Horse Racing News on October 1, 2011

Wilburn moved through a rail opening at a critical time and proceeded to draw away from Shackleford down the stretch to post a 4 3/4-length victory Saturday in the 17th running of the Grade 2, $510,900 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park.

The rematch between Plum Pretty and It's Tricky turned out to be no match at all, with Plum Pretty running away to a 7 1/2- length victory in the Grade 2, $750,000 Cotillion Stakes on Saturday at Parx Racing.

About six hours after Stacelita coasted in Saturday's Grade 1 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park, she was further flattered by Dubawi Heights' efficient victory in the Grade 1, $250,000 Yellow Ribbon at Santa Anita.

Zazu Peaks in Lady's Secret; Blind Luck Last Zazu, coming from far out of it, charged down the center of the course to defeat Ultra Blend in the Grade 1, $250,000 Lady's Secret Stakes as 13-10 choice Blind Luck failed to fire at Santa Anita Oct. 1.

The Goodwood Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita did not unfold the way trainer Bob Baffert drew it up on paper, but the result was still what he desired.

After recording runner-up finishes to Havre de Grace in the Woodward Stakes and Tizway in the Whitney Handicap, Flat Out notched his first signature victory of 2011 in Saturday's Grade 1 Jockey Club Club Gold.

Fox Hill Farm's easily live up to her 4-5 favoritism in Saturday's $350,000 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park, dragging jockey Ramon Dominguez to the lead exiting the final turn and drawing off to dominate her four rivals in impressive style.

Uncle Mo is headed to the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Martin S. Schwartz's Stacelita easily justified 1-2 favoritism in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park, solidifying her status as the leading American-based contender for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Cape Blanco shipped across the pond from Ireland for third time since this summer to collect a grade I victory, barely outlasting a determined Dean's Kitten by a nose in the Grade 1, $490,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park Oct. 1.