The first stakes win for Law Abidin Citizen was marred when two horses fell in the March 31 $100,000 San Simeon Stakes (G3T), run at about 6 1/2 furlongs over Santa Anita Park’s downhill turf course.

In My Opinion

Live Oak Plantation’s homebred half brothers March to the Arch and Global Access impressed March 31 at Tampa Bay Downs, when the pair took a brace of stakes on the 17th annual Florida Cup Day card.

Reigning Eclipse Award champion Irad Ortiz Jr. claimed the 2018-2019 Championship Meet riding title at Gulfstream Park March 31 prevailing over defending two-time titlist Luis Saez, 135-134.       

Trainer Linda Rice won her first NYRA meet title since 2017, jockey Manny Franco paced all riders with 98 victories, and Michael Dubb led all owners with 15 wins for the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack that spanned Dec. 7, 2018 to March 31.

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby officially ended March 31, when undefeated 3-year-old Der Flug (JPN) took the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse. 

Filly is out of three-time group 1 winner Pride

Sunday Racing’s Al Ain prevailed with a ground-saving trip in the March 31 Osaka Hai (G1) at Hanshin Racecourse to record his first victory in nearly two years.

Gary and Mary West’s Maximum Security exited his dominating triumph the the $1 million Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) March 30 at Gulfstream Park in good order March 31.            

D. J. Stable and Cash is King’s champion filly Jaywalk tuned up for an expected start in the April 6 $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) by working a half-mile on her own in :48 3/5 over a fast main track March 31 at Keeneland.

Owner Joseph Besecker and trainer Claudio Gonzalez dug deep in their pockets to claim Mr. Brix for $50,000 at Laurel Park in October, but the investment proved worthwhile March 30 in the $80,000 Caixa Eletronica Stakes at Aqueduct.

Jockey Victor Espinoza returned to the winner’s circle March 30 for the first time since he resumed race riding in February aboard St. Joe Bay in the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.

After she ran sixth in her first start for Baltas, the Feb. 23 Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) going a mile at Santa Anita, the trainer sent her to the quieter confines of San Luis Rey Training Center, and the mare rewarded his intuition March 30.

Little Red Feather Racing’s Secret Spice crossed the wire well clear of her rivals March 30 in the $400,000 Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

A hard-scramble duel to the wire turned in to a make it or break it moment March 30 for Focus Group, who was ultimately declared the winner following a photo finish in the $250,000 Pan American Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park. 

Gary and Mary West’s Maximum Security made the jump from debuting in a $16,000 maiden claiming race to a grade 1 winner look easy when he pulled clear in the stretch to win the $1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) March 30 at Gulfstream Park.

A calculated move from Drayden Van Dyke put favored Catapult in position to do his best running March 30 in the $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T), but it was 8-year-old former claimer Ohio who held safe in the shadow of the wire.

A field of 10 is taking shape for the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2), which will most likely be contested for its original purse of $750,000 April 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Gary Barber’s Wonder Gadot worked five furlongs March 30 at Oaklawn Park in a bullet :59 for five furlongs in advance of a scheduled start in the April 14 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1).

Assistant David Carroll sent out four Mark Casse-trained hopefuls for the April 6 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) to work the morning of March 30 at Keeneland.