June 1, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
For the Record
After three consecutive winless starts, Mo Town Classic set the record straight in a hard-fought Eclipse (G2) victory on Saturday afternoon at Woodbine.
Lined up in post six for the $175,000 contest, the 5-year-old Eswan Flores mount travelled towards the back of the eight-horse pack early on before making a play inside.
Flores’ maneuver proved prudent, as Mo Town Classic was able to surge ahead and outlast rival Webslinger by three-quarters-of-a-length.
The sharp showing improved Mo Town Classic’s career line to 6-3-8 through 22 starts and returned a handsome $20.10 on a $2 win bet.
No Mystake
It took 392 days, but 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) champion Mystik Dan finally found his way back to the winner’s circle with a stellar outing in this past Saturday’s $275,000 Blame (G3).
Returning to Churchill Downs, the site of his landmark moment, Mystik Dan authored an effort reminiscent of last year’s Derby-winning display, rallying mightily for the 1 ¼-length decision.
The long overdue and desperately needed tally reversed a five-start dry spell that had plagued the 4-year-old colt for more than a calendar year.
Back on the board, Mystik Dan paid $8.12 at 3-1.
Captain Consistency
Consistent filly Fionn finished third in her first taste of graded stakes action in April’s Appalachian (G2) at Keeneland.
Staying in Kentucky for her second graded voyage – the $275,000 Regret (G3T) at Churchill Downs – the 3-year-old, who entered having never missed the podium through five career starts, kept the streak alive and then some on Saturday.
Sent off at 4-1, Fionn turned on the jets to swipe the 1 1/8-mile dash from foe Totally Justified and set a new stakes record of 1:47.29 in the process.
Now standing at an impressive 4-1-1 across her first six starts, Fionn’s historic triumph paid $10.08.
So Nyce
Nysos, being the gentleman he is, let Santa Anita’s Saturday afternoon crowd enjoy a close race for a little while before breaking away with ease to take the $100,000 Triple Bend (G3) by 5 ½ lengths.
The courteous turned commanding exhibition was on par with Nysos standout track record and billing as the seven-furlong Triple Bend’s heavy 1-5 choice.
Galloping in with two graded trophies to his name in the Bob Hope (G3) and Robert B. Lewis (G3), the Juan Hernandez mount confidently added another layer to his already compelling Breeders’ Cup case.
Up to 4-1-0 through five career starts, Nysos paid $2.40.
Spare Me
A precision strike from Pin Up Betty in Sunday afternoon’s $250,000 Mint Julep (G3T) earned the veteran filly her second career graded stakes trophy and first win since last June’s Regret (G3T) – her first graded success.
Competing against a crowded field of 11, Pin Up Betty and rider Luis Saez stalked the pace from the middle of the pack before making a timely move and pulling away for the 1 ½-length conquest.
After showing promise last time out with a second in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2T), also at Churchill Downs, the 4-year-old Michael Maker charge boldly capped her winless drought at six.
At 5-1, Pin Up Betty paid $12.50.
