2/9/2009

Scolara rallies from last to first in Marion County
by Ron Correll

Haras Santa Maria de Araras’ 4-year-old homebred filly Scolara brought back a check in each of her last four stakes starts going back to last summer, but didn’t get her first stakes victory until Sunday when she rallied from last of eight Florida-bred fillies and mares to capture the $75,000 Marion County Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Scolara was making her first start since losing a head decision when second in the Pago Hop Stakes at Fair Grounds on Dec. 6. After breaking a half-step slow, the daughter of Quiet American was content to sit near the back of the field until splitting horse at the top of the stretch and going on to win by 2¼ lengths over Richlyn Stable’s Pay Wright.

Hidden Brook’s Quiet Meadow was another length back in third. Trained by Bill Mott, Scolara paid $4.20 as the favorite and was timed the one mile on firm turf in 1:34:42.

“She gave me a very comfortable ride. We were just breezing back there and when I asked her she had plenty to give. We ran our race. Maybe at the halfway point we picked it up. I felt good the whole way. She always delivers a nice ride and today was no different. Mr. Mott definitely had her ready,” Desormeaux said.

“She broke a half-step slow, but that was no problem. We told Kent (Desormeaux) to just let her settle and find a spot and make a run when she was ready. She’s been a bit unlucky not to have won a stakes before,” assistant trainer Ken McCarthy said.

Fractional splits were: 23:45, 47:33, 1:11:14 and 1:34:42

Originally published on tracksideview.com

On the Florida worktab

At Gulfstream Park on Sunday, multiple Grade 1 hero TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat) worked five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 on the fast track. Elevated to victory in the Cigar Mile H. (G1) via disqualification last time out, the Barclay Tagg trainee is tuning up for Saturday's Richter Scale S. (G2).

MAIMONIDES (Vindication), sidelined since his third-place effort in the 2007 Hopeful S. (G1), exercised in 1:02 4/5.

Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) runner-up EXTREME SUPREME (Deputy Minister) clocked 1:02.

Multiple stakes queen SNOW CONE (Cryptoclearance), third in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf, covered one mile in 1:45.

Multiple stakes winner CHEROKEE TRIANGLE (Cherokee Run) zipped four panels in a bullet :47 4/5, best of 43 moves at the distance.

Just Smashing S. scorer D'WILD RIDE (D'Wildcat) stretched her legs in :39 for three-eighths.

Kelso S. king PHIL THE POWER (Red Bullet) strolled four furlongs in :51 3/5.

Grade 3-placed VACATION (Dynaformer), who just missed in the Pass the Tab S., zipped in :48 4/5.

LIME RICKEY (Lemon Drop Kid), a close second in the Dania Beach S., traveled five panels in 1:02 1/5.

Promising three-year-old ALMA D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro) negotiated six furlongs in 1:16 4/5.

On the firm turf, Grade 3 diva ELUSIVE LADY (Van Nistelrooy) took a half-mile spin in :52 4/5. The John Kimmel mare is coming off a runner-up finish in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf.

Mohawk H. winner LOGIC WAY (Freud), second in the W.L. McKnight H. (G2), scampered in :55 on the grass.

Multiple stakes scorer CANNONBALL (Catienus), unraced since Saratoga, blitzed in a bullet :51 on the turf.

MY SWEET NATALIE (Bring the Heat), last seen capturing the Catcharisingstar S., reeled off three panels in :36 4/5 on the sod.

C.T.B.A. S. heroine STREAMIN HEAT (Bring the Heat) turned in the same time.

On a fast track at Tampa Bay Downs, Remsen S. (G2) runner-up ATOMIC RAIN (Smart Strike) exercised four furlongs in :49 4/5 on the fast track. The Kelly Breen charge, who was beaten all of a neck in an allowance last time out, is probable for Saturday's Sam F. Davis S. (G3).

Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G2) victor WAYZATA BAY (Roar) completed his five-panel move in 1:02 1/5.

At Palm Meadows, multiple Canadian stakes star SOUTHERN EXCHANGE (Exchange Rate) sizzled five-eighths in a bullet :59 2/5, easily the fastest of 36 trials at the trip on the fast track. The Greg de Gannes pupil is exiting a seventh in the Sunshine Millions Dash.

Grade 3 veteran NOW A VICTOR (Yankee Victor) breezed a half-mile in :49.

Multiple stakes scorer NITE LIGHT (Thunder Gulch) sauntered in :52 3/5 in preparation for his first start since June.

Promising sophomore AL KHALI (Medaglia d'Oro) strode five panels in 1:02 as he eyes a North American bow for Todd Pletcher.

Also for Pletcher, impressive debut-winning filly ZOI ZOI (Seeking the Gold) was caught in 1:03.

Gilded Time S. victor RUN SULLY RUN (Cherokee Run) went in 1:01 4/5 from the gate.

Multiple stakes queen AUDACIOUS CHLOE (More Than Ready), runner-up in the Revidere S. two back, posted 1:01 2/5.

Multiple stakes heroine ORINOQUIA (Whywhywhy), fourth in the First Lady H. (G3), sped a half-mile in :48 2/5 over Calder's fast strip.

Wolf Hill S. winner OUR FRIEND HARVEY (Put It Back) clocked :48 1/5 in advance of his seasonal reappearance.

Originally published on brisnet.com