July 27, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Don’t Fence Me In
Lovesick Blues belted out the performance of a lifetime in an upset $400,000 Bing Crosby (G1) win on Saturday at Santa Anita.
Making just his fourth start in a graded stakes – and first at the Grade 1 tier – in his 41st lifetime outing, Lovesick Blues closed as the seventh choice in the field of nine at 18-1.
The long odds proved to be a motivator rather than a deterrent for the 8-year-old gelding, who rallied with visible determination for the comeback 1 ¾-length triumph.
The California-bred’s stellar showing was equally fruitful for sharp bettors, as Lovesick Blues paid $39.20 on a $2 win wager.
Simply Outstanding
The year of Sovereignty keeps getting more outrageous.
On Saturday afternoon at Saratoga, the reigning Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1) champion confidently captured the $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) to maintain his foothold atop the 3-year-old division.
The $5 million-earner showed no signs of rust in his first start since the Belmont, pulling away from 3-1 second choice Baeza for the one-length tally.
With his sights now set on the Grade 1 Travers, also at Saratoga, on August 23, Sovereignty has thus far been in a class of his own.
Sovereignty paid $3 flat in the Jim Dandy.
Curse, Reversed
Nysos – the overwhelming 1-9 choice in Saturday’s $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2T) – led the Bob Baffert-trained exacta with a smooth 2 ¾-length victory over teammate Mirahmadi.
While the result seemed inevitable heading into the 1 1/16-mile contest, Nysos had to contend with the curse that had plagued Baffert’s SD Handicap favorites for years.
Between Silver Charm (3-10, 1998), Arrogate (1-20, 2017), Country Grammer (2-1, 2022), Defunded (4-5, 2023), and Arabian Knight (2-5, 2024), heavy favorites under Baffert’s tutelage were no stranger to disappointing finishes in the turf tilt.
However, a professional effort from Nysos kept the now four-time graded stakes winner from becoming the latest name on the list.
Nysos paid $2.20.
What a Run
After faltering to an eighth-place finish in her graded debut (Grade 1 Ashland on April 7), Running Away faced the problem head on in the $250,000 Monmouth Oaks (G2).
With a confidence-boosting score in May’s Horseshoe Indianapolis Handicap in her back pocket, the resilient 3-year-old filly starred on Saturday
Operating out of post five, Running Away showed the Monmouth Park faithful where she got her name from, leading into the stretch and separating for the 1 ¼-length decision.
Now standing at 4-1-1 through seven career starts, Running Away’s breakthrough triumph paid $11.40.
Candy Quest, Candy Quest, Candy…
It was a sweet ending to Saturday’s $150,000 Ontario Colleen (G3T) for Candy Quest, who roared back to earn her first graded trophy by 1 ¾ lengths.
Closing as the second choice at 5-2, Candy Quest settled off the pace early before sliding out wide and kicking it into high gear for the comeback tally.
After spending time at Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, and Penn National, the Mark Casse charge quickly found her footing in her first career start at Woodbine.
Candy Quest paid $7.60.