February 9, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
All Signs Pointing Up
A signature showing in Saturday’s $140,000 Sam F. Davis earned John Hancock his first career stakes title in his debut at the level.
Closing as the slight 5-2 choice over eventual second-place finisher Owen Almighty, John Hancock led from gate-to-wire for the half-length score.
The ascending Brad Cox charge remained unbeaten through two career starts, with his pair of victories generating more than $138,500 in purse earnings.
John Hancock’s glorious Gulfstream Park gallop also netted him 20 qualifying points towards this May’s Kentucky Derby (G1).
Despite the high billing, the 3-year-old colt returned strong value, paying an even $7.
Ivy League Level
There Goes Harvard finished at the top of his class for the first time in eight starts after running away for a 3 ¼-length triumph in Saturday’s $100,000 San Marcos (G3) at Santa Anita.
Slotted into post two for the 1 ¼-mile contest, the 7-year-old looked rejuvenated in his first start since a tough tenth in November’s Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T).
There Goes Harvard, at 9-2, led throughout for his first trip to the winner’s circle since May 30, 2022 (Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup).
The long overdue conquest proved worthwhile for bettors too, as the Michael McCarthy trainee paid a cool $11.20.
Welcome to the Show
Wild Bout Hilary waited until her 13th start to reach the graded stakes level, and when she got there, she closed as the longest shot in the field of five at 16-1.
None of that mattered, however, as the 4-year-old filly was the star of the show in Saturday’s $250,000 Bayakoa (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
It took everything she had, but the determined veteran held on to steal the 1 1/16-mile tilt by a head after leading every step of the way.
The career-defining victory accounted for nearly half ($150,000) of Wild Bout Hilary’s lifetime purse earnings total ($305,340).
Punters who snuffed out the underdog were also rewarded handsomely, as the wily war horse paid $34 flat.
Still Scorching
Off to a perfect two-for-two start to his career, Sand Devil looked to remain that way in Saturday’s $125,000 Damon Runyon Stakes at Aqueduct.
Assuming the second post in the field of five, the overwhelming 1-5 favorite didn’t exactly play the part of a horse with a combined victory margin of 16 ½-lengths, but a neck’s difference was all Sand Devil needed to stay undefeated.
An urgent sprint from four-lengths behind did the trick for the Jose Lezcano mount, who now has over $151,000 to his name.
Although, the extra effort didn’t increase the final payout. Sand Devil’s first stakes score paid a modest $2.40.
A Little Hope Goes a Long Way
Epona’s Hope continued the theme of horses jumping out to an early lead and not letting go. The 4-year-old mare did just enough to hold off 4-5 choice Just a Care (IRE) in Saturday’s $140,000 Ladies’ Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park.
Leaving the gate as the pack of nine’s second choice (9-2), Epona’s Hope faced a tough task against the aforementioned Just a Care (2024 Abundantia Stakes winner).
Instead of waiting back, Epona’s Hope and rider Joel Rosario set the tone early and carried that momentum through to the final stages of the five-furlong dash.
Their boldness paid off, as the Edward Plesa Jr. charge’s fifth career tally paid $11.60.