Horse Racing Capsules: West Ocean wins Big A's Flirtalong Stakes
NEW YORK — West Ocean has held off Denomination by a neck in the $69,400 Flirtalong Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf at Aqueduct.
John Velazquez guided West Ocean right to the front on Wednesday, and they crawled along on a very slow pace. That was the key tactical advantage as West Ocean had enough reserve left to fend off a determined bid from Denomination.
The Todd Pletcher-trained West Ocean ran the 1 1-16 miles in 1:46.48 over the course labeled good, improving to 3 for 4. She paid $12, $5.40 and $4.
Denomination returned $3.90 and $3.10. Akilina paid $2.70 to show.
Life by R R wins at Hollywood Park
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Life by R R earned a front-running victory under Alex Solis at Hollywood Park on Wednesday.
Life by R R was the last horse entered in the name of Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who died on Monday.
The 3-year-old chestnut filly covered 6½ furlongs in 1:16.27 and won for the second time in nine starts. She paid $5 as the 3-2 betting favorite.
Life by R R was saddled by Humberto Ascanio, Frankel's assistant of more than 30 years.
In the day's $40,000 feature, Asanti moved to the lead at the top of the stretch and hung on to win by a half-length under Garrett Gomez. The victory was her third in seven starts this year.
Collar wins Churchill Downs feature race
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Favorite Collar held off Sweet Gladys to win by a head in the $45,658 feature race at Churchill Downs on Wednesday.
The 3-year-old daughter of Candy Ride, ridden by Julien Leparoux, covered 5 furlongs in 58.84 seconds. It was her fourth win in eight starts and brought her career earnings for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey to $75,764 with the winner's take of $29,280.
Collar paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10, while Sweet Gladys returned $3.80 and $2.80. Indian Footsteps was a length back in third and paid $3 to show.
