Horse Racing News on February 19, 2011

There were some relieved smiles in Santa Anita's winning circle after favored Smiling Tiger overcame a bad stumble at the start to capture the Grade 2, $150,000 San Carlos Handicap by a desperate head in the rain Feb. 19.

Demarcation rallied from last on Saturday to capture the Grade 3, $121,250 Mineshaft Handicap by a head over favored Mission Impazible.

Expansion, with Gerard Melancon up, emerged from out of nowhere to pull a 32-1 upset in a three-horse photo Saturday in the 24th running of the Grade 3, $125,000 Fair Grounds Handicap in New Orleans.

Prince Will I Am scored his second straight graded stakes win when he held off Rahy's Attorney to take the Grade 2, $150,000 Mac Diarmida by three-quarters of a length Feb. 19 at Gulfstream Park.

Trainer Todd Pletcher continued his domination of the older filly and mare handicap division at Gulfstream Park this winter after sending Awesome Maria out to a decisive 4 3/4-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 Sabin.

Kathmanblu solidified her position near the top - if not atop - the 3-year-old filly division with a workmanlike 1 1/4-length win in the Grade 3, $147,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Jockey Eibar Coa underwent surgery to stabilize his fractured C-4 vertebra at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., his agent Tito Fuentes reported shortly before 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Mucho Macho Man and jockey Rajiv Maragh were prominent from the start Saturday before turning back all comers to win the Grade 2, $300,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

After Saturday's $150,000 San Luis Obispo Stakes at Santa Anita, it's safe to say there is a tie at the top of the California turf marathon division.

Though her connections view her as a two-turn horse, Harissa displayed the ability to handle one turn just as well, cruising to a 2 1/4-length victory under Ramon Dominguez in Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel Park.