TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

 

No Time to Burn

Legend of Time (GB) decided to skip a step and make the second time the charm this past Saturday at Aqueduct.

Making his first start since a disappointing fifth in the American Turf (G2) in his North American debut, the 3-year-old colt was on schedule, even if only by a head, to steal the $200,000 Pennine Ridge (G2T) from 4-1 challenger White Palomino.

The 1 1/8-mile contest proved to be far more stressful than the 4-5 closing line choice was hoping for, but Legend of Time and rider Joel Rosario prevailed for their fourth victory in five starts this year.

Bettors who sweated this one out were rewarded with a modest $3.80 payout.

 

What am I Looking at?

It’s only fitting that Atomic Blonde (GER) came out on top in a race with as many twists and turns as the $200,000 Keertana.

What started out with 23-1 dart throw Sand and Sea breaking out to a 22-length lead at the half-mile pole, ended with the very same horse landing over 55-lengths behind the pace.

While Sand and Sea was busy bending reality, and therefore commanding the attention of onlookers at Aqueduct, Atomic Blonde used the distraction to her advantage.

The 5-year-old mare, who sat 12 ½ lengths behind pack leader Chop Chop (3-5) at the stretch, showed incredible poise and patience before turning on the jets to snatch the Keertana crown by a half-length.

Atomic Blonde and top rider Tyler Gaffalione successfully sorted through Saturday’s strange events to deliver a $7.64 payout.

 

Golden Gallop

Mucho Del Oro (11-1) struck gold as the third-longest shot on the board in Sunday evening’s $100,000 Daytona (G3T) at Santa Anita.

Positioned in post two, the 5-year-old gelding and jockey Kyle Frey took command of the 6 ½-furlong tilt right out of the gate, never to relent despite heavy pressure from 7-5 closing line choice First Peace.

Mucho Del Oro and Frey made the most of their first ride together, landing the most impressive win of the Doug O’Neill trainee’s four-year career (19:10-2-0).

The half-length triumph also earned Mucho Del Oro his second graded prize in as many tries at the level.

“A lot of Gold” in English, paid $24.80.

 

Trending Up

Segesta (4-1), who is now 2-for-4 lifetime after a half-length victory in the $200,000 Wonder Again (G2T) on Memorial Day at Aqueduct, would be a welcomed addition to the latter half of the Toronto Blue Jays lineup.

The 3-year-old filly left the gate as the field of six’s second choice behind 3-5 favorite Sweet Rebecca, who plodded to a disappointing fifth. Under the guidance of future hall of fame rider Irad Ortiz Jr., Segesta weaved through traffic to hold off a late push from 10-1 challenger Sy B.

Monday’s complete showing came at an opportune time for the Juddmonte product, as the Wonder Again marked her first taste of graded action after three starts amongst the lower ranks.

Following a slow start (ninth in her pro debut), Segesta has now found the podium in three straight starts, winning the last two.

Her most recent exploit paid an even $10.

 

Angle it Like Anisette

The last time a Brit came over to the United States and dominated like Anisette (GB), a 32-year-old David Beckham was making MLS defenders look foolish with the LA Galaxy.

But that was 2007. Today belongs to the 4-year-old Leonard Powell charge, who scored her fifth win, and fourth of the graded variety, with a stunning comeback effort in the $300,000 Gamely (G1T) at Santa Anita on Monday night.

Closing as the 5-2 choice in the field of eight, Anisette and rider Umberto Rispoli patiently surveyed the competition before exploding towards the finish line to steal the 1 1/8-mile affair from 5-1 challenger Olivia Maralda (IRE).

The textbook performance, which pushed the filly’s career line to 6-3-0 through 10 starts, paid $7.60.