Horse Racing News on February 18, 2012

Ellafitz led all the way home in the Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths over a furiously rallying Vision in Gold and Miss Mittagong, who dead-heated for second.

Bob and Cathy Zollars' Daddy Nose Best outdueled Lucky Chappy after a stretch-long drive in Saturday's Grade 3, $201,300 El Camino Real Derby, prevailing in the tightest-ever finish to Golden Gate Fields' signature prep for the Kentucky Derby.

With 21 3-year-old entrants for the Southwest Stakes Jan. 20, Oaklawn Park has split the race into two divisions worth $250,000 apiece.

Magical Feeling posted a 27-1 upset in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel Park

Force Freeze wins the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Stakes.

The 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, made return to the races an impressive winning over the Gulfstream Park turf course.