This Week in Horse Racing

Lookin at Lucky ending Super Saver's Triple Crown bid wasn't the only thing that happened in horse racing this weekend! So let's take a look back and see what happened on the sidelines.

Strike a Deal Returns to Racing with a Bang

Strike a Deal pulled off a 14-1 upset in the G2 Dixie Stakes over Pimlico's turf track right before the Preakness starters went to the post. The 6-year-old colt was returning to racing after being laid off for over ten months. Strike a Deal took the lead right out of the gate, moving through an easy early pace and held on to the lead over a quickly rallying Just as Well. Rahystrada finished third. Nicanor, Barbaro's full brother making his stakes debut, was on Strike a Deal's tail throughout the race and looked to be moving up, but failed to find another gear and faded to sixth. Strike a Deal hit the million-dollar mark in earnings with his win. The stallion hadn't raced since finishing seventh in the G1 United Nations Stakes last July.

Taqarub Goes Wire to Wire in Maryland Sprint

Taqarub posted a 13-1 upset when we went wire to wire in the G3 Maryland Sprint Handicap. Roaring Lion finished second by a length with last year's Maryland Sprint winner, Ravalo, in third by a head. The colt broke from post 8 and clipped off moderate fractions while under pressure by longshot, Despite the Odds. Taqarub opened up to a length and a half lead at the eighth pole and held onto it. Last year Taqarub joined the Triple Crown hopefuls after dominating by 8 1/4 lengths in the Jimmy Winfelt Stakes at Aqueduct. Those dreams dissipated after he faded to finish a well-beaten ninth in the Fountain of Youth Stakes. He went on to run second in the G3 Bay Share Stakes before a disappointed sixth-place finish in the G3 Hirsch Jacobs Stakes last year on Preakness Day. He returned in February of this year and finished tenth in an allowance going a mile. He then shortened up to his preferred sprint distance and won a money allowance over Keeneland's Polytrack.

Rainbow View Earns her First North American Graded Stakes Victory

Rainbow View, the favorite in the race, earned her first NA graded stakes in the G3 Gallorette Handicap. Rainbow View was shuffled to the back of the field and laid back in sixth for most of hte race. Love's Blush and Denomination lead the field through a slow early pace. As the field turned for home, Rainbow View made her move, moving between horses just off the rail. Quiet Meadow also made her move just outside. Rainbow View steered around Quiet Meadow and moved up to win by half a length. Ave was a head back in third. Rainbow View won her first group I race at Ascot in September 2008 in the Meon Valley Stud Filles Mile. At three, she finished third in the G1 Coronation Stakes in England before taking the G1 Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes in Ireland. She then shipped to North American to finish second in the G1 E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine and fifth in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Stakes, her first try over a synthetic track and her first start in the U.S. Rainbow View won the Gallorette after a victory in an allowance over Keeneland's turf course earlier this year.

Blame Returns in 2010 with Victory

Blame won his first start of the year in the G3 William Donald Schaefer Stakes. Blame sat off the pace set by Understatement just off the rail. He moved up on the rail, surging between horses to pull away to an easy 1 1/2-length win. Blame could make his next start in the G1 Stephen Foster Handicap June 12. Last year's Schaefer winner rallied from last to finish a driving second. Timber Reserve made a bid in the stretch, but failed to hold on and finished third. Blame has now won six of his nine career starts.

Funny Moon Draws Away to Easy Shuvee Win

Funny Moon pulled away in the stretch to post an upset over favorite, Seattle Smooth, in the G2 Shuvee Handicap. The Shuvee is the second stakes win of her career. Her first took place last July in the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks, also at Belmont. Solo Piano set moderate splits throughout the race, tracked by Funny Moon. Solo Piano, Funny Moon, and Seattle Smooth hit the top of the stretch together, but Funny Moon took command and drew away to a 2 3/4 length win. Seattle Smooth chased on from the outside, but couldn't catch the winner. Milwaukee Appeal trailed back in third.

Acclamation Shatters 11-Race Losing Streak

Acclamation earned his first graded stakes win and broke his losing streak in half with an upset in the G2 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap. Acclamation sped to the lead and opened up to lead by ten lengths with four furlongs remaining. He drifted out in the stretch, but held on to win by 7 1/2 lengths. Falcon Rock finished second with Rendezvous in third. Acclamation's victory in the 12-furlong victory is the longest in it's 20-year history. It was the colt's first victory since winning an optional claiming allowance last August.

Comedero Extends Streak to Four

Comedero extending his win streak to four consecutive races with his win the G3 Chick Lang Stakes. The gelding has now won seven of his eight lifetime starts. Securing the lead out of the gate and riding the rail, the Camedero was pressured by Quiet Invader before edging clear at teh quarter pole. Comedero drifted a bit entering the stretch but straightened out to pull away to a 3 3/4 length victory. Latigo Shore rallied from second-to-last to finish second in front of favorite, Quiet Invader.

Acting Happy pulls Black-Eyed Susan Upset in a Troubled Race

Acting Happy pulled a 10-1 upset in her stakes debut, a very troubled G2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. Acting Happy was making the fourth start of her career with only a maiden win to her credit and coming off a pair of second places in two allowances. Acting Happy pressed the pace set by Khancord Kid. As they went into the far turn, back in the pack Diva Delite clipped heels with CC's Pal. Diva Delite stumbled and threw Julien Leparoux. The accident threw Seeking the Title off stride and unseated Kent Desormeaux. Desormeaux escaped injury, but Leparoux received medial attention on the track before being moved to the hospital. It was later announced that Leparoux had no broken bones and he returned to ride Pleasant Prince and his other mounts on Preakness Day the next day. There's no word on the condition of the horses, though both were caught by outriders after the race and appeared to be fine. Oblivious to the disaster behind them, Khancord Kid, Tidal Pool, and Acting Happy came off the final turn heads apart. Acting Happy wore down Tidal Pool approaching the sixteenth pole and then held off a late charge from No Such Word, winning by 1 1/2 lengths. No Such Word finished second with Tidal Pool back in third. Acting Happy is now 2-2-0 from four starts.