Horse Racing Capsules: Mucho Macho Man wins at Gulfstream

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Mucho Macho Man won the $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, beating Ron the Greek by 1 1/2 lengths.

Ridden by Ramon Dominguez and trained by Kathy Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.91 and paid $6.20, $3.80 and $3. One of only three horses to race in all the three legs of the Triple Crown last year, Mucho Macho Man made was making his 2012 debut in the finale of the six stakes for Florida-bred thoroughbreds.

"It was the absolute perfect trip," Dominguez said. "We were right on the outside of the speed. He handled himself so well. He gave me the feeling every step of the way that whenever I was ready to ask he was ready to go. He gave me so much confidence. I was just a passenger today. You can really tell how much he's grown up since I rode him in the Belmont. Back then, he was just a big skinny horse that had a lot of maturing to do. Now he looks like he's grown up and has everything figured out."

Owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team Racing, Mucho Macho Man had a long break after finishing seventh in the Belmont Stakes. He was third in the Kentucky Derby.

Ritvo has no set plan for Mucho Macho Man's next race.

"We'll see how he comes out of it and then start to look for another race for him," she said.

Ron the Greek returned $5.20 and $3.60, and Turbo Compressor paid $3.20 to show.

In the $300,000 Distaff, Awesome Feather beat Delightful Mary by 5 3/4 lengths for her ninth victory in nine starts, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.17.

"She trained great for the race, but you just don't know until you can run them," trainer Chad Brown said. "She's just a real pro."

Ridden by Jeffrey Sanchez, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.10.

"I have so much confidence in her," said Sanchez, aboard Awesome Feather for all nine of her victories. "She's just so special to me. She's the best horse I've ever ridden. She's the best filly in the world."

Delightful Mary returned $5.40 and $3.60, and Sweet Repent paid $3.40.

Soaring Stocks took the $150,000 Sprint, beating Cajun Breeze by a half-length. Ridden by John Velazquez, the John Pletcher-trained Soaring Stocks ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:09.490 and paid $11, $5.20 and $3.80.

Cajun Breeze returned $14.40 and $5.40, and Royal Currier paid $3.20.

It's Me Mom won the $150,000 Filly & Mare Sprint, beating Honey Chile by 6 3/4 lengths. Ridden by Willie Martinez and trained by Lynne Scace, It's Me Mom ran 6 furlongs in 1:08.85 and paid $6.80, $4.80 and $4. She has six victories in nine starts at 6 furlongs.

Honey Chile returned $8.40 and $5.20, and Indulgence paid $6 to show.

"We knew we'd be in front, that's what she does," Martinez said. "There's a difference between fast and brilliant speed and she has brilliant speed. ... She's just a freak."

Little Mike won the $150,000 Turf, beating Slews Answer by three-quarters of a length. Ridden by Joe Bravo, Little Mike ran 1 1/8 miles on in 1:45.94 and paid $5.20, $3.20 and $2.80. Slews Answer returned $4.20 and $3.20, and Bad Debt paid $3.20 to show.

"He's a better horse this year than he was last coming back from the injury," trainer Dale Romans said. "He had a cracked shin. I've always thought he could get the mile-and-an-eighth because even though he runs on the front he relaxes. I haven't got anything in particular picked out for him at this point. We'll start talking about it tomorrow."

In the $150,000 Filly and Mare Turf, long-shot Hooh Why beat Romacaca by 1 1/4 lengths, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.770. Ridden by Velazquez, the winner paid $37.40, $11 and $7.60.

"It worked out absolutely perfectly," Velazquez said. "There was a good pace in there and she settled really nicely. When I asked her turning for home, she really responded well."

Romacaca returned $3.80 and $2.80, and Speak Easy Gal paid $7.80.

Home Sweet Aspen wins Santa Anita feature

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Home Sweet Aspen edged Sugarinthemorning by a neck in the $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes for older fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Saturday, highlighting the Sunshine Millions card featuring stakes races exclusively for California-breds.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Home Sweet Aspen ran seven furlongs in 1:21.42 and paid $13.60, $6.80 and $4.40.

Sugarinthemorning returned $5 and $3.60, while She's Cheeky was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $5 to show.

The victory, worth $180,000, increased Home Sweet Aspen's career earnings to $355,822 with her first graded stakes win. Trainer John Sadler won the race for the second year in a row. Home Sweet Aspen was bred by diet maven Jenny Craig and her late husband Sid.

In the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, Willa B Awesome won by 3 1/2 lengths under Martin Pedroza. At 11-1 odds, she was the longest shot in the field after morning-line favorite Eden Moon became ill.

Willa B Awesome ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.73 and paid $24.20 to win. Killer Graces was second and Lady of Shamrock was third in front of 30,514.

Compari won the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. Compari ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:12.02 and paid $4 to win as the even-money favorite.

Ain't No Other was second and Red Defense finished third.

Holladay Road won the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths under Rafael Bejarano. The 7-year-old gelding ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.25 and paid $6.60 to win.

Macho Dorado was second and Spud Spivens third.

In the $100,000 Valentine Dancer for fillies and mares, Chokecherymary won by a half-length over California Nectar. Chokecherymary ran a mile on the turf in 1:34.42 and paid $18.80. Secret Cove was third.

Redding Colliery, Love and Pride win Big A stakes

NEW YORK (AP) — Redding Colliery and Love and Pride raced to pacesetting victories Saturday in $75,000 stakes at Aqueduct.

Redding Colliery held off I Want Revenge, the 4-5 favorite, by 2 lengths in the Evening Attire, a race postponed last weekend because of snow. A gray 6-year-old trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Alan Garcia, Redding Colliery won for the seventh time in 20 starts. He ran the 1 1-16 miles in 1:43.05, and paid $6.90 to win as the 2-1 second choice.

Love and Pride had an easier time in the Affectionately for fillies and mares, beating Bahia Beach by 7 lengths. Cornelio Velasquez rode for trainer Todd Pletcher as the 4-year-old improved to 4 for 9. She paid $3.90 to win the race clocked in 1:43.90 for the same distance on the fast track.