What a weekend for some Stakes action across the country. The Ohio Derby, Stephen Foster, Just A Game, Fleur De Lis, New York S, and the True North were all ran on Saturday at Belmont, Churchill, and Thistledown.
Ohio Derby
With the Ohio Derby being a Kentucky Derby trail race the points given were 20-8-4-2, at this stage of the season more than likely wont be enough for the winner to get into the derby. The race was a landing spot for Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Storm the Court and 13 other horses all with an equal chance. With no clear favorite the race was wide open come post time and the end results showed. The son of Cairo Prince, Dean
Martini broke to the early lead and dared all others to try and catch him but no other horse could today. Dean Martini came into the race 0-7 and had previously been trained by Brad Cox and Peter Miller before being claimed for $50,000 and now trained by Tom Amoss. Dean Martini was able to get his first win and points to stay on the derby trail. The connections look to be pointing this horse towards the Ellis Park Derby on August 9th to try and get more derby points to secure his spot in the 146th Kentucky Derby now being ran in September. RACE REPLAY
Stephen Foster
A horse that struggled in his first 3 years of racing has really set fire to the track in his recent starts. The 7 year old son of Smart Strike, Tom's d'Etat locked his spot in the Breeders Cup Classic with his 4th straight stakes win in the Stephen Foster. With only a field of 7 Tom was able to press the pace early and set up a spot to blaze by the leaders and draw away by 4 lengths as he crossed the wire ahead of challenger By My Standards. Trainer Al Stall plans to point him towards August 1st Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. RACE REPLAY
Fleur de Lis Stakes
There was absolutely no doubt the Fleur de Lis was going to be own by Midnight Bisou. After running a very strong 2nd to Maximum Security in the $20 million Saudi Cup back in February that she was going to easily set fire to the track and thats exactly what she done. Mike Smith had her well back in the start as Serengeti Empress set a fast pace. At the 3/8s poll she turned it on and began tracking down the leaders with ease. She was able to blaze by the pace setters with ease and began pulling away in the stretch before Mike Smith
geared her down with 200 yards to go. This marks her spot in the Breeders Cup Distaff but connections aren't ruling out running in the Classic. She will also point towards Saratoga for the upcoming meet and prep for the Breeders Cup. RACE REPLAY
Just A Game Stakes
The Chad Brown trained filly Newspaperofrecord seems to be back. After a rough 2019 year her 2020 record is off to a 2-2 start, as she easily captured the Just a Game Stakes at Belmont by 4 length. Bred in Ireland by Times of Wigan, Newspaperofrecord improved to five wins in eight starts with earnings of $988,250. With no expectations on whenshe will race again connections are set on not racing her beyond a mile this season. RACE REPLAY
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