Mohaymen runs away in Fountain of Youth

Hallandale Beach, FL

Mohaymen dominated the Fountain of Youth Stakes Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

The three-year-old son of Tapit proved why he was the heavy favorite in the small field by cruising past  all five runners and pulling clear to a convincing 2 1/4 length victory.

The $400K Fountain of Youth Stakes is on the Kentucky Derby trail and Mohaymen made short work of the field. He sat off quick opening fractions of :23, for the 1 1/16 mile distance under jockey Junior Alvarado, before taking the lead down the stretch and was in the clear.

Second choice Zulu finished in second and was four lengths clear of Fellowship in third. The rest of the field was not part of the final picture.

Mohaymen returned $2.80 to win and ran the race in a standard time of 1:42.

The powerful grey colt remains undefeated and while it is early in the prep races he now leads the Kentucky Derby field in points to run in the Derby. 

Zenyatta's son Ziconic thrills in first start

Arcadia, CA

The first start for Ziconic, the three-year-old son of 2010 horse of the year Zenyatta, wasn't a victory on paper, but it certainly was one to everyone involved.

Ziconic broke slow and was more than 15 lengths behind the leaders in the early part of the race. He kicked it into gear, like his mother would, and hit his best stride down the stretch. 

The three-year-old didn't win like his mom, but finished the race in third. He only lost by 1 3/4 lengths in a very promising debut.

Jockey Gary Stevens said he was never cheered for so loudly after finishing third in a race.

The 7 furlong event was clocked in a quick final time of 1:23 and was taken by longshot Fast Munny. However, the star of the race was the third place finisher. 

Ziconic's trainer John Shirreffs, who trained champion Zenyatta, is a man of few words, but had a big smile on his face after the race that said it all.

No announcement has been made for Ziconic's next race, but it should include a trip to the Winner's Circle.

Tara's Tango doesn't disappoint in Santa Maria

Arcadia, CA

Favored Tara's Tango works out perfect trip to kick clear and take the Grade II Santa Maria Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita.

Jockey Martin Garcia kept the favorite in a strong hold and out of the quick opening fractions of :23 and :46 for the 1 1/16 mile distance, before sweeping three wide and pulling clear late to victory.

Tara's Tango closed from fifth in the final three furlongs and finished a half length clear of a game Yahilwa, who held on gamely after dueling through those quick splits. Living The Life rounded out the top three, finishing another 3/4 lengths back in third.

The 4-year-old filly returned $5.80 to win and ran the race in an average final time of 1:44.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he was pleased the way the race set up for his filly.

Tara's Tango has now earned over $300,000 and her next race might be in the Santa Margarita Invitational on March 19 at Santa Anita.

Songbird rules in Las Virgenes

Arcadia, CA

Songbird continued her dominance as she romped to victory in Saturday's Grade II Las Virgenes Stakes.

Making her first start since October, after taking the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland, the champion took the stakes race by a measured 6 1/2 lengths.

Jockey Mike Smith had Songbird geared down to a morning workout once they crossed the wire, started her three-year-old campaign in dominate fashion.

The three-year-old filly cruised on the lead through her own opening fractions of :23 and :47. Finishing the 1 mile race in an effortless final time of 1:36.

Land Over Sea, who finished seventh in the BC Juvenile Fillies, ran second, and maiden She's a Warrior rounded out the distant trifecta.

Songbird, the heavy favorite for good reason, returned $2.10 to win.

Owner Rick Porter said he has no desire to run his filly against the boys this spring, ruling out a start in the Kentucky Derby or any prep races leading up to that race.

Songbird has now earned over $1.5 million and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said the Santa Anita Oaks on April 9 is the next race on the horizon.

Hoppertunity wins a thriller in San Antonio

Arcadia, CA

Hard trying Hoppertunity snaps losing streak and wins photo in taking the Grade II San Antonio Stakes Saturday afternoon.

The five-year-old settled near the back of the field under jockey Flavien Prat, before picking off the leaders and holding on to a nose victory over the fast closing Imperative.

Cat Burglar set a fast pace of :23, :46, and 1:10 opening fractions to help set it up for the off-the-pace runners in Hoppertunity and Imperative.

Prat had the favorite very wide around the turn to make his run in the clear down the stretch. Jockey Mike Smith also took the same route guiding Imperative to his outside for his final run.

Donworth completed the trifecta, finishing in third, and ran a solid race just 1 3/4 lengths behind the top two after being a part of the fast opening fractions.

Hoppertunity returned $5.80 to win and ran the 1 1/8 mile race in a final time of  1:48.

The Bob Baffert trained stakes winner now spots five wins from 18 career starts with a $1.87 million bankroll.