Horse Racing News on November 25, 2011

After being left alone on the early lead, Our Nautique managed to stave off the desperate late rally of Bold Chieftain in Friday's Grade 3, $100,260 All American Stakes, winning by neck over the Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields.

Facing a top-class field of East Coast shippers, a local turf filly stole the show Friday in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Versatile gelding Wise Dan registered the first Grade 1 victory of his career when he wore down Mission Impazible in the final furlong to easily capture the $572,500 Clark Handicap by 3 3/4 lengths at Churchill Downs Nov. 25.

With the scratch of morning-line favorite Assateague, fellow East Coast shipper More Than Love was bet down to even-money in Friday's Grade 3, $100,000 Miesque Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Sunrise Smarty took all the heat up front and still had just enough to hang on for a half-length win in the $100,000 Fall Highweight Handicap on Thanksgiving at Aqueduct.

For all the terrific performances by 2-year-olds so far at the Churchill Downs fall meet, none was more eye-catching than the maiden victory by an Indian Charlie colt named Ever So Lucky on Nov. 11.

After conceding the early advantage to even-money favorite All Due Respect, Barry Schwartz's Lovely Lil reasserted her superiority down the backside and went on to post a 15-1 upset of Friday's Grade 2, $150,000 Go for Wand Handicap at Aqueduct.