David Hutson’s MOCITA (Boundary), a seven-length winner of the Stormy Frolic S. in her
previous start, carried her momentum forward Saturday at Calder Race Course,
swooping past her rivals for a 1 1/2-length score in the Stage Door Betty H.,
the last of four $100,000 stakes on the Grand Slam III program. The newly turned
four-year-old filly improved her overall mark to 18-6-3-1, with earnings of
$166,220. Having broken her maiden in a $25,000 claimer for previous
connections, she is headed in the right direction for trainer
Marty Wolfson.
Ridden by Eddie Castro, Mocita covered 1 1/16 miles over the fast track in
1:48 2/5 and returned $11.80, $5.20 and $4.40 as the 5-1 second choice in the
nine-horse field. Special Report (Notebook), who offered a bold bid in upper
stretch but could not match strides with the winner, settled for second, three
parts of a length better than the late-running Pitanga (Halo’s Image). Next came
Aesculus (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), Palaestra (Atticus), 4-5 favorite Sweet Lips
(Kris S.), Potra Clasica (Arg) (Potrillon [Arg]), Preach It (Saint Ballado) and
American Miss (Ameri Valay).
“She’s just gotten better and better since we stretched her out,” said
Wolfson, who bought Mocita privately in July for Hutson.
In the Pete Axthelm S., Dogwood Stable’s DRUM MAJOR (Dynaformer) broke
through with his first stakes triumph in his final three-year-old start,
rallying from far back to win the 7 1/2-furlong turf affair by 2 1/2 lengths
under Rafael Bejarano. Trained by George Weaver, the dark bay colt finished
second in the Aventura S. and third in the Commonwealth Turf S. during 2005 and
now owns a mark of 11-4-2-2 with $198,598 in earnings.
“We knew he was a nice horse from the start last year after his first two
starts on the turf,” Weaver said. “We’re very happy to win this race today. It
looks like (his future) will be turf, for now anyhow. We’ll look for something
at Gulfstream in about a month (for his next start).”
Therecomesatiger (Tiger Ridge), the 8-5 favorite, offered a bold move for the
lead on the far turn but surrendered the advantage to the fast-moving Drum Major
in midstretch. Dream On Dream On (Untuttable) got up in the final strides for
second, a half-length better than the favorite, who was followed by Touched By
Madness (Sword Dance [Ire]), Tinseltown (Pine Bluff), Ramazutti (Honor Grades),
Taming the Tiger (Tiger Ridge), Looks Good Junic (Looks Good to Me), Lamor (Brz)
(Romarin [Brz]), B.B. Best (Yes It’s True), Silver Moose (Concorde’s Tune) and
Military Major (Rahy). Hostile Witness (Successful Appeal), Kin’s Hurrah (Groomstick),
Dazzling Dr. Cevin (Cutlass Fax) and Istan (Gone West) all failed to draw in
from the also-eligibles list.
Purchased for $200,000 at the 2004 Keeneland April two-year-old sale, Drum
Major left the starting gate as the 5-1 second choice and paid $13, $6 and
$3.20. He stopped the teletimer over the firm course in 1:26 4/5.
MALIBU MINT (Malibu Moon), representing the Chapman family, would not be
denied in the Chaposa Springs, overcoming a steadying incident on the far turn
to take command in deep stretch and draw off by three lengths. Owned by Carolyn,
trained by James and ridden by Kristi (all Chapmans), the chestnut filly earned
her first stakes win in her final sophomore start and enters her four-year-old
season with a 12-4-2-1 mark and $114,890 bankroll. Dismissed at 12-1, Malibu
Mint gave back $27.20, $12.20 and $7.20 after traveling seven furlongs over the
main track in 1:24 4/5.
Tigi (Dixieland Band), who was off at 20-1, edged Lilah (Defrere) in the
final strides for second. Kuanyan (Carson City) finished fourth and was trailed
by Menifeeque (Menifee), 6-5 favorite Injustice (Lit de Justice), Midtown Miss
(Yes It’s True), So Much More (Chimes Band) and No Llores Catita (Chi) (Crary).
A 10 3/4-length winner over optional allowance/claiming rivals in her
previous start, Malibu Mint was unplaced in two previous stakes attempts.
“I bought her at the (2003 Keeneland) September (sale for $15,000) with the
intention of pin-hooking her…but I got behind with her and she didn’t
make it, and we decided to keep her,” James Chapman said. “She’s had problems
this meet with sore feet, but she’s obviously doing well now. Frankly, I still think
she’ll be better on grass. There are plenty of opportunities for her at Gulfstream.”
Results for the remaining Grand Slam III race, the Frances A. Genter S. (G3),
are available in the graded results section.