convincing 5 3/4 length victory. 

Songbird ran the opening 6f in 1:11 on cruise control and finished the 1 1/16 mile race in a strong final time of 1:42.73.

Songbird, the betting favorite, returned $3.20 to win. Defeating Rachel's Valentina easily in second and Dothraki Queen another 1 3/4 lengths back in third.

The win gave trainer Jerry Hollendorfer his second Breeders' Cup lifetime victory.

Songbird has now won all four of her starts by a combined 22 lengths.